Susan and I went to see Ranee today, she was much better than when I saw her on Sunday, it always amazes me how far she comes from one visit to the next. She was sitting up eating when I got there and she actually ate well. She was surprised and happy to see us, we didn't call ahead so she didn't know we were coming.

She got out of bed all by herself and went to the bathroom. Shirley was a little upset when Ranee locked us all out of the bathroom and went alone, but we got past that. LOL

We took her outside and let her sit in the sun a couple of times, it was a beautiful day. She was very frustrated today and just wants to come home. We had been warned about the frustration in the class we attended in Austin, so we were not too surprised to see that phase starting.

Most of all today she wanted to go shopping, she kept asking me to take her to the mall. I explained we were in Downtown Houston and she didn't believe me, so we had to take her to the window to show her. She kept saying she thought all this time she was in Huntsville. Not sure if that is still some of the confusion or if it finally clicked today that she is really Downtown. After that though she did stop asking to go to the mall.

Overall it was a great visit and I enjoyed spending time with her and she had very little confusion today compared to last Sunday. It is just amazing how well she is doing.

I went to see Ranee yesterday...when I arrived she was sitting outside in the sunshine. For the first time since the accident I KNEW she knew who I was and that felt so good. I walked up and she got the biggest smile on her face and she asked me what I was doing, then asked if I had a cigarette. LOL She immediately told her step sons that I was her friend and that I have had more back surgeries than anyone she knows. She told them I have a Harrington Rod in my back which is totally correct, I was so surprised she remembered that. Then she asked for a cigarette and asked and asked and asked. I finally suggested that maybe we should just get her one since she really seemed to be stressing over it and so we found her one and she immediately calmed down.

She was calm for the rest of the visit, she even napped a couple of times. We talked quite a bit when she was awake, she remembered my dogs and their names and kept trying to pull my website up on the TV...she was a bit confused and thought it was the internet, but she remembered I had a website.

She a little lunch, not enough, but at least she took a few bites. She just really seemed to be tired. Her potassium is still low, but her blood pressure is up some.

She wants to come home and see her dogs, but we kept telling her she has to eat first, so hopefully she will start eating better soon. She is busy, busy with her mind planning and trying to get things in order, she has always been organized and needed to have things planned out and it seems she still has that. We just keep telling her to let us worry about all of that and that everything is ok and she just needs to focus on getting better.

Overall she had a really good day and it was so great to see her up and about and smiling and talking so well.

Sorry guys I haven't blogged in a few days, things have been busy. Ranee was having some bad days, but I see Teresa just posted on Facebook that she had a better day today. She has not been wanting to eat, but I just read she ate better today. She has been having headaches and getting confused a bit this week. Her blood pressure has also been low.

She has said she wants to go home and she wants to see her babies (dogs). I think it would help her if she could see them, so hopefully we can get that all arranged and make it happen. I am going to see her tomorrow and will take her a couple of gifts, hopefully they will cheer her up.

She has gotten to go outside some this week, I know that had to make her feel better to get out a bit. They had to shave her head and that bummed her out some.

I will report more after I see her tomorrow.

Joe called today, he and Shirley went down to make sure Ranee got settled in. They stopped and got her some clothes on the way so she could finally get out of that hospital gown. Hopefully she got to get a shower today.

Ranee some how got her feeding tube almost all the way out, so the nurse took it out today. Joe said she did eat some solid food and is drinking water really well now.

The nurses seem to think Ranee is doing so well that she may not be there over 4 to 6 weeks. Visiting is everyday from 9 to 9 and 2 people can be in the room with her at all times. The Drs meet with the family every Wed from 4 to 6 to give a progress report on Ranee.

I hope to get down there this week to visit since I have not seen her yet when she was awake and talking.

Ranee has been transferred to Houston

Ranee was transferred today to TIRR in Houston. Her Mom and Dad were able to come home and will be able to rest in their own bed tonight. Joe and Shirley will go down in the morning to check things out and she how Ranee got settled in. Rusty also came down and will be staying close by TIRR.

Ranee was able to eat some mashed potatoes today, but still has the feeding tube in for now. I can't wait to get down and see her!

The News We Have Been Waiting For

I just talked to Teresa and Ranee is being transferred to Houston. She will transported by ambulance to TIRR, we think later today. That is all the details she knows for now.

