Dear Family and Friends,
We are moving Liesl's Updates to a site specially designed for our situation. I hope you will find it cool for several reasons:
(1) You can click on a box at the top of the Journal that makes it so that each time a Journal Entry is posted, you will receive an automatic email to let you know.
(2) You can sign the Guestbook without having to sign in to become a "blogger". Many, many people have email to tell me that they were frustrated at being unable to successfully post a blog comment. So I hope this is a good solution.
To see the new site, go here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/liesl
Note that I have copied and pasted all previous blog posts and everyone's comments directly into the Journal on the new site. (In the future, you can just post your comments in the Guestbook.)
A special THANK YOU to Brigette Schutzman who put me onto this new site.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sun Aug 24 --7:30 PM
The most recent CT scan showed nothing new. After the CT scan this morning, Liesl returned to her room and shortly thereafter, her left eye (the reactive one) returned to the condition is had been in all week (i.e, the dilation was not so great). Also, she stopped twitching so much. The doctors elevated her legs and she seems to be more comfortable.
Leigh reports that she looks peaceful and calm. He is letting her rest but will speak to hospital staff late tonight. If there are any changes, we'll post here again. If not, we'll post tomorrow.
I need to make a correction to the explanation of the Glasgow scale used to rate coma patients. Each of the three areas (eyes, verbal, motor) does not get equal weight. Eyes get 4 points, verbal gets 5 points, and motor skills get 6 points. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Coma_Scale for more information.
Leigh reports that she looks peaceful and calm. He is letting her rest but will speak to hospital staff late tonight. If there are any changes, we'll post here again. If not, we'll post tomorrow.
I need to make a correction to the explanation of the Glasgow scale used to rate coma patients. Each of the three areas (eyes, verbal, motor) does not get equal weight. Eyes get 4 points, verbal gets 5 points, and motor skills get 6 points. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Coma_Scale for more information.
Sun Aug 24 --10:50 AM
Several of you have asked about rating Liesl's coma on the Glasgow Scale, so Leigh asked the doctor yesterday about this. The scale goes from 3 to 15, with 3 being the lowest score. Note, you cannot get a "0", and a fully-functioning person would get a 15. It is broken into three ratings, each with a scale from 1 to 5. The areas are Auditory, Visual, and Motor Skills.
Liesl has a 1 on auditory and visual scales, and a 3 on motor skills, for a total of 5. She probably came to the hospital after the crash with a 3 or 4 total score.
This morning, Liesl's left eye is still reactive, but it is dilated. Also, she is twitching a bit. The doctor says there is no cause for concern but they did just take her for a cat scan about 15 minutes ago. S0 we are awaiting those results.
We continue to be full of gratitude for all of the prayers and other support that has poured in over these two weeks. Please don't stop those prayers now, as we need them as much as ever.
Liesl has a 1 on auditory and visual scales, and a 3 on motor skills, for a total of 5. She probably came to the hospital after the crash with a 3 or 4 total score.
This morning, Liesl's left eye is still reactive, but it is dilated. Also, she is twitching a bit. The doctor says there is no cause for concern but they did just take her for a cat scan about 15 minutes ago. S0 we are awaiting those results.
We continue to be full of gratitude for all of the prayers and other support that has poured in over these two weeks. Please don't stop those prayers now, as we need them as much as ever.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sat Aug 23 --11:15 AM
Leigh was thinking that all of her hand movements in recent days have been what we might call "purposeful movements" but talking with the nurses has clarified this. What they tell us is that she is not "extending" in her posturing, but she is realy still "posturing". What she has been doing in recent days is called "flexion posturing" or "decorticate posturing". (See http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003300.htm) It is better than the extending she ws doing initially, but is not really considered "purposeful movement".
On the other hand, the nurse did say that while she was working with Liesl's head, Liesl moved her head away from the nurse. When the nurse moved to the other side, Liesl moved her head away agin. The nurse does consider this to be purposeful movement.
Her temperature is 99.8 – possibly urinary or yeast infection and they are working on that.
