Update on Vivian - 7/11

Close-up of the bow Dr. Brown made on Vivian's new *cactus* (Vivian's term for cast).

The good news: we are seeing more and more of the "real Vivian" emerging from our little Sleeping Beauty. The bad news: the "real Vivian" dislikes every aspect of being in the PICU and is making life difficult for her nurses and caregivers!

Vivian has clearly been in less pain after her new arm surgery than during the past several days. Robert and I are so relieved because we had been insisting Vivian was still in pain, while the doctors thought her arm should not still be hurting excessively and that her agitation was likely due to withdrawal from narcotics.

Today the chief sources of Vivian's discomfort have been soiled diapers and tubes in her nose. When she wakes up, Vivian begins to rip at her diaper and attempts (occasionally successfully) to yank out her oxygen and feeding tubes. My solution to this has been to climb in bed next to Vivian and throw my legs over hers and hold on to her hands; this approach has worked pretty well for me. This afternoon, however, after I'd had enough and had retreated home for a nap, Robert attempted the same maneuver during one of Vivian's fussy spells, and she plainly said to him, "GET OFF ME." Robert relayed to me that he had never been so happy to hear Vivian defy him! Vivian also gave appropriate answers to simple questions that Robert asked her over the course of the afternoon, and she settled down while listening to her favorite movie, Dumbo, on her headphones. Overall we feel very positive about Vivian's mental state.


Me with Vivian in a quiet moment

A couple of specific prayer requests: Vivian tested positive for a gastrointestinal bug called C. Diff; please pray that would clear up quickly. Pray that Vivian's arm would heal and that she would not work the hardware loose again in her agitation. Pray that the fluid remaining in Vivian's lungs would continue to dissipate and that she could be weaned off the oxygen she is still receiving via a nasal canula. Most of all, please ask the Lord for healing for Vivian's brain.

As I sit beside Vivian's bed tonight, she is resting very peacefully while a respiratory therapist administers a breathing treatment. I think Vivian wore herself out during the long afternoon that Robert was here with her. I plan to stay just an hour or so more before going home for the night.

It is impossible to adequately express our appreciation for your prayers and support throughout the 17 days Vivian has been in the PICU, so I will simply say "thank you."

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23



Vivian's grandmothers in her hospital room