Status Update-- Friday, February 20

Today, for the first time, we were able to communicate with Caitlin despite the heavy sedation and the ventilator. Those of you who know her are familiar with her dramatic facial expressions, and they were our primary cues to our assurances, questions, and comments.

We were elated to see the smiles, grimaces, eye rolls and "meanie" stares. She was restless and uncomfortable and frustrated that her hands were tied to prevent her ripping out the ventilator; she cried when she first saw me (Margaret), but that quickly passed. We recognize all of that is to be expected, and were awed that she remained -- in greatest part -- as calm as she did.

Heart rate, b/p, and fever are down a bit. Pain is controlled.

We think the ventilator will be replaced with trach tube possibly tomorrow, and if MRI from today reconfirms no neck injury, the brace will be removed. Those two things will permit her to talk and to move her head, which will give so much relief.

Once again, we are grateful for even the smallest progress. To us each little step is a major blessing!

Status Update-- Thursday, February 19

Caitlin underwent surgery again today (her fourth).  

While everything looks good inside (blood flowing where it should, bowels intact, etc.), she is still too swollen for them to suture her up.  They will try again in a couple of days.

She remains on the ventilator and probably will be for a day or so more.  If she isn't ready to breathe on her own by the weekend, they will switch her to a trach tube.  Seems awful to contemplate, but -- in the scheme of things...not really.

She has developed a little pneumonia, which is not unexpected.  She's been on a low dosage of antibiotics since Saturday, but they stepped it up significantly today. 

For the above reasons, she was too sedated for us to feel she was aware we were there.  What was most important to us, of course, was that SHE was there.

Finally, if the CAT scan they run tomorrow reconfirms the first report of no neck/spinal injuries, they will remove her cumbersome neck brace.

Today was another reminder that we have to take this day by day and learn to be patient and ever grateful for even tiny signs of progress.

Please keep those prayers coming.  They are working!

Also, we've had some requests for our address:

The Kannensohns

320 McDowell Road

Lexington, KY 40502

--Leah

Status Update-- Wednesday, February 18

Today, Caitlin crossed another hurdle. 

She has her own room in UKMC ICU.  She's starting to look more like herself because the swelling continues to recede.  She remained heavily sedated and likely was unaware when we went in to visit.

Tomorrow, the surgeons hope to begin the process of suturing her incisions; if not tomorrow, the next day.

And especially heartening is their hope that they may be able to remove her from the ventilator.

She is extremely jaundiced, but we are told that is to be expected.  She is under the care of a wonderful medical team.

Her vital signs remain good.