The good and the bad

I was supposed to tell you about my leg ultrasound from last week - I forgot because it was great news!! I'm all clear of clots in my legs - I just needed to get my INR therapeutic (between 2-4).

Yesterday I got my blood drawn and I am 2.8! So, I'm therapeutic now... BUT I'm on antibiotics which shoots those #'s right on up...

Next Wednesday, I have to get a root canal because of a silly infection (hence the antibiotics), so starting Friday of this week, I will be back on shots and zero coumadin, so that I can have minor mouth surgery :(  Then I will be back to shots AND coumadin on Thurs of next week... then will start the stupid battle of getting my INR levels therapeutic again... Ahhh, life on coumadin...

We'll worry about that later - for now, yay for (temporarily) therapeutic coumadin levels AND YAY FOR NO CLOTS IN MY LEGS!!!

Sorry! Forgot to post sooner!!

Hey everyone - I've gotten a lot of friendly reminders to post - but seriously, it has been a CRAZY week!! On Tuesday night, I almost turned off my alarm to sleep in a little because I thought it was Friday night!! YIKES!

I'm moving into my new place tomorrow and have been hustlin' & bustlin' - If anyone wants to help, I only have 4 people helping me and at different times... Oh well, it will work out somehow.

SO, on Monday, my INR went down from 1.93 to 1.8 - the new regimen is 10mg, 8mg, 10mg, etc. and get my blood re-drawn next Monday (at which point, I will try to remember to update this sooner).  There are a bunch of foods that have vitamin K in them - I'm allowed to eat them, but only 1 cup/day... but how do you figure out how much vitamin K is in spinach versus garbanzo beans? So until we get my INR levels to between 2-4, I have to cut out all vitamin K - since that's the only thing left (I'm doing everything else by the book with no changes).

What is vitamin K in, you wonder? Well let me tell you: asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, garbanzo beans, collard greens, cucumber peel, endive, green onions, kale (SERIOUSLY??), lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, peas, scallions, soybeans, spinach, swiss chard, turnip greens, watercress, canola oil, green tea, egg yolk, liver (no problem there), and soybean oil.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Those are alot of my fave veggies... Of course, this isn't for forever - I'm allowed to let it back in slowly after my INR levels are between 2-4 for a while.

Weeza tore her ACL and will have to have surgery in early December and most likely won't be here for T'giving :(

Issues with INR

Ever since my surgery 2-3 weeks ago (?), I've had trouble getting my INR levels back up between 2-4... I was temporarily in the range a couple of weeks ago and graduated from the shots, but I'm back under now :(  Last Wednesday, my level was 1.4 and though it was 1.93 on Friday, the hematologist has me going back tomorrow (Monday) to get my blood drawn again and to get a leg ultrasound.

Really the leg ultrasound is to ease my mind more than anything else - I haven't had the filter in to catch clots, my coumadin levels (the meds that keep the clots at bay) aren't quite right, and occasionally I have swelling in my left leg.  So the Doc suggested a leg ultrasound to let us know where we are and I fully agreed!

So that's where we are now! I wear compression socks everyday, which aren't completely good looking, so if you see me, that's why I'm wearing the hideous things, but besides that, not much else I can do!! My daily dosage has gone from 5 mg, to 6mg and now I'm taking 10mg on day1, 8mg on day 2, 8mg on day3, and then repeat back to 10mg, 8mg, 8mg, etc.

I will keep everyone posted on tomorrow's results. I'm not sure if I'll find out immediately - they seem to not tell you anything until they tell the Doc - SO frustrating!! But when I know, you will know!!

Keep Weeza in your prayers - I feel safe writing this because she NEVER checks the blog anymore (and she tends to be more private than I am), but she was playing in a soccer game today and wrenched her knee... she's in a full leg cast and crutches :(

Good Vibes

Thanks for sending good vibes my way Barbara!! I think that did it!! They didn't tell me my level on Friday, but they said I could stop taking the shots, stick with the 8mg of coumadin, and not get my blood drawn until next Friday (11/2)!

Thanks everyone for all the vibes, prayers, good thoughts!! I love that I don't have to take shots for the next week - here's hoping I won't have to ever again!!

:)

Trouble in INR land...

