They are hoping by tomorrow Charis could maybe dangle her feet over the sides of the bed.
Tomorrow they will go back in for wound surgery about 12:00 or 1 pm [prayer time ; )]. They will keep going in and cleaning it up in there, and watching it until the wound is ready to close. Then the plastic surgeon will graft skin to it.
Charis ate a little bit today! She had some strawberry instant breakfast. And peach mango ice cream. And green jello. It still makes her nauseated to eat. They won't take the feeding tube out until she can eat half of what comes on her meal trays.
She seems to be getting stronger--she helps the nurses turn herself a lot more. She can grab the trapeze bar or the side bars to help pull herself over.
They will have a lot of activities for her to do when she gets to the point. They have painting, coloring, activity books, and beads--Liza will bring some stuff. Charis loves to draw and color and do crafts. And paint by number--simple ones. She's not quite up to writing yet.
She has fungus in her hip bone. It's treatable. It may take a while to get rid of, but it's treatable. She hasn't run a fever for a few days. YEA!
Korbi snuck her new little puppy over in to see Charis. Charis got to love the pup for a couple of hours.
Slowly, but surely she's getting better. We'll see if the surgery and leg dangling can happen on the same day, because surgery seems to wipe her out for a while.
Cassie & Miss Robin made Charis a little valentines box, so everyone can send her valentines. She likes her little box. I bet she would like lights up in her room.
The last couple of days she's just been improving. The plastic surgeon says things are looking great.
"HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO EVERYBODY," Cass said. "Tell all your loved ones that you love them, because you never know..." [It makes me cry.] Cass says, "All of you, I love and appreciate all of you." [Now she's crying, too] "I'm so thankful for all your prayers. And Happy Valentines day! You can wear your pinks and reds and purples." Cass likes to buy holiday shirts for the next year on the day-after sales.
Cass again, "This experience teaches us all. All these things happen for a reason. We all grow spiritually, mentally, and physically from all these things. It's not the funnest thing to experience, but we become a better person because of it all." Now ain't that the truth!
Love,
Suz and Cassie
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
WEDNESDAY, February 9, 2011
Yesterday Charis had the right chest/lung tube taken out. There was one drain tube in the left side and it got taken out. She just has the left lung tube to go.
Today they took the wound vac back out and let the plastic surgeon come in to see what they could do with the wound. They did surgery this morning and it looked a lot better than they thought. They snipped off some dead skin. They took out more bone fragments from the hip area. They didn't know whether to close it today or not and decided not to close it and they put the wound vac back on. It's looking really good in there. The plastic surgeon will keep checking the wound and close it up with skin when it's ready.
Yesterday she developed a rash. They will do the process of elimination again. They think it is antibiotics or heat.
She's been running a fever. They gave her some Tylenol for it. The major things wrong with her don't have infection. She might be running a fever from the antibiotics. They're doing a tube down in to her left lung--it's hard to tell if there's fluid in the lung because it was so traumatized. With the tube they grab the mucousy stuff and bring it up. Out from the lung is coming clear fluid right now. The left lung was just really damaged and it will take a while to heal. They'll keep doing the tube to get the mucousy crap out.
Yesterday they put the feeding tube back in. They keep increasing the nutrition she's getting. The fluid makes her stomach just a little nauseated, but not as bad as food does.
She's been drinking Sprite today.
Cass started back to work today. Cathy (Chad's mom) came today, and Ben (her boyfriend) may come tomorrow.
If Charis keeps up the good work, maybe they can start to have her sit up in bed and dangle her feet off the bed. Maybe she can start drinking the power drinks again. Maybe she can do a little bit more moving.
They said she'll be in there at least probably a month more. It's been three weeks today.
"Charis has been doing good. She's got a good attitude. She's a strong girl, this one," Cass says. They keep calling her "The Miracle". The doctors have learned a lot from her. It's an amazing, unbelievable case, and she's doing so well. It's prayers and fasting, and that she's meant to be here and has a purpose on this earth.
Chad has a cold so he can't come to see her right now. He can come in a few days with a mask.
She's still in intermediate care, room 261.
That's it.
Love,
Suz
P.S. Please see if your mid-week mornings are clear to go in to sit with her. THANK YOU! (I sure wish I were closer!)
Today they took the wound vac back out and let the plastic surgeon come in to see what they could do with the wound. They did surgery this morning and it looked a lot better than they thought. They snipped off some dead skin. They took out more bone fragments from the hip area. They didn't know whether to close it today or not and decided not to close it and they put the wound vac back on. It's looking really good in there. The plastic surgeon will keep checking the wound and close it up with skin when it's ready.
Yesterday she developed a rash. They will do the process of elimination again. They think it is antibiotics or heat.
She's been running a fever. They gave her some Tylenol for it. The major things wrong with her don't have infection. She might be running a fever from the antibiotics. They're doing a tube down in to her left lung--it's hard to tell if there's fluid in the lung because it was so traumatized. With the tube they grab the mucousy stuff and bring it up. Out from the lung is coming clear fluid right now. The left lung was just really damaged and it will take a while to heal. They'll keep doing the tube to get the mucousy crap out.
Yesterday they put the feeding tube back in. They keep increasing the nutrition she's getting. The fluid makes her stomach just a little nauseated, but not as bad as food does.
She's been drinking Sprite today.
Cass started back to work today. Cathy (Chad's mom) came today, and Ben (her boyfriend) may come tomorrow.
If Charis keeps up the good work, maybe they can start to have her sit up in bed and dangle her feet off the bed. Maybe she can start drinking the power drinks again. Maybe she can do a little bit more moving.
They said she'll be in there at least probably a month more. It's been three weeks today.
"Charis has been doing good. She's got a good attitude. She's a strong girl, this one," Cass says. They keep calling her "The Miracle". The doctors have learned a lot from her. It's an amazing, unbelievable case, and she's doing so well. It's prayers and fasting, and that she's meant to be here and has a purpose on this earth.
Chad has a cold so he can't come to see her right now. He can come in a few days with a mask.
She's still in intermediate care, room 261.
That's it.
Love,
Suz
P.S. Please see if your mid-week mornings are clear to go in to sit with her. THANK YOU! (I sure wish I were closer!)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
SUNDAY, February 6, 2011
Chad came first thing this morning to be with Charis and Cass came in at 2:30 pm. Chad left at 4:30 pm. Chari is sleeping, and Cass is watching the Super Bowl by force (Chari didn’t want the channel changed.)
Charis is doing really good. But she’s still not eating very well. She says that nothing tastes good. It’s so different from regular Charis’ eating, to have her not eat because she loves to eat. [Like me] Her belly hurts because it’s just not used to food with nothing in it for a week. Lauralee’s stomach still hurts every time she eats 5+ years later. I REALLY hope they can figure out how to help stomachs get used to food again. So tomorrow they will have to put the feeding tube back in Chari. She needs protein to make her organs get better faster. It must be harder to eat than we think or she would do it. Lauralee knows.