The nurse said today that clinically, Liesl seems worse than the actual injury would suggest she should be. That is, based on MRI’s, they would think that at this point, Liesl would be doing a bit better.
I wish I had more and better news to report. Her father will be with her every time he is allowed to visit today and we will post on this site again as soon as possible.
On the other hand, the nurse did say that while she was working with Liesl's head, Liesl moved her head away from the nurse. When the nurse moved to the other side, Liesl moved her head away agin. The nurse does consider this to be purposeful movement.
Her temperature is 99.8 – possibly urinary or yeast infection and they are working on that.
The nurse said today that clinically, Liesl seems worse than the actual injury would suggest she should be. That is, based on MRI’s, they would think that at this point, Liesl would be doing a bit better.
I wish I had more and better news to report. Her father will be with her every time he is allowed to visit today and we will post on this site again as soon as possible.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Fri Aug 22 --7:30 PM
There are no changes to report tonight. Leigh will go see Liesl again in the morning.
Fri Aug 22 --1:30 PM
While she is still unconscious, sometime between 9 and 10 this morning, Liesl opened her left eye completely. Since then, she has not done so again. However, her hands are moving more today than yesterday.
Her temperature is about 99.8 - 100. Her blood pressure is 88 - 135 BPM. The nurses noted that when her father eneters the room and speaks to her, her heart rate slows a bit, as if she is calmer when he is present.
She may be moved to another room today for neurological testing.
Leigh will visit her again and report back after 4 this afternoon. Meantime, I am working on this end to secure a place for Liesl here in Memphis as soon as possible.
Please keep those prayers coming!
Her temperature is about 99.8 - 100. Her blood pressure is 88 - 135 BPM. The nurses noted that when her father eneters the room and speaks to her, her heart rate slows a bit, as if she is calmer when he is present.
She may be moved to another room today for neurological testing.
Leigh will visit her again and report back after 4 this afternoon. Meantime, I am working on this end to secure a place for Liesl here in Memphis as soon as possible.
Please keep those prayers coming!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Contact Information for Liesl
Many of Liesl's friends from all over have been trying to call her cell phone and leave text or voice messages. I think her SIM card is completely full of messages at this point! Her phone is on my desk, but I want to respect her privacy and not fool with her phone. Her computer is also her at home, but again, it seems like an invasion of her privacy for me to turn it on.
So you can send email to her address or even to mine. Hopefully she will be up to reading them very soon. As an alternative, you might want to send your cards and messages for Liesl to our home address:
Liesl K Becker
c/o Leigh and Lynne Marie Becker
7250 Abercrombie Lane
Memphis TN 38119
I would anticipate that Liesl will be back in Memphis within the next week or two. As soon as she is able, we will be sure to give her all of the messages she has received by email or snail mail.
Should you need other information or need to talk to me, pop an email to lmbecker@brainiactutoring.net and I will get in touch with you as soon as I possibly can.
Thanks, everyone!
Lynne Marie (Liesl's Mom)
So you can send email to her address or even to mine. Hopefully she will be up to reading them very soon. As an alternative, you might want to send your cards and messages for Liesl to our home address:
Liesl K Becker
c/o Leigh and Lynne Marie Becker
7250 Abercrombie Lane
Memphis TN 38119
I would anticipate that Liesl will be back in Memphis within the next week or two. As soon as she is able, we will be sure to give her all of the messages she has received by email or snail mail.
Should you need other information or need to talk to me, pop an email to lmbecker@brainiactutoring.net and I will get in touch with you as soon as I possibly can.
Thanks, everyone!
Lynne Marie (Liesl's Mom)
Thur Aug 21 --11:45 AM
Liesl is still not awake. Her eyes are completely closed today, but she is still moving around quite a bit, as if she is trying to find a comfortable position. Both hands and both legs are moving.
Her basic stats are fine, although she still has a temperature around 100-101. Her heart rate is still up a bit, but she is young and strong and the doctors do not seem too concerned.
The tube to drain excess fluid from her brain has been removed completely and so they had to shave a little hair so that they could stich up the wound.
