Conference Call

This photo was summer 2011: Sherrie convinced us all to go on a segway tour around Chicago. Of course we had a blast. Just one of the adventurous activities she shared with us.

We had a wonderful conference call tonight to get updated on all of the latest information. I don't know a better way to consolidate the information other than several little paragraphs. The general feeling is that things are looking up. Although they continue to tell us to remember how severe her condition really is and to keep things in perspective.

This is what we discussed tonight:

Our doctor is invested in Sherrie and giving her wonderful care. He has said that he feels a connection to her and our family and that can only be a good thing. After her surgery today he didn't scrub out immediately as is the usual procedure, but stayed to monitor her. As Ron said, he is taking precautionary measures that go above and beyond standard care. One of the measures was to place a preventative catheter in her leg to catch any clots or embalisums  that may come loose.

Having all of the kids together with Ron is a huge blessing and comfort. Tyler, Todd and Brik arrived to an torrential downpour this afternoon. They were picked up and went to the temple to be with Brittney, Zach and Ron. Ron expressed how grateful he was to have all of his children together. He said that he probably wouldn't have encouraged all of them to come to the Dominican as it is so difficult to see Sherrie in her current state, but that he couldn't imagine going forward without their support. What a blessing for them to be together and draw strength from one another.

Her right eye is beginning to un-dilate and her left is now responding to light. Yesterday there was no response and today there is. Positive sign.

Before the surgery today, the brain scan showed so much swelling that there was no line to distinguish two sides to the brain. We are waiting to see the next scans and for that distinction between the two sides to come back. The next 12-24 hours are critical to see the impact her latest surgery will have.

Her coma is now100% induced and not natural. This is good because it means that she could possibly come out of it on her own.

They have been able to lower the doses of medication they are using for her blood pressure.

The doctors have told us we have already witnessed a miracle in seeing the small improvements so far. Her Internist told Brandon that this was "quite and injury" and she doesn't see patients in Sherrie's condition. This is because  the injuries she sustained were so intense and far reaching that the patients don't make it to her care. Today the same doctor said to Brandon, "We did it! We did it!" In reference to the fact that her pupils are responding to light and that she is making progress. They didn't think she would make it this far. It seems Sherrie has the ability to draw people in even when she's in a coma. jh

It has been neat to see the doctors reactions and letting them see our miracles.

She is still intubated and is not expected to be breathing on her own for a minimum for 4 days.

She has had 4 hematomas that have now all been removed. A point of clarification for me: When they removed pieces of her cranium, that meant the bone that is protecting the brain. A piece about 4x3 inches was removed in order to access the hematomas and repair the damage inside. They haven't put that back together yet so her head is very bandaged up.

They don't get to see her much, mostly as she is wheeled from room to room. However, today they got to spend 10-15 min talking with her. After Todd and Tyler arrived, they got special permission to go into her room and say a prayer together. They say that hearing is the last thing to go in these injuries so they are trying to have her hear their voices as much as possible and passing along messages of love. They told her about how many thousands of people are praying for her and that she is not alone in this battle.

The Ryder Trauma center in Miami has been recommended as the next place she should be, but they will have to evaluate her after a minimum of 48 hours to see if transportation is an option.

Another miracle is that the family who owns the town of Punta Cana heard about Sherrie's accident and immediately got involved. They were instrumental in helping get to Santo Domingo and have called the hospital there to open many doors.

In general, the family is in much better spirits today than they have been- thanks to the bits of good news. They keep telling us to remember how severe the injury is and to not become too hopeful, but it is impossible not to feel the hands of God and know that He is watching over Sherrie and the rest of us.

The whole family at a Cubs game August 2011. Sherrie's favorite times are when we are all together.