Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Two-Way Communication

When we walked into Clark's room today he had a remote in his hand and was flipping through the channels on the TV! Wuuu Huuu! He looked like he had more strength and energy than yesterday. We also had some successful two way communication which was wonderful! He let us know that he could read the marker board on the wall in front of him. I offered to put up the pictures of the family that Fletcher brought from Clark's room at home. He shook his head no, got teary eyed, and traced his finger down his cheek letting us know that it would make him sad. He could also write with pen and paper. He pointed to his nurse, giving her a thumbs up, then wrote that he didn't like his nurse yesterday. He said he isn't in pain which is comforting for us to hear. The nurse explained all the beeps and alarms of the machines so we don't get nervous when they go off and can feel more comfortable being in the room.

The doctors have been watching the hepatic artery very closely since they suspected it was blocked. Right now it's working fine and they are very hopeful that it will stay open but there's still a risk that the it could clot off. The blood is slow to flow but does fill the right side of the liver up completely. They will run labs everyday and an ultrasound every couple days to compare and will know if it clots off. The left side is wide open and has a great blood supply going to it. As swelling goes down and the blood can flow more freely, they can take him off the blood pressure meds. He will return to the operating room tomorrow to clean things out, remove more fluid, and close the area up a little more. He will not be sewn completely shut as there is still a lot of swelling and they don't want to put pressure on the artery. The extra fluid is from the blood and saline received during the transplant. Clark received 50 units of blood. Average is 8 units!

The respiratory techs will run tests to see if Clark is strong enough to remove the ventilator. If so, they will remove that tube when he returns to the operating room tomorrow. We were very excited to hear that because it is one of the most disturbing parts of Clark's condition right now. He gags and gasps which is hard to watch. It also prevents him from being able to talk, even though he tries hard to communicate with us to help him. Everyone assures us that one of his meds (the same one Michael Jackson over dosed on) also gives him amnesia so he won't remember how awful this time in Intensive Care is. Although that is slightly comforting, it still pulls at our heart strings to watch him struggle. Even if the breathing tube is removed the feeding tube will stay in place. This line runs through his nose so it's not nearly as invasive.
Clark had a terrible episode of vomiting in the night. He threw up three times and his hands were tied down so he couldn't call the nurse for help right away. The CT scan showed no evidence of any blockage in the bowels. The vomiting could be from his pain meds or from swelling of the bowels. Hopefully he won't go through this again.

During transplant, there was a time when blood flow was cut off to a small wedge in the back part of Clark's liver causing that area to die. This explains the fever and there's no source of infection, although he stays on antibiotics as a precaution. This portion of the liver will go away and regrow over time. The rest of the liver is function well.
Bobby Konrady flew in from California on Saturday.
He visited Clark in the hospital, once while he was still under, and once when he was asleep so Clark doesn't remember him coming.
He drew this shirt to show his support.

17 comments:

Karla said...

Wow! Again with the miracles.

All pretty good news, and Clark is amazing. I know from sitting next to the transplant offices for so many years at the U, that he is doing very well indeed. Strong Larson/Kimble genes!

I will continue praying and rejoicing for each step towards wellness.

God Bless you all,
Karla

Jennie Bitz said...

Clark and Family,
I am praying for all of you. And thinking of you guys all the time. Clark you are a very strong man and I know you can do this. You are such a great guy and you deserve to be Healthy.

Jennie Bitz

Kristina Cordell said...

Glad to hear that everything is going well so far and that there haven't been any other complications up until this point. I hope things continue to go well! Keep up the good work, Clark!

God Bless!
Kristina

Sheri said...

My husband also was on a ventilator for several days and I know exactly what you mean about the gagging issue. Believe me though, keep it in as long as needed otherwise if removed to soon, it would have to be put back in and that is hard to handle as well.

Thank you for the wonderful updates you are providing.

I will continue to pray for Clark.

Mills said...

So good to hear a positive note. We pray that things will continue to progress positively and the healing will continue. I can't imagine watching your son go through this. If Clark is SuperClark..Rhonda, you have to be SuperMom. I think it is a wonderful idea to have this blog printed out for Clark.
Jana

Anonymous said...