So, you have to have an INR level of any number between 2-4 and this is your level of coumadin in your blood (aka blood thinner).  Every morning, I give myself a shot of blood thinner (in my stomach!), which I've strangely gotten really good at.  Every evening, I take 6mg of coumadin.  I had to stay in the hospital until my coumadin levels had been between 2-4 for 2 days in a row.  I went off the coumadin (but stayed on shots) for the surgery last Friday, and now I'm having trouble getting my levels back up to speed.

[Behind the scenes look at coumadin: it takes 3 days to get into your system and the shot takes effect right away... I went of the coumadin for surgery, and then started the day of surgery since it wouldn't be in my system for  little while....clear, right?]

This week, I had my blood drawn on Monday and it was 1.5 - then blood drawn on Wednesday and it was again 1.5... so upped the dosage of coumadin to 8mg!! We'll see what happens tomorrow when I get my blood drawn...

Word to the wise, for any doctors or nurses who read this... if you walk into a room, muttering to yourself "this isn't good... hmmmmmm.... not sure what we're going to do about this," you're not really instilling a lot of confidence in the patient - you've actually now freaked them out - thanks for that.

So, here's hoping and praying for those levels to go up!! :)

Belated Post Surgery Update

Sorry for the delayed update.  I thought Weeza had done it, but I forgot to remind her (oops!).  I had surgery on Friday and they removed the filter from my neck... I wasn't completely out for it (as I had been led to believe) and at the end, they showed me the filter and it had 3 clots in it! Glad it was doing its job, but I'm a little worried about what that means now...

I was sore on Friday and was given a little bit of meds in the am, but no meds in the pm... I was supposed to lie down and not do anything, but that clearly didn't happen (I've got stuff to do!! ) and I made it worse... I know, silly Julia... but patience at this stage of the game hasn't been working out for me.  I was in bed, but I was doing in work in bed - I thought it was a decent attempt at cheating the system, but not so much.

I was really sore Saturday morning (apparently should've gotten better, but I didn't completely follow doctors orders Friday, so there you go).  I couldn't turn my head completely to the left or right and my neck was VERY sore to the touch.  But I didn't do ANYTHING on Saturday and felt a lot better on Sunday :)  I even went to church.  Though I realized on the drive in, why I wasn't supposed to drive - it's hard to change lanes if it hurts to move your neck... but I safely made in and out of town, and today I feel great!

Though, the wound itself looks like I got bitten by a vampire (I pick Eric).  No, Robin, I DO NOT pick  anyone from Twilight... I can't remember anyone's name... Edwin? That's not right and I'm okay with the fact that I can't remember.

I got my blood drawn today and my INR level is 1.5 - which isn't good - but no freaking out yet! I just have to take both the coumadin and shots until my INR level comes up! I get my blood drawn again on Wednesday, so here's hoping!!

Been awhile, but I'm still doing okay :)

After much scolding from smaller people (Team Thurlow's children and Team Failmezger's children), I am writing again after a bit of a break...

I am doing much better.  I still tire easily and am most frustrated with this aspect, but word on the street is that recovery is going to be a longer road than I had bargained on.  I went to Summerton this past weekend because I was cleared by all my Doc's to go... but Saturday realized I had overdone it and ended up sleeping at Amanda's house (Thanks, Amanda!!) for 3 HOURS!! Yikes!!

SO, I'm going to chill the rest of the day...

But for the sake of smaller people begging to be included on the blog (see above :)  ), I went to see Dawn & Chris when I first got into town and then I stayed with the Failmezger's on Friday night and had a DELICIOUS dinner with the fam and loved seeing Shea, Emma, Harmon, Teige, and Sophie :)  (THERE - you got a shout out!!) :)

Saturday I got to see Wyatt & Mckenzie Simpson, Trina, Shannon, Amanda, Robin G, Neath, Jen, & Team Thurlow. (And stayed with the wonderful Team Thurlow Sat & Sun nights.) Sunday I got to see and visit with St. Matthias peeps and had a Birthday party for all of Team Thurlow and myself AND went to the Goat with Team Thurlow (love).
Monday = all of CHS students and faculty - except some who were not in their rooms when I went looking for them and people who were on field trips when I visited! (What??)
And Trina & Melissa - thanks for giving me shots all weekend :)

So, now that I'm done with the shout outs...

