Getting Better
All The Time _ Posted Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Day twelve and another
day of progress for our brave girl. This morning Laine had her last chest tube
removed and along with it a major source of pain. She has plenty of others. These
chest tubes create escape hatches for liquid or gaseous pressures that build up
in the chest cavity as a result of trauma. Laine required three tubes. They are
plastic pipes, about 3/4 of an inch in diameter and they are fitted into the chest
by drilling a hole at the side so that the tube can be slipped through the muscles
and inserted deep into the chest cavity. There are two settings that allow the
tube to either aggressively suck (I.e suction mode) or to allow drainage-only
called "water seal". The point here is that Laine had three chest tubes.
They did their job, relieved the pressure, allowed for drainage, but hurt like
heck. Two other notable steps were taken today. The tracheotomy specialists
provided Laine with a little device that fits over her tracheotomy port and allows
for the exhaled air to be routed up through the mouth, thus producing the air
that enables her vocal chords. So, for the first time in twelve days Lainey was
able to speak. Think about not being able to speak for nearly two weeks --- after
enduring the most emotional and difficult experience of your life! Well, sure
enough, along with the words, came an outpouring of tears and emotion. Somehow
I knew that was coming. Like a damn that bursts open once the first crack in the
wall appears. In any case, it was a welcome relief and probably the first of many.
But since the adapter restricts airflow, it can only be used for short spurts
initially. What's clear is that soon enough, Laine will be asking the hard questions.
What happened? Why? Asking about her horses? These will not be easy conversations.
The other major milestone is that Laine had a swallowing test, which she
passed with flying colors and was cleared to drink. So, her first meal was apple
juice with an apple sauce chaser. Yum! I'm sure those little morsels tasted just
as good to her as a Thanksgiving day feast to the rest of us. This afternoon there
is talk that Lainey will be moved out of ICU and also physical therapy will come
to work with her and get her mobile again. It's all part of the healing process
that is now well underway. So, it really is getting better all the time and we
are all ecstatic with Laine progress. Thank you all for reading. Michael
Ashker
10am Cinco de Mayo
Michael has wonderfully
written the last 2 updates....after reading them I had nothing to add. Now, my
turn..
Laine is a fighter. With the pain killers being reduced such as Morphine
drip.....she rallies forward to her recuperation. Some moments she looks incredibly
frustrated, other moments deeply emotional as to what and why she is at UofK.
For a mother....this absolutely breaks my heart. I tell her that this will be
the most difficult part of the "long & winding road" for she has
to set a pain threshold and 'be comfortable in the uncomfortable'. (those of you
close to Laine....will smile at that line). She nods and only once in awhile does
Laine wake with a grimace of terror and heartache stretched across her beautiful
face as if reliving that tragic moment. That too, kills me inside. I still have
yet to inform my precious baby daughter that Frodo, the love of her life.....is
gone. Timing will make itself clear as to when that moment will be justified.
Laine has remained strong throughout these 9 days and I with her father Michael.....are
so proud of her. She is making our roles as parents more bearable through this
horrific ordeal. She knows us so well. It's those qualities that make her stand-out,
embrace Life, love people and be thriving with her equine children that make our
24 yr old daughter so special. Laine will be an incredible asset down the road
for young and old alike..and example of a real champion and Olympic competitor.
If I am able to find a gentleman down the road with even half of her qualities.....it
will be a lovely surprise. I am forever grateful that someone Greater did not
separate the Ashker duo and that perhaps I might wear my red cowboy boots and
chase Laine from out of the start box soon once again. I love Life. I love that
some of us are fortunate to get second chances. I am a very happy woman and proud
to be Laine's mother. The left chest tube came out this morning. Laine sat
up in a chair yesterday....a request she made known 2-3 days ago, but she lasted
only 5 minutes or so.....due to her ribs and lack of strength. It's ok.....the
chair will be waiting for today's progress. One of her nose tubes was taken yesterday
too.......so now remaining is the feed tube.....Jenny Craig diet extreme! With
her jaw wired shut Smoothie King will be Laine' new breakfast of Champions! Lunch
and dinner too. 6 weeks.....then grandpa's fried Chicken! Grandma's lemon meringue
pie will nicely process in a straw! I can't wait for her to come HOME.........
we
might be moved to another floor in 2-3 days after she is completely off the drip
line, ventilator and remaining lung tube. Lainey is getting quite a bit of rattle
in her trachea tube so that needs to minimize so a nurse doesn't have to clear
it every 2 hours. Physical therapy will lie ahead and counseling from loved ones
and counselors to get her to manage her grief. Eric and Alex along with Baby Seajack
will undoubtedly be the richest sources of inspiration for her to rebuild. Boy
do we love our horses. So vital for our personal happiness in life.
