SWriverstone Posted June 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Great news! We're all seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. After having her stomach tube removed yesterday evening (which made her much more comfortable), Holly began breathing normally through her nose and mouth when they capped her tracheotomy. When I left her last night at 11pm, she was breathing comfortably and sleeping. When I came in this morning, they had removed the tracheotomy. WOOHOO!! This might be a hospital record---even the nurses were amazed it was removed so quickly. One nurse happily said, "That's the difference when someone is in great, athletic shape. They heal SO much faster." So now Holly is far more comfortable, able to sleep more, and is talking (albeit quietly, with a little scratch in her voice). I'm so relieved. Having the trach removed is like an enormous weight lifted. Now all that remains is for Holly to begin consuming more liquids and pureed foods (e.g. soup, applesauce, etc.). When the doctors are convinced she can successfully nourish herself, she'll be discharged. It could well happen this weekend! Holly is is roaring back strong, and I'm incredibly proud of her. I know it won't be long before all this is just a distant, amazing memory. For those of you who are local, consider this the "green light" for visitors again. Holly is comfortable and strong enough now that I think visitors would be great and lift her spirits. so if you have time, please stop by. She is on the same floor (Building 10, 5E - Surgical Ward) in room #04 (the bed beside the window). Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, and support. It's been a powerful lesson in compassion and humanity from all of you, as well as the whole staff here at NNMC. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywalker Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Reading every post of these, thinking of you every day, I'm sure, I'm not the only one out there. Maybe many of us just read and keep you in mind, so I wanted to let you know about it. My thoughts and best whishes are with both of you! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted June 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Hi Everyone... Just a quick update---Holly has officially been discharged from the hospital, and is on her way home! The doctors all think she's doing great on her own and is good to go! It's been 12 days (and a few hours) since her accident...and 3 days since her 15-hour surgery. Hard to believe. Of course, she's not back to outdoor activities yet---she is still weak, still looks a bit like a chipmunk from swelling in her face, her jaw is still wired shut, and she still has stitches...but she'll be far happier at home, a much quieter and more healing atmosphere than the hospital. I'm sure she'd be happy to visit with any local folks over the weekend at her home in Dumfries, Virginia. Just give us a call if you think you can stop by so we can plan accordingly (and give you directions if needed). She'd enjoy seeing you! Meanwhile, we'll start making those smoothies! Holly's home number: 703-590-4847 Scott's cell: 717-968-0274 Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted June 11, 2005 Report Share Posted June 11, 2005 This is great news! CONGRATULATIONS HOLLY!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stainless Posted June 11, 2005 Report Share Posted June 11, 2005 Holly - have a speedy, uneventful recovery. Best wishes, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted June 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Holly's recovery is going well at home. Friday night we had a bit of a scare. After sleeping deeply for 3-4 hours, I heard Holly say something when I joined her in bed. She began talking incoherently. I said "Holly?" And she replied "Yes?" So she was interacting with me, but continuing to talk gibberish. If it were a one-way dialog, I'd have written it off as talking in her sleep. But the fact she was responding to my questions while still making no sense alarmed me. This went on for 4-5 minutes. When I began asking her basic questions (e.g. "Who am I?") and getting wild answers (like "Dad.") I decided not to take any chances and called 911. (The trauma to her brain in the accident was foremost among my concerns.) The EMTs responded quickly---within 10 minutes---and by the time they were upstairs with Holly's parents, everyone surrounding the bed, the lights on, Holly had regained her senses and seemed back to normal. We all agreed she should get checked out by a doctor, just to be safe. I had no idea where the hospital was they were taking her, so followed the ambulance closely all the way...including through a couple red lights. I knew that wasn't a good idea, but I wasn't about to lose Holly and spend a half-hour trying to find the hospital. When we arrived, I got chewed out bigtime by the ambulance driver ("NEVER follow an ambulance!" he raged at me.) I knew he was right, and stood like a dog with its tail between its legs, and offered an apology. ("Yeah? Well it's not YOUR daughter," grumbled Holly's dad, who had come with me.) Once inside the ER at Potomac Hospital, the doctors checked out Holly thoroughly and said she seemed fine. They saw no signs of increased cranial pressure or any other forms of neurological distress. So we drove her home, relieved she was