At the first the doctors thought that one of her bladder tubes got stretched. They thought now that maybe one side was leaking, so they did a CT scan with dye in her to see where the dye went. YEA! They found that there’s no leaking!
“It’s a slow process here,” Cass says. Charis will need rehab and will need to be eating well before she gets out. Her side wound is still being vacuumed out. The broken vertebra is down by the bottom of her spine. Her right leg is getting stronger, with more range of motion. She likes to try to wiggle it a lot. They will teach Cass the physical therapy so Cass can do it more times a day than the therapists can do.
Charis still doesn’t talk a lot. She watches TV. Cass rubs her feet. Charis’ boyfriend still comes about every day.
Cass is thinking about going back to work on Tuesday. She should be working Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Chad’s mom could come from 10 am--12:30 pm and Cass can show up at 1:30. Monetarily it’s not a huge thing for Cass to be out of work for three weeks, but she needs to start back now. I, Susie, appeal to everyone who is healthy and over 14 [déjà vu] to see if you could take a turn Tues, Wed, or Thurs 9 am – 1 pm those days to sit with Charis. It will bless your life. I know. You don’t have to talk or entertain her, just come to sit—to be an attending body. ; ) Call Cass at 801-318-4354. Cass’ church is Sundays 1-4. She doesn’t know if the hospital has church on Sundays. Primary Children’s Medical Center did.
Elli is taking driver’s ed right now and she gets to student drive for her first time tomorrow. She can get her license on April 5th. “She’ll be right ready to drive!” Cassie says. Charis doesn’t have her driver’s license yet. She either has walked, rode her bike or gotten rides with Chad or Cass, and paid them gas money.
Well, that’s it for the last 2 days.
Love,
Suz
PS There were some good Super Bowl ads, huh! I rated them this year. ; )
Charis is doing really good. But she’s still not eating very well. She says that nothing tastes good. It’s so different from regular Charis’ eating, to have her not eat because she loves to eat. [Like me] Her belly hurts because it’s just not used to food with nothing in it for a week. Lauralee’s stomach still hurts every time she eats 5+ years later. I REALLY hope they can figure out how to help stomachs get used to food again. So tomorrow they will have to put the feeding tube back in Chari. She needs protein to make her organs get better faster. It must be harder to eat than we think or she would do it. Lauralee knows.
At the first the doctors thought that one of her bladder tubes got stretched. They thought now that maybe one side was leaking, so they did a CT scan with dye in her to see where the dye went. YEA! They found that there’s no leaking!
“It’s a slow process here,” Cass says. Charis will need rehab and will need to be eating well before she gets out. Her side wound is still being vacuumed out. The broken vertebra is down by the bottom of her spine. Her right leg is getting stronger, with more range of motion. She likes to try to wiggle it a lot. They will teach Cass the physical therapy so Cass can do it more times a day than the therapists can do.
Charis still doesn’t talk a lot. She watches TV. Cass rubs her feet. Charis’ boyfriend still comes about every day.
Cass is thinking about going back to work on Tuesday. She should be working Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Chad’s mom could come from 10 am--12:30 pm and Cass can show up at 1:30. Monetarily it’s not a huge thing for Cass to be out of work for three weeks, but she needs to start back now. I, Susie, appeal to everyone who is healthy and over 14 [déjà vu] to see if you could take a turn Tues, Wed, or Thurs 9 am – 1 pm those days to sit with Charis. It will bless your life. I know. You don’t have to talk or entertain her, just come to sit—to be an attending body. ; ) Call Cass at 801-318-4354. Cass’ church is Sundays 1-4. She doesn’t know if the hospital has church on Sundays. Primary Children’s Medical Center did.
Elli is taking driver’s ed right now and she gets to student drive for her first time tomorrow. She can get her license on April 5th. “She’ll be right ready to drive!” Cassie says. Charis doesn’t have her driver’s license yet. She either has walked, rode her bike or gotten rides with Chad or Cass, and paid them gas money.
Well, that’s it for the last 2 days.
Love,
Suz
PS There were some good Super Bowl ads, huh! I rated them this year. ; )
Thursday, February 3, 2011
THURSDAY, February 3, 2011
Charis has not been eating as much as they want her to eat. So they've been threatening her that she'll have to get enough calories or they will have to put the feeding tube back in. It hurts her stomach or makes her feel sicker, like she has an upset stomach so she doesn't want to eat. It takes her 20 minutes to get five bites down. She chews slowly, then takes a drink, and the food gets kind of cold. ; (
She had a visitor today, a big golden retriever, the therapy dog. Charis was so excited. He was a BIG dog. His name is Mouse. He came up to her and cheered her right up. The food situation is getting her a little down.
Charis ate pretty good on her breakfast, so Cassie got her Panda Express for lunch. Charis could only down one bite. So she needs to eat, because everything will heal faster. Without nutrients she won't heal as well.
Yesterday they took out a tube from her stomach. They also took out every other staple on her wound up her abdomen to her sternum. It's from the very first surgery where they rinsed everything out inside her and worked on her intestines. It's a cool "s" shape.
Charis has been doing her breathing exercises. She sucks air from a tube and tries to blow air in. It's really hard to do after lung problems (Lauralee didn't like to have to do it). Charis has been up to 500 on the tube. Today Cassie was helping her get it done and Charis got to 750 a few times! That's great.
She sits at an angle in bed for the vertebra to heal on its own. The docs will go from there, according to how it heals on its own.
Charis has feeling in her right leg now! They have her move her feet around, one at a time. Her right leg is a lot weaker but it's making progress.
Today Cass painted Charis' toes pink. Yesterday she got her fingernails painted. They've been washing her hair every day. Cassie does Charis' hair and washes her face a few times a day.
The visitors have slowed down some, but there's still a steady flow. Today about ten people came. One day there was about three. She likes to have people come. She's still not talking much, though. This experience has toned her down some.
It's okay with Charis to have her family go home at night. Cass comes at 9:30 am for the day and Chad comes after work. The siblings come when they can.
They have her drink Carnation Instant Breakfast. Three of those a day would give us enough nutrients to live on. She drinks them really slowly. Her food came at 7 pm and she almost has the drink done (it's 9 pm). It took her four hours to get half of one down today. She's still trying to finish some of one meal when the next one comes!
Cass says it would be nice to not want to eat (for us bigger types). But not if it hurts. Huh, Lauralee!
Love,
Suz Q
She had a visitor today, a big golden retriever, the therapy dog. Charis was so excited. He was a BIG dog. His name is Mouse. He came up to her and cheered her right up. The food situation is getting her a little down.
Charis ate pretty good on her breakfast, so Cassie got her Panda Express for lunch. Charis could only down one bite. So she needs to eat, because everything will heal faster. Without nutrients she won't heal as well.