Had the echocardiogram this afternoon - I still don't like those very much because my heart and lungs are still pretty sore... it went well as far as I know, but I won't get the real report until Friday.

I have surgery on Friday (10/19) to get the filter out and possibly something else (may have missed exactly what the doctor said...) - I'll get my dear sweet sister to update the blog on Friday after the procedure, since I'll be sleeping it off (and not able to move my leg for 4 hours afterwards!!)

Last but not least - my INR levels have gone down to below 2-4 (1.8 or 1.9... can't remember).  I'm currently on shots to bridge the gap before the surgery (can't be on coumadin right before the surgery).  After surgery, I have to continue with shots & coumadin to get my levels back up (I am NOT a fan of the shots... but they leave a little bruise the size of a small dot - and i'm organizing the dots into a picture, because it's more fun that way.)  (I know, a little sad, but when in my position, it's the little things.)

Getting back to Normal

I went to see my pulmonologist last week and I was cleared for work this week - but I was nervous about Monday because it's such a busy day for me and I tend to get wiped out after 2 hours of an activity (and then have to take a big nap to feel normal again), so I'm going back tomorrow (Tuesday) for what will end up being more like a half day and we will see what happens!

I will get my blood drawn every week to check my INR levels and my next big appointment is next Thursday (10/11).

Next big thing to have happen is to get my filter removed (= the umbrella-like-thing that is catching my clots) and it's supposed to be removed in 4-6 weeks, so they're looking at late October.

I will keep you posted on how things are going, but with my going back to school, everything seems to be returning to normal :)  I'm just hopeful it will stay that way.  I want to go on a (small) road trip next weekend (10/12-14), but I'm not sure if I will be up to it, so we will see... 

Good Blood

So I had my blood drawn yesterday and my INR is 2.4, which is great! Coumadin levels do not have to be adjusted :) (Dad said he was sure it was going to be too high and they'd have to adjust it... so I'm glad it's normal)

Tomorrow I go to see my pulmonologist (sp?) to be cleared for work next week :)

I went on errands with Mom this morning and by the time I got to Trident Academy to pick up stuff to grade, I realized I had pushed it a little too far... SO I came home, ate lunch and slept for 2 hours :) Taking nice long naps when too tired during the day is going to be what I miss most!

Besides that, not too much to report.. I get up around 9ish every day, push myself to walk and be active, take naps to recover from being active, and then go to bed... maybe I can wean myself off those naps soon, but for now, I love them.

Home again :)

Well, I've been home for 24 hours and I feel a million times better - maybe it's the house, maybe it's the bed and bedroom that aren't of the hospital variety, but I think it's the peace of mind of knowing I'm home - on the island with family - with the river always in view.

I did overdo it a little on the way home yesterday - but before coming home, I really felt the need to get lunch out before heading home and I insisted on going in and ordering my own.  And of course, I had to see Grandmomma and Grandaddy before coming home as well....

Today, I've taken it fairly easy - I finished my work for school for this week and went with Mom to get the CSA veggies (and had to be on oxygen for a little while after coming up the stairs), and Mrs./Aunt Francie brought us lunch from Black Bean & Co - both a treat (seeing Aunt Francie and eating Black Bean...).  I've napped, I've spoken with friends, and now I'm going to head out to the dock :)

Tomorrow, I get my INR checked/blood drawn & for those less savvy (I wish I was in the less savvy group), that's the coumadin levels in my blood.  Friday I get cleared (hopefully) for work next week.

But for now, GLAD to be home!! :)

The Eagle has Landed (Julia is HOME)!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Today is a wonderful day for so many reasons, the main one being my sweet sister is officially HOME from the hospital!!

Julia was a little bit out-of-breath and lightheaded when she and mom got home (I personally think my lovely, stubborn sister overdid it a little...but what are you gonna do...I probably would have done the same upon new-found freedom), so when I called the house, I spoke with mom.  Other than the minor over-taxing, Julia is doing well and mom is working on getting her settled!

Many many praises and much joy on our part!!

-L

So Fresh & So Clean (clean)

I had a shower this afternoon - a real shower - all by myself and I feel SO clean!!  That was just the beginning of my awesome afternoon...