She is as beautiful as ever.
Her father read "Peter Pan" to her this morning.
Her basic stats are fine, although she still has a temperature around 100-101. Her heart rate is still up a bit, but she is young and strong and the doctors do not seem too concerned.
The tube to drain excess fluid from her brain has been removed completely and so they had to shave a little hair so that they could stich up the wound.
She is as beautiful as ever.
Her father read "Peter Pan" to her this morning.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wed Aug 20 -- 9:45 PM
Liesl's left eye is slightly open - perhaps a 16th of an inch. Her right eye is still dilated.
She is moving a bit tonight - her hands especially, but also her legs at times. The nurses said it sort of looks like she is moving to try to get comfortable.
Her ICP is fine; her heart rate fluctuates but the nurses are vigilant and make sure she is fine. She does not appear to be in pain or distress. This morning, her color was not as good in her face, but it has returned this evening.
The nurses are going to try to get her back into a circadian rhythm by turning out the lights at 10 PM (yeah - right - when is the last time LIESL WENT TO BED AT 10 PM? YOU SLU GIRLS AND MEMPHIS FRIENDS KNOW THAT'S JUST CRAZY!) In the morning they will turn on lights and a television a bit to try to get her into a good sleep pattern. Research indicates that this procedure does help patients.
Thank you all for the lovely emails, calls, and prayers for Liesl. Our family is sustained by your love, and I know Liesl will be strengthed when she awakens and sees all of your messages here on the blog and also those we have recieved by mail and email.
She is moving a bit tonight - her hands especially, but also her legs at times. The nurses said it sort of looks like she is moving to try to get comfortable.
Her ICP is fine; her heart rate fluctuates but the nurses are vigilant and make sure she is fine. She does not appear to be in pain or distress. This morning, her color was not as good in her face, but it has returned this evening.
The nurses are going to try to get her back into a circadian rhythm by turning out the lights at 10 PM (yeah - right - when is the last time LIESL WENT TO BED AT 10 PM? YOU SLU GIRLS AND MEMPHIS FRIENDS KNOW THAT'S JUST CRAZY!) In the morning they will turn on lights and a television a bit to try to get her into a good sleep pattern. Research indicates that this procedure does help patients.
Thank you all for the lovely emails, calls, and prayers for Liesl. Our family is sustained by your love, and I know Liesl will be strengthed when she awakens and sees all of your messages here on the blog and also those we have recieved by mail and email.
Wed Aug 20 --7 PM
Leigh writes tonight:
During the visitation hours from 4:00PM to 4:30PM, I observed that the forefinger and thumb on Liesl's left hand were crossed and that the right hand seemed more relaxed. When I mentioned this to her nurse (Christi) today, she said that Liesl had been moving her arms a bit.
This morning when I visited her at 10:00 AM, Liesl had been removed from her bed and put in what I can best describe as a hospital version of a chaise longue for want of the correct term. She has been in this reclining chair all day. Christi said this is good for her since she has been in the bed since the accident of August 10.
Her temperature hovers around 100.2 degrees F. ICP varies from 15 to 26 mm Hg. Blood pressure: 127/78. The ECG registers around 110 bpm but there are times when it climbs to 152 bpm. Christi observed this happens when she starts moving.
At 2:00PM as I was telling her about an email I received from one of her many friends and how much her friend said she loves and misses her, Liesl's eyelids flickered several times.
Finally Dr. Raul Cardenas mentioned about possibly removing her EVD (external ventricular drain) soon. After seeing her around 3 PM, he happened to see me in the hallway and said, "Hang in there; it looks good."
During the visitation hours from 4:00PM to 4:30PM, I observed that the forefinger and thumb on Liesl's left hand were crossed and that the right hand seemed more relaxed. When I mentioned this to her nurse (Christi) today, she said that Liesl had been moving her arms a bit.
This morning when I visited her at 10:00 AM, Liesl had been removed from her bed and put in what I can best describe as a hospital version of a chaise longue for want of the correct term. She has been in this reclining chair all day. Christi said this is good for her since she has been in the bed since the accident of August 10.
