Mom's Update

Day One at Braintree has been very busy for Courtney. Through the night the nurses discovered that Courtney required some moisturization of her trachea to loosen the yuckiness from the pneumonia.

She is much better today and will continue to have this moisturization treatment through the weekend.

Courtney has been tacacardic(?) which means her heart rate and blood pressure have been high although in the safe range for her age. Nonetheless staff here felt that she should be given some medication to bring that down. It helped with the stiffness in her arms and legs as well.

Everyone has been very very attentive to every need and nothing has gone unnoticed.

Courtney was evaluated today by physical, occupational and speech therapy using the JFK Coma Recovery Scale. It is a very sensitive test that measures small - emphasis on small - progress. As Courtney emerges from this minimally conscious stage she will make progress that would under other rehab programs, not be measurable.

The TBI program here at BRH is very specialized in the early stages of emerging coma status.

Eventually and God willing she will progress to other measures of progress such as the Los Ranchos Almos Scale (?).

Courtney sat in a specialized wheel chair that she will have here until she no longer needs it. She was comfortable for about 2 hours - a good start. There is a special lift that brings Courtney back to bed - that means there aren't 6 hands grabbing and lifting her - she slept like a baby through the entire move!

Courtney's window overlooks a courtyard here and so she has spent sometime watching the never ending snowfall.

Mary and Dottie were Courtney's nurses today -they are absolute sweethearts!

Mom's Update

Well moving day was quite exhausting for everyone.

The ambulance driver and EMT were very nice. Courtney watched the cars out the window of the ambulance and otherwise remained calm throughout the ride.

Once we arrived at her new temporary home Room 204 and she had many many staff coming in to greet her she was not at all calm. Courtney was very anxious about all the new faces. Then Courtney was in pain. It took sometime for everything to get settled.

Some of the new 'friends' we met at Braintree are:

Gerty - the 'sitter' CNA that will be with Courtney all night one on one.
Nurses Marjorie and Rachel
Sandy who will be the nurse during the week
and another lovely charge nurse at night whose name I've already forgotten!

Catherine - the speech pathologist.

Joy - the patient advocate

We met the case worker and several others.

Courtney will receive some therapy this weekend and will meet her whole team of caregivers on Monday morning - incuding Dr. Katz who is a leading researcher in TBI and the Medical Director for the TBI program.

We moved Courtney's bed so that she could watch the snow today but she was too uncomfortable to enjoy the view.

Courtney will have her own wheel chair until she can get walking on her own. We can take Courtney throughout the hospital and outside weather permitting.

Unfortunately we had to leave Courtney early tonight because of the snow. Braintree's only rule is that you can not sleep in the chair in the room (or anywhere else - I checked)! We will get back to Courtney in the morning as soon as we can get shoveled out.

While Courtney is here Craig and I will be staying with my brother Kevin and Katy and Claudia will stay at Claudia's apartment in Watertown during Christmas break.

Time to call the floor at Braintree and make sure Courtney is okay - will post more tomorrow.

Moving Day!

Hip Hip Hooray! and Alleluia! It's finally here. Moving day. Of course, like everything else with Courtney it has to be hair raising - we're looking to leave around 10:30 to beat the snow storm.

She is watched and primped from head to toe. We'll not need the aviator glasses but we do have a hat, long pants and they promise me the ambulance will be warmed up so she's not cold.

The ambulance company has made an exception and is allowing me to ride in the back of the ambulance with Courtney. I would have strapped myself to the roof if necessary!

I am overwhelmed with emotion at the moment - happy to be going on to this next step where I know the staff will expect so much from her. Sad to leave the comfort and familiarity of people we have gotten to know well and in whom we have the greatest confidence.

33 days ago we didn't know if we would ever see this day so we can say that God is good.
He has saved our little Courtney's life. Restored her lungs and preserved her body beautifully.
God's last task is to restore her brain to normal function. I pray for the skill of those who will help along the way at Braintree and that God will continue to work his miracles and bring Courtney back to us.

As soon as I have Courtney's schedule and visiting hours I will post them. Look at the previous blog for the address of Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in Braintree.