Mr. & Mrs. DeVane came to see me and we had a great visit (thanks for coming!!), Christy & Gerry brought me a lunch that was DEF better than the hospital food = E.Fare burger, olive oil rosemary potato chips, and sea salt, almond, milk chocolate bar!! :) and we also had a great visit :)

Liz, Tabitha, Carol, Stephen & Baby Craig came to see me and I hadn't seen Tabitha or the Lunsford's since I moved to Charleston!! I got to meet Craig, who is a beautiful 8 mos old boy that was just pleased as punch to sit on my lap and it made me happy :) We all caught up with each other and I got to know Craig :) It was really wonderful to see you all - and they also brought me a fun care package - Thanks y'all!!

I'm about to take a nap and then I need to continue working on school stuff!

Thanks everyone for ALL of the thoughts and prayers!! I really appreciate everyone's love and support and I'm happy to say that everyday I get better and better - and tomorrow I hope to go home - where I will be resting and still recovering, but you are all more than welcome to visit me at my parents as well!!

Love!!
Julia

Sunday Funday!

So it turns out if you beg, they will come!! Thanks to Barb and Reg for coming to see me and bringing me reading goodies!! It was so great to see both of you and to catch up :)

And word on the street is a whole slew of people are coming this afternoon!
I know a lot of you aren't close enough to come - thanks for keeping in touch and reading the blog and sending prayers and thoughts of love!!

My INR (coumadin levels) is 2.5 which is awesome because it has to be between 2 & 3 for 2 days in a row to go home, so unless it plummets tonight, I will be going home tomorrow!!

Other great news? I get to shower in the next 1/2 hour or so!! They are looking for a shower curtain for me now!! For my first shower, though great to be clean, I felt like a dog... shivering and soapy and waiting to be rinsed and dried... but it was AWESOME to be clean - so it was completely worth it!! But today I get to shower by myself!! I'm no longer hooked up to as many things, so a regular shower (with a stool so I can sit down when tired) (and nurses waiting right outside the door if anything goes wrong) is just SO exciting!!

~ Jules

Julia's Lonely! Come see me!! :)

I'm lonely :( Come see me! I know the prior posts have said to sign up, but I'm overriding that for the time being! I haven't seen very many people and would love to see someone! 

I'm feeling better this afternoon - I took some meds and slept all morning and this afternoon, I went on a long walk, had a chest xray, and have been doing schoolwork.  I am bummed that I'm not going home tomorrow, but they are taking me off the heparin drip today and instead I will get 2 shots a day plus coumadin and hopefully that will even everything out.  Strangely enough, I will take shots over the drip - I'm ready to get this thing out of my arm!! 

So come see me - I'm not nearly as scary looking anymore - and apparently I feel just fine begging for company - the hospital room, though big and nice and roomy is boring and I'm tired of just looking at 4 walls - would love to see some friendly faces!!

Love y'all! And thanks to those who have come to see me!! And of course thanks to my parents who I get to see every day! 

Julia's Not Feeling So Hot Today...

Hey everyone,

For the first time in a few days, Julia woke up not feeling very well.  She didn't sleep well last night, woke up feeling nauseated and tired, and got news that she probably wouldn't be out of the hospital until Monday (we were hoping as early as Sunday).

Dad and Julia told mom to stay home today (although, she'll probably go in at least for just a little bit to see her sweet girl), so she's at the house working on pulling things back together and getting the house arrival-ready for Julia and any potential visitors. 

Dad's with Julia at the moment and says she is sleeping off and on, trying to catch up on her rest that she didn't get last night.

Do call (Julia's phone or Dad's phone) before stopping by.  :)

Love,
Louisa

A Message from Daddy

I got an email from Daddy today, and it is too perfect not to post.

        "Today was truly remarkable. On admission, Julia's echocardiogram showed significant heart strain that her cardiologist thought would probably resolve with time. He repeated the echo today, confident he was repeating the study too soon to see a difference. After talking to Julia, he called me. The pressure in the artery from the heart to the lungs had dropped to nearly normal range in only 3 days...he had originally thought weeks or more. With this amount of improvement, he is confident of a full recovery to normal.

The return to work forecast has been changed to "at home next week and then back to work".

