Medical Update from Marty Taliak 1/3/09

P.S - If you wish to not get the emails and wish to view the blog only.....sorry.  I wanted to only send these updates to the bog, but there are too many of you who are struggling with the blog thing - so I continue to sent my my updates to both the blog and the master list.  If I am making you nuts...email me and I will pull you  from the master list...no offense taken.   This is a lot of people that I am trying to disseminate  a lot of info to.  Thanks for helping me out - Love - kyla

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martin Taliak <mtaliak@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Saturday
To: Kyla Elderton <kylaelderton@gmail.com>, mtaliak@yahoo.com

Saturday 3 January 2008   Talked to Dr Berke (?) the orthopod today about Kerry's upcoming surgery on Monday   Right shoulder: She has a displaced humeral head which could have avascular necrosis ( necrosis of the bone because of loss of blood supply) No way to tell this until surgery and it could happen even at a later time.Her previous fracture though could have stimulated enough collateral circulation that would ensure survival of the bone.If it is obviously necrotic then a shoulder replacement would be done on the spot.   Left forearm: Straight forward plates or rod   Right foot: cast   Spine: Bed rest. Should promptly heal spontaneously   Chest; Percutaneous tracheostomy today. Should alleviate many problems and make her more comfortable. Most people associate tracheostomy with deteriorating clinical situation but this isn't necessarily true.   Sensorium: Quite alert and trying to talk today without much success. The tube should be out by Monday a the time of surgery. They are now trying to wean her and pull the endotracheal tube without the tracheostomy and if the doesn't work do it tomorrow. Lots of discomfort but responds to the pain meds. The nurse has a range and selection of pain meds to adjust to the level of discomfort.   Already looking for a rehabilitation care place for after she leaves the hospital since she won't be home for a long time. Lynn has a line on a holistic oriented place which sounds good plus a little touch of the New Age stuff for Kerry's "inner self" Of course the rehab part is most important but this could add an extra fillip to a bad but necessary process. ( I'm being accused of using words nobody knows---- fillip: anything that tends to excite ,rouse, or revive -- sounds naughty doesn't it )   Each day is somewhat better with today being the lung and her head and the next hurdle are the orthopedic correction of her fractures and then the recovery process.   Marty