From the beginning...

Due to the blessing of the overwhelming interest in Cheryl's wellbeing, we have decided to create this blog. Please feel free to check in at your convenience to see the latest on her.

In case you want to know, we will start from the beginning. Last Wednesday (10/8/08), Cheryl was admitted to NAS Jax Hospital with pneumonia. She was put into ICU later that day. During the night Wednesday night, she took a turn for the worst. She was put on a respirator early Thursday morning. She was alert enough to give her permission for this and she asked if she would feel anything. They told her no, sedated her, and she has been on the respirator since then.

It has been a roller coaster ride for the past three days. Friday things looked better with the improvement of her chest x-ray and the doctor was talking about removal from the respirator.

Then came Saturday...several complications. Since her x-rays were improved, they took her off of her sedative medications and were waiting for her to react to stimuli. She did not react as was anticipated. Her kidneys and liver were not working well, and the possibility of checking for brain injuries from the low oxygen levels Wednesday and early Thursday morning. There was also talk of moving her to Shands for dialysis.

Now it's Sunday, a new day. Things are looking up. Cheryl was much more reactive and active. Even though she was still on the respirator, she was doing some of the work of breathing herself. As a matter of fact, she became so active that they had to put her back on some sedation so she wouldn't wear herself out. She still needs to rest. She was moving her head and feet. She would pull her head and shoulder as if she was trying to sit up. She was also nodding her head yes and no when asked questions and would open her eyes when asked to. For now, the doctor no longer feels the need for dialysis or tests for brain injuries. Praise the Lord.

Hopefully, the improvements will continue and she will be off the respirator in the next few days. Thank you for your concern, thoughts, phone calls, and most of all your prayers. Please continue praying and feel free to check back for updates.