Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Mike - I don't get on the board as often now that I'm way out yander, but I just stumbled across this post and I am so sorry to hear about your wife. I am happy to hear she is breathing on her own. That is great news. Hopefully, she awakes soon. Blunt trauma injuries are awful and hopefully, she recovers soon! You are in great care with the hospitals and doctors you have in Little Rock - our healthcare system isn't that great out here. Praying for you and your family! I wish you all well. Renee

Thank you, Central Chapter, for the get well card for Jamie. A friend from Jamie's church brought it in to the room, handed it to me, and only said she was a friend from Jamie's church. I opened the card without looking hard at the envelope, thinking it was from the church, took the card out and said to myself "What an appealing picture of a rapid lined with cardinal flowers. Those folks must know what I really enjoy in the outdoors. And look here - there's someone with the name "Dave Holthus" who goes to this church. What a coincidence!" Then I started reading more of the signatures and realized where the card was from.

Jamie had the main injection line removed from her right arm today since she doesn't need any medications to speak of anymore. Another EEG test was performed with at least a dozen wires attached to her head. Part of the test required the technician to pinch Jamie's fingers and toes and she moved (kind of a shrug or jerk) for each pinch. Both eyes were slightly open at times today, not much and not in a way that would make you think she was seeing anything, but it's a start. She'll be moving to a neurology ward on the sixth floor as soon as a bed is available. The neurologist may talk to me tomorrow about the test.

Thanks for your good wishes, support, and prayers.

Mike

As of Friday afternoon Jamie is breathing room air with only some moisture added to it. She partially opened both eyes several times today, with the right eyelid being raised a little higher than the left. Her neurologist stopped by and talked to me about the EEG test results: the most recent test shows improvement, but she is not normal yet. The impact caused a brain shear trauma (plus some minor bleeding) which means her brain moved separately from her skull and stretched out the connections between the brain and the skull. Recovery from that will be slow, the doctor said.

She has left the SICU and is now in a separate hospital-within-a-hospital, Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital, on the tenth floor. She is in room 1052 by herself; she may move to a room with another patient some time in the future. The room has windows on the south side of the building and I can see the ten story building of my former work place, the Highway Department. When I was working, I could look out of my north-facing window and see the Baptist hospital.

Since Jamie is technically in a different hospital, I had to sign all the required forms once again. Visiting hours are the same as what they were for the SICU, 07:00 to 21:00, and a quiet group of people can visit at one time. Jamie has some more very nice nurses who also work 12 hour shifts. There is also a video camera that can be used to monitor her at all times, and which a doctor can remotely access to view the display on the machine that tracks her pulse, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level, and blood pressure. Physical therapy will start next week with some simple moving of her arms and legs. She will follow a treatment regimen as yet not spelled out by her new doctor, but it will probably include some more EEG tests to measure progress as time goes on. Jamie's main nurse for today said they have had patients fully recover, and some partially recover. She described one patient as doing really well since he could now make the "thumbs up" sign. That was not real encouraging, but I guess I am not adjusted yet to how long term the recovery may be. I miss her very much. I will keep the same visiting times for now unless I get very tired as I did today. I find your support encouraging; thanks so much.

Mike

Mike, Bro, stay with it and keep on doing what you are doing. I can tell you from my personal experience that when serious medical injury happen to a person, it takes time for the body to heal. A lot more time than any one would normally expect. We are all pulling for you and Jamie

dave reid

Mike, Bro, stay with it and keep on doing what you are doing. I can tell you from my personal experience that when serious medical injury happen to a person, it takes time for the body to heal. A lot more time than any one would normally expect. We are all pulling for you and Jamie

dave reid

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the update on Jamie's condition. While I realize it's a painfully slow recovery process, it sounds like she's making good strides toward recovery! Something you might consider is keeping a "log/journal" of day-to-day stuff. . . much like a float trip log. It can be a handy reference as she transitions to different health care settings/providers. Also, it's a great source of encouragement to read back on the progress she has made since her initial incident.

As you mentioned in a previous post, Baptist Health is a trauma center, so it was great that she was treated there initially. Baptist also has a great reputation as having an outstanding inpatient neuro-rehab program, so once Jamie is able to actively participate in her therapy, it should be a easy transition.

Dave and I talk daily about what you and Jamie are going through. If there is anything we can do that would be helpful, please give us a call/e-mail.

Keep the faith and take good care of yourself so you can be there when Jamie needs your help the most.

Beth

Hi Mike, I just wanted to let you know that my church and I have been praying for you both and will continue. Remember nothing is out of reach for God.

still in our prayers, Mike. Has been awhile since I heard an update. Hang in there, bud

I hear Jamie has taken a turn for the worse. Mike didn't want any visitors today (Wed), and I guess he will post when he's up to it. Jamie is in room 1035 now.

Thursday 7:40am... Spoke to Mike this am. as he was leaving for the hospital. Jamie is in room 1035, visitation is welcomed.

We both had a much calmer day than yesterday. Jamie does have a blood clot in her left arm that is causing it to swell and be painful the arm is moved. No clot dissolving attempt will be made until the neurologist says the medication won't worsen her brain bleeding. If the clot moves, it will probably go into her lungs which is not good. The doctor in charge of brain rehabilitation visited this morning and confirmed that Jamie's eyes don't follow an object and don't lag behind head turning as they should. The doctor also checked responses to tapping several joints (no response) and checked Jamie's response to a loud, unexpected noise behind her (also no response). Foot response was good. Ritalin was started this morning, but the dose will have to be reduced because Jamie's blood pressure got too high. The doctor said not to get her excited, to watch her pulse and be sure that whatever I do doesn't cause her pulse to rise much. The doctor could offer no guarantee that she will recover. She is resting peacefully for the most part. I am far less depressed today than I was yesterday when a lot of the bad news landed on me at once. Maybe I had been holding my feelings back too long and just had to let go. Today I had lunch with a friend at a nice quiet restaurant that provided a pleasant change. It is fine for anyone to visit at any time; however, my schedule is not real predictable and it will be best to call me on my cell phone (501-681-2314) if you want to be sure to catch me there.

Mike

Thanks for the update Mike. Neuro conditions are so unpredictable! Hope that Jamie's blood clot does not travel and the meds start helping. Take care and know that we are keeping both of you in our thoughts daily.

Beth & Dave

thanks for the update. Hoping for the best!!!
ty

Mike --I think of you daily and hope for the best for Jamie. Your life has certainly changed in an instant. A lesson for all of us to appreciate what we have. When sitting with her, perhaps you can take a verbal trip with her down one of you favorite floats. you are such a great teacher-always learned something when floating with you. Take care- ann d.

Ann,

These are my sentiments too! I have had so many fun times floating with,and learning from Mike, and on many occasions, with Jamie along to enjoy the day with the rest of us. Our last trip I think was on the Dragover section of the Upper Ouachita River. What a nice day. More to come!

Best Regards
Jim