Ranee has been trying to get out of bed all morning and Shirley has been having to wrestle her to keep her in bed. I think this move is good because she will be doing PT most of the day and she needs that to keep her busy and tired out so she won't be so restless.

I will post more updates as I get them, but our girl is coming home. YIPEE!!!

Newest Update From Sister Teresa

Ranee' walked with the walker today down past the nurse's station.

They asked her if she had kids and she said yes, a son named Brandon. They asked her how old she is and she got a big smile on her face and said "29". :) She wanted a cigarette and Rusty said he thought they had quit smoking and Ranee replied "well I didn't!". She also talked to Brandon on the phone...he told her he loved her and she said "I love you too, Brandon".

They will be moving her tomorrow up to the 8th floor where she will be getting a lot more Physical Therapy, so that will be good for her. Still no definite date on the transfer to Houston, but I hope it will be soon as I am excited to see her again with all she is doing now.

Update From Julie

She just left the hospital and got to visit a lot with Ranee'. She said Ranee' knew exactly who she was and carried on conversations with her. She said Ranee' is starting to get fiesty... she wants to shower, wants her coffee and wants to go to the bathroom by herself. She also asked for a lighter, but I am hoping she forgets she smokes. LOL She asked the nurse his name and he said John and she said "well John, I want to go to the bathroom." Good to see it seems like she still has her wonderful sense of humor.

It is so great to hear these wonderful updates!

Rusty just called to say the PT came in this morning and got Ranee' out of bed and let her walk around a bit. Julie was there to visit and Ranee was very aware today of what was going on and still very chatty. She was up for about 30 mins and is now taking a nap. :)

Sunday Update

Teresa call this morning with an update...The night nurse said Ranee' had a really good night. She said Ranee' chatted a lot during the night and even wanted to get up out of bed at one point. Her cough reflex is getting better, so hopefully this means her swallowing will not be far behind.
Her temp this morning is 99 and it seems the white cell count is starting to decrease.

She is still talking a lot this morning and when Rusty came into the room Ranee' asked him "where is my coffee?" He always brings her coffee in bed in the mornings and apparently this morning she remembered that.

She also said this morning that church would be starting at 10:00 and that Mariann (that is the pastor that married Ranee' and Rusty) would be praying for her. She remembered the pastor's name all on her own.

Teresa just called to give an update... Ranee's white cell count is still up and she is running a bit of a fever. They drew some blood, collected some urine and did a sputum test, which is a culture of secretions from the lungs and bronchi to look for bacteria to see if they can figure out where the infection is. They also did an x-ray of the lungs. It looks like this will delay her discharge as the results from some of these tests may not be back until Tues.

Shirley said Ranee was watching the TV today, but she is not sure if she was able to know what she was watching. Although at one point today Ranee was really focused on her and watching her move about the room. She also seemed to know Aunt Gayle today.

Julie called and talked to Ranee and asked how she was feeling and she told Julie "not to good"... so that was good that she answered a direct question with a correct answer.

Shirley also said she has really be moving around a lot today and she tried often to get out of bed.

News From Friday Oct 10

Ranee was able to stand up with assistance for 3 mins. They were able to remove the neck brace she was having to wear due to a fracture on the base of her neck in the atlas region. If they can get her white blood count down they may release her on Monday or Tues to TIRR rehab in Houston. This is great news as she will be much closer to home and family. We are unsure about her feeding tube at the moment, but are trying to get more info. They were to do another swallow test to see if it could be removed.

Thurs Oct 8, 2009

Not too much to report today, Ranee was pretty tired most of the day. She also had a headache so they gave her some morphine, which made her sleep most of the day. They learned her feeding tube was not inserted properly, so they had to remove it and re-insert it into the small intestine.

Joe asked her if she knew him and she shook her head no. Then he told her we would be taking her home soon, after that she fell asleep. A bit later when she woke the first thing she said was "I am ready". :)

She asks for Rusty now most of the time, so we do know she remembers him. Not sure she really remembered me, she nodded that she did when I was there, but then she would turn and look at Rusty as if she were a bit confused. I had to leave on Wed and come home, but I will go back up soon if she has to stay there a couple more weeks.

