NSCIA Columnists
Katrine Seghetti-Mayhew
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
I'd like to thank everyone again for your continued thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement. So many have asked for updates, and this is the easiest way to update everyone. I hope you don't mind.
The weekend was the lowest point yet with his lungs. By early
Sunday morning his latest chest x-ray showed his right lung full
of mucous. Although the Neuro Muscular Block and the Propofol that
he's been on since early last Thursday morning has kept him from
moving and deeply sedated giving him the rest he needs; the down
side is that by not moving he's been unable to break up the mucous
caused by pneumonia on his own. Dr. Taylor has to go into Clayton's
lung through his nose with a scope and suction out the mucous.
Fortunately he was able to get most of it out. Monday when they
did another chest x-ray, the lung remained clear. Since then, Clayton's
temperature has continued to remain normal, his oxygen level has
remained above 92%, and the amount of oxygen that they are having
to give him is down from 100% to 55%! Because he's been doing so
well, yesterday they were FINALLY able to remove the breathing
tube and perform the tracheotomy! Yesterday felt like Christmas
in July! ;-)
Dr. Picker (the neurologist) has indicated that they will keep
him on the Neuro Muscular Block for at least the next 2 days.
This will ensure that Clayton doesn't accidentally bump the
trach giving the skin time to heal around the plastic tube. Beyond
that they will keep him on the Propofol at least two days beyond
that making sure that he continues to get continual rest. In
about 2 weeks they can put in a different tube that will enable
some air to pass over this vocal cords allowing him to talk.
In the meantime, we will at least be able to read his lips
now that the breathing tube is out of his mouth.
Although I am anxious for him to wake up again so I can see
those gorgeous blue eyes again, I am beginning to have anxiety
over this next step. How to discuss his current condition?!
Normally when someone breaks their neck the break is horizontal
and the vertebrae either shatters or gets totally out of
alignment. If it shatters then bone fragments get into the
spinal column causing permanent damage to the cord itself.
In Clayton's case the doctors are in total amazement at his
break and are no longer emphatic on the results. Clayton's
vertebrae broke vertically at C5 and C6. Looking at an x-ray
you wouldn't be able to tell it was broken. The vertebrae
are in perfect alignment and are full like a donut (the way
they're supposed to be). Until the swelling goes down (which
could be months, even longer than a year), we won't know
if there is any permanent damage to the spinal cord.
So, in the meantime we continue to take this hour by hour
and stand on our belief that he will have a full recovery!
