Hope

Hope is a transient thing in a situation like this. The ups and downs of the last few days have taken us all on an unwelcome roller coaster ride of emotions. We have faith in healing and hope for recovery. But we also have a constant fear that the outcome will not be what we are so earnestly praying for. While this journey is terribly unpredictable, today brought with it some positive news.

Dad's MRI did not look as devastating as the doctors originally feared. While there is still blood present in his brain, it is not in his brainstem and most of the hemorrhage appears to have resolved. There is, however, some swelling still visible in his brain stem. While this is all promising news, it has raised lots of questions for the doctors. The picture on the screen does not match the man in the bed. Dad's neurological exam is still largely unresponsive. He is making no attempt to wake and the pathology behind his sedation is questionable. He did have a slight response to pain in his legs today, a reaction we have not seen in weeks.They are planning to give him a medication in the morning to reverse the effects of the large doses of Ativan he received in Idaho Falls as they are questioning rather it is still playing a part in his sedation level.

The clot in his leg is still a major problem. They are still unable to treat it but there is always a risk it may migrate to a vital organ. He does have an ivc filter in place, which is a device that prevents peripheral clots from entering the lungs, heart or brain. We are constantly praying it does its job. The neurologist said they are hoping to treat the clot with anticoagulants when the ventricular drain has been removed from his brain (again, an unknown time frame).

I am still hopeful. I know my dad needs us to have faith in him, in his body, in his mind and in his will to live. While today did not bring promises for the future or answer many questions, there is always tomorrow.