I could never say or get tired of saying thank you for your prayers and support. I humbly ask you to continue your prayers. Nurses here at TICU tell Courtney everyday that she will be 'our Christmas miracle'.

from Uncle Brian

Courtney and the Butcher Knife,

I've never told this story before for fear that Diane and Craig would banish me from their home forever. Some years ago - it was about the year 12 BC I think, (BC = Before Claudia, - that's how we measure these things nowadays), Diane called and asked if I could stay over and watch the girls. She and Craig were traveling and they needed a sitter. I was flattered that they would ask me and I promptly accepted.
Prior to that day, I had absolutely NO one on one experience dealing with young girls. As I packed my overnight bag, I began to realize that I would be spending at least 3 waking hours with Katy and Courtney. As the minutes passed, a dreadful yet vaguely familiar feeling began to invade my body. Suddenly my palms grew sweaty and my heart rate increased. My legs felt rubbery and weak and the hair on the back of my neck stood straight! At once, I remembered the last time I felt this way. I was with my girlfriend on the wooden roller coaster at Lincoln Park as the car was creaking it's way up the first and biggest hill!
Though I have step-children now, I have no biological children. In fact, I'm not allowed to reproduce. No, it's true. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected my request to overturn a ruling by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston reaffirming a lower court ruling stating same on the basis that I was genetically deficient. Let me be clear when I say, this so called deficiency does NOT extend to my siblings! Apparently, I'm a genetic mutant!
Anyway, I was now terrified about spending time with the girls. What would we talk about? Did they see the last Red Sox game? No! Not with their turncoat Yankee fan Daddy! He'll get his! Wait till he meets St. Peter O'Reilly of Dorchester at the pearly gates, that's what I say!!
I didn't know what to do. It had been at least 20 years since I pulled the head off a Barbie doll and I figure that Barbie dolls was our only common denominator. Ugh! I was doomed.
I took the girls to a fashionable Cranston restaurant for dinner. I'm not a food critic but the fried potatoes were a bit overdone, my 1/4 pound sirloin burger was under done and my carbonated beverage needed more ice but the girls didn't complain. And why should they, they got a happy meal!? Why couldn't I get a happy meal???!! My meal was mildly despondent, bordering on depressive, at best.
So, we get back to the house and I'm quite proud that I've been with the girls for an hour and we haven't had to rush anybody to the emergency room. This was a huge victory in my mind! I had envisioned all sorts of medical disasters ranging from uncontrollable vomiting to demonic possession and I'm not even talking about the girls yet!
I had the TV on when Diane called and said they were stranded in Chicago or Saudi Arabia or somewhere and I'm like, "yeah whatever, I gotta go, Jethro just fired the shotgun at Granny and Jed's wicked pissed off!"
Apparently, Courtney had some type of project to begin of which I was unaware. I became quite suddenly aware when I looked down to see young Court, at my feet, with a shoe box and a butcher knife! I kid you not!!! At first, I hesistated saying anything due to the fact that I knew that Courtney could, at the drop of a hat, say something so brutally honest about my personal life that she could leave me emotionally crippled for years. :)
So, here's our beloved Courtney, on the floor with a butcher knife and a shoebox, preparing to,,,,,,what,,,,,,drive the butcher knife into the shoebox from what I could tell. "Courtney, that's not a good idea", and then "Courtney, NO, you can use scissors or something". She protested mildly. After taking the huge knife from her tiny hands, I said, "You're going to ruin my resume." "What's that?", she responded. "It's my record of caring for children and not having to go to the emergency room."

My resume remains impeccable. Except for that sky diving incident......

Mom's Update

Still haven't heard if Braintree has a bed yet. Courtney's white count is down to 9 - perfect!

She is once again very awake and alert. She touched her nose this morning when I told her to.

It took some time and effort for Courtney to do this. After her first 'trick' I tried to get her to touch her eyes and but she gave me the evil eye that said 'enough - leave me alone'!

She also opened her mouth just wide enough for small ice chips to be placed in there and she swallowed them.

When the doctors were rounding she watched them in the hallway - they all waived and said hello. Dr. Heffernan said he was getting the evil eye. She didn't take their eyes off them until they left the hall - most likely in anticipation of what they might do to her.

I will post the news about Courtney's move as soon as I get it.

Mom's Update

Courtney had a very busy day up until about 2:30. She started the day wide awake - as I was sitting in the chair by her bed I happened to open my eyes and look over only to see her staring at me. It was a beautiful sight.

She was awake the majority of the morning and early afternoon. Courtney watched several episodes of Jon&Kate Plus 8 - I mean really watched them!

She also watched EVERYTHING that was going on in her room and in the hallway.

Courtney didn't just watch the nurses - she watched what they were doing - inserting IVs - taking blood - moving this tube, that tube ,etc.

It was very exciting for all of us to see her so alert.

Courtney sat in the chair for several hours - had PT and OT and was in the standing lift for a very brief moment until disaster struck with an IV that ended her standing time abruptly.

