I am Richard Keida’s only sibling. A little over a week ago I got that dreadful call informing me of the terrible auto accident that resulted in serious injuries to my brother and sister in law. I immediately packed my bags and headed to the airport for the long flight from Upstate New York to Central Alaska. Even though many miles separated us over the years, we always remained extremely close, having frequent phone visits. My brother left home at the age of 15 to enter the Ivy League, graduating from Cornell University at the age of 19. He was always able to accomplish a task in half the time it took most of us to do. Having several ambitious goals in life and the ability to conquer all of them, he settled for a career in aviation. He was accepted into pilot training with the Air Force and climbed the ladder to a high ranking officer at a young age. He spent 20 years flying military aircraft throughout the world including a tour of duty in Viet Nam and in other troublesome parts of the world.[...]

Another quiet day so far, with a few more positive things to report.   Jeannette's ventilator settings were changed to a "spontaneous" setting, which basically means she does the breathing and the machine is there as a support.   It seem like a small thing, but of course it's not--the idea she is breathing "on her own" to me is another sign that small steps are being made.   The meds have changed somewhat too, and they are still reducing the level of the narcotics (my term) so her "level of consciousness" can improve.   The pain meds continue of course and she's a long way from "waking up" I think.  But she does tend to surprise us, so whose to say?  There is talk of more surgical  repairs early in the week (perhaps Monday?) and I take that too as a good sign.    Her adominal incision still must be closed, and her broken legs and arm and back will need work from her doctors at some point too.   But the good news for today is she is doing ok today, getting stronger.    One thing at a time.   Sam is far more in tune with the numbers than am I, as they tend to come in a blur to me.  I was staring at her temperature yesterday for example, and 37 had no meaning to me.  Finally I realized that was in centigrade, and after that I figured out it was normal.     What I can share is the overall feeling that things are steady or 'getting better' and there are no extra worries for today as I write this midday note.[...]

Not much news tonight, and that in itself is good news of course.   Sam was back and forth between Anchorage and the Matsu Valley, and by now she's got the road memorizied.   Both Jeannette and Rich had a quiet day all in all; those all important numbers are hanging in there for both of them, and it was a quiet day without any crisis, phone calls, or questions.   Sam will be meeting with the valley doctors in the morning, and perhaps after that there will be more to report.    But its nice to report as this day ends that things are holding where the doctors want them to be, and the bottom line is that even I can tell there has been another day of rest and that means another day towards recovery.  - John[...]

I am sitting here at Providence in the ICU, having just seen Jeannette.   She looks good to me, in the sense her color is good, and the swelling that I had seen before seems to have lessened.   So that is positive.  Sam reports they have modified the meds and are reducing the level of sedation.   It's not like they are trying to wake her up, but more like they want to reduce the depth of her sleep and to increase her state of awareness.   I take that as another positive thing.  [...]

Today the Anchorage news for Jeannette is positive, a group of small things that together add to the hope things are improving.  They have reduced the steroids she was getting, and the antibiotics, and all of the "numbers" they can measure are where they should be.   There were no crises; a gentle day of rest and nothing bad to report.  It was a good day, and to make it better her grandson, Matt, flew in to visit.  [...]

Jeanette. Still holding her own a week post accident. She is making small strides but strides none the less. She is holding her BP on her own without assistance of meds. She is doing well enough to lower some of her other medications also. Sam is currently visiting with Rich and will bring the real medicine to Jeannette later today, their grandson Matthew. Rich- good news is he remains stable from last night. He does have an infection. He is on umbrella antibiotics until they can pinpoint the source of the infection. This is a setback, but he is stable, the Drs are working hard, Sam really likes Heidi( day shift nurse), and they hope to take Rich back off the ventilator later today. Sorry this does not have the nice lyrical flow you've been accustomed to with John. This was fat thumbed on an iPhone with " just the facts" by Sam and Sully[...]

Rich is stable. The CT scan indicates there is likely an obstruction in his colon. The surgeon will decide the best way to resolve the obstruction in the morning. We will update you as we learn more tomorrow. Must say this is a heck of a way for Rich to finally get some sleep. Big thanks to Sully and John for the comfy bed and for finding me a toothbrush. Night everyone and thanks for the support and for loving Mom and Rich so much. - Sam[...]

Jeannette-Sam reports that her blood pressure meds have been reduced and she is holding her BP pretty much on her own.  

Rich-had a dinner of fruit and pie, and was feeding himself until Sam took over because it looked like he was going a little too fast with the fork. He was conversing pretty well but it appeared his breathing was a bit labored.  Sam left at about 630pm to let Rich get some much needed sleep and headed to Anchorage but, at approximately 8pm, she received a call that Rich had a fever, had very low blood pressure. When she returned to the hospital, Rich was somewhat stabilized, receiving BP medicine which had returned his BP to normal levels.  He was also receiving an antibiotic drip, fluids, and was back on the ventilator.  The numbers were looking much better but he was scheduled for a CT scan and wheeled out of the ICU at approximately 1030pm.  Sam is currently at the hospital awaiting the results and plans to overnight in the Valley.  She will be checking on Rich again first thing in the morning before heading to Anchorage. The next update will occur as soon as we have Sam's report.  - Sully[...]

As of 3pm the news hasn't changed all that much with Jeanette.  She is holding her own, her oxygen numbers and blood pressure are all holding where they want them to be.   The concerns for infection are still there, some discussions about trying to get an MRI series, now being discussed.  One of the injuries was the fracture in her neck, and the good news about that was as she came into the OR she had feelings and movement in all extremities.   Since then she has been unsconcios so it has not been possible to evaluate the extent of that injury.   Still, it is a concern for today's discussions.[...]

It's been a good day overall, with Jeannette holding her own and Rich improving as well.   There are good things to tell for Jeanette; her O2 blood level is good, her pressure is excellent and her temperature is normal.   All the vital signs are where they should be; but there are other things that have grabbed the doctors attention today and they are worrisome.   The white cell count is up, indicating a possible source of infection, and they are changing the dressings again to take that important "look."   [...]