Deanna Babcock - Thoughts and Prayers (Page 8)

Hi Folks,
It's been 3 weeks today since Deanna's accident. Chris continues to keep us
updated. You are doing a fantastic job, Chris and we hope you can keep it up.
Cheryl
Good morning,
Yesterday was another overall positive day. Holly, her nurse,
said that her wounds were healing very well. The suchers, or the
closing stitches in her Fasciotomy in her right leg were removed and
the wounds look very healthy.
Deanna is going through her angry stage
right now where she goes though bouts of trying to pull cords and
tubes. Yesterday at 1:30 she had one of these events. She is still
very strong after 3 weeks in bed. Her fine motor skills look very
sharp as she was grabbing and pulling on a small cord attached to her
finger to monitor oxygen saturation. The nurses boost up the Diprovan
while she goes through an episode like this just to calm her down and
slow her respiration rate to normal. This is very normal for someone
going through this very difficult situation.
I forgot to report these details, but on Wednesday,
Deanna tried to speak over the tracheotomy
saying, “Get me outta here”. She’s probably very sick of the ICU room
she is in.
Yesterday, the physical therapists came in and Deanna was
sitting up on the side of the bed. She really seems to enjoy the
physical activity that can be provided. After the therapy, her
heartbeat slows and her blood pressure lessens.
The psychiatrist that is working with Deanna
specializes in hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the
brain) victims such as heart attacks or near drowning, so this is
directly in his field. Deanna is going through a lot of emotion and
will cry and hyperventilate at times. Through all this though, she
continues to give us smiles on our faces with simple things like waves
when we leave her room. She will continue her struggle, but continues
to improve everyday.
People have asked about visiting Deanna, but
it’s not my place to say whether you should or should not visit her.
It is up to her parents and family. From my experiences, people are
not prepared for what they see. Deanna is still in rough shape with
beeping machines and a tracheotomy. It is difficult to see a friend
like this. I’m not sure how Deanna feels about everyone coming to see
her. Sometimes, it seems as she really enjoys the company, other
times, she doesn’t know what is going on because of all the
medication, and still other times, it seems like she wants to be left
alone, actually waving people out of the room.
Her parents and other family members really
enjoy the company in the waiting room, so I
would suggest lending some support to them, whether you actually see
Deanna or not. I have a feeling she knows we’re all thinking about
her and praying for her.
-Chris

I just found this thread a few days ago and have finally gone through the whole thing.  It is awesome to see the progress Deanna is making and the updates are so appreciated!  I haven't raced in a while, but if I do I'll definitely where something in honor of Deanna!  Although my daughter's nickname is Dee-Dee as well so she might think it is for her.   I look forward to seeing how Deeana does in the coming weeks! 

Thanks for all the updates. I think Deanna trying to say "Get me outta here" is a great sign of recovery. You are all so strong. Way to go on doing your first tri in Deanna's honor. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep fighting, Deanna and God bless you and your supportive and loving family and friends.

Pam

I think Deanna just gave us your slogan!

Her 1st words:

Get me outa here!

Wouldn't that apply to what all of you are feeling durning your races:
Get me outa here could mean to really pour it on! escape from the pack!

Just a thought...

Denise

I think that bracelet idea would be fantastic!! And yes, "GET ME OUT OF HERE," is thought numerous times I'm sure in a triathletes mind!! We could always do that on a bracelet, and then maybe follow it with her initials or something?

GREAT IDEA Dennis!!!  The endorphin ideas are usually the best!

I too think this is a great idea! I was taking a look at that website and there are many colours- I also like the blue idea that someone had previously. A blue wristband with "Get me outta here!" on it? I think it's a winner!

Take care Deanna- we're all thinking of you and praying for you and your family. My husband has been training for a marathon and is on another forum, so I went on there and posted the story there as well. So... there are hundreds/ thousands? more praying for you all!

God is faithful.
~Rachelle

Once we figure out a Deanna slogan (I really like DEANNA'S TEAM) who would be interested in purchasing temporary
tattoos that we could wear in her honor on race day??? I have a TRI friend who is in the screen printing-shirt business who could order these for us. I think that I would have to order at least 500. Ball park prices 3" by 3" temp tats are around 50 cent a piece.


Margo

Throwing out a few more ideas for temp. tattoos

TEAM DEANNA
Athletes for Deanna
Deanna's ALL STARS

SWIM, BIKE, RUN logo with Deanna's name under the logo

bicycle wheel with wings on it --- Deanna's name under the logo

ideas from www.progressivegraphics.net

I would buy them!

Just spent the last hour going through this thread. Dee Dee has a great family and lots of support from around the world, and I'm proud to be counted as one of her supporters now. I'll certainly be there to help her however I can.
Jim

I sent Deanna a note today. Let's all keep praying for her speedy recovery. and I'll buy bracelets.

