(This post has been modified from an email that was sent by LaRee's Step mom on Nov 4, 2008)
Hi Everyone,
The Bad News
As some of you have heard, LaRee has two staph infections in her lungs, MRSA and another one that they are still refining. She ran a fever on Saturday Novemer 1, 2007. They started antibiotics that day and the fever was gone Sunday. Although the cultures showed the presence of the strains, she is not presenting concerning symptoms at this point and is doing well. Her NIF level dipped to 20 Saturday night but was up to 26 last night. The secretions from her lungs are only slightly discolored and not enough to cause much discomfort. The respiratory therapist and nurse today were both optimistic that she will overcome this quickly. They are not weaning her right now but are letting her rest.
The Good News
This was the best we have seen LaRee feeling in the past two weeks. The respiratory therapist helped her talk to us through the tube. He let her have a wet swab in her mouth when she was thirsty, and then she asked if she could have a Dixie Cup of water (nice try, LaRee). She asked if she could go home in a couple of weeks, and she smiled a lot. She told us specific things we could do for her. The last couple of weeks she has mostly been unable to focus enough to do that. There were so many times she has cried and been desperate to communicate, but family, friends, and nurses couldn’t understand what she wanted. Today she was focused and patient with us while we figured out what she wanted. It was a joy to see her feeling better. She is moving her head from side to side now enough to see someone anywhere in the room. Her neck and shoulders are both moving, as well as her rotator cuffs. Her body can regulate her temperature now, so she isn’t hot like she used to be.
We can all keep praying that LaRee will continue to recover smoothly and will be out of discomfort soon.
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LaRee is a vibrant and beautiful woman who is recovering from a severe case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a very rare and complicated auto immune disorder that leaves the body temporarily paralyzed. She resides with her darling daughter Chloe and her husband Pat.
LaRee Keenan
Blog Archive
LaRee’s Benevolent Fund Information
Deposits can be made at any Bank of America in the continental United States to the: LaRee Keenan Assistance Fund
Informative Links
Bed Number Ten
A patient's personal view of long term care. Seen through the eyes of a patient totally paralyzed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, this moving book takes you through the psychological and physical pain of an eleven month hospital stay. BED NUMBER TEN reads like a compelling novel, but is entirely factual. You will meet: The ICU staff who learned to communicate with the paralyzed woman - and those who did not bother. The physicians whose visits left her baffled about her own case. The staff and physicians who spoke to her and others who did not recognize her presence. The nurse who tucked Sue tightly under the covers, unaware that she was soaking with perspiration. The nurse who took the time to feed her drop by drop, as she slowly learned how to swallow again. The physical therapist who could read her eyes and spurred her on to move again as if the battle were his own. In these pages, which reveal the caring, the heroism, and the insensitivity sometimes found in the health care fields, you may even meet people you know.
1 comment:
Dear Laree! I have been thinking of you all day today.
Eli has been running through the house with water balloons, even though it is cold outside, he seems to think it's a great idea. I though that image might crack you up a bit.
I'm so glad to hear that you are recovering! Hang in there!!! You can do it!
Ben wants me to tell you hello for him and that he hopes you get better really fast. :)
I hope so too. We are living back in Idaho, outside of Boise. I can't remember if I told you that. JJ lives here too so we get to see her and her family all the time.
You are constantly on my mind, I only wish I could be there. Our whole family is still praying for you as well as all of our friends. You are very famous. :)
Take care and I love you!
Aina
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