Amy continues to settle into the PCU. The walls are now decorated with the beautiful posters made and sent by all of you, and we try to keep music playing.
Amy is fighting a new lung infection. She recovered well from her last case of pneumonia, and while it is not unsurprising given her lengthy respiratory struggle, we are saddened that she has to fight another side battle.
For some of us gratitude is vastly easy this week - for her life, her love, her irreplaceable nature. For some of us I know gratitude is hard - her pain, her undeserved suffering, and her different life.
What is fact is that Amy loves Thanksgiving.
So for no more complex reason then this, I assure you she will be very disappointed if we all forget to eat.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
update: week four.
Good afternoon from the Denver Health Progressive Care Unit!
Amy has successfully moved from her ICU room to the Progressive care unit. This unit is still technically part of the ICU and staffed by extremely experienced nurses, however the move is a nod to Amy's growing stability. She will stay here until she is strong enough - physically and cognitively - to move to a brain injury rehabilitation hospital.
Amy's new room is larger and we are excited to decorate it with the beautiful posters, photos and letters which keep arriving for Amy. Amy responds with attentiveness and smiles to cards and envelopes - opening them with her left hand. Please keep sending her mail (I will update the address on this cite under the tab "mail for Amy." If you've recently sent to her ICU address, don't worry: The hospital staff has been bringing all her mail to us from the old room.)
Although Amy's health is improving and her vitals stabilizing, she is still in a very delicate transitional period. Because she has suffered several complications (including a challenging lung infection and respiratory disorder, along with blood clots and air between her lungs and chest wall,) her immune system is still compromised. Especially while she remains on a course of steroids, it is vital that she is not exposed to any colds, coughs, or germs which could easily overwhelm her.
Although Amy has been moved to the progressive care unit, her Nurses and Doctors are emphasizing the importance of slowly building Amy's world again from the familiar to the less familiar. Due to this cognitive rehabilitation strategy, Amy's fragile immune system, and her need to work with physical therapists and then have steady periods of rest, visitation is still being restricted to family. Amy's physical therapists have emphasized how much she will need in person encouragement a little down the road.
However, Amy is a person who deeply values relationships. Although she is still finding ways to communicate with us as she recovers, it is clear that letters and cards comfort her.
In gratitude always for your loving support and enthusiasm for Amy's recovery.
Amy has successfully moved from her ICU room to the Progressive care unit. This unit is still technically part of the ICU and staffed by extremely experienced nurses, however the move is a nod to Amy's growing stability. She will stay here until she is strong enough - physically and cognitively - to move to a brain injury rehabilitation hospital.
Amy's new room is larger and we are excited to decorate it with the beautiful posters, photos and letters which keep arriving for Amy. Amy responds with attentiveness and smiles to cards and envelopes - opening them with her left hand. Please keep sending her mail (I will update the address on this cite under the tab "mail for Amy." If you've recently sent to her ICU address, don't worry: The hospital staff has been bringing all her mail to us from the old room.)
Although Amy's health is improving and her vitals stabilizing, she is still in a very delicate transitional period. Because she has suffered several complications (including a challenging lung infection and respiratory disorder, along with blood clots and air between her lungs and chest wall,) her immune system is still compromised. Especially while she remains on a course of steroids, it is vital that she is not exposed to any colds, coughs, or germs which could easily overwhelm her.
Although Amy has been moved to the progressive care unit, her Nurses and Doctors are emphasizing the importance of slowly building Amy's world again from the familiar to the less familiar. Due to this cognitive rehabilitation strategy, Amy's fragile immune system, and her need to work with physical therapists and then have steady periods of rest, visitation is still being restricted to family. Amy's physical therapists have emphasized how much she will need in person encouragement a little down the road.
However, Amy is a person who deeply values relationships. Although she is still finding ways to communicate with us as she recovers, it is clear that letters and cards comfort her.
In gratitude always for your loving support and enthusiasm for Amy's recovery.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
In gratitude
On Sunday November 11th, the Colorado Dance community gathered to dance for Amy.
Over ten companies presented work in honor of Amy's recovery and dedication to dance.
With a standing room only performance, over $6,800 was raised for the Amy Hollinger Benefit Fund.
The sincerity of passion in the dancers and the audience was beautiful to behold and steadied our hearts.
Many thanks to all - to those who danced, to those who handed out tickets, to the Dairy Center for the Arts, from stage managers to choreographers to financial managers, each and every person who took a seat or a stand in the audience to celebrate Amy.
We are most thankful.
Please check back for pictures of the event.
If you would like to be involved in the next Amy Hollinger recovery celebration please stay tuned for more information about the upcoming January 19th performance.
Over ten companies presented work in honor of Amy's recovery and dedication to dance.
With a standing room only performance, over $6,800 was raised for the Amy Hollinger Benefit Fund.
The sincerity of passion in the dancers and the audience was beautiful to behold and steadied our hearts.
Many thanks to all - to those who danced, to those who handed out tickets, to the Dairy Center for the Arts, from stage managers to choreographers to financial managers, each and every person who took a seat or a stand in the audience to celebrate Amy.