The only thing keeping her in the hospital now is getting her coumadin level up to a point that it is safe to stop the heparin. My guess is that she will go home Monday...please remember I am a plumber.

Today was another major hallelujah.   Love,  Bill/Dad"

 

How truly blessed are we to have such a wonderful Dad...and a doctor to boot!  :)

 

Love,  L

TGIF! :) (Post from Julia)

Hey, I'm back.  It took awhile to feel normal - and I'm not completely there yet, but definitely more normal than earlier this week.  I'm in a regular room, as Louisa has posted, and the view is amazing - though I only see it when I get up to use the bathroom.  One of my best achievements earlier this week was being able to get up and being allowed to use the bathroom and NOT the bed pan (which just wasn't my favorite activity).
My newest achievement is not only walking, but walking often and without any shortness of breath.  My heart rate definitely goes up, but it doesn't skyrocket (like it did 2 days ago) and I am talking while walking - it's the darndest thing, but people can't get me to stop talking... :)

Last night I slept great - I'm sure having Christy there was part of the solution to that one - it gets lonely in the hospital - which is ironic considering the amount of times nurses are coming in and taking blood, etc.

SO, I just got back from walking WITHOUT the oxygen.  I sat for 5 minutes without the oxygen (and I didn't know what was being tested and I talked the whole time - which could've messed up the results) and my oxygen levels went from 99 to 93.  Then we went walking without the oxygen - I was fine for the first half - levels around 90, then the second half went to 87 and I was lightheaded, so I slowed down and took deep breaths and ended up back at 90 at the end.  All in all, not too shabby - better than expected.

My hematologist told me today that some of the genetic blood tests came back negative - so it doesn't look like I'm about to battle a life-long dehibilitating clotting war (thank God!!).

And (more good news) - I had an echocardiagram done this morning, and to the cardiologist's shock and joy, my heart's functioning has returned 20% post PE, which is really great!!

Good news all around!! I was happy to see some more visitor's today and I got a lot of schoolwork done :) I'm about to catch up with Mom who has been kind enough to run some errands for me today! A huge shout out to my Mom who has dropped everything to be with me every day, all day!! I love her so much and am so appreciative to have the best Mom ever!!!

A huge shout out to Dad, too, who has run interference, translated the Dr.'s big words, brought me breakfast most mornings, and who comes to see me every morning before work and every evening after work.  I have amazing supportive parents whom I love very much!!!

And the results are IN!

The best news yet, ladies and gents!

Julia had an echocardiogram this morning, and it showed "amazing improvement in the heart."  Julia's doctors are "pleasantly surprised and encouraged!"  :) :)

I just got off the phone with my mom, and she said that it may even work out so that Julia can get out of the hospital earlier than we had originally anticipated, and maybe not even have to cart around an oxygen tank with her for the foreseeable future! 

We could not be more thrilled and encouraged by this news, and I know Julia is looking forward to getting out of the hospital as soon as possible!!!

-L

Julia's Friday :)

Hi everyone!

Blogging from the great state of Georgia, here!  I just got off the phone with Dad and then Mom and it's nothing but more good news.

Yesterday while my mom and I were gone (before I left town), Julia got some physical therapy and that went well!  (I already mentioned that Dad and Jules went on an over-100-yard walk last night, and Dad was very very encouraged by how well she did!)  :)

Last night, our sweet friend Christy Darly spent the night with Jules (so Mom and Dad could get some time off and rest)  (well...Mom got a little bit of rest...Dad was on call, so not much rest there).  Apparently, Julia slept HARD and well, but woke up feeling tired (which I take as a sign that she finally got some good quality sleep and just needs a little bit more).

I know that Mom and Dad are really tired, so anything you guys can think to do to help them out too would make me (5 hour-drive away) feel so much better.

Already, however, I must say that all the love, prayers, and support from everyone has been so encouraging to my sister and my parents.  And Mom was able to make it to communion this morning before going in to see Julia, and was feeling more at peace afterwards.

Dad had breakfast with Julia this morning, and then he and Jules went on a walk, and she got mooned big time by some old guy (LOL).  Currently, she is off having some tests done and Mom is waiting on her to come back to the room so she can get the 4-1-1 on the latest update.