Joe and Teresa came home on Thurs to take care of some things and get some rest, but Mom and Dad, Brandon and Rusty are still there. Ralph is exhausted and needs to come home too, but he won't leave since Shirley won't leave, they are staying put and no one can drag them away.

Ranee Sat Up Today

Today Ranee' sat up in a chair for the first time. The rehab team spent about 30 mins with her today and she did really well. They did a swallow test with a piece of ice and she was not able to swallow it, but she did spit it back out into the spoon.

I asked her if she knew who I was and she nodded her head. I asked her if she knew I love her and she nodded again. She also smiled really big at me. I asked if I could kiss her forehead and she nodded yes. She was trying to say something to me, but we couldn't understand what she was saying.

Ranee' may be moving out of ICU today and into a regular room. They will be doing PT with her several times a day now.

1:15 PM

I just saw Ranee' again and she smiled at me and again nodded that she knew who I am. They had put the feeding tube in her nose since she didn't pass the swallow test this morning.

The PT team said they have a couple of rehab facilities coming today to evaluate Ranee and depending on which one can best benefit her will decide which one she will go to from here. We thought we would be moving her closer to home, but they feel it is in Ranee's best interest to go to a rehab close to here since the hosptial is in close contact with the ones in this area.

At 2:00 they moved Ranee upstairs to an immediate care ICU room so the visiting hours will now be a bit more flexable.

While in a visit with her mom and sister she said "KFC, Brandon has the KFC card". They asked if she wanted chicken and mashed potatoes and she nodded yes. She must be sick of that feeding tube. LOL. So far she has asked for a shower and KFC, I would say those are both great signs.

Great News Today

Today they took out the ventilator. Ranee is opening her eyes really wide now and really trying to focus. She has also tried to talk a few times. I will be heading back up today or tomorrow to see her.

Later in the evening she woke up, actually woke up and was able to stay awake for the first time. She even tried to ask for a shower.

More Progress

Ranee is doing so well they have decided to put off doing the trach and moving the feeding tube. She actually had to be sedated today because she was trying to sit up. She has opened her eyes a couple of times and appears to be trying to focus on people. Keep up the fight Ranee', you are giving us so much hope and we are so grateful and happy you are doing so well, we love you!

More encouraging news

I just talked to Teresa, Ranee's sister and Ranee is hearing and understanding...she has blinked her eyes in response to a question and nodded her head in response to another question.

This morning she started to show the signs of agitation that we had been warned about so they had to give her some meds to calm her down a bit.

Monday Oct 5 she is scheduled for a Tracheotomy and moving the feeding tube to her stomach to prepare her to be moved to a long care rehab center.

Bummed I am not at the hospital

Exciting things are starting to happen and I am so bummed I am not there. I so wish I could see my friend responding, it seems I have waited forever to see a sign of some kind. I will be back there next week my friend, you can count on it!

Update

10-3 5:30ish PM Ranee' squeezed her son's fingers and in the last visit her husband asked if she knew how much he loves her and she gave a thumbs up sign. It was a weak thumbs up, but a thumbs up none the less. GREAT NEWS!

Ranee's Accident

Ranee was in a motorcycle accident on September 26, 2009. She was life flighted to Breckenridge Hospital in Austin Texas and remains there in ICU. She has a head injury and a fractured neck. She had surgery upon arrival to make room for the brain to swell and was given a drug to put her in a coma so her brain could begin to heal.

On Thursday Oct 1st she was taken off the drug that was keeping her in a coma. She started to breathe on her on on Fri Oct the 2nd, so another big step for Ranee in her recovery.   She has not woken up yet, but  on Sat Oct 3 she started to move a bit and respond to verbal commands from the nurses...this is a very good sign.

There is still swelling in the brain and the Drs. have said that is what is keeping her from waking up, so we hope that as that swelling reduces she will start to respond more and more. She developed pneumonia while in the induced coma in one of her lungs and is being treated for that, this is common for those on a ventilator. Other than that all her other organs look good,  so we hope no other complications occur in other areas and we can just focus on the healing of her brain and neck.

Ranee has been supported and surrounded by family and many friends from day one...there is a constant and continued support system at the hospital at all times and this just goes to show what an incredible person Ranee is by all the outpouring of love and support.