We are most thankful.
Please check back for pictures of the event.
If you would like to be involved in the next Amy Hollinger recovery celebration please stay tuned for more information about the upcoming January 19th performance.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
week/wekend update
Amy's week passed well in the ICU with the doctors slowly bringing her off her ventilator and some of the heavier medications. As she becomes more aware and physically interactive she will see her team of occupational, speech, and physical therapists more often.
Unfortunately, just as Amy was about to be moved to the hospital's progressive care unit a large blood clot necessitated an operation. Amy is recovering well back in the ICU. Given the demands of surgery on the body we are helping Amy stay calm and sleep as much as possible over the next few days.
Amy loves opening cards and envelopes. The good wishes, kind thoughts, prayers and love that you are all sending fill her room with such peace.
As the weekend progresses we are very excited about tonight's dance benefit in Boulder for Amy! Please join us this evening as Colorado's leading companies dance for Amy. More information can be found a few posts down on this blog.
Unfortunately, just as Amy was about to be moved to the hospital's progressive care unit a large blood clot necessitated an operation. Amy is recovering well back in the ICU. Given the demands of surgery on the body we are helping Amy stay calm and sleep as much as possible over the next few days.
Amy loves opening cards and envelopes. The good wishes, kind thoughts, prayers and love that you are all sending fill her room with such peace.
As the weekend progresses we are very excited about tonight's dance benefit in Boulder for Amy! Please join us this evening as Colorado's leading companies dance for Amy. More information can be found a few posts down on this blog.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
a good tuesday
As we spend our third week in the Denver Health ICU, Amy has lifted our hearts yesterday and today with her liveliness, affection, and, frankly, suborn determination.
Lessening Amy's sedation is a very delicate process, however today she was deemed strong enough for doctors to negate her heaviest med entirely and cut another in half over last night. Now that she is awake more than asleep, Amy has begun the process of exploring her environment and learning what her current confines of interaction with it are.
Watching the change and seeing glimmers of her personality and facial expressions has been indescribable today. She consistently beats Jess at thumb wars, follows Mom around the room with her eyes, fingers her mail, and glares indignantly at her new respiratory therapist. Tomorrow Amy will meet with a physical therapist and hopefully continue to require less pressure on her ventilator. Her physical condition is still very delicate, and for all the new found fun, rest is paramount.
She breaks my heart and mends it all over again every time she gives me a one-armed hug. It's been a very blessed tuesday in denver.
We are all accompanying Amy on a long road to recovery which will no doubt be scattered with temporary set-backs, continued fears, and a steep learning curve for all of us.
However, what we do know for sure, admits much uncertainty, is that Amy knows she is loved and can consistently and forcefully communicate her own love in return.
We want everything for Amy, but, at the end of the day, this is everything.
Lessening Amy's sedation is a very delicate process, however today she was deemed strong enough for doctors to negate her heaviest med entirely and cut another in half over last night. Now that she is awake more than asleep, Amy has begun the process of exploring her environment and learning what her current confines of interaction with it are.
Watching the change and seeing glimmers of her personality and facial expressions has been indescribable today. She consistently beats Jess at thumb wars, follows Mom around the room with her eyes, fingers her mail, and glares indignantly at her new respiratory therapist. Tomorrow Amy will meet with a physical therapist and hopefully continue to require less pressure on her ventilator. Her physical condition is still very delicate, and for all the new found fun, rest is paramount.
She breaks my heart and mends it all over again every time she gives me a one-armed hug. It's been a very blessed tuesday in denver.
We are all accompanying Amy on a long road to recovery which will no doubt be scattered with temporary set-backs, continued fears, and a steep learning curve for all of us.
However, what we do know for sure, admits much uncertainty, is that Amy knows she is loved and can consistently and forcefully communicate her own love in return.
We want everything for Amy, but, at the end of the day, this is everything.
Monday, November 5, 2012
weekend/monday update
Over the weekend Amy was resting well, staying calm and occasionally opening her eyes. As Amy was injured on the left side of her brain, her physical mobility along the right side of her body is a concern. However, on Saturday Amy lifted her right arm for the first time and today the right side continues to improve!!
Many of you have been asking about Amy's level of consciousness. "awake" is a complicated word right now. Amy is both heavily sedated in order to facilitate her physical healing and her brain is recovering from large amounts of internal swelling and trauma. She is, however, reactive towards family. She alternatively becomes agitated and then calms, holds our hands and squeezes them, occasionally even strokes our faces. Although her eyes can not be said to track fully yet, she does now move them when open and leans towards us. The majority of the time her eyes remain closed. Today Amy was quite alert for a period of time and had her old strength and determination back to pull out her many tubes and monitors. She's always had an independent streak...
The nurses and doctors are trying to settle Amy into a state where she will be at ease and 'asleep' if undisturbed, letting the ventilator do her breathing, but where she will 'awaken' and become agitated and hopefully logically responsive if disturbed. Bringing Amy back into a realm of potential conscious communication is a slow and delicate process dependent on many factors.
