Medical update from Marty taliak 1/11/09

Sunday 11 January 2009  (10:20pm)   Tomorrow Kerry will be having her orthopedic repair of her multiple fractures.   Most people get the impression she is rapidly improving but she still has a long way to go! She will be on the respirator at least 10-14 more days. The multiple rib fractures,crush injury of the chest has left the chest wall infiltrated with blood making it quite inelastic. When you inhale the chest wall muscles cause your chest to rise creating a negative pressure in the chest drawing air into the lungs.When you exhale the natural elasticity of the chest wall cause the chest to collapse and you breath out This is also complicated by the 25% of the lungs that are contused and nonfunctional at this time.   Minimal communication today with her occasionally  having what might be a panic attack or awakening confused and disoriented. Lynn spends lots of time orienting her.  Great professional nurses who are doing an excellent job.   Otherwise progessing slowly without drama but with lots of hope.   Marty