okay...but still a bit unnerved by her session of "speaking in tongues." Apparently this wasn't unusual for someone whose been through all she has. The rest of that night went okay and Holly slept soundly. I know she was severely sleep-deprived after 12 days in the hospital. At home, she might as well have been sleeping beneath an Egyptian tomb! --- Though Holly's recovery is zipping along, I know we still have many difficult weeks ahead. In some ways this is the toughest part...when everyone is burned out on the whole thing...when friends and family tire of hearing about her...and when she really can't get back to doing the things she loves quite yet. It's like riding a century on bikes where you have a giant mountain climb in the first 25 miles, all up and down...then 75 miles of flats through dry, uninteresting terrain. Holly's determined though. She's gradually catching up on sleep, and taken a couple of much-needed (and much-appreciated) showers. We all watched a mindless movie together yesterday ("National Treasure"), and after a nap, Holly worked on her laptop at the dining room table for a while, catching up on email and paying bills. It was good to see her back at her normal routines. We're also starting our journey into the world of smoothies---dusting off the Cuisinart blender, and stocking up on a variety of fruits. Last night her mother made Holly a blueberry smoothie with soy yogurt, and this morning I got adventurous with bananas, strawberries, pureed walnuts, honey, soy protein powder, and soy milk! Holly enjoyed our inventions and drank them all down. Holly said this morning she is feeling better overall, but is still weak. So today's goal is to get as much nourishment into her as she can comfortably consume, as well as get her outside for a short walk. We also continue to communicate mainly with a dry-erase board. Holly can talk, but it forces air out of the hole in her throat, which delays healing. Tomorrow I face the unpleasant prospect of getting back to work. But at least I can do it from home, which helps a lot. --- I announced to Holly last night that during her time in the hospital, she received (through me) over 130 email messages from friends wishing her well. She was amazed and gratified by all your support. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamran Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Wow,...I haven't been checking this site for a while and now I see this. Scott and Holly, I wish you both strength in these tough days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Thanks for the update Scott. I am glad to hear that things are moving along (albeit slowly). Keep the updates coming and we'll keep the thoughts and prayers coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skatha Posted June 14, 2005 Report Share Posted June 14, 2005 You're a good man, Scott!!! Sleep deprivation is a weird thing-I lost my malamute during my surgery residency. Nights at work, days looking for my dog-I was hallucinating by the fourth day-at work, unfortunately.... Tell Holly to keep her spirits up, she'll be fine with a little rest and recuperation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Hi Everyone: Holly continues to recover at home. The hospital gradually seems a more distant memory. Each day gets a little bit more normal, as we slowly return to things like watching movies, puttering on our laptops together, and doing household chores. Holly had a followup appointment with the doctors yesterday. They said she's looking good, no problems with healing. Even better, she's going back on Thursday next week to get her jaws un-wired---WOOHOO! We're both looking forward to that. I've been gently pushing Holly to keep going more during the day (instead of sleeping), and to take small walks, go to the bookstore with me, just anything to get her moving again. I know it's a huge effort to get your body moving again after two straight weeks of lying in bed. The swelling in her face has gone down a lot, and in a few more days she'll start looking almost normal, though the worst thing now are the wires and bands holding her jaws together---they're terribly uncomfortable for her. Another 10 days and those will be gone. Her diet has been pretty minimal, as she can't even eat mushy soups---it's got to be pure liquid. So we've been doing lots of "Boost" shakes, chicken and beef broth, cranberry juice, and fresh fruit smoothies. She's probably lost 10-15lbs, and the doctor told us to increase her daily caloric intake---more Boost shakes! She still has a tough time with it all. Imagine living your life, then just waking up one day in the hospital, beat to hell, and not remembering how it happened (she still doesn't). I know it's been difficult for her, even though she knows most of the details of the accident. She still has what can only be described as occasional low-grade anxiety attacks, where she thinks everything is a dream, and wonders when she'll really wake up. I'm trying my best to be "real," to be her link to normal life...and I've told her that the more we can do "normal life" things, the better off she'll be. Like any accident victim, the temptation is powerful to just languish in bed, obsessing over discomfort and injuries...but I've told Holly---very forcefully---that I won't let her go there! And I'm incredibly proud of how she's hung in there and improved each day. We're planning to go down to the hang gliding flight park tomorrow or (more likely) Friday. I really need some airtime, and Holly says she would be up for a visit (and a change of scenery). I also think it's important to both of us to make that symbolic step of flying again (even if it's just me for now). And for the record, Holly still fully intends to fly again! Some of you have visited Holly and we're both very grateful for your visits! They do us both a world of good---and help bring back that vital connection that Holly has with all of you. Please don't hesitate to call or visit anytime you like---you are always welcome, and visits will always help! Thanks for all your continued love and support, and we hope to see you all soon! Scott (on Holly's behalf!