Yesterday they took out a tube from her stomach. They also took out every other staple on her wound up her abdomen to her sternum. It's from the very first surgery where they rinsed everything out inside her and worked on her intestines. It's a cool "s" shape.
Charis has been doing her breathing exercises. She sucks air from a tube and tries to blow air in. It's really hard to do after lung problems (Lauralee didn't like to have to do it). Charis has been up to 500 on the tube. Today Cassie was helping her get it done and Charis got to 750 a few times! That's great.
She sits at an angle in bed for the vertebra to heal on its own. The docs will go from there, according to how it heals on its own.
Charis has feeling in her right leg now! They have her move her feet around, one at a time. Her right leg is a lot weaker but it's making progress.
Today Cass painted Charis' toes pink. Yesterday she got her fingernails painted. They've been washing her hair every day. Cassie does Charis' hair and washes her face a few times a day.
The visitors have slowed down some, but there's still a steady flow. Today about ten people came. One day there was about three. She likes to have people come. She's still not talking much, though. This experience has toned her down some.
It's okay with Charis to have her family go home at night. Cass comes at 9:30 am for the day and Chad comes after work. The siblings come when they can.
They have her drink Carnation Instant Breakfast. Three of those a day would give us enough nutrients to live on. She drinks them really slowly. Her food came at 7 pm and she almost has the drink done (it's 9 pm). It took her four hours to get half of one down today. She's still trying to finish some of one meal when the next one comes!
Cass says it would be nice to not want to eat (for us bigger types). But not if it hurts. Huh, Lauralee!
Love,
Suz Q
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
TUESDAY, February 1, 2011
Charis got moved at 3:45 pm to intermediate care--same floor, 6 stairs down--still ICU, with a nurse for 2 rooms.
She hasn't slept all day today!
She only gets a little pain medicine now in pill form.
She's just doing wonderfully. Cass painted her fingernails today.
She's eating little bits of solids now. It fits just fine in her shrunken stomach.
She now has a trapeze bar hanging above her bed so she can pull herself up sometimes and exercise her arms.
Everything's going really well.
Elli and Orry like to come over now, and Hayden comes every two or three days. Chad started back to work last Saturday.
Thanks again everyone.
Love,
Suz & Cassie
She hasn't slept all day today!
She only gets a little pain medicine now in pill form.
She's just doing wonderfully. Cass painted her fingernails today.
She's eating little bits of solids now. It fits just fine in her shrunken stomach.
She now has a trapeze bar hanging above her bed so she can pull herself up sometimes and exercise her arms.
Everything's going really well.
Elli and Orry like to come over now, and Hayden comes every two or three days. Chad started back to work last Saturday.
Thanks again everyone.
Love,
Suz & Cassie
Monday, January 31, 2011
MONDAY, JANUARY 31st, 2011
No news last night--so many people to talk to, huh, Cass!
Today Charis is doing really, really well. She’s eating solid foods now.
They might move her to another floor tomorrow out of Intensive Care! Then more people can come to see her.
They change the wound vacuum Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They want her side wound to heal from the inside out. So they will keep the wound vacuuming, it's really quiet.
She still has two lung tubes draining out.
Charis is talking--still in a soft, raspy voice. The breathing tube irritated the vocal cords. The nurses encourage her to talk more.
She was awake a lot of the day today, from about 10:00 am--4:30 pm. She was SOO tired then.
Tonight she was tired, too, and will probably sleep really good.
There is a specialist to work on her hip and pelvis—-every day they take new x-rays, and he sees them. He said, “I can’t believe how the bones are doing—they may not even need surgery because they are healing so well.” Another miracle thanks to prayers. They thought she would need total reconstructive surgery on her hip. If it keeps progressing as it has been, they won’t have to do surgery at all.
So today she wanted a Mountain Dew. The docs said she could, so Cass took her in a Mountain Dew.
They will keep her busy by reading books, painting her toenails, and letting her watch a little dvd player.
Thanks again from Cass and Chad for all the prayers, the meals, the money. It’s unbelievable.
Love,
Suz
Today Charis is doing really, really well. She’s eating solid foods now.
They might move her to another floor tomorrow out of Intensive Care! Then more people can come to see her.
They change the wound vacuum Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They want her side wound to heal from the inside out. So they will keep the wound vacuuming, it's really quiet.
She still has two lung tubes draining out.
Charis is talking--still in a soft, raspy voice. The breathing tube irritated the vocal cords. The nurses encourage her to talk more.
She was awake a lot of the day today, from about 10:00 am--4:30 pm. She was SOO tired then.
Tonight she was tired, too, and will probably sleep really good.
There is a specialist to work on her hip and pelvis—-every day they take new x-rays, and he sees them. He said, “I can’t believe how the bones are doing—they may not even need surgery because they are healing so well.” Another miracle thanks to prayers. They thought she would need total reconstructive surgery on her hip. If it keeps progressing as it has been, they won’t have to do surgery at all.
So today she wanted a Mountain Dew. The docs said she could, so Cass took her in a Mountain Dew.
They will keep her busy by reading books, painting her toenails, and letting her watch a little dvd player.
Thanks again from Cass and Chad for all the prayers, the meals, the money. It’s unbelievable.
Love,
Suz
Saturday, January 29, 2011
SATURDAY, Jan 29, 2011
Cass and Chad had so many visitors last night they didn't get me called.
Today Charis is doing wonderfully. They took out the breathing tube today! Cass and Chad were really surprised. Before they took it out, Cassie told Charis, "You've been so good they're going to take the breathing tube out." Charis' eyes were smiling big. And when it was all out, her mouth smiled really big to the nurses, too.
They gave her "forgetful medicine" that helps her forget being on the breathing tube. It's such a traumatic thing to remember.
Then they stuck another breathing mask on and it makes Charis look like a fighter pilot! She does okay breathing on her own, but this mask is on her so that her organs can get extra oxygen so that they can heal quicker. They could move it aside when Charis wanted to talk. She talked just a little; her voice is quiet. The breathing tube irritates it some and it takes a few days to come on stronger.
Later when Charis had the mask off, Cassie thought, "This is not real." Cassie & Chad had just expected that the breathing tube would be on a lot longer and Charis wouldn't be able to communicate for a while. It's amazing to Cass & Chad that Charis can talk now. Cass keeps thinking that she can't talk yet. So Charis was telling the nurses what she needed.
Charis is doing pretty good with the pain. Her intestines have been doing well. Her feeding tube went in about three days ago. They introduced it slowly and it has worked well. Her digestive system is working. Today they took out the feeding tube to let her stomach empty. Then they put it back in tonight, but tomorrow morning she may get jello! Right now she's sucking on little pieces of ice. She is loving the ice.
Charis is just kind of quiet. She's kind of different, but she knows what she's doing. [Lauralee was like that--sort of humble, grateful, and submissive--like she knew she was lucky to be alive and humbly grateful for all the help she had received.]
