Log - First Log - 5/26/08

An introduction: I am Jennie Connard, Paige's Sister-in-law. I am married to Bill who is Paige's little brother. I'm fairly new to this blogging thing. My aunt had set up a family blog in order that our whole family could stay updated on the goings on of my Paternal Grandmother and Grandfather and it has become such a comfort to all as it includes some very pertinent information as well as a continued link amongst the family.


I am going to be figuring out how to "invite" you to read and contribute to the blog but for now I will just include a bit written by Paige's friend, Joy that will get everyone up to speed.

From Joy:

Paige was cycling on the track and had a serious accident that caused her to crash very hard on her head. As we know now, she has severe trauma to the brain and had surgery yesterday (Saturday) afternoon to remove a piece/section of the front temporal lobe. In addition, there was a lot of pressure and swelling to the brain so the Neurosurgeon removed a portion of her scalp and will not be putting a plate on it until they are confident the swelling has subsided to their standards of measurement.* She does have a device monitoring the swelling or lack of in the brain and so far the numbers look encouraging. In addition the brain has recentered itself (Laura, please forgive me if I get some of the terms wrong) and the brain stem itself is showing on cat scans -- again an encouraging sign. It's way too early to know how this injury will affect Paige long-term but we do know how strong and how fit Paige is and that has got to help her in some way overcome this. In addition, she has a broken clavicle and several broken ribs. Paige is also under heavy sedation at this point and has been in an induced coma** since being admitted to the hospital, and will be for several days to assist in the healing process.

Back to Jennie:

* The surgeon has saved the part of Paige's skull in "storage" (amazing!!!) and will replace it when the time comes.
** From what we understand now, the sedation is not exactly an induced coma in that it is not quite that "deep". She is being kept "unconscious" so that her brain may have less "work" to do and can heal.

At this point we are "celebrating" every little positive. As Gerry has put it, it seems that the positives, however small, are increasing while the negatives, not decreasing are definitely not increasing. We think this is very good!

Your thoughts and prayers, in whatever way, shape or form you choose to project them are so very greatly appreicated. It is heartwarming and soothing to see the love pouring out for Paige.

Please feel free to post here whenever you have visited Paige or had a conversation with someone about Paige.

Again, thank you all for all of your loving kindness!