I will
now close and go to the little cubical to be with my girl and watch her sleep.......and
pray her recuperation will be continued daily step by step progress. We are so
damn lucky. We have an angel watching over us. Both Michael and I are blessed
to have Laine Evion Ashker as our daughter. What did I ever do in my life to deserve
such a gift? I grab it without question and will never look back. time to
knit beside her bedside...my mom's sweater is looking great....just like my baby. Valerie *
* * Laine’s Medical Update – Sunday, May 04, 2008 One
Small Step
Things have been rather quiet in the ICU over the weekend. I
believe that’s a good thing, since the ICU deals exclusively with major trauma
cases. I got to thinking about the contrast between the incoming patients; so
very fragile and struggling to hang onto their very lives and the outgoing patients;
who have made it through the toughest part of their trauma and are well on their
road to recovery. Laine is definitely in this later group. However, in order to
make that transition, Laine needs to demonstrate her ability to breath on her
own with no assistance from the ventilator. Yesterday, they actually tried that
arrangement for the first time and for a good portion of the day, she was breathing
with nothing more than the high octane oxygen cuff that sits over her tracheotomy
port. Eventually they had to put her back on ventilator assistance as her carbon
dioxide levels got elevated. Nothing too discouraging. They will try to switch
back to oxygen only again later today.
Laine is showing good signs in other
areas as well. One of her three chest tubes were removed this morning. The plan
is to remove one tube each day, which will have her tubeless by Tuesday. At the
same time, they are starting to cut back on her morphine and as they do she is
coming in and out of consciousness more often and staying more lucid for longer
periods.
But the really great news of the day is this; if Laine can transition
off the ventilator, they are going to wheel in one of those big therapeutic easy
chairs and see if she can sit on her own for a few moments. That small distance
may prove to be a long trip, but one that will represent a major turning point.
Thanks to all for following Laine’s progress and for tuning into her
website.
Michael Ashker
Laine's Medical Update - Saturday,
May 3rd, 2008
The Long & Winding Road to Recovery Today
will be a full week since Laine's accident. During the past week Laine's broken
body parts have been tested, treated, reset, relieved, patched and presently,
stabilized. There is little more doctors and nurses can do, having done the bulk
of their incredible handy work during the most critical period of time. It now
comes down to time; the slow arduous process of healing the many broken pieces
of body and spirit. The long and winding road to recovery has now begun with Laine's
jaw surgery being completed yesterday. Procedures going forward will focus on
"taking out or off", rather than "putting in". Soon Laine's
chest tubes will be removed, having been reduced to their lowest setting as of
this morning. The ventilator weaning steps have been implemented and if all goes
well, Laine will be breathing on her own in a matter of days, with only an apparatus
that feeds oxygen into the breathing port in her neck. The latest addition to
her myriad challenges being a tightly wired jaw. My heart breaks for my
daughter each time I see her grimace and thrash about in a semi state of consciousness,
as she motions to get out of bed and off of the restrains that bind her motion.
She's still so vary disoriented, yet will awaken suddenly in horror; as though
she is re-living her terrible fall and at the same time gripping with the inevitable
realization that her dream of making the 2008 Olympic team has been shattered,
just as badly as the broken bones of her body. Both realities are intertwined
and hit with a powerful force. This quest is what has driven and defined her for
the past couple years of her life. She is not ready to receive the truly devastating
news of the loss of her beloved Frodo. Laine is such a brave kid. Determined,
to a fault and dedicated to a cause, she has lived with a single minded focus.