Charis has a hold of that bear all the time. It doesn't go far from her, and then she wants it right back. Whenever visitors come in she'll hold up the bear to show it to them. It's normal that she likes to show off stuff like that. She let her cousin Arian look at the bear, but then let her cousin know that she was thinking, "Okay, give it back now!"
She likes Cass to hold her hand. When Cassie went in tonight, Charis had been up an hour and she looked very tired. Lots went on today. So Cass told her they'd go home to sleep and be right back in the morning.
Cassie said to tell you all that everyone's support is completely overwhelming. So many are so concerned. And Cass & Chad are so grateful for all that you have done. So many have given money--it's just incredible. It's makes Cass really emotional [wavery voice]. She wants you to know they love you, and are amazed at all the help you've given. Cass & Chad love to have visitors come, too, it helps the time go faster.
Cass is glad I'll do the blog--because they never could have done it. It's a heaven sent help to have blogs to let you all know what's up with our dear Chari Bomb. ; )
Love,
Susie
PS I might get pictures up soon.
Today Charis is doing wonderfully. They took out the breathing tube today! Cass and Chad were really surprised. Before they took it out, Cassie told Charis, "You've been so good they're going to take the breathing tube out." Charis' eyes were smiling big. And when it was all out, her mouth smiled really big to the nurses, too.
They gave her "forgetful medicine" that helps her forget being on the breathing tube. It's such a traumatic thing to remember.
Then they stuck another breathing mask on and it makes Charis look like a fighter pilot! She does okay breathing on her own, but this mask is on her so that her organs can get extra oxygen so that they can heal quicker. They could move it aside when Charis wanted to talk. She talked just a little; her voice is quiet. The breathing tube irritates it some and it takes a few days to come on stronger.
Later when Charis had the mask off, Cassie thought, "This is not real." Cassie & Chad had just expected that the breathing tube would be on a lot longer and Charis wouldn't be able to communicate for a while. It's amazing to Cass & Chad that Charis can talk now. Cass keeps thinking that she can't talk yet. So Charis was telling the nurses what she needed.
Charis is doing pretty good with the pain. Her intestines have been doing well. Her feeding tube went in about three days ago. They introduced it slowly and it has worked well. Her digestive system is working. Today they took out the feeding tube to let her stomach empty. Then they put it back in tonight, but tomorrow morning she may get jello! Right now she's sucking on little pieces of ice. She is loving the ice.
Charis is just kind of quiet. She's kind of different, but she knows what she's doing. [Lauralee was like that--sort of humble, grateful, and submissive--like she knew she was lucky to be alive and humbly grateful for all the help she had received.]
Charis has a hold of that bear all the time. It doesn't go far from her, and then she wants it right back. Whenever visitors come in she'll hold up the bear to show it to them. It's normal that she likes to show off stuff like that. She let her cousin Arian look at the bear, but then let her cousin know that she was thinking, "Okay, give it back now!"
She likes Cass to hold her hand. When Cassie went in tonight, Charis had been up an hour and she looked very tired. Lots went on today. So Cass told her they'd go home to sleep and be right back in the morning.
Cassie said to tell you all that everyone's support is completely overwhelming. So many are so concerned. And Cass & Chad are so grateful for all that you have done. So many have given money--it's just incredible. It's makes Cass really emotional [wavery voice]. She wants you to know they love you, and are amazed at all the help you've given. Cass & Chad love to have visitors come, too, it helps the time go faster.
Cass is glad I'll do the blog--because they never could have done it. It's a heaven sent help to have blogs to let you all know what's up with our dear Chari Bomb. ; )
Love,
Susie
PS I might get pictures up soon.
FRIDAY, January 28, 2011
No news is good news.
Way to hang in there Wagenmans! We love you all!
Love,
Suz
Way to hang in there Wagenmans! We love you all!
Love,
Suz
Thursday, January 27, 2011
THURSDAY, January 27, 2011
Today Charis has a rash all over her body. They think it probably is the antibiotics. They will figure it out by the process of elimination. It could also be the soap they are using or a heat rash. They will find out what it is.
Charis has been more feisty today (you know her). They tie her hands down, which is a normal thing. So today Charis was intently focusing on the knot to figure out how to untie it. So the nurses tied it on the outside of the bed so Charis can't see the knot. Cass thought, "Oh, you little stinker!" The doc said, "We must a Houdini on our hands!" and Cass said, "Oh, you have no idea!" Cassie knew if there was an escape, Charis would try it.
Today they didn't take out a drain tube from a lung yet, but Chari was breathing on her own for about six hours! They said they'll "Let her fly", meaning to take out the breathing tubes, as soon as she's ready.
When the nurses try to do anything to Charis, she tries to tell them "no!" She shakes her head back and forth, but when they explain the why to her, "But we don't want you to get pneumonia," then she'll let them do it.
They had the vacuum on the side wound and took it off to show Cassie the wound. She got to watch them take it out. The side wound is about 7" long and 4" wide! It's all open. They pulled some of the skin back and Cassie could see Chari's hip bone and everything. It was SO deep and Cass couldn't believe what you could see. There's no blood there, though. A blunt force probably made that wound.
Everything is continually getting better--little by little.
Cassie's sleep at home was good.
Cassie wants her co-workers at the rec center to know how thankful she is for all they've done for her. THANKS PG REC!! (They even made a care package for Cassie!)
Cass and Chad say thanks for all the calls, concern, prayers. It's just amazing. They and Charis couldn't do it without all of us, for sure.
Right after Cassie's call to me, she and Chad were going on a tour of the hyperbaric chamber. Charis may go in it later, depending on how her wounds are healing.
That's it.
Susie
(P.S. Charis new-born second cousin, Laker Laloli is in McKay-Dee in the NICU, if anyone wants to send extra prayers skyward. THANKS!)
Charis has been more feisty today (you know her). They tie her hands down, which is a normal thing. So today Charis was intently focusing on the knot to figure out how to untie it. So the nurses tied it on the outside of the bed so Charis can't see the knot. Cass thought, "Oh, you little stinker!" The doc said, "We must a Houdini on our hands!" and Cass said, "Oh, you have no idea!" Cassie knew if there was an escape, Charis would try it.
Today they didn't take out a drain tube from a lung yet, but Chari was breathing on her own for about six hours! They said they'll "Let her fly", meaning to take out the breathing tubes, as soon as she's ready.
When the nurses try to do anything to Charis, she tries to tell them "no!" She shakes her head back and forth, but when they explain the why to her, "But we don't want you to get pneumonia," then she'll let them do it.
They had the vacuum on the side wound and took it off to show Cassie the wound. She got to watch them take it out. The side wound is about 7" long and 4" wide! It's all open. They pulled some of the skin back and Cassie could see Chari's hip bone and everything. It was SO deep and Cass couldn't believe what you could see. There's no blood there, though. A blunt force probably made that wound.