She slept peacefully for the rest of the afternoon but was awake to see some of her Uncles, watch a bit of the Grinch with her Dad. Then Daddy soothed her and rocked her to sleep.

All in all a good day as good days go in the TICU. Courtney's antibiotics for the pneumonia will be administered in her feeding tube which means no invasive pic lines or central lines needed. That's very good.

Of course of Murphy's Law would have it the case worker spoke with Braintree this morning and they did not have a bed for Courtney. She did tell us that things change every day and she would be calling them first thing tomorrow morning to see if they could accept Courtney. We are praying for an empty bed at rehab - after all it means someone else is better and can go home AND Courtney can move on.

We hope and pray that Courtney continues to successfully fight this pneumonia and is able to take full advantage of therapy very soon at Braintree.

from Uncle Brian

Stopped by the hospital tonight but I didn't see Courtney. I had the opportunity around 5:30 or so but she was just waking and I didn't see the point. The poor girl's been through enough I say, so the last thing she needs is to see my fat head the moment she wakes up. She's suffered enough trauma :). Can I get an "AMEN"?
The Energizer Courtney, barely over the starting line of her marathon, isn't quite ready to move to Braintree. No doubt the spirit is willing but the body is saying, "not yet". So we all pray that her body catches up with her mind and soul NOW! Can I get an AMEN, brothers and sisters????
We're all looking forward to seeing RI Hospital in the rear view mirror asap. AMEN, brothers and sisters!
Truth be told, I don't pray often. Like so many others, when I do pray, I don't ask for things for myself. I don't ask to get this job or win that lottery, etc. So my belief is that when I do ask for something, as in the restoration of Courtney's health, it's OK to ask LOUDLY AND VOCIFEROUSLY!!!! SO JESUS, I'M ASKING LOUDLY AND VOCIFEROUSLY, PLEASE RESTORE COURTNEY TO FULL HEALTH!!!!!!. amen.

Mom's Update

Courtney has pneumonia for the 3rd time. It's not surprising given that her lungs were so badly damaged in the accident - but frustrating nonetheless.

We are relieved to know what the source of infection is and she was started on antibiotics yesterday.

Doctors have told us that many rehabs will take patients after 1 or 2 days of treatment as long as they know they are stable. We'll wait and see.

Because Courtney had so many tests yesterday there wasn't much going on. She did allow me to open her mouth wide - the first time she's let anyone 'in' and she stuck out her tongue a bit after much prompting.

I told her she could feel free to stick her tongue out at anyone that is doing anything she doesn't like!

from Uncle Brian

Yesterday, Diane, Helene, Katy and I were in the waiting area. At the time, Uncle Kevin may have been there as well. I don't recall all the particulars. Kevin has made great efforts to be with Courtney, Katy and Craig and Diane during the weeks since Courtney was admitted. Driving from Boston to Providence and then back to West Roxbury while working full time, and juggling his schedule and taking care of his two beautiful daughters is no easy task. It is a labor of love.
A woman entered the waiting area/elevator vestibule and was awaiting the elevator as we sat there. Diane, excusing herself, jumped up and went over to speak with this stranger. I watched as they conversed and hugged as the stranger thanked Diane again and again for what I didn't know.
When Diane returned I asked her, "who is that"? The woman was a mother who has a daughter, Courtney's age, who also was involved in a bad car wreck. Diane, even in the face of her own pain, was reaching out to soothe others.

from Uncle Brian

We're all disappointed that Courtney couldn't move today bu we realize that she needs to be ready to leave on her schedule and not ours'. That's not directed to Craig and Diane. Obviously, there's nothing I could tell them that they don't already know and I know they are agonizing over this delay.
Yesterday, I shared some of my anguish over seeing Courtney in so much distress. So many of us, especially my siblings and Taunt Joan Derrick and Uncle Bob Reall and all our cousins and extended family and friends are all too familiar with this pain. But we endure it in the hope that we can all celebrate Courtney's full recovery at some point in the not so distant future.

Mom's Update

You probably figured out by now that Courtney is not going to Braintree today.

Doctors have decided to perform a CT scan, bronchioscope and ultrasound to rule out the possibility of an infection site they can not see.

The results of the tests and preliminary culture from bronchioscope will all be back tonight but the cultures won't be conclusive.

Once again we will have to wait and see what happens between now and the morning.

We will keep you posted.

Mom's Update

We are still waiting to hear wether Courtney will go today.

Last night her fevers continued, as high as 102.8 but her white count is down.

She may be fighting something off on her own and successfully.