Just found the thread, thanks CoachH.  My thoughts and prayers are with Deanna and it is good to see so much progress in such a short period of time.  The discipline that you need to be a triathlete keep a person so strong.  I will be thinking of Deanna everyday and love the tatoo/bracelet idea.  I have two more races this season and would love to do them in honor of Deanna.  My card will be in the mail tomorrow.  Julie

hi, just came across this thread today for the first time. Deanna & family will be in my prayers from now on.... and another card will be on the way come tmw.  I'm so glad to read that she is progressing through recovery with some tri-SpUnK

Best wished for your recovery Deanna and family. 

DEANNA - SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
Good Saturday morning all,
Yesterday was another positive day in the recovery process, but it
didn't feel like it in her recovery room. Everything was positive,
but they are trying to ease her off her sedatives. As she becomes
more alert and awake, she wants to get out. There's no mistaking her
actions, she is trying to get up and out. If she did not have the
equipment hooked up to her, she would be able to get out of bed on her
own. It is heartbreaking to see such a great person struggle this
much. She seems very angry and then begins to cry over the
tracheotomy.
Now, on to the positive.... She continues to produce urine, meaning her
kidneys are ready to kick back in soon to full strength.

After three weeks in bed, her overall strength is amazing her arms and right leg are just as strong as ever. She can sit up on her own and pulls your arm
just about out of socket if she wants to use it as leverage to get up.
Her breaths are very good compared to what they have been. They have
almost doubled in power and she is doing well with breaths/minute when
she is not upset. They again lowered the respirator assistance rate
from 10 down to 8. Again, they are trying to remove all the sedatives
so they can begin the rehab of her emotions. They hope to have the
pneumonia gone in about 2 days and the respirator removed 2 days after
this.

Deanna hates all the tubes and wires running off of her and she
tries to pull them off. She is usually successful in pulling the oxygen
meter off her finger, which is just a sticker.
She continues to improve, but episodes like last night are very
heartbreaking. There is nothing you can do besides try to calm her
down, but she seems not to want any part of it. Currently, she is
probably scared, confused, frustrated, angry, depressed, etc. We can
only imagine. And then not to be able to talk on top of that has to be
more frustrating than anything. We can only keep her in our thought
and prayers and continue to support her during the most difficult time
for her.
-Chris

This really hits home for me.  Deanna Babcock is definately in our prayers down here from SE Texas.  She's survived the swim... only 138.2 miles to go!  Cross that finish line Deanna... Cross that finish line!

I'm so glad to hear each day Deanna is improving!  I can't even imagine the emotions she is going through - that must be so hard on everyone there.  You guys are all saints for taking care of her and then finding time to report back to us!! 

Just a quick note from Colorado that Deanna continues to be in my daily prayers. As an RN in a SNF my heart goes out not only to Deanna but to her family. The more upbeat everyone is the more positive energy surrounding all involved. IF there is ever anything I can be of assistance with from here let me know. It is wonderul to see the continuation of this thread and the support and encouragement flowing out from all sides.

God bless and keep you all safe.

Wow, everytime I read Deanna's updates I am just amazed at her progress. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how scared she probably is. The other day I had a anaphylactic reaction to crab and I could not breath. It was the scariest thing to ever happen to me and I would go thru labor all over again before having another attack. But after words, I remember thinking this was nothing compared what Deanna was going thru. I continue to pray for her and she is always on our minds. I hope I can be 1/2 as strong as her.

Keep fighting girl!

What a heartwrenching story.

Everyone should be so blessed as to have such supportive family and friends. I will keep Deanna in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry for the delay in posting this morning's update from Chris. Thank you all so much for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers. Cheryl

Good morning,

Yesterday was a pretty inactive day for D$ yesterday, from what I saw.
Deanna underwent dialysis during most of the afternoon and visitation
was limited. From what we saw, though, she seemed to be more relaxed
and a little more medicated. The nurses said that when Deanna was
calm, she is able to maintain her own respiration. While dialysis was
proceeding yesterday, Deanna had no assistance from the respirator.
The air provided was still a little less than double the concentration
of oxygen (40% as compared to 21% ambient air) to assist a small
amount. Her kidneys continue to look promising as she produces urine,
but not quite enough to be deemed "normal" yet. Everyone is still
very optimistic that they will simply start their normal function
quite soon. This is all I really have to report for yesterday, just a
restful day with some dialysis for Deanna. Keep her in your thoughts
and prayers, we're all wishing her down to the rehabilitation room as
soon as possible.

-Chris

Monday morning update from Chris
Another good day for Deanna. The past couple days have been pretty
uneventful, which is good news in the ICU, I guess. She had been breathing
on her own (no respirations provided by the machine) for over 24 hours.
The respirator provides her with 40-50% oxygen still as opposed to regular
21%. Deanna will go though very quick respirations but then slow herself
down without too much trouble.

Her kidneys continue to produce about the
same amount of waste. They are still trying to find the balance of
sedatives/pain killers to keep her comfortable and without anxiety, but
also lessen the amount to bring her out of her cloudiness. Everyday, she
continues to improve.

Deb and I will go to the bank today to try to set
up a gift fund, because a non-profit or any other type of account seems to
take months to set up. We just want a place to store money so Deanna
doesn't have to worry about how she's going to pay for her running leg.
Keep Deanna in your thoughts and prayers.
-Chris