Everything is continually getting better--little by little.
Cassie's sleep at home was good.
Cassie wants her co-workers at the rec center to know how thankful she is for all they've done for her. THANKS PG REC!! (They even made a care package for Cassie!)
Cass and Chad say thanks for all the calls, concern, prayers. It's just amazing. They and Charis couldn't do it without all of us, for sure.
Right after Cassie's call to me, she and Chad were going on a tour of the hyperbaric chamber. Charis may go in it later, depending on how her wounds are healing.
That's it.
Susie
(P.S. Charis new-born second cousin, Laker Laloli is in McKay-Dee in the NICU, if anyone wants to send extra prayers skyward. THANKS!)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
WEDNESDAY, JAN 26, 2011
Today Charis was doing really well. She's doing remarkably well. It's been a week today.
Tomorrow the plans are to take out her left chest tube of the lung. Then she will be able to breathe easier and it won't hurt to breathe from that lung.
They were able to take a blood pressure line out today.
They are starting her on a little food through her nose to see how her intestines will take it. That will determine whether she can handle a food tube now or not yet.
Someone brought a Build-a-Bear. [Hmm--who are you?] Cassie set it up on a little shelf in the room. Then Cass said, "Chari, someone brought you a Build-a-Bear." Charis opened up her eyes right up. Cassie brought the bear off the shelf and let Charis look at it. It had a fun striped shirt and ribbon (?). Charis looked and looked at it, then grabbed its foot and rubbed it for a little while. Then Charis closed her eyes and fell asleep again.
They had to sedate her a little more today--when she's a little more alert she wants the lines and tubes out.
The yeast infection from her back is what spread up to the wound in her side. So the vacuum thing sucks out the wound so no infection will go inside.
The docs told the family there will be ups and downs in Charis' recovery. So if there are downs it's normal, and don't stress about it.
Cassie gets to go home to sleep tonight! There are two or three nurses watching 24/7. So the nurses will let Cassie and Chad know if anything happens.
When Charis gets a little bit better she may want people to stay more during the night.
Putting the stent in Charis' aorta cut off a little bit of a nerve or blood supply to her arm. So the docs were glad when they could get a pulse in it and more color in her hand, and that she's been moving her hand around.
Chad won't start back to work yet. He'll take some vacation. He'll need to start back perhaps this weekend or next week.
Hayden and Orry trade off coming to the hospital. Elli has a hard time seeing Chari like that, so she stays home with one of her brothers. And Chad is home, too.
Way to do it, Wagenman Family! We love you. Hang in there. We're so grateful that Charis is doing SO well.
Tomorrow the plans are to take out her left chest tube of the lung. Then she will be able to breathe easier and it won't hurt to breathe from that lung.
They were able to take a blood pressure line out today.
They are starting her on a little food through her nose to see how her intestines will take it. That will determine whether she can handle a food tube now or not yet.
Someone brought a Build-a-Bear. [Hmm--who are you?] Cassie set it up on a little shelf in the room. Then Cass said, "Chari, someone brought you a Build-a-Bear." Charis opened up her eyes right up. Cassie brought the bear off the shelf and let Charis look at it. It had a fun striped shirt and ribbon (?). Charis looked and looked at it, then grabbed its foot and rubbed it for a little while. Then Charis closed her eyes and fell asleep again.
They had to sedate her a little more today--when she's a little more alert she wants the lines and tubes out.
The yeast infection from her back is what spread up to the wound in her side. So the vacuum thing sucks out the wound so no infection will go inside.
The docs told the family there will be ups and downs in Charis' recovery. So if there are downs it's normal, and don't stress about it.
Cassie gets to go home to sleep tonight! There are two or three nurses watching 24/7. So the nurses will let Cassie and Chad know if anything happens.
When Charis gets a little bit better she may want people to stay more during the night.
Putting the stent in Charis' aorta cut off a little bit of a nerve or blood supply to her arm. So the docs were glad when they could get a pulse in it and more color in her hand, and that she's been moving her hand around.
Chad won't start back to work yet. He'll take some vacation. He'll need to start back perhaps this weekend or next week.
Hayden and Orry trade off coming to the hospital. Elli has a hard time seeing Chari like that, so she stays home with one of her brothers. And Chad is home, too.
Way to do it, Wagenman Family! We love you. Hang in there. We're so grateful that Charis is doing SO well.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 (only 11 months till Christmas!) (Bethany Hilton Laloli may be having their baby boy right now!)
They took Charis in for surgery at 9pm last night. She got out about 11 pm.
Instead of opening up her chest they went up through the groin. So there will be no chest scar. If they had to open her it would have taken three hours, but this way it only took two hours. Her heart is in excellent condition. She has a young 18 year old heart that's in really good shape. If it had been an older person, they just would have died.
So they got the stent in place. It's a tube inside the aorta. It's the size of a garden hose. It has mesh around it [and plastic, I think Kath said] and it took care of that hole. YEA!!!
Everyone felt really good and positive about the surgery.
They're really concerned about infection now. If it gets by the aorta, there would be nothing they could do. They have already been pumping her full of antibiotics.
Charis also now has a nasty yeast infection on her back from bed sores. So they are trying to lean the bed back and forth a little, but it's hard because of the type of injuries she has.
Today the docs brought in a suction vacuum thing that goes into her side--in the puncture wound she got in the accident. This wound has been getting infection in it. So this vacuum should help. It is supposed to rejuvenate the tissues and get it to heal faster. It is running all the time--and the wound is looking really good.
Charis' breathing tube is still in. Tomorrow it will be seven days that it's been in. Charis does not like that tube. Her lungs still need it, though. Charis will have to be weaned off of it when her lungs are better. They're getting better slowly, but it will be a long haul. [I think Lauralee had it a week or two.]
Kathy hasn't gotten to read the blog yet. She, Cassie and Chad have been very tired. [I suggested sleeping pills to them; it still may be a good idea. Just tell the docs there.] Chad doesn't sleep well at home. Cassie said that Kath could sleep at home now at night. Before now Cass had been extra worried about what the torn aorta could do. But now that's all taken care of!
Infection could be the problem now.
Charis' family feels that she will come out of it all well.
Thank you all for your help and support.
Love,
Susie
Instead of opening up her chest they went up through the groin. So there will be no chest scar. If they had to open her it would have taken three hours, but this way it only took two hours. Her heart is in excellent condition. She has a young 18 year old heart that's in really good shape. If it had been an older person, they just would have died.
So they got the stent in place. It's a tube inside the aorta. It's the size of a garden hose. It has mesh around it [and plastic, I think Kath said] and it took care of that hole. YEA!!!
Everyone felt really good and positive about the surgery.
They're really concerned about infection now. If it gets by the aorta, there would be nothing they could do. They have already been pumping her full of antibiotics.
