Update and Report from visit with Dr Carey

Dr Narsinghani and the nurses reported this morning that the Lasix had succeeded in a greater output of urine. Pain was under control with the phenobarbitol and morphine. Shea's temperature was 39.3 C last night and Dr. Narsinghani said they have found the source of the infection. The bacteria colonized from the sputum culture meaning that there is an infection. Her anti-biotic was changed to Bactrim. Now that they know what they are treating, they can be more focused and aggressive with treatment. The hemoglobin was 9 yesterday and dropped to 7 today. If it goes any lower, he said, they would give her more blood. He ordered her feedings through the stomach tube to be increased. Shea's chest X-ray this morning revealed a little fluid in her lungs but they assured us that it would be readily absorbed.

Dr. Carey arrived about 2:30 this afternoon. He was very pleased with how Shea is responding.

Steve asked him about any nerve damage regarding her left eye. Although Dr. Carey worked around the nerves, he assured us that he was able to stay away from the nerves. Steve also asked about her eyesight in the left eye. Dr Carey was unable to know the status of her eyesight before surgery so he could not say for sure. This is one of those areas we will know better when Shea awakens.

Shea's septum had many fragmented bones almost resembling cornflakes. She has splints up her nose supporting the septum. These splints will remain in place for
1 1/2 to 2 weeks. It is possible that Shea may need to have a bone graft from her hip to fix this. For the time being, Dr. Carey just wants to keep an eye on it.

Shea's jaw, when relaxed, aligned quite well, but when she awakens and moves that area we will have a true appreciation of the success of the jaw surgery. Her jaw will be wired for a minimum of 2 weeks. The wires on her teeth will remain. Rubber bands will be used on the top and bottom teeth to further support the jaw area.

Dr. Carey explained that the dental surgery will be a long, long process. First of all, Shea's mouth needs to heal for 4-6 months. He added, "Perhaps a year." The main concern is to have adequate blood supply to that area. After they are satisfied that she has healed, Shea will undergo an operation for a bone graft. It takes 4-6 months for that to heal. After that surgery, he builds a root structure and that takes about 3 months. So, it will be at least a year before Shea can have teeth implants.

Susan and Steve would like you to continue to pray for Shea's healing. Also, in the next few days the nurses will decrease the medication so that Shea slowly emerges from her almost coma-like state. When she awakes, Shea will most likely be totally unaware of what has happend to her; that she was even in an accident. At this time she will realize that her jaws are wired, she has a tracheostomy, is in an unfamiliar place with many unfamiliar people and that she is in a great deal of pain. Eventually she will be told about the length of time for healing and her dental work and that she has rehab ahead of her in another hospital. At the appropriate time, Susan and Steve will inform her of the accident and about Mike. We are so grateful for your outpouring of support and your many prayers on Shea's behalf. Please pray now for Shea's emotional health and healing.

Thank you,
Jeanne Burch