October 24, 2005 - Mid-Day

The roll coaster ride continues. We spoke with both the neurosurgeon and trauma doctors today. The CAT scan done last night showed continued swelling. Per the neurosurgeon, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, our princess is about an 8-9. To counteract the swelling and pressure, they have started her on a pure saline drip. (She has been reponding well to saline treatments. The idea is to use elevated salt levels to "dry" out the swellings.) In addition, they've ordered a special catheter that they will use to cool her internal body temperatures and assist in also reducing the swelling. They expect the catheter to arrive in the next day or so. At this moment, the team is performing the tracheotomy which should allow her to breathe more efficiently. Should these items not work, they will need to induce a coma. (She has been chemically paralyzed and heavily sedated up to this point, but not comatized.) They would prefer not to do this as it reduces her reactions and makes it more difficult to measure brain activity, but will do so if the swelling cannot be controlled with the other procedures. Her medical team has been wonderful and they are doing everything they can to help our girl fight her battle.

We can't begin to tell you how much your comments have meant to us. We read them to her when we visit with her. In addition, we read them and draw strength from all of you. Sometimes, you even manage to make us smile and we thank you very much for that. Please continue to send your good thoughts and wishes are way, we are doing our best to put them to work.