Charis also now has a nasty yeast infection on her back from bed sores. So they are trying to lean the bed back and forth a little, but it's hard because of the type of injuries she has.
Today the docs brought in a suction vacuum thing that goes into her side--in the puncture wound she got in the accident. This wound has been getting infection in it. So this vacuum should help. It is supposed to rejuvenate the tissues and get it to heal faster. It is running all the time--and the wound is looking really good.
Charis' breathing tube is still in. Tomorrow it will be seven days that it's been in. Charis does not like that tube. Her lungs still need it, though. Charis will have to be weaned off of it when her lungs are better. They're getting better slowly, but it will be a long haul. [I think Lauralee had it a week or two.]
Kathy hasn't gotten to read the blog yet. She, Cassie and Chad have been very tired. [I suggested sleeping pills to them; it still may be a good idea. Just tell the docs there.] Chad doesn't sleep well at home. Cassie said that Kath could sleep at home now at night. Before now Cass had been extra worried about what the torn aorta could do. But now that's all taken care of!
Infection could be the problem now.
Charis' family feels that she will come out of it all well.
Thank you all for your help and support.
Love,
Susie
Monday, January 24, 2011
MONDAY, JANUARY 24th, 2011
Hi,
Most of all--thanks for yours prayers and fastings. It is a tangible thing that is healing Charis and her family in many ways.
Charis got a priesthood blessing from Landon (her uncle) when she first got out of surgery on the day of the accident. He gave her another one today. A very special thing about Landon is he's not much older than she is and he, himself, went through open heart surgery six or seven years ago. He has a pacemaker, too. So she's close to him and now will sport a matching scar!
Yesterday Charis' blood pressure went lower (a very good thing).
They don't have to worry about the liver now--it will heal itself.
Today they started letting the anesthesia be lighter--to bring her out of it a little more. Charis has an energized body, ya know. So she was more awake today. One time she was watching the nurse move around. Kathy noticed it and told the nurse that Charis might want her. The nurse came to Charis and said, "Charis, are you in pain?" and Charis nodded her head yes. So the nurse gave her more pain medicine. Another time they asked if she needed more pain medicine and she shook her head no. She hasn't needed as much pain medicine. YEA!
About 4 pm today Landon came over again to give her a blessing before her heart surgery. He is starting his nursing major at Utah Valley University this month. Anyway like I said, he's had open heart surgery, too. Before the blessing Charis was trying to lift up her head, and move her hands around to reach and move the tubes in her mouth to pull out things and talk. They had to tie her hands down (Lauralee had that, too).
Landon asked Charis if she wanted a blessing. She nodded yes and closed her eyes.
After the blessing Landon leaned down close to her and said, "Charis, you relax. I know how you feel. I had two tubes down my throat, too, and it's not fun. But you're going to be okay. It made me sick and want to throw up to have the tubes down my throat. I know there are a lot of machines around you." Charis just listened well to him and calmed down. It was so good that he had had that experience before, and could calm her down. She's close to that Landon kid.
They were supposed to take her in for open heart surgery today about 4:30 pm. But they didn't take her in until 7 pm and probably didn't start till 8:30 pm or later. The surgery to put the stent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stent ) in the aorta is supposed to take three hours, so it may be done at midnight or 1 am. If they call me with an update by morning I'll let you know about it.
Chad's mom said that this heart surgery is the top of the mountain, and there would be valleys and hills in her recovery.
Kathy stays with Cassie at nights. Cassie doesn't want to be alone in case something happens. Then Kathy goes home in the day. After this surgery maybe some of you people could take turns staying overnight with Cass.
They have had so many different visitors of family and friends. Kathy and Cass will try to write you all down (or you can write down here when you came).
The wife of the guy who was driving the car made and brought over a lot of beanies that say "CHARIS EVERY MOMENT" with a peace sign on it. She's done them for anyone who wants one. She's done lots of colors. THANKS!!!
There was no drugs or alcohol involved in the accident. The wife is glad the car is gone now, because it was too fast.
Car insurances will start to help pay the costs.
Well, that's about it for yesterday and today. They definitely are feeling your prayers. A cousin of Charis' fasted last Thursday with friends through a physically draining day. Every bit of what you do is known to God and will be consecrated to help Charis and her family. THEY LOVE YOU ALL!
Susie
Most of all--thanks for yours prayers and fastings. It is a tangible thing that is healing Charis and her family in many ways.
Charis got a priesthood blessing from Landon (her uncle) when she first got out of surgery on the day of the accident. He gave her another one today. A very special thing about Landon is he's not much older than she is and he, himself, went through open heart surgery six or seven years ago. He has a pacemaker, too. So she's close to him and now will sport a matching scar!
Yesterday Charis' blood pressure went lower (a very good thing).
They don't have to worry about the liver now--it will heal itself.
Today they started letting the anesthesia be lighter--to bring her out of it a little more. Charis has an energized body, ya know. So she was more awake today. One time she was watching the nurse move around. Kathy noticed it and told the nurse that Charis might want her. The nurse came to Charis and said, "Charis, are you in pain?" and Charis nodded her head yes. So the nurse gave her more pain medicine. Another time they asked if she needed more pain medicine and she shook her head no. She hasn't needed as much pain medicine. YEA!
About 4 pm today Landon came over again to give her a blessing before her heart surgery. He is starting his nursing major at Utah Valley University this month. Anyway like I said, he's had open heart surgery, too. Before the blessing Charis was trying to lift up her head, and move her hands around to reach and move the tubes in her mouth to pull out things and talk. They had to tie her hands down (Lauralee had that, too).
Landon asked Charis if she wanted a blessing. She nodded yes and closed her eyes.
After the blessing Landon leaned down close to her and said, "Charis, you relax. I know how you feel. I had two tubes down my throat, too, and it's not fun. But you're going to be okay. It made me sick and want to throw up to have the tubes down my throat. I know there are a lot of machines around you." Charis just listened well to him and calmed down. It was so good that he had had that experience before, and could calm her down. She's close to that Landon kid.
They were supposed to take her in for open heart surgery today about 4:30 pm. But they didn't take her in until 7 pm and probably didn't start till 8:30 pm or later. The surgery to put the stent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stent ) in the aorta is supposed to take three hours, so it may be done at midnight or 1 am. If they call me with an update by morning I'll let you know about it.
Chad's mom said that this heart surgery is the top of the mountain, and there would be valleys and hills in her recovery.
Kathy stays with Cassie at nights. Cassie doesn't want to be alone in case something happens. Then Kathy goes home in the day. After this surgery maybe some of you people could take turns staying overnight with Cass.
They have had so many different visitors of family and friends. Kathy and Cass will try to write you all down (or you can write down here when you came).
The wife of the guy who was driving the car made and brought over a lot of beanies that say "CHARIS EVERY MOMENT" with a peace sign on it. She's done them for anyone who wants one. She's done lots of colors. THANKS!!!