Today Amy is working hard to initiate her own breaths. The ventilator is still helping her significantly - pushing air into Amy's lungs when she asks for it and keeping pressure in her lungs to prevent calapse. Amy still has a condition called ARDS (acute respiratory disorder syndrome) which is a very serious condition, however today's move to let her set her own breathing is an encouraging one.
Amy's days include lots of napping, foot massages and stretching from mom, new finger games with jess, tubes and meds and the beautiful letters and pictures taped to her wall.
Many of you have been asking about Amy's level of consciousness. "awake" is a complicated word right now. Amy is both heavily sedated in order to facilitate her physical healing and her brain is recovering from large amounts of internal swelling and trauma. She is, however, reactive towards family. She alternatively becomes agitated and then calms, holds our hands and squeezes them, occasionally even strokes our faces. Although her eyes can not be said to track fully yet, she does now move them when open and leans towards us. The majority of the time her eyes remain closed. Today Amy was quite alert for a period of time and had her old strength and determination back to pull out her many tubes and monitors. She's always had an independent streak...
The nurses and doctors are trying to settle Amy into a state where she will be at ease and 'asleep' if undisturbed, letting the ventilator do her breathing, but where she will 'awaken' and become agitated and hopefully logically responsive if disturbed. Bringing Amy back into a realm of potential conscious communication is a slow and delicate process dependent on many factors.
Today Amy is working hard to initiate her own breaths. The ventilator is still helping her significantly - pushing air into Amy's lungs when she asks for it and keeping pressure in her lungs to prevent calapse. Amy still has a condition called ARDS (acute respiratory disorder syndrome) which is a very serious condition, however today's move to let her set her own breathing is an encouraging one.
Amy's days include lots of napping, foot massages and stretching from mom, new finger games with jess, tubes and meds and the beautiful letters and pictures taped to her wall.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
medical update, Nov. 1st
As Amy remains in the ICU this week, as she will for approximately the next two to three weeks, the nurses continue to focus on clearing her lungs and regulating her breathing.
Although Amy is young and has very strong, athletic lungs, her respiratory system has been of the greatest concern this week. Currently Amy is resting better and is being weened off of added sedation and slowly receiving less added oxygen. However, she will remain as heavily sedated as necessary to keep her breathing regulated so that her lungs can heal, drain fluid, and fight the infection.
Amy's recovery process will likely include week to week complications as we are experiencing now. Because of how slowly the brain heals and the time it takes it to re-organize its processing of the outside world, we cannot expect day to day changes in Amy's cognitive reactivity right now. The goal for the near future is to stabilize Amy's health in the challenging circumstance we are faced with. Once her overall health stabilizes more, and she is no longer fighting an infection or a fever, then her sedation can begin to be lessened. When this sedation is again lessened we hope she will begin to react again towards family as she had last week and weekend.
At first Amy's condition was changing hour to hour and then day to day in this recovery process. Now we need to adjust our expectations to day to day and week to week as her body works on its own overall healing. Amy's condition is still very serious, but her vitals are currently stable.
It is important for us to remember as Amy's loving friends, supporters, and community that her brain is experiencing an overload of stimulation in the ICU environment and as it begins interacting with the world again. Brain injury patients need to be kept calm and relaxed at all times in order to facilitate the most natural healing and cognitive processing. Amy will remain in the ICU, then spend a period of weeks in a less intensive care unit in the same hospital before being moved to a brain injury recovery center. Amy will not likely have another MRI for about a month as the brain has begun a long process which will be monitored closely for changes over the next 18 months.
In gratitude always for your love and support.
Although Amy is young and has very strong, athletic lungs, her respiratory system has been of the greatest concern this week. Currently Amy is resting better and is being weened off of added sedation and slowly receiving less added oxygen. However, she will remain as heavily sedated as necessary to keep her breathing regulated so that her lungs can heal, drain fluid, and fight the infection.
Amy's recovery process will likely include week to week complications as we are experiencing now. Because of how slowly the brain heals and the time it takes it to re-organize its processing of the outside world, we cannot expect day to day changes in Amy's cognitive reactivity right now. The goal for the near future is to stabilize Amy's health in the challenging circumstance we are faced with. Once her overall health stabilizes more, and she is no longer fighting an infection or a fever, then her sedation can begin to be lessened. When this sedation is again lessened we hope she will begin to react again towards family as she had last week and weekend.
At first Amy's condition was changing hour to hour and then day to day in this recovery process. Now we need to adjust our expectations to day to day and week to week as her body works on its own overall healing. Amy's condition is still very serious, but her vitals are currently stable.
It is important for us to remember as Amy's loving friends, supporters, and community that her brain is experiencing an overload of stimulation in the ICU environment and as it begins interacting with the world again. Brain injury patients need to be kept calm and relaxed at all times in order to facilitate the most natural healing and cognitive processing. Amy will remain in the ICU, then spend a period of weeks in a less intensive care unit in the same hospital before being moved to a brain injury recovery center. Amy will not likely have another MRI for about a month as the brain has begun a long process which will be monitored closely for changes over the next 18 months.
In gratitude always for your love and support.
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