Results from yesterday’s MRI show a significant stroke that is impacting a large portion of the right hemisphere of her brain. Her frontal lobe appears to be largely unaffected. Another CT was performed this AM which shows a small increase in brain swelling from yesterday. Dr. Palm, her attending neurologist was consulted and subsequently Wynne was placed on anti-inflammatory medication and we received a consult from Dr. El Nihum (neurosurgeon) who believes that her brain swelling is at the peak and should recede very soon (hopefully preventing the need for surgery).
Wynne has not received morphine since yesterday and her Fentanyl patch was removed today and she does not appear to be experiencing the severe pain that she has had over the past few days. They have given her Ativan on a PRN basis for pain and this appears to be addressing Wynne’s needs fairly well.
Wynne’s left hand and arm are swollen due to the lack of muscle tone there. Her wedding band was cut off this morning to prevent damage to her finger. They assure me that one of the jewelers in town can repair it.
Wynne is sleeping a great deal of the time now and generally does not wake unless actively disturbed. I am told that this is normal and is what she needs to help her recover – this is also consistent with my knowledge of brain function and neurotransmitters. If you find yourself here and she is asleep, please do not wake her – the Dr.s and Nurses do plenty of that.
1:20 PM – Wynne is awake and asking questions and making jokes (“I’m an impatient inpatient”) – She is hard to hear as she can only speak very softly, but she is more present than she has been for some time now. I am relieved.
Thank you for all the support, phone messages and e-mails. I have let Wynne know that she is well loved and cared for by all of you.
R
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