Things look better. Culture was negative. They’re waiting to decide on when they will do surgery. They’ll probably decide within 2 weeks- depending on his status and looking to see how much it can heal itself. There will still be LOTS of time recovering (Possibly a year). And he’s not out of the woods yet, but it’s better news than had the necrosis been full of bacteria.
Today he’s slightly alert; for the first time he really saw me!! I can’t tell you how good that feels. So they’re working on weening him off of the sedation and vent- hopefully in the next couple of days.
Keep praying.
Love to all,
Krystal
PS. Sent from my iPhone so forgive the mistakes and jumpiness
“Better” is GOOD! and SO awesome that he saw you! Tell him we’re thinking of him! If you need anything, albeit long distance, you’ve got our digits! Hang in there chica! love to you both. <3
It’s fantastic that things look better! I do have one question, though. Do the doctors think the gangrene can heal itself? Or is that something that will have to be dealt with. If so, it doesn’t seem like a good idea to delay resolution of that by even days, let alone possibly weeks.
Then again, I may just be overreacting to the term “gangrene”.
Thanks for the update, Krystal.
Harlin
Lindsay’s dad, a dr., said that gangrene would need to be immediately removed. U mentioned the necrosis bacteria culture and he said that we may have gotten things confused since the info came through word of mouth, especially emotional sleepy non dr mouths. I THINK the bacteria is the gangrene. Since I’m not an expert I just kept my mouth shut and reported exactly as told. I’ll talk in detail with dr hooker and readup more tnite and post, or encourage who already knows to post.
I think what matters is he’s responding. Visits And messages seem more important and fruitful. Let’s remind him we love him.
That makes sense, Jesse. Rima’s brother (also an ICU doc) had also said gangrene would need to be removed immediately, and I’ve seen enough war-movie amputation scenes that the removal would seem common sense.
Really good sign, I think, that they’re already easing off the sedation and vent. Sounds like these guys have a good handle on things.
ok. a little more about the gangrene issue. Gangrene is serious and needs immediate attention, but is a bit different that our (at least my) perception of the civil war sigma of gangrene which usually has no context and always means “remove the leg.” When dead tissue is present, and the surrounding tissue has way too little blood supply, the infection starts to essentially eat away the tissue.
There are three types of Gangrene, and this is why the bacteria test was important. Dry gangrene is more common, and can stop when it reaches tissue with good oxygenated blood supply. It can even be healed, or at least some of the affects can be reversed, if proper blood flow returns. It can be surgically removed and often is.
Wet gangrene is different, doesn’t seem applicable, but it is terrifying and seems like where some of the civil war images I have in my head come from.
Gas gangrene is what the doctors (in my not doctor opinion) must have been testing for. If bacterial growth occurs in the gangrene, it’ll emit gases, and spread everywhere and would be extremely dangerous. The lack of bacteria is a good thing obviously.
I’ve verified my summary with Doctor Hooker and he says it’s “accurate enough.” He says medical complications are complicated, and there are so many other factors besides the gangrene. HIs lung function is important, him coming around being a very good sign, and his general metabolic, kidney function etc, all of which we have been told are doing well, these are the signs to focus on and are general indicators of improvement, but again, its complicated.
Again, lets reach out to him and make gestures of love and caring. I feel he’ll need them not only now, but that it might help to give him a better start in his healing process.
I hope that helps,
Jesse
Gotcha. Thanks again, Jesse.
Now, somebody make sure there’s a track or two from the Buffy Musical on that iPod. Don’t have the disc myself, but he’s gonna need some slayer strength STAT.
Jesse’s right- “let’s reach out to him and make gestures of love and caring. I feel he’ll need them not only now, but that it might help to give him a better start in his healing process.”
So, don’t forget you can send Trey emails via Dallas Presby here:
https://www.texashealth.org/body_secure.cfm?id=2650
If any of you have any fun/silly/nice pictures of Trey you’d like to share for this site, please email them to me at henryfool@gmail.com. I already received several from Kat and I uploaded them a few minutes ago. He might get a kick out of all these pictures once he’s eventually up and able to stare at ‘puter. :)
BTW- If it hasn’t been done already, would someone mind posting the link to this blog (http://trey.thecoho.net) on Trey’s FaceBook and/or MySpace walls?
Dude, Trey is all about Mike Patton, G’n'R, and Shudder to Think. That’s all the dude needs.
Come to think of it, I think Tres posted a “Top 15 Albums” on facebook not too long ago. That would probably be a great place to start music-wise.
Do we need to donate blood in his name, I am a Commit for Life person. Can some one find out and we can put the word out. I am sure I could get some of my friends, family and co workers to donate in his name.
Thanks,
T
I know Trey loves the old country stuff, too…George Strait & Dwight Yoakum, for sure…probably old Hank, Cash, Waylon, Willie…might want to screen for content, though…nothing too sad or “thirsty.”