There was no drugs or alcohol involved in the accident. The wife is glad the car is gone now, because it was too fast.
Car insurances will start to help pay the costs.
Well, that's about it for yesterday and today. They definitely are feeling your prayers. A cousin of Charis' fasted last Thursday with friends through a physically draining day. Every bit of what you do is known to God and will be consecrated to help Charis and her family. THEY LOVE YOU ALL!
Susie
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2010
No report tonight. No news must be good news. I hope the surgery is tomorrow.
Love,
Suz
Love,
Suz
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday, Jan 22, 2011
Everything in Charis is still stable. Great! The docs are just waiting to have things heal enough for heart surgery hopefully on Monday. They are trying to keep her blood pressure down so the aorta can be safe until surgery. She's wanting to get up and go (you know Cherie Bomb!) so they are keeping her more sedated today. Sometimes she gets excited with too many different visitors and then her blood pressure goes higher. I think probably her parents/siblings are enough to go in and stay with her right now. But I think visitors to the waiting room for a little while help Cass and Chad.
Cassie stays every night, while Chad sleeps at home. Then Chad comes in the morning and gives Cassie a chance to go home, get cleaned up and sleep a little then come back.
Cass has told Lance and Tracy not to come up yet, but they are coming up next weekend anyway.
After her heart surgery it won't matter as much the need to keep her completely sedated and calm.
Charis is strong. For one thing she made it to hospital--the doctors said most people with a torn aorta don't even make it to the hospital. (Maybe Grandma Myrt is holding her finger there.) ; )
Cassie thinks she hasn't gotten her feeding tube in yet. Charis is still on the ventilator so she can't talk. She will need to be on that until after her heart surgery.
All the family has to leave Charis' room from 5 to 7 am and 5 to 7 pm. I guess maybe it is for docs to check her out and maybe clean her up.
I asked Cass what her family does for food. She says they are eating at hospital, it's good and not too expensive. We were so blessed with Lauralee because the Ronald McDonald House housed all of us and fed us for $10 a day. Many people had donated food to the House and once or twice a day groups brought in hot meals for us. It was an incredible blessing.
Chad works at Alpine Power Sports. His boss has been very good to just have him be with Charis. But he'll probably need to go back to work next week for the money. I think perhaps Cass may want some others helping to stay with Charis when he goes back to work--probably check with her.
If you want to, I think it would be good for people to do things with Charis' siblings. I think ours felt quite neglected/over-stressed with Lauralee in and us so inaccessible.
That's it for Saturday. Thanks for your reading of this. Please add comments right here below so they can read them to Charis when she's up to it. It was an great blessing to Lauralee to see how many people loved her. Or you can answer back to me and I'll post them.
Love,
Susie
Cassie stays every night, while Chad sleeps at home. Then Chad comes in the morning and gives Cassie a chance to go home, get cleaned up and sleep a little then come back.
Cass has told Lance and Tracy not to come up yet, but they are coming up next weekend anyway.
After her heart surgery it won't matter as much the need to keep her completely sedated and calm.
Charis is strong. For one thing she made it to hospital--the doctors said most people with a torn aorta don't even make it to the hospital. (Maybe Grandma Myrt is holding her finger there.) ; )
Cassie thinks she hasn't gotten her feeding tube in yet. Charis is still on the ventilator so she can't talk. She will need to be on that until after her heart surgery.
All the family has to leave Charis' room from 5 to 7 am and 5 to 7 pm. I guess maybe it is for docs to check her out and maybe clean her up.
I asked Cass what her family does for food. She says they are eating at hospital, it's good and not too expensive. We were so blessed with Lauralee because the Ronald McDonald House housed all of us and fed us for $10 a day. Many people had donated food to the House and once or twice a day groups brought in hot meals for us. It was an incredible blessing.
Chad works at Alpine Power Sports. His boss has been very good to just have him be with Charis. But he'll probably need to go back to work next week for the money. I think perhaps Cass may want some others helping to stay with Charis when he goes back to work--probably check with her.
If you want to, I think it would be good for people to do things with Charis' siblings. I think ours felt quite neglected/over-stressed with Lauralee in and us so inaccessible.
That's it for Saturday. Thanks for your reading of this. Please add comments right here below so they can read them to Charis when she's up to it. It was an great blessing to Lauralee to see how many people loved her. Or you can answer back to me and I'll post them.
Love,
Susie
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Charis is doing well. The vascular surgeon will do the heart surgery Monday pm if all looks good. They will put the stint in to keep her aorta open. Her liver needs to stop bleeding first, though. Her lungs aren't bleeding as much as her liver is. The docs don't want to put her on blood thinners for the surgery when her liver is bleeding.
She's doing amazingly well--thanks for all your prayers--they are real.
Her blood pressure is stable until she sees someone and gets excited--you know Charie Bomb. So they are trying to keep her nice and stable. She's asked for a few things. She did sign language of "H20"--she's thirsty. I remember Lauralee just wanting some Preston water! Charis has signed "I love you" a lot.
Thanks to all; the family's doing well at the hospital.
Love,
Chad via Susie
Charis is doing well. The vascular surgeon will do the heart surgery Monday pm if all looks good. They will put the stint in to keep her aorta open. Her liver needs to stop bleeding first, though. Her lungs aren't bleeding as much as her liver is. The docs don't want to put her on blood thinners for the surgery when her liver is bleeding.
She's doing amazingly well--thanks for all your prayers--they are real.
Her blood pressure is stable until she sees someone and gets excited--you know Charie Bomb. So they are trying to keep her nice and stable. She's asked for a few things. She did sign language of "H20"--she's thirsty. I remember Lauralee just wanting some Preston water! Charis has signed "I love you" a lot.
Thanks to all; the family's doing well at the hospital.
Love,
Chad via Susie
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 10pm
Thursday 1/20/2011
Today Charis was in surgery from 11 am to 3 pm. They went back in and repaired her bowels and intestines. The liver is still bleeding some; it needs to heal itself. The spleen looking a lot better. She isn't fed liquid food yet--just IV juice.
They found a broken vertebrae and herniated disc. She can't feel her right (?) leg; there may be nerve damage. They hope she will be able to walk okay in the future.
She's too weak for much more surgery now. They will let her get a little stronger, then this weekend or next week they will put a stint in her aorta. They need all the bleeding to stop first; and for her to heal enough so she can have that surgery. After the stint gets in they all can relax some, because now her torn aorta is very dangerous.
The docs are keeping her sedated and on pain medicine so she can just rest and let her body heal. She's in the Intensive Care Unit, which means constant nursing attention. Only two family members are allowed to go in at once. A computer screen shows several vital signs at once. When it beeps the nurse and you look up to the screen to see what problem Charis' body is having.
