Brenda slept well, and this morning she had her dressings changed. The normal routine of breathing exercises and physical exercises took up most of the morning. They have decided to wean her off her pain medication, which is a sign of improvement. The culture I mentioned in previous updates is in fact growing somehting, they are trying new anit-biotics to kill it. Her ohysical therapist came in this afternoon and Brenda cooperated well. The therapist asked her what her first name is and she mouthed "Brenda" and she mouthed "Brands" when asked her last name. SHe was also able to mouth her birthday when asked. The therapist showed her a green card and shewas able to mouth "green". Her next surgery will be December 6th and I will update you everyday until then. After the surgery updates will probably be weekly unless something happens. Please keep praying, she is still in critical conndition and at any moment things could take a turn for the worse. As a burn patient she is very fragile. [...]

Brenda has had a busy, but successful day. Her 3rd operation was at 8:15 a.m. and she came out at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Perry was able to complete her stomach, face, and part of one of her arms. They also did her breathing exercises and physical exercises. The Occupational therapist measured her for a brace that will keep her arms away from her body. They have to do this so that the burn on her armpit area can heal and be treated. When they did the skin graft on hr face they did not do the upper portion due to the fact that she only had 2nd degree burns there and it is not necessary. Keep praying for her recovery, she is still critical, but she is doing better. [...]

Brenda had a good night, her heart rate and blood pressure stayed at a healthy level. The Occupational therapist paid her a visit today, Brenda was able to squeeze her right hand and move her toes. She also exercised her arms and legs. She is scheduled for her next skin graft tomorrow morning at 8:15, unfortunately they are going to have to shave her head. In order to help the burns on her face, they have to take skin from her scalp (the skin on your scalp is the closest match to the skin on your face). Earlier I mentioned that she had two cultures taken in order to determine if she had bronchitis or not. One culture came back and there was some evidence of staff, but that will be treated with vancomycin. This afternoon they changed her dressing, and no she is resting peacefully. Doctor Perry would like us to remind everyone that Brenda's injuries are critical and her age is playing a big role in her survival. Pray that her surgery goes well tomorrow and that the 2nd culture will show nothing out of the ordinary.[...]

Today Brenda got her 2nd skin graft. They did the another 10% of her body. This was the right side of her torso, so now her entire torso is finished. She had a aphib-probe in her upper thigh that was not reading her pulse correctly so they had to fix it. Brenda is lucid enough to feel some discomfort, in fact, she reached her arm up and tried to rip out the tubes that were going into her mouth. They put in a trache, she is now more comfortable because the tubes are out of her mouth. Brenda is recieving preventive treatment for bronchitis, the biopsy results will come back tomorrow.  She should be getting her next skin graft on Wednesday, the time has not yet been decided. Pray for comfort and her recovery.[...]

Last night her heart rate and blood pressure got out of control and she had to be put back on medication. The nurses fear that she may have bronchitis. This can either be minor or major. She is currently being given antibiotics so that the bronchitis does not develop into pneumonia. You must understand that if this develops into pneumonia it could be fatal. We will not know the results of the bronchitis test for two days, but the nurse are not taking any chances and they are watching her closely. The nurse said that brochitis is not unusual with patients on ventilators and as long as they attack the problem early on she should be okay. She is scheduled to recieve her next skin graft on Monday morning; if she is diagnosed with bronchitis it will not affect the procedure. Today she will have her dressings changed and the nurses will be working to control her heart rate and blood pressure. This is a critical moment for your prayers.She is on the fence. She can either make it through this and continue improving, or she could fall off the fence and contract pneumonia. Please pray for the bronchitis test to either be negative or treatable. Pray that the angels will sing to her, and calm her erratic heart.  [...]

Brenda's condition has not changed, but lucky for her they cut down the frequency of her breathing treatment. She now only has to do the treatment every 4 hours instead of every 2. She absolutley hates the treatment. She is still in critical condition, but thanks to all your prayers and the love of these nurses, she is not declining. [...]

Well, Brenda was very alert today. She had her eyes open and would move her extremities. The Docotor is hoping to schedule another skin graft on Monday aorund noon, this will hopefully include putting in a trache. A trache is a breathing tube that will be attached at her throt, this will be so much be so muh more comfortable for her, as she will not have tubes in her mouth. The heart doctor visited Brenda today and said her heart rate and blood pressure were acceptable. Also, the physical therapist stopped by to exercise her hands and arms. They would move her fingers out and lift her arms. This afternoon a different physical therapist came in to exercise her legs. Please realize that Brenda is still in critical condition, but she is progressing. We like to remind you of this because at any moment she could contract pneumonia or an infection. She is in a very delicate state.[...]

What a long night Brenda. There was a problem with the ventalator tube. There was a leak in the tube which needed to be fixed because this could potentially allow bad things into Brenda's lungs. The respiratory therapist pondered different options all night, and this morning I awoke to her and Brenda's two night nurses, crowded around her bed trying to fix the cuff (the part of the ventilator that is in her throat). After about an hour they finally figured it out, the tube that inflated the cuff was kinked. Now it is the start of a new day and hopefully it will be easier than the night she had. Keep praying![...]

First off, Happy Thanksgiving!. We have much to give thanks for today. Brenda came out of surgery about an hour ago and it went very well. The operation consisted of skin grafts on the left side of her body, exempt her face. The burns reached to the middle of her back on the left side. On Monday she will have the same procedure, but on the right side her body. Monday they are hoping to put in a trache, basically this will take the tubes our of her mouth. She will have a tube attached directly to her throat, this will be more comfortable for her. We know that many people are wishing to send flowers or fruit baskets, but we ask that you stick with sending cards. She likes having cards read to her. Please know that plants of any kind, are not allowed in the burn unit. She will never see the flowers and Jack will have to take them home. If you would like to send flowers, please wait until she is out of the burn unit and I will let you know when that is. Happy Thanksgiving, and please keep praying![...]

Last night Brenda went through a treatment that had a negative effect on her body. It was a simple respiratory treatment, but her blood pressure dropped dramatically. They had to give her blood in order to get her blood pressure back under control. Today,Brenda had her whole body cleaned and that happened around noon. Swelling has gone down and her procedure is still on schedule for tomorrow. She is scheduled for the 7:30 time slot, but if she gets bumped the surgery won't be until Friday. She will be getting a skin graft on her face and arms. This is about an 8 hour process, so those of you who were hoping to visit, you may want to hold off because she will not be available. And also Thanksgving is family time. Friday they will go back in at 10:00 a.m. and try to do the lower part of her body, they are basically going to do as much as they can. When I entered the room today her eyes were open and the nurse asked her to nod her head to let us know if she was in pain. She nodded yes so she was given more medication. The fact that she is able to give us these signals wonderful. Keep up the prayers, they make an huge difference! [...]