Her temperature hovers around 100.2 degrees F. ICP varies from 15 to 26 mm Hg. Blood pressure: 127/78. The ECG registers around 110 bpm but there are times when it climbs to 152 bpm. Christi observed this happens when she starts moving.
At 2:00PM as I was telling her about an email I received from one of her many friends and how much her friend said she loves and misses her, Liesl's eyelids flickered several times.
Finally Dr. Raul Cardenas mentioned about possibly removing her EVD (external ventricular drain) soon. After seeing her around 3 PM, he happened to see me in the hallway and said, "Hang in there; it looks good."
Wed Aug 20 --12:30 PM
Hello friends and family.
No real news to report.
Liesl is resting quietly and is pretty still this morning. Her vital statistics are good (temp 99.6, ICP 14, BP around 112/65). She continues to breathe on her own. No sedatives are being used.
Her father will visit with her again this afternoon as soon as they let him in to see her and we will write again later this evening.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
No real news to report.
Liesl is resting quietly and is pretty still this morning. Her vital statistics are good (temp 99.6, ICP 14, BP around 112/65). She continues to breathe on her own. No sedatives are being used.
Her father will visit with her again this afternoon as soon as they let him in to see her and we will write again later this evening.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tues Aug 19 --9:30 PM
Leigh was just with Liesl a few moments ago. While he was there, he saw several signs of movement - including two big yawns and somewhat consistent movement of her left thumb.
Her temperature is around 100, and they have been working to keep her heart rate stable, as it has been bouncing between 111 and 152 throughout the day, perhaps due to being weaned from the sedatives.
From what we understand, it seems that he "intravascular fluids were low", so she was given a Bolus (from Wikipedia: "In medicine, a bolus (from Latin bolus, ball) is the administration of a medication, drug or other compound that is given to raise blood concentration to an effective level. The administration can be given intravenously, by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.)
The timefrane on her move to Memphis is the question on everyone's mind, and to clarify, it appears that it will be at least 10 days before that move can happen. We sure look forward to that day!
Her temperature is around 100, and they have been working to keep her heart rate stable, as it has been bouncing between 111 and 152 throughout the day, perhaps due to being weaned from the sedatives.
From what we understand, it seems that he "intravascular fluids were low", so she was given a Bolus (from Wikipedia: "In medicine, a bolus (from Latin bolus, ball) is the administration of a medication, drug or other compound that is given to raise blood concentration to an effective level. The administration can be given intravenously, by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.)
The timefrane on her move to Memphis is the question on everyone's mind, and to clarify, it appears that it will be at least 10 days before that move can happen. We sure look forward to that day!
Tues Aug 19 --5:45 PM
More good news! Dr. Cardenas looked at Liesl's latest MRIs from various angles and concluded that the contusions are decreasing. He said he "expects her to come around".
The drains in her head that are in place to drain fluid in case of pressure bukld-up have been clamped. Her ICP is good, so they expect to be able to remove the drain altogether soon. At that point, Liesl can be moved to a facility in Memphis. This should happen fairly soon - perhaps in the next two weeks.
Color has returned to her cheeks!
She is moving her left hand and head spontaneously!
KEEP THOSE PRAYERS COMING! We are all ready to have our Liesl wake up for us!
The drains in her head that are in place to drain fluid in case of pressure bukld-up have been clamped. Her ICP is good, so they expect to be able to remove the drain altogether soon. At that point, Liesl can be moved to a facility in Memphis. This should happen fairly soon - perhaps in the next two weeks.
Color has returned to her cheeks!
She is moving her left hand and head spontaneously!
KEEP THOSE PRAYERS COMING! We are all ready to have our Liesl wake up for us!
Tues Aug 19 -- 2:15 PM
The nurse today continues to provide some small signs of encouragement to us. Here is the news right now:
(1) Liesl is off of the ventilator entirely. This is great news. She is instead, on a t-piece. As in the previous blog post, this means that she has the trach tube in place, as a precaution. However, the nurse indicates that Liesl continues to initiate her owns breaths. Once in a while, they "push" a bit to open up her lungs. I asked if Liesl's initiation of the breathing is a neurological improvement over when she first came to the hospital and she said "Why, of course!".