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Tokar Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I haven't been on BOL in months, and don't post often, but wanted to send my regards to you and Holly. I missed the Okemo session by a day, so didn't get a chance to meet you, but remember noticing your hang-gliding avatar and thinking about how cool it must be to live in WV. (I've only been there for some mtn biking and whitewater at Snowshoe and the Lower New River.) Keep up the positive attitude and hang tough through the remainder of the recovery process. Hope to see you both on the slopes next season! Mike Tokar PS - I may look into that wired-jaw thing. I could stand to lose 10-15 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTA2R Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 hey Scott, i emailed and left a voicemail for you...I assume you got the message, maybe not though?? was curious when a good time to visit was..still going to have a party for her? === Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex1230 Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Check your e-mail. It sounds like Holly is getting much better. Sending all the positive energy I can... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skatha Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 The 15th's update sounds good- I REALLY stress getting back on the proverbial horse with this one. Just to let you know, I had a BAD concussion when I was 17-I was the middle car of a three car accident. I don't remember anything about the accident-or how I crossed 2 lanes of traffic to get to the side of the road. I do know I got out of the car by going through the windshield(no seatbelts). I still freak out when I get a sudden movement to the right of my car and the accident was in 1981. Get gliding but be prepared for anxiety.... Living on Boost reminds me of wisdon teeth extraction in 1988-I couldn't open my mouth for 3 weeks-still jogged nightly, BTW.... Get her a lobster dinner the first night out of the wires!!!! And, rightly or wrongly, as a woman, I'm wondering why you'd be excited about her having her jaws unwired;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp1 Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Scott / Holly, obviously I haven't been checking in at BOL recently. Logged in for the heck of it tonight, and was 'shocked' to learn of Holly's accident, and your experiences since. Great to hear how your recovery is going. "Stay with it Lady", you know you will recover 100%, and be back at it SOON. Good Luck, God Bless, & Be Safe,-------------John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Thank you for all the concern and well wishes! I just wanted to drop a quick note to y'all and let you know that I am home and healing nicely (the docs are all very pleased with my progress). Scott has been absolutely wonderful! He's also been a great physical therapist (making sure I don't assume a sedentary lifestyle). Last weeks, we went out for a quick open canoe paddle and a brief hike. Earlier this week, I did some flat water paddling in my whitewater kayak. We hope to get out for a bicycle ride (or two) this weekend. It feels soo good to be getting back to normal. Now if only I could feel my upper lip!... lol... (They say that should come back in a few months). Thank you Fin and crew for the gift! Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Dahl Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Glad to hear that you are recovering well. Take care of yourself, winter is only a few months away! P.S. when ya getting back on the motorcycle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willywhit Posted July 3, 2005 Report Share Posted July 3, 2005 Originally posted by Holly Thank you for all the concern and well wishes! I just wanted to drop a quick note to y'all and let you know that I am home and healing nicely (the docs are all very pleased with my progress). Scott has been absolutely wonderful! He's also been a great physical therapist (making sure I don't assume a sedentary lifestyle). Last weeks, we went out for a quick open canoe paddle and a brief hike. Earlier this week, I did some flat water paddling in my whitewater kayak. We hope to get out for a bicycle ride (or two) this weekend. It feels soo good to be getting back to normal. Now if only I could feel my upper lip!... lol... (They say that should come back in a few months). Thank you Fin and crew for the gift! Holly Holly, keep a stiff upper lip! Happy 4th ! YOU ROCK ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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