But still, at least through her father’s eyes, a little girl. So, today
we start the long and winding road to recovery. Getting off the ventilator and
eventually the healing of the tracheotomy passage. Learning to adjust to a liquid
diet. Dealing with the excruciating pain of eight broken ribs where each life
sustaining breath comes with a price of pain. Then, the emotional trauma of forfeiting
a dream so close to attaining - - that was taken away in a mere instant and along
with it, her special horse. A horse she trained herself, day in and day out, while
carrying a full load of classes while attending University of Virginia . A life
changed, abruptly shaken, without warning or preparation; the proverbial “card”
that she has been dealt. All these things will test her metal. So, while her broken
body has been reassembled and is ready to heal, the living spirit is about to
be tested. As her father (and second biggest fan), all you can do is offer help,
encouragement and love. The real battle is Laine's to bear. Soon she'll be asking
questions, trying to make sense of it all. It will be at this point, she'll need
her friends, her family and her fans, more then ever before. Thank you all
for your kind and considerate emails, cards and letters. And thank you for your
heart felt prayers. Having witnessed Laine’s terrible fall and the immediate
aftermath, I feel more blessed than anything else. Laine will walk out of this
hospital on her own strength, she will ride her horses again and she will enjoy
the full measure of her life. Michael Ashker
*
* *
Friday, May 2, 2008
Michael and I looked at one another
and gasped with surprise! LAINE STILL HAD ALL HER TEETH! Dr. Gal said the surgery
went better than expected!!!! Her mandible break was repaired with 2 plates and
a screw.....she sheared a tooth but it was still there to wire her jaw straight.
If she did not have the lung issue Dr. Gal said he would have sent her home!!!
No exterior scars! Yes, as I am sitting here with anticipation to see our daughter.....I
feel the strength of all your e mails and phone calls....supporting Lainey and
the love of our family.…
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Laine's Medical
Update - Thursday, May 1st, 2008 - 12:30pm
It's been five days since
Laine's terrible fall and with each new day we've been blessed with signs of progress.
One of the emotional elements of healthcare management is to prepare families
for both good and bad days. The proverbial emotional roller coaster ride. So,
far our set backs have been few and Laine's forward steps have been consistent.
One backward step came about last night when Laine's fever suddenly spiked up
to nearly 103. It was determined that she had an infection and a case of pneumonia;
both being complications that are quite common with a lung injury of this sort.
They started her on three seperate antibiotics and her fever has already come
down significantly as a result. The good news is that Laine's lungs continue
to gain strength and her doctors have again lowered the level of assistance being
contributed by the ventilator. At one point, Laine was drawing almost all her
own breaths. It turned out to be a bit premature, so they went back to the previous
settings. Laine's jaw surgery is now scheduled for first thing Friday morning.
The plan is to plate the lower jaw line and then reset the right upper jawbone
and then wiring it all together. As far as Laine's attitude goes, she is
an amazing kid. They've begun to cut back the level of her pain/comfort meds so
from time-to-time, she'll drift back into consciousness, opening her eyes and
trying to get herself oriented. She's begun to ask the obvious questions, like
what happened and where am I? Not a moment after she was asking about her beloved
horses, Frodo and Eric. Keep in mind that communication is now done by lip reading
and hand gestures because the tracheotomy has rendered her vocal chords temporarily
inoperable. There is a certain "fiest" in Laine today and while the
communication process is very frustrating, she was tried desperately to communicate
in her sedated state. There was one point that Laine was particularly struggling
to ask the nurse something that she couldn't make out. Eventually, they were able
to determine that she was asking for a mirror. Now, while that's normally a simple
request, one has to think about the benefits of providing it in this instance.
We did, she looked for a moment and then drifted back into a peaceful rest. Wednesday,
April 30, 2008
April 30th at 11am in the ICU wait room
Laine continues
to progress well. Yesterday was hard on me because the nurses are gradually lowering
Laine's sedation so if I went to kiss my daughter's precious forehead or hand
she would wake and struggle to get up. It is a horrible situation to watch your
own daughter caught between the zones of medication and reality. Laine
goes for surgery on her jaw thank God today. She is third patient in the OR room
so time is still up in the air as to when she actually goes. I am ancious to see
my girl's face afterwards. Her jaw will be wired shut and they are putting a trachea
tube in so ventilating will be more effeicient and easier for her to withstand.
Her lungs are doing so much better ....I am so THANKFUL for her combative spirit.