(2) Another good sign is that her left side is now slightly responsive to the tests for "reaction". She had been "extending" but is now starting to try to "localize". (You nurses out there can add comments to clarify this if you like.)
(3) She is still not opening her eyes or making any spontaneous movements (for example, she does not scratch herself, etc) but they are continuing to wean from the light sedation, so hopefully, we can report improvement in coming days.
(1) Liesl is off of the ventilator entirely. This is great news. She is instead, on a t-piece. As in the previous blog post, this means that she has the trach tube in place, as a precaution. However, the nurse indicates that Liesl continues to initiate her owns breaths. Once in a while, they "push" a bit to open up her lungs. I asked if Liesl's initiation of the breathing is a neurological improvement over when she first came to the hospital and she said "Why, of course!".
(2) Another good sign is that her left side is now slightly responsive to the tests for "reaction". She had been "extending" but is now starting to try to "localize". (You nurses out there can add comments to clarify this if you like.)
(3) She is still not opening her eyes or making any spontaneous movements (for example, she does not scratch herself, etc) but they are continuing to wean from the light sedation, so hopefully, we can report improvement in coming days.
Tues Aug 19 -- 9:15 AM
Erine (Leighton's father-in-law) just left the hospital with some positve news this morning. Liesl is breathing on her own. She is getting the lowest dose of oxygen going in via trach as a precaution. The doctors are weaning her off sedation to see how she will react. She does continue to have a low grade fever, but the doctor's seem to have this under control.
Although this is very good news, please remember to be cautiously optimistic. Liesl still needs your good thoughts and prayers. It has meant so much to the family to know that so many people know and love Liesl.
Although this is very good news, please remember to be cautiously optimistic. Liesl still needs your good thoughts and prayers. It has meant so much to the family to know that so many people know and love Liesl.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Mon Aug 18 -- 8 PM
Sorry for this late posting. It has been a long and busy day here.
Liesl's condition is essentially unchanged since yesterday. The doctors decided however, that the breathing tube inserted via her throat needs to be removed because generally they like to have them out in 2 weeks or less. She has been coughing and gagging sometimes, and it is quite uncomfortable.
So they removed the breathing tube and instead inserted a Tracheotomy tube. Also, the doctors changed the method by which they are providing nutrition to her by inserted a feeding tube through her abdomin.
Regarding possible visits to Liesl - the visiting hours are extremely limited and the number of persons allowed at one time is limited to 2 people. Of course, an immediate family member should be present for each visit. Usually, two family members go in together. In addition, doctors want to limit Liesl's exposure to not only germs but also to potential excitement. She needs rest more than anything right now. So while the desire that many of you have expressed in wanting to visit Liesl is very deeply appreciated, please wait for now.
Liesl is likely to be moved to a new location soon (not sure when?), but once she is able to receive visitors, we promise to let you know right away!
Liesl's condition is essentially unchanged since yesterday. The doctors decided however, that the breathing tube inserted via her throat needs to be removed because generally they like to have them out in 2 weeks or less. She has been coughing and gagging sometimes, and it is quite uncomfortable.
So they removed the breathing tube and instead inserted a Tracheotomy tube. Also, the doctors changed the method by which they are providing nutrition to her by inserted a feeding tube through her abdomin.
Regarding possible visits to Liesl - the visiting hours are extremely limited and the number of persons allowed at one time is limited to 2 people. Of course, an immediate family member should be present for each visit. Usually, two family members go in together. In addition, doctors want to limit Liesl's exposure to not only germs but also to potential excitement. She needs rest more than anything right now. So while the desire that many of you have expressed in wanting to visit Liesl is very deeply appreciated, please wait for now.
Liesl is likely to be moved to a new location soon (not sure when?), but once she is able to receive visitors, we promise to let you know right away!
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