Jenn called me today from her hospital ward and we talked for 15 minutes her voice is still raspy, but clear, and she sounds more like Jenn - she has been moved out of High Care into a regular hospital ward, ALL of her tubes have been removed, and she has been taken off oxygen. When she arrived at the hospital, she had scabs covering most of her face - they have mostly come off, and the skin is normal underneath!!
She is looking forward to taking a shower by herself tonight, and wearing her own clothes - including a pink nightgown her mother took to her.
The eye doctor examined her vision thoroughly, and her eye is fine - stitches should come out tomorrow, and we'll know more about her appearance then. They also have a macular facial surgeon who will be looking at her soon.
Prognosis is that she will be in the hospital about a week longer, then move to a halfway house for two weeks, then be flown home.
Her mother said "her recovery has been amazing. It is happening so fast, that she may not realize how seriously she was injured". She also restated again how wonderful the hospital staff and hotel staff had been to them.
Brenda and Micki are planning on leaving on the 8th, Brenda hopes to be back home Friday morning. Jenn will be lonely, so feel free to give her a call - remember, it is 8 hours later there (central time).
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Update Jan. 5
Jenn had a good day today - she still has a tube in one lung, but she has been walking around on her own power, and sitting up more - according to Brenda, a significant improvement.
Tim will be discharged to a halfway house tomorrow, which was upsetting, but he will be back and forth to the hospital, and can visit Jenn when he's there.
The doctors are talking about one more week in the hospital, then a move to a halfway house for Jenn for two weeks, then a trip home. She will not be able to return to Africa, because of the removal of her spleen, and that is upsetting, because she has worked so hard to get there, learned new languages, etc.
Brenda and Micki are still there, and have not made plans to return. They have been moved to a new room, 109, at the Forever Resort in Pretoria. They can be called in the evening (1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET) at 01127126446000, ask for room 109. Least expensive way is a land line with a calling card.
Tim will be discharged to a halfway house tomorrow, which was upsetting, but he will be back and forth to the hospital, and can visit Jenn when he's there.
The doctors are talking about one more week in the hospital, then a move to a halfway house for Jenn for two weeks, then a trip home. She will not be able to return to Africa, because of the removal of her spleen, and that is upsetting, because she has worked so hard to get there, learned new languages, etc.
Brenda and Micki are still there, and have not made plans to return. They have been moved to a new room, 109, at the Forever Resort in Pretoria. They can be called in the evening (1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET) at 01127126446000, ask for room 109. Least expensive way is a land line with a calling card.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Text me
Jenn's new cell phone has text messaging - so text her!! Her number is 01127798570961 - I don't know how soon she will be able to respond, but she would love to get messages!! Also, she has voice mail (once they figure how to make it work). At some point, when she is able to move about more, she will also have access to a computer, so she can read your e-mails.
Jan 4 update
Jenn called me from the hospital today!! She was hoarse, her voice was very quiet, but she was quite clear and lucid - and ready to come home!! No new news on her status - other than they are talking about moving her into her own room out of High Care. She said removing the tubes they have done so far has made her feel better, and she can't wait until all of them are out.
The eye doctor, as well as all of the other docs, will visit with her and her mom tomorrow, and we will know a lot more about her status.
At this point, her mom and aunt are staying "indefinitely", at least until they are satisfied that she is stable, and is past the immediate need for surgery.
Do send her e-mails if you can, as once she is able to move about, she will have limited access to a computer at the hospital. These mean a lot to her. I printed and sent some with her mother when she left, and they really helped Jenn.
I hope to have an address for cards and letters tomorrow.
Her aunt Judy sent over an ipod with pictures and music - Jenn says she listens to it constantly.
One other thing - they have recovered some of her belongings from the crash - don't know how, as there was nothing left at the site, but some of her things from the crash site are in Lilongwe.
More later - thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
The eye doctor, as well as all of the other docs, will visit with her and her mom tomorrow, and we will know a lot more about her status.
At this point, her mom and aunt are staying "indefinitely", at least until they are satisfied that she is stable, and is past the immediate need for surgery.
Do send her e-mails if you can, as once she is able to move about, she will have limited access to a computer at the hospital. These mean a lot to her. I printed and sent some with her mother when she left, and they really helped Jenn.
I hope to have an address for cards and letters tomorrow.
Her aunt Judy sent over an ipod with pictures and music - Jenn says she listens to it constantly.
One other thing - they have recovered some of her belongings from the crash - don't know how, as there was nothing left at the site, but some of her things from the crash site are in Lilongwe.
More later - thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Good News from Pretoria Jan. 3
Good news today - Jenn has been moved from Intensive Care to a "high care" room - which means she is improving. They removed one of the tubes from her lungs, and the tubes from her neck, and she has been taken off morphine - which is good and bad. She is beginning to feel the pain more, and they are really controlling her pain medication - and working toward taking her off of oxygen. With the reduction in her pain medication, her eye is beginning to throb, and she won't see the eye doctor until Monday.