Oh, and in case the link before didn't work, here's the rough "visitation schedule signup" link: Schedule

And here's a pic of Jules in her new digs :)

Love to you all,
-L

Julia's continuing to improve!

When I left my sister early this afternoon, she was in great spirits having gotten all set up in her new digs in a regular floor room (and a very nice one at that)!!  Julia has a spectacular view of the marina from her room :)

I am back in Athens now, and will soon be passing the reins for the blog over to my mom and sister (since she is doing SO GREAT now)!  But I just got off the phone with my dad, and he said he and Jules were on a walk and she had walked at least 100 yards without getting out of breath!  This is spectacular news!

Thank you, everyone, for all the love and support you have sent Julia's (and my!) way.  It does such wonderful things for her morale (which, as you could imagine, has been dropping a bit just from being stuck in the hospital for so long).  Keep it coming!  She has really enjoyed getting mail, too!  You can send her letters and care packages to my parents' address (797 River Road, Johns Island, SC 29455), and they will be certain it gets to her.

Also, Julia will be ready for visitors soon, and we are going to get a semi-schedule going so that you guys can coordinate yourselves and avoid her having 6 people show out at once, which could be exhausting for her! 

Before stopping by to see her, please send her or my mom a text message to make sure everyone is decent ;)

The link for the "schedule" is here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvmJHU7ahNwydEcwOUdySzd1NmtLU1hnWk9UMUQ2eVE

Much Love,
-Louisa

Julia is moving!!!

I hurt my neck this morning and am blogging from my phone, so forgive brevity and spelling errors.  Jules is moving to out of the ICU and into a floor room shortly.  We do request that people hold off on visiting until Julia is ready.  We will let you know.

Much love,
Louisa

Julia walked...AGAIN! :)

Julia took another short walk around the block, and it went swimmingly!!  It was 225 paces, and Jules set the pace...and then realized she had to slow down.  :)

She also got an unwarranted "flashing" from "the old man down the hall" (in Julia's words).  She wishes she had managed to avert her eyes a little bit sooner.  (LOL)

I have to say I am a little sorry to have missed all of this...I was off with the lovely Christy Darly getting Jules some grub because apparently dinner tonight was NOT to be desired.  We ran to the Variety Store at the Marina and got her some shrimp and grits (Christy's idea), and apparently it was perfect!  :)

I'm leaving the hospital a little bit early to have dinner with some dear friends, re-set my brain, and get some rest.  More updates soon!!

Love,
Louisa

Julia went for a walk! :)

Julia just went for a walk "around the block" as it were!

She did a great job, and we took pictures!  :)  As one might expect, her pulse and blood pressure sky rocketed, but they have come back down since.  She also had a bit of a coughing fit when she got back...

She is subsequently QUITE tuckered out.  Here's hoping she can get in a good nap.  :)

-L

A Message From Julia!! :)

Hey everyone! I am so thankful for your comments and prayers! I feel so much better today.  It's the little things: my nurse last night (shout out to Farrah Goforth - she is AWESOME) gave me a hot bath with washcloths - not the same as the real thing, but pretty amazing considering no bath as of late... She warmed up in the microwave a shower cap that has shampoo in it and massaged that into my scalp and then let that just sit while she did everything else.... I got all my dressings changed and was pampered and got a new gown, sheets, etc.  I'm telling you - it's the little things... then I was given ambien, pain meds (for my abdomen/chest/back from the racking coughs), and cough suppresants... My breathing thing has moisturizer added to it but it sounds like a fish tank :)  SO, Farrah gave me all those amazing meds, turned out the lights, and then combed out my hair - I was OUT.  I only woke up for them to come in every 4 hours and get my temperature and my blood/sugar level. 

I would like to write more, but Weeza has pointed out that my heart rate is increasing and to be quite honest, I'm on pain meds now and am groggy and the words are beginning to swim in front of me... so it's time for a nap :)

One more thing - my other nurse Leslie, is the coolest, most down-to-earth awesome person I've ever met and I am so blessed to have her taking care of me!

I have a visitor - so I need to run, but I will put more on here later - Weeza is the best sister EVER!!

Love to all of you and thanks for everything!!


*edited by LGCS ;)

Julia is seriously improved!!!

