Back In Huntsville

From Alex:

The neurologist that is managing her Baclofen pump infusion increased her dosage slightly by 10%. Although 10% increase is small, it seems a lot for petite Miriam.  That sedated her heavily and she now has severe muscle hypotonia. She is basically like a rag doll. Her muscles are just so floppy along with her joints.  This morning, the occupational therapist thinks she may need a few more days of adjusting to that increased dose. If not, her joints are easily subject to internal derangement. The neurologist may have to decrease her dose slightly. 

Before the increased dose of baclofen pump infusion, Miriam would react to certain sound and touch stimuli. She would slightly turn her head to the left. She would open her right eye spontaneously during coughing spells. There were times when I would see her right eye stay open in the morning for a few minutes. Fortunately, she does not have respiratory depression yet with her increased baclofen dose. 

Big Springs Specialty Care (skilled nursing facility) seems to be flexible in trying to take very good care of Miriam.  I have been pleased so far with their care. This will help me a lot when I go back to work this coming Monday.

She is getting 5 days of OT, PT and ST.

Please do not give up praying for her. 

Matt 11:24 "Therefore I tell  you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Luke 18:1 " Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

On a positive note, Miriam's trach collar has been capped during the day time since last Sunday in Atlanta and this was continued here at Big Springs Specialty Care. They replace the cap with a Hygrofilter at night just like they did in Atlanta. I am thankful that the respiratory therapist and pulmonologist were willing to use the Hygrofilter. After a week of cap on and cap off, they may cap her trach collar for 24 hours and see how she tolerates that for another week. Eventually, they may just put a button for the 3rd week and hopefully that would be the end of her trach collar. 

Pray for the right dose tweaking of her baclofen infusion pump. Too much could lead to overdose and respiratory depression. Too much also leads to severe muscle hypotonia and internal joint derangement. It would be extremely difficult to do physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy with zero muscle tones.

Continue to pray for functional recovery. If she emerges from coma and is able to follow commands, we would bring her back to Atlanta's Shepherd Center for 4-6 weeks of rehab.

Thank you for your love and unceasing prayers.

In His Time,

Alex