Online House Church Community

Thank you also to all the Summit folks who have prayed.

Here’s an update. Today’s is much, much better.

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From: Skip Paynter [mailto:skpp1@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 4:35 PM
Subject: Donna- Successful second surgery

Things are looking much more positive today! Donna’s lifetime of clean living and taking care of herself is saving her life this week.

The second surgery took place this morning and went like clockwork; the packing was removed and the ureter resection was completed. Her intestines were completely intact and undamaged. She came back from surgery looking great, with no heart or blood pressure troubles at all. Her heart has been strong since it was jump-started in surgery on Tuesday, and hasn’t missed a lick since. She’ll remain under sedation until tomorrow sometime, and is still on a ventilator. There are still the normal post-operative concerns and neurological assessment that will be done after the ventilator is removed, so she’s being very closely monitored in ICU. We are very encouraged by her progress.

Thanks from all of us for the emails, cards, calls, visits, and especially your prayers. We’ll keep you posted!

Susan, Karissa, and Ronna

From: Skip Paynter [mailto:skpp1@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 10:21 AM
To: Skip Paynter
Subject: Donna post surgery update - April 23

Hello, dear friends –

Donna’s surgery began well, but when removing Aviancor she lost a large amount of blood and her blood pressure dropped drastically. She went into cardiac arrest and was given CPR for 15 minutes before she bounced back. Dr. B. was not finished closing off all the blood vessels and the kidney repair, but needed to end the surgery immediately. She was closed up with packing in her abdomen and a urine tube to her skin, with the plan of going back in to finish the job. That will probably happen tomorrow. An enormous tumor was removed intact, with a portion of a right ureter and a vein inside. The vein had been bypassed successfully before the major abdominal incision was made. Her bladder is fine. There was nothing to indicate cancer anyplace else.

Donna is currently in ICU with a myriad of tubes and equipment keeping everything functioning. Her heart is strong and blood pressure is good without any assistance this morning. She is breathing with a ventilator, and receiving lots of fluids, pain meds, and blood. She has not been consciously awake or aware at all yet, although we get a hand squeeze and movement of the head when we girls speak to her. Her brain function has not been able to be assessed yet. The doctor is “cautiously optimistic,” and tells us to pace ourselves for a long haul. She is not out of the woods yet, by any means, and will be in ICU several more days than projected.

We have been overwhelmed by the amazing skill and personal kindness/attention of all the medical staff at OHSU. We’ve been kept well informed and allowed to visit Mom at our own pleasure, night and day. Thank you for the many generous offers of help. Tomorrow’s surgery is critical, so at this point we can’t tell you anything but continued prayer. We’ve got friends around the world doing just that, and for Donna, we say a very inadequate “thank you.”

Susan, Karissa, and Ronna and our families

It’s Saturday evening, and Donna has had two days of nothing but forward progress. She is still in ICU, but has had sedation turned completely off, the ventilator and feeding tubes removed, and is talking to us a little bit. She’s still foggy-headed, but is moved hearing about all of you who are sending good wishes her way. Her old spunk is coming through! The doctors and nurses are all impressed and very encouraged with Donna’s progress.

We don’t have word yet about moving out of ICU or when she can have visitors, but we’ll pass that along as soon as we know. God is faithfully walking through these deep waters with all of us, and Donna has been the recipient of divine “coincidence” more than once in the past few days.

Upspeakably thankful for everything!

Donna, Susan, Karissa, and Ronna

Donna is still progressing well in ICU. No pain meds, no oxygen, some blood thinner to keep a blood clot at bay, a few bites of Jello finally, and lots of interesting conversation that makes us laugh! All systems seem to be functioning well, and she may be moved to a regular room in the next day or two. She sat up on the edge of the bed today for the first time. She is calm, relaxed, and appreciates your notes and cards.

Thank you again for every thought and prayer.

Susan, Karissa, Ronna and fams

Here’s the Reader’s Digest version of Donna’s life at OHSU:

·       New room – 14A12. Finally out of ICU!

·       Still making great progress; no major setbacks/complications/infections, etc.

·       Quite weak and eating soft food, as well as supplemental tube feeding to boost her calorie intake and strength.

·       Some confusion, but it’s getting better. Her doctors feel like this is due to the incredible trauma to her 70-year-old body rather than cardiac/brain related. She’s still a pretty sharp cookie!

·       Probably has a week left in the hospital, then to a rehab facility for some PT/OT before moving back home.

For you local friends, this is the visiting situation as outlined by her team:

·       Visitors will help Donna become reoriented, so you are welcome to come.

·       Two at a time will be plenty; please give Susan a call to let her know when you plan to visit (360.892.0971-home or 360.936.0880-cell).

·       Talk about shared memories and things going on in your lives; avoid asking Donna lots of questions. Her confusion about reality fades in and out, so don’t be alarmed if she starts talking about something totally off the wall!

·       Step out or just sit without talking if she seems to be getting tired or wants to rest.

·       Know that the nurses are our best friends. J They’ve all been wonderful!

Free parking is available in the Physician’s Pavilion. Enter the hospital at the long entrance by the circle driveway (this is the 9^th floor). The tram is a fun way to come, too.

There is a phone in her room, but she can’t reach it if she’s by herself. General OHSU number is 503.494.8311.

Our family is an amazing team who know how to pull together in a crisis. We couldn’t do it without each other!

Grace and peace –