Sunday, January 16, 2011

Today from Dad

*received by text this afternoon.

We've had a great day. Mom's drips have been off for more than 24 hrs. She's on oral medications only. This morning Dr Khan turned her paced rate down to 90 from 100. She also shut off the overdrive feature, which means that instead of speeding up the rate when the device senses ectopy, it now inhibits the pacing. This will allow her myocardium to rest a bit more. So far she has had NO ectopy beyond just a few unifocal PVCs. No runs, no hits, no errors, as we say, right Jaba? All good things for the defense. We've had Gma, Elise, Brad, and kids and Karlee in the room for about an hour, and she has done great. Tonight, Scott Dalebout, and Jim Fry are helping us set up a telemetry unit in the house so I can watch her from anywhere with internet access. When we get home tomorrow, it will lower my anxiety level substantially to be able to see what is going on inside her heart. Now all I need is a device on her head to read her thoughts. Then I can be the perfect companion.

I will probably stay with her for this coming week. If all goes well, I will go back to work the following Monday. She will need somebody to be with her all the time for a while, not sure how we will accomplish that yet. Love you guys. More to follow when news comes.

14 comments:

  1. Karl,
    I'm really good at sitting quietly and watching. I'm also home all day and available and would love to be on Betsy watch when the time comes!!! I'm so glad that things are looking so good and progressing. And if Betsy needs a little bribing to let me sit with her, I have a basket full of different nail polish colors and I would love to paint her toes. : )
    Again, I'm so happy for the whole family for the progress. I'm especially happy about the telemetry unit!!!!!

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  2. so happy to hear. I get teary just reading any of the comments from your dad, such Love and devotion is shown. what a great example to all of us of how we should be treating eachother. Elise, again, thank you for your updates!

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  3. Glad to hear that. I hope her transition back home goes really well.

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  4. I'm a great babysitter and I have lots of good references. :D Seriously.

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  5. Betsy, my heart has broken this week while reading all about your experiences. You are such an inspiration to me and my family. Please know we are thinking of you and your family and you are in our prayers.

    I also wanted you to know that I've always admired you and Karl's relationship. I've watched the way you each speak about and trat one other. I've tried to emulate you when I can. I feel like this week I've been privy to a great love story. Thank you for letting me into your life and behind the private doors of your family and your love. We love you. Camden LeeMaster and family

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  6. I am available to come and "take care" of Betsy. That certainly would be a change (me taking care of Betsy). Let me know and I will be on a plane! So glad you are going home! I can only imagine how good that will feel. We made your Berry Big Pie today and have been thinking about you lots!

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  7. This is all such great news. Thank you Karl, Elise, & Brittany for keeping us up to date. Prayers will keep coming your way.
    Best of luck finding a grandma-sitter.... wish I lived close enough to help.
    Love from the Pacific Time Zone (you know you miss it)

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  8. John is begging to be one of the first to purchase the thought reading device. Please put him on the top of the list!!

    Hugs and laughter,
    Bonnie and John

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  9. Elliot told Karl he'd still need a urim and thummim to interpret. LOL.

    All your comments make me smile, lighten my load and make me feel loved. Matthew 5:14-16. My first favorite scripture.

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  10. Put me down for the babysitting gig too. I need my Betsy Fix.

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  11. I told you Elise you may have more trouble getting people not to come see your mom :) She is well loved!

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  12. Babysitting Betsy? Hello?!! My dream job!! So pleased at the progress. I know you'll be so happy to be at home! We sure love you and think of you (and pray for you) daily.

    Mosiah 5:12-13 - My favorite "heart" scripture. :)

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  13. Seriously I know this is going to be a fight on who gets
    to babysit Betsy. I would love to be on the list! I would feel honored to be able to spend a day or night with Betsy. A day doesn't go by that I don't look up your blog to check on Betsy. But more then checking on Betsy I have so enjoyed watching the love that your family has for one an other. I think we have all learned a lot from this act of love you have shown all of us. For that I thank you. I wish Betsy, Karl and your family all the best. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your whole family morning, noon and night. Elise even though you are going home, please keep up posted as Betsy keeps getting better.

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