Awesome to hear things are going very well! Way to go Clark!

Tanizha

Dale Sidener said...

Dale and I want to express our sincere thoughts and good wishes to Clark and his family. We have met Clark at Kate and Eric's backyard kid's parties, other family get-to-gethers and at the Sand Dunes; all great times! We hope for a new liver if that is needed; bring it on! You all take care, Dale, Kate's Dad and Barb

Bart said...

Super Clark Your the greatest and I am so so happy to hear that you are turning the corner and things are looking so much better. I hope you pass the test that Bjorn and I gave you when we last saw you. Now think hard and let us know the correct answer. Love ya buddy and look forward to seeing you soon. Love Bart

Becky & Ryan said...

I am so happy to hear things are looking better! The news sounds very promising. Keep it up Clark, you are doing great! Can't wait to see you! Love, Becky (and Ryan but he is sleeping from his long trip back from visiting you!)

Anonymous said...

We are so glad to hear that things are starting to take a turn for the better! We have been watching his progress, thank you Kristin and Rhonda for keeping everyone informed.

Clark you have a strong will and desire, it is shown by the progress that you have made. Know that we are all thinking and talking about you wishing the best to a FULL recovery!! Keep your hope high and your spirits higher, you WILL make it through this!!

Best Regards,

Wade and Shannon Larson

Cher said...

That's a double wuuu huuu! Clark, we are so proud of you. You are doing a great job and you've been through alot. Keep it up Super Clark. So Happy to hear the positive reports. Prayers will continue for you and your family. Rest well. Get stronger.

Anonymous said...

Clark,

"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee..."

Endure to the end!! You can do it. We all have faith in you!!

With Love...

heidi said...

Clark,

We've only met a few times, I am one of Kristin and Taylors good friends in Nebraska. I pray you continue to get a little better each day. I know this is a hard trial in your life right now, the Lord is completely aware of you and knows exactly what you are experiencing. He loves you! He loves your family! Keep your head high and the Lord will bless you.
I continue to pray for your health and strength. Keep up the good work Clark, your doing great!

Heidi Bartlett

Anonymous said...

Clark,

Keeep up the good work...I am so impressed to hear how well you have done. You have a great support team with you. I am so happy that I have gotten to know you. You are a great guy and you have a special spot in my heart.

xoxo, Annie

Anonymous said...

We continue to pray for you everyday, Clark! Your story is so touching and the amount of support around you is beautifully powerful. Stay strong, Clark. We're fighting with you.

Marshall,Kay,and Courtney said...

Clark,
Wow is all we can seem to say any more. We have been following along since the start. You truely are a special person to so many people. The out pouring of love and support is so amazing. You know me (Mr.Big man)but I have cried so many times for you and your family in this time of need. You better not tell any one I said that! Any ways I always thought you were kinda week (just kiding) but you are so the opposite. You and your family are a insperation to so many.

I BELIEVE IN YOUR STRENGHT,GODS WILL,AND YOUR FAMILYS LOVE AND KNOW YOU WILL FIGHT THIS OBSTICLE AND WIN.

I would also like to take this time to thank the staff out there. I can only imagine the trials and tribulations that they have endured and will face in the future in this fight for your life.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
lol I could do that all day and it would still not be enough.
Clark be strong fight the fight you have been given and know we are with you day and night.
your cuz
Moe
P.S
Rhonda please get some rest. not just physicaly but emotionaly. I know your sisters and know that you will run yourself into the ground for your children. You all have a long road to travel and need to take care of your self along the way.
With all the love and prayers we can muster take care.

Unknown said...

Good morning, Kimble clan! My prayer for you this morning is that you continue to find the smallest of joys and smiles as you continue on this difficult journey. Remember Christ's prayer for Peter soon after He had foretold of Peter's upcoming denial of Him. (Luke 22) He did not pray that Peter would be spared of the difficulty. Instead, He prayed that Peter's faith would endure and when he had made it through that Peter would go on to strengthen his brethern. We must all endure hardships...some, more than others. It is the enduring faith, continueing to move through these times and, in the end, being able to strengthen others in their time of need that is our testimony. One day, your testimony will be used to strengthen others.