Jenn did walk, with a walker, from one room to the other. In her new room, she has a little more space around her bed, a table, and can have some personal effects - hairbrush, tooth brush, etc.
They don't think she will be in "High Care" long, will move from there to a regular room, and then to a "halfway house", from which she will be transported to the hospital for treatment, until she is strong enough for a 30 hour flight.
She has a cell phone, 01127798570961. I don't know when she will be able to receive calls, will find that out later - least expensive way to call is from a land line using an international calling card.
Turns out the Tim had a punctured lung also, they just told Brenda that today - so he is in the hospital another day or so, and will be moved to a half way house.
Her mom is planning on staying through Sunday night, taking the Monday flight home, which means she will be here Tuesday evening.
Jenn did walk, with a walker, from one room to the other. In her new room, she has a little more space around her bed, a table, and can have some personal effects - hairbrush, tooth brush, etc.
They don't think she will be in "High Care" long, will move from there to a regular room, and then to a "halfway house", from which she will be transported to the hospital for treatment, until she is strong enough for a 30 hour flight.
She has a cell phone, 01127798570961. I don't know when she will be able to receive calls, will find that out later - least expensive way to call is from a land line using an international calling card.
Turns out the Tim had a punctured lung also, they just told Brenda that today - so he is in the hospital another day or so, and will be moved to a half way house.
Her mom is planning on staying through Sunday night, taking the Monday flight home, which means she will be here Tuesday evening.
Friday, January 2, 2009
January 2 update
Jenn's mom called, she is in better spirits today, and they had her up walking and sitting up more. Turns out that both of her lungs were collapsed, and she has tubes in both lungs - they may remove them tomorrow. The big concern now is pneumonia, which would be very dangerous for Jenn at this point.
The eye doctor visited her today, her eye is opening up more every day, and she can see out of it - there was some blurred vision at first, but that cleared up. She may have damaged an eye mussle, and may have torn a tear duct, either of which may require surgery - but the eye doctor said it would be at least a week before they would discuss that.
Most of her injuries - shoulder, collar bone, ribs, cheek - are on the left side, but a lot of cuts on the right, where she was pulled through the window of the car.
Although she complained about the Malawi diet of corn and rice, very bland, she isn't much more excited about hospital food - and has asked her mom to smuggle in a turkey sandwich!!
It looks like Tim will be discharged tomorrow to a half way house, where he will be shuttled back and forth to the hospital for doctor appointments.
They got a cell phone for Jenn today, but the sim card was damaged, so they have to get it replaced tomorrow. And then, she won't even be able to use it at first - they don't allow cell phones in ICU. BUMMER.
Jenn's mom and aunt are staying "indefinitely" at this point - at least until Jenn is out of ICU and a lower level of risk.
The eye doctor visited her today, her eye is opening up more every day, and she can see out of it - there was some blurred vision at first, but that cleared up. She may have damaged an eye mussle, and may have torn a tear duct, either of which may require surgery - but the eye doctor said it would be at least a week before they would discuss that.
Most of her injuries - shoulder, collar bone, ribs, cheek - are on the left side, but a lot of cuts on the right, where she was pulled through the window of the car.
Although she complained about the Malawi diet of corn and rice, very bland, she isn't much more excited about hospital food - and has asked her mom to smuggle in a turkey sandwich!!
It looks like Tim will be discharged tomorrow to a half way house, where he will be shuttled back and forth to the hospital for doctor appointments.
They got a cell phone for Jenn today, but the sim card was damaged, so they have to get it replaced tomorrow. And then, she won't even be able to use it at first - they don't allow cell phones in ICU. BUMMER.
Jenn's mom and aunt are staying "indefinitely" at this point - at least until Jenn is out of ICU and a lower level of risk.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year Pretoria Update
Jenn's mom and aunt have been able to visit her twice today, and are on the third visit now. Jenn had a rough night last night, as she is having difficulty clearing phlegm from her lungs because of her broken collar bone and shoulder. They had to get her up in the middle of the night to help her.
They should be able to remove one of her tubes tomorrow, which is a sign that she is progressing. Her mom and aunt are going to stay at least one extra day, taking Friday to do some shopping for her, buy her a cell phone, etc., and most likely will leave on Saturday now.
I have not been able to talk to Jenn, I am getting information from her mom when she can call me.
They should be able to remove one of her tubes tomorrow, which is a sign that she is progressing. Her mom and aunt are going to stay at least one extra day, taking Friday to do some shopping for her, buy her a cell phone, etc., and most likely will leave on Saturday now.
I have not been able to talk to Jenn, I am getting information from her mom when she can call me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