That's John Wayne stuff right there. Michael and I will update her surgery later
today when she gets wheeled back to her ICU slot. My girlfriend of 30+ years is
the designer and "keeper" of Laine's website so she will be sure to
post it immediately. I can't even start to thank ALL of you for your e mails,
calls, cards, gifts, and mostly PRAYERS for my daughter's recovery.....I love
each and every one of you and all your efforts are paying off. There is NOTHING
more precious than your own child. NOTHING. Which brings me to our boy Frodo
Baggins. Briefly, our devastation will be felt for YEARS TO COME. Laine's partnership
with her boy will never be equalled. He is gone. We have only memories. While
I was running this morning I thought of how in shock not only I am in but my family
around me that he is even gone. When I drive home to Crow's Ear Farm and see my
black beauty is missing from the famous "Jamie field" and stall #2......it
will be another whole round of heartache and void that both Laine and I will endure.
Laine's partner gave her confidance. So much is now gone for my beloved daughter.
I am extremely concerned as to how and if she will even pick up the broken pieces
and continue on with her eventing carreer. It will be a choice and decision only
she can make. I have deliberately NOT mentioned Frodo on our website because Laine
DOES NOT KNOW about his dimise. When she was first flighted into emergency on
Saturday Laine's hands were bound but she was able to finger out the letters F_R_O_D_O
on her sheets......I protected her from the truth and said Katie her incredible
groom was taking care of him. Katie thank God, was the only one with him and said
he remained our 'champion' even till the end. So please, until I can find the
right moment to grapple the strentgh and tell Laine.....let's keep this "mum's
the word". I need your continued support on this. I do believe this task,
will be one of the most difficult ones for me to carry out.....and nurse along
for the months and years ahead. I THANK ALL OF YOU. Valerie FLASH
UPDATE:
12 NOON the OR room is unavailable today due to emergency priorities.
Friday will be our targeted date. Laine is having a tracheoscomy as I write to
better her ventilating and possible breathing on her own. I will update later
tonight or tomorrow regarding her procedure today. Laine’s
Medical Update – Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 – 11AM
This
morning we are pleased to see more incremental progress with Laine’s lung
injury. While she remains on the ventilator, she is beginning to take some breaths
on her own. Her vital signs are also improving. Her fever, while still high, is
down to a less critical level. Her blood pressure, which has been running low,
is beginning to rise up to a more acceptable level and her blood oxygenation saturation
is very good (meaning that her lungs are performing their primary function of
distribution oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide). She still has three chest
tubes inserted that allow for the release of pressures and draining of excess
blood in her chest cavity. Her right lung, which was the one most badly damaged,
has effectively resealed itself and is now leaking only minimally. Once
the respiratory function is stabilized, then we can start to deal with the myriad
other injuries. Top on that list is resetting Lainey’s broken jaw. That surgery
is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, although that is subject to change. Her
jaw bone was completely severed near the chin line with a secondary break higher
up near her facial plate, just below the right ear. All surgery is risky; and
more so in Laine’s case given her fragile state. At this point we’re
not looking too far beyond the jaw surgery. We’ll keep the reports coming
as we learn more. In the meantime, we’d like to thank everyone once again
for all your heart felt prayers, emails and cards. When Laine does regain full
consciousness she’ll enjoy reading them. On A Personal and Lighter
Note: I would additionally like to add that Laine has been particularly uplifted
to hear that Karen O’Connor and her coach and ‘big brother’ Buck
have called expressing their concern daily and are wishing her a speedy recovery.
Karen asked me if there was ANYTHING she could do to help out….I paused…and
then asked her if she was going to Jersey Fresh ***. She responded saying “this
is about the Eight St. James Trophy isn’t it”? I said yes. She said
it is as good as done! So now dear friends this is what we have. Buck and Karen
entered in the 3 star. One trophy. A well dusted area in our farm’s trophy
cabinet. And the words “bring it on” from Karen to Buck. The rest will
be history. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart for all
your countless prayers and expressions of love for my baby daughter.
Sincerely,
Valerie
Laine's Medical Update - Monday, April
28th – 1PM
Laine’s condition is improved as of this
afternoon although she is still listed as critical. Our first concern is still
her damaged lungs and restoring adequate respiratory function to them. We are
happy to report improvement on that front; although Laine is still breathing with
the assistance of a ventilator. Once her lungs are more fully stabilized, she
will be going to the operating room to have her broken jaw reset. Given the degree
and complexity of the fracture, it is going to be a difficult operation. So, that
is our next big hurdle. Other than that, Laine is resting comfortably and showing
slow but consistent signs of improvement. Again, thank you for all of your prayers
and well wishes. They seem to be working.
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