The doctors are very straight forward telling the family what's going on. Many doctors in different specialties are working together for Charis. There's a respiratory specialist, etc... Each one knows their part very well and work together well to help Charis and do the most important thing next. They're incredible.
Charis has inflatable tubes on her lower legs that pump up and go down over and over so she won't get blood clots in her legs.
She has drains coming out from each punctured lung.
She opens her eyes. She has a big ventilator tube in her throat that breathes for her, so she can't talk. So this morning before her CT scan she motioned around with her hands like she wanted something to write with. She got a pen and paper and wrote to her dad, "I need a hug!" She also does the sign language "I love you" to her family.
Charis has x-ray ears, she can hear quiet things from from far away. So tonight Cassie whispered very quietly to Hayden, "Should we go?" Well, Charis grabbed Cassie's hand very hard and definitely shook her head like, "NO! DON'T YOU DARE GO!!!" I remember when our 17-year-old daughter, Lauralee, was in Primary Children's ICU for three weeks, she didn't ever want to be left alone, either.
Cassie's been holding Charis' hand a lot because the room is cold and Charis likes her mom's warm, warm hand. So tonight Cassie had to just very slowly and gradually pull her hand out from Charis' so Mom could go get a breather.
There's a waiting room where sometimes you can visit the family members. I'd imagine they could use food, notebooks, etc.
Cass and Chad, you may want to take some sleeping pills. We all go pretty wacko without enough sleep over time.
Just so you know, flowers and plants aren't allowed in ICU.
What happened at the accident was some guys had been looking at each other's cars. One guy asked Charis and Ben (her boyfriend) if they wanted a ride in his car. So Charis and Ben got in. Ben and Phil were in the front and Charis was in the back. They were driving down by the lake and at a corner they either slid on ice or gravel, and rolled at least once. I think the roof was pretty caved in. Charis went out the back window. Ben just has some scratches. I'm not sure about Phil.
The family all cries a lot. Her dear dad is having a pretty hard time. Just like when Lauralee was bad at Primary Children's, my husband couldn't talk to people about it--it was too hard. So I talk to Cassie and Kathy.
Ben came to see Charis today.
Gill (Charis' grandpa) just got back from working out of town and hasn't gotten to see her yet. Cassie and Kathy will stay with Charis tonight.
Pretty much all that we can do is to pray for her and her family, and fast some time for the little cutie if you want.
Love,
Susie [Hilton Andersen]
Today Charis was in surgery from 11 am to 3 pm. They went back in and repaired her bowels and intestines. The liver is still bleeding some; it needs to heal itself. The spleen looking a lot better. She isn't fed liquid food yet--just IV juice.
They found a broken vertebrae and herniated disc. She can't feel her right (?) leg; there may be nerve damage. They hope she will be able to walk okay in the future.
She's too weak for much more surgery now. They will let her get a little stronger, then this weekend or next week they will put a stint in her aorta. They need all the bleeding to stop first; and for her to heal enough so she can have that surgery. After the stint gets in they all can relax some, because now her torn aorta is very dangerous.
The docs are keeping her sedated and on pain medicine so she can just rest and let her body heal. She's in the Intensive Care Unit, which means constant nursing attention. Only two family members are allowed to go in at once. A computer screen shows several vital signs at once. When it beeps the nurse and you look up to the screen to see what problem Charis' body is having.
The doctors are very straight forward telling the family what's going on. Many doctors in different specialties are working together for Charis. There's a respiratory specialist, etc... Each one knows their part very well and work together well to help Charis and do the most important thing next. They're incredible.
Charis has inflatable tubes on her lower legs that pump up and go down over and over so she won't get blood clots in her legs.
She has drains coming out from each punctured lung.
She opens her eyes. She has a big ventilator tube in her throat that breathes for her, so she can't talk. So this morning before her CT scan she motioned around with her hands like she wanted something to write with. She got a pen and paper and wrote to her dad, "I need a hug!" She also does the sign language "I love you" to her family.
Charis has x-ray ears, she can hear quiet things from from far away. So tonight Cassie whispered very quietly to Hayden, "Should we go?" Well, Charis grabbed Cassie's hand very hard and definitely shook her head like, "NO! DON'T YOU DARE GO!!!" I remember when our 17-year-old daughter, Lauralee, was in Primary Children's ICU for three weeks, she didn't ever want to be left alone, either.
Cassie's been holding Charis' hand a lot because the room is cold and Charis likes her mom's warm, warm hand. So tonight Cassie had to just very slowly and gradually pull her hand out from Charis' so Mom could go get a breather.
There's a waiting room where sometimes you can visit the family members. I'd imagine they could use food, notebooks, etc.
Cass and Chad, you may want to take some sleeping pills. We all go pretty wacko without enough sleep over time.
Just so you know, flowers and plants aren't allowed in ICU.
What happened at the accident was some guys had been looking at each other's cars. One guy asked Charis and Ben (her boyfriend) if they wanted a ride in his car. So Charis and Ben got in. Ben and Phil were in the front and Charis was in the back. They were driving down by the lake and at a corner they either slid on ice or gravel, and rolled at least once. I think the roof was pretty caved in. Charis went out the back window. Ben just has some scratches. I'm not sure about Phil.
The family all cries a lot. Her dear dad is having a pretty hard time. Just like when Lauralee was bad at Primary Children's, my husband couldn't talk to people about it--it was too hard. So I talk to Cassie and Kathy.
Ben came to see Charis today.
Gill (Charis' grandpa) just got back from working out of town and hasn't gotten to see her yet. Cassie and Kathy will stay with Charis tonight.
Pretty much all that we can do is to pray for her and her family, and fast some time for the little cutie if you want.
Love,
Susie [Hilton Andersen]
Charis' Accident
I got a call from Grandpa Freck Hilton last night that Cassie & Chad's Charis was in a bad car accident at about 11 am yesterday. The two boys had on seat belts, but she didn't and was thrown out. She was able to tell them to call her mom and dad. Her extremities move fine, but her whole chest and abdomen are really bad inside. She has a rip in her aorta. If the clots loosen they won't be able to do anything to save her--most people with a ripped aorta never make it to the hospital. After x-rays and CT scans they found she has broken ribs, a broken hip, both lungs are punctured, her bowels have trauma, her liver is damaged. They took her straight into surgery for 2 1/2 hours. She is still opened up. They took out some bowels and will take out more today. The aorta can't be fixed for about a month because she can't survive the heart/lung machine now. She keeps bleeding inside. She's just massively hurt inside. Please call temples to put her name on the prayer roll (Charis Wagenman) and pray for her.
Chad, Cassie and the kids need your prayers, too.
If anything is different from the above, I'll let you know.
Love,
Susie Andersen (Cassie's aunt)
Chad, Cassie and the kids need your prayers, too.
If anything is different from the above, I'll let you know.
Love,
Susie Andersen (Cassie's aunt)
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