The fevers could be due to brain activity. All of it is somewhat of a guessing game even for staff.

Since all cultures have come back normal and the xray from last night was normal along with the decreasing white count it will be up to Braintree as to whether or not they accept Courtney with her current issues.

We will keep you posted. In the meantime she did not sleep last night again and so is sleeping soundly now. Like infants often due, she is 'upside down' with her sleepiing schedule.

The nurses keep telling her it's time for her to leave! We agree. We will keep hoping and praying that she will soon be on her way.

from Uncle Brian

Powerless -

That's how we all feel. Our praying and supporting of Courtney's family helps alleviate some of that helplessness but we can only do so much.
I stood by Courtney's bed this afternoon and she was obviously in pain and uncomfortable. (the latter being a grand understatement). When I entered the room, Diane was "resting" in one chair while Craig was restless in the other. They maintain their constant vigil by Court's bedside and provide aid and comfort that no MD or RN could provide. (no slight to the champions in the TICU who've been caring for Court).
Not being able to touch Courtney, or being able to touch but not soothe, I left the hospital to cry in my truck, and then on and off on my way home to Uxbridge. This evening has been no different.
Courtney seemed to be crying at times. There is no doubt that she feels the presence of her mom and dad. At one point when Courtney's face was twisted with pain, Diane laid her head right next to Courtney's in a soothing embrace and Courtney's eyes closed and her face relaxed.

Mom's Update

It is easy to succumb to despair on this awful road that we are on with Courtney.

Today was to be a new beginning and then that was snatched away quickly and cruelly.

Thankfully urine culture and xray are both clear. We are still waiting results from blood cultures but the staff here would be surprised to find that she has a blood infection given that there are no other signs or reasons for her to have such an infection.

We are hopeful that the fevers and spike in white count along with the rash are reactions to the stress her body has been under.

If the blood cultures are negative then it will be up to Braintree as to wether or not they will take her knowing she has had fevers.

So we despair one minute and hope the next. There are times when we don't know how we will make it through the hour or day but then your prayers and the strength of God come to lift us up.

One thing that we know for sure is that Courtney is fighting with all her might to recover.
Tonight she reached out twice to touch my hand and twice she lowered her arm on command. It takes so much effort for her to do these things.

I told her the maintenance men had decorated the trees outside with lights and that they did an awful job and it looked really crappy. She smiled - not just an open mouth like before - but lips turned up at the corner and that look in her eye when she is laughing at something we really shouldn't laugh at. After all they're just trying to make the place a little brighter - maybe there just aren't enough lights to do that.

Christmas is just 10 days away. Our Christmas prayer is that Courtney will be talking again and well on her way to recovery. May the light of Christ that comes at Christmas be brighter for Courtney than a million lightbulbs!

Change in Plans

Once again we have unfortunately halted the process and Courtney will not be moving today.

Braintree is waiting to discharge patients today and move other patients so that Courtney can have a room by the nurses desk and a 'sitter' in her room 24X7 until staff deem her okay to be alone.

While we so appreciate the precautions they are taking it is very disappointing as we are all very ready for Courtney to take the next step in her road to recovery.

Also Courtney's white count was elevated late last night so nurse Missy will draw blood in a few minutes to check it again. Hopefully the elevation was due only to the hives that Courtney had and that she is not developing an infection. She can not go to rehab unless any infection has been treated for a couple of days.

We are praying that this elevated white count was nothing and that today's test will be normal so that she can go to Rehab tomorrow.

Mom"s update

Courtney did not have a good day yesterday and neither did Mom and Dad. She was uncomfortable all day. The anxiety over infection and a possible delay in moving to rehab plagued us until about 8pm when we were told that all is clear.

We do not have a departure time yet but we should be in Braintree by the end of the day. Thank you for all your prayers yesterday.

This is a very big step for Courtney. She is currently smewhere about 8 or 9 on the glaskow coma scale. Rehab speciaists will begin work immediately to get her to a better score.

Later in the day I will post some special thanks and thoughts on the TICU.

mom's update

Courtney had avery tough nite. She spiked a temp of 101.9 and had to have cultured taken to check for infection. Xrays of the right llung show a potential problem. Courtney also developed a rash yesterday that we initially thought may have been a reaction to plastic introduced to her environment. We're not sure if all are related and so doctors will be discussing what to do and if its still safe to transfer her to rehab.
Please pray that these issues resolve themselves and that she is able to move on to rehab tomorrow. Everyday in a regular hospital is a day exposed to dangerous bacteria and every day in bed with very little therapy makes her recovery harder and longer.