Ah ha!  The internet just started working again! 

Sorry for the delay everyone, but good news!  When I walked into Julia's room this morning, she looked up at me, smiled, and said "I feel good!"

They gave her 2 Ambien and a pain pill last night, the nurse washed her hair and combed it, and she fell asleep to the sounds of a moisturizer hooked up to her oxygen line that she said sounded like a fish tank and was relaxing.  :)  She slept through the night (minus the brief interruptions for measuring temperature, blood sugar, etc.).  And just now she said "I feel so much better."  :) :)

Things are looking terrific!  And so is Jules!!

The only not-so-great news is that they will likely be keeping her in the ICU for at least one more day, so we're hoping now that the transfer to a regular hospital room will take place tomorrow.

Continue to leave Julia encouraging posts...they so brighten her day!!  :)

Much Love,
Louisa

Julia's had a long day!

I just noticed that these posts are on West Coast time!   Add 3 hours to whatever the post time says, and I'll try to remember to insert the time when I post.

Julia has had a bit of a long day today.

They started her early this morning with the procedure to put the filter in, and then getting solid blocks of sleep has been difficult as there has been, seemingly, a good bit of commotion due to people in and out of the room checking her stats, etc.  So needless to say she is tired.

We are hoping that at some point tomorrow we will get her transferred to a non-ICU room.  Most likely the transfer will be a bit taxing, however, so I will let you guys know when she is actually ready to receive people.

I know people are eager to see her as soon as they can (easy for me to say since I've been with her the whole time...I know!  Sorry!!), but it is incredibly important that she rest as much as she can.

Love you all,
-Louisa

5:45 PM

Things are continuing to improve!

Hi everyone!

Good news!!  I've been keeping an eye on Julia's stats since I got here yesterday, and her pulse has dropped from a whopping 120 to the low 90's high 80's today.  This is VERY GOOD!!  Also, her blood pressure and oxygen levels are continuing to improve.

She has been sleeping much more today, for which we are all very thankful.

When Julia starts feeling better, she will start checking (and maybe posting on) the blog.  If you leave her comments here, I am sure it will really brighten her day when she reads them.  :)  At any rate, I have been passing along people's messages of love and encouragement, and they never fail to evoke that beautiful smile of hers.  :)

Much love,
Louisa

Julia is Sleeping! Hooray!!

They gave Julia some pain medication after her procedure, and she is currently passed out.  Praise the LORD for that, because up until this point she has had NO luck sleeping whatsoever due to a very bad cough.

Who knows...maybe I'll be treated to some of her sleep talking!  Always a treat :)

-Louisa

Surgery went well!

Julia is already out of her surgery to put the filter in.  In went swimmingly well, and I suspect she will be back in her ICU room shortly.

The doctor said he got it in a perfect position to allow easy removal in a month or so, and that Julia did great.  We are looking forward to laying eyes on her again soon.  Although she should be groggy from the anesthesia, and hopefully will SLEEP for once!

Julia's Progress

Dear Family and Friends,

Please do not post this blog to facebook.  This is for Julia's close family and friends, but until Julia is doing better, we would like to control the flow of information.

On 11:30 PM Sunday (9/16), Julia had a pulmonary embolism (clot in her lungs), and was transported to Roper Hospital Emergency Room via ambulance, and then admitted to the ICU.

Mom was with her all day yesterday, and I arrived around 3 or so.  She was looking pretty rough, but by the time we left yesterday evening, I could already tell a major improvement (as could Dad when he came back by late afternoon).   She improved big time over night, and was looking awesome (comparatively) when I got to her room this morning.

She is off having a procedure to put a filter in to catch any other clots before they get to her lungs.  It is a routine procedure, and there is no serious cause for concern.

For the time being, she is in the ICU and will be until she becomes more stable.  When she has been downgraded to a regular hospital room, we will let people know.  However, the MOST important thing is that Julia gets her rest.  Please DO NOT COME unless you have checked with me first.  Period.  I must be the fierce protective sister until we get her to a dramatically improved state.

We will let people know when visitation can be freer.  We know Julia is a people-person, and she will want her people around her when she is doing better.

I will post on this page as frequently as I can with any pertinent updates.

Love you all,
-Louisa