11:00 PM- It appears as though we’re headed to a point where Marissa will be able to take over this blog. Because she’s doing so well, I’m heading back to Anchorage Friday. Right now she’s still too weak to do it on her own but was able to read everyone’s comments. She asked me to thank everyone for their care and concern.
Right now they’ve taken out many of her tubes, except for her breathing and feeding tubes. Tomorrow she’s excited she’ll be able to start what’s called a clear diet. That means she can have things like popsicles, jello, and clear broths. The poor girl is so, so hungry. In due time, we keep explaining to her.
She’s started doing physical therapy already. The therapist worked with her moving her arms and legs. And she has this plastic thing she breathes into every hour to make her lungs stronger.
The pain continues. She is now on a pain pump, so she can control that on her own. Well to the best possible level. I can tell it’s not covering anything. I think the only real medicine for that will be time.
Thanks again for reading, and remember she loves the comments so keep those coming. Just look at the bottom on this post, and look for comment. Click on it, enter your name and email address and leave her a comment. Talk to you soon.
1:15 PM- This morning Marissa’s lung doctor took her off the ventilator, which is wonderful, awesome, great, (throw in your own word) news. At the same time with how sick her lungs are I’ve pushed to find out how, exactly, she can get better without a respirator. My mom says they felt comfortable taking it out because this morning they determined even though her lungs are horribly sick, she’s also at a level where she can breathe on her own. I find that absolutely astonishing.
Her medical team now thinks a combination of respiratory therapy and lots of antibiotics will be the keys to making her better. The current state of her lungs is as follows: in normal lungs, like mine and hopefully yours, your air sacks open to take in and release air. Marissa’s problem, the sepsis made those air sacks stiff, and now through rehabilitation, she must work to make those air sacks normal again.
To understand the next part of what I’m going to explain you need to understand a little bit about the Chron’s disease Marissa suffers. That disease has left a great part of Marissa’s digestive tract, from her stomach, to intestines, filled with ulcers. So, the doctor also told mom in Marissa’s septic state there is a possibility an abscess, meaning a pocket of puss, could form on those ulcers. This is, again, why she’s on all those antibiotics. Because the big picture is she is septic. Her body’s been poisoned. And so she will have to remain hospitalized for a while to get all that poison out her.
But what’s great is hopefully now that she’s off the ventilator she may be able to get moved out of the ICU soon.
12:30 AM- A note: I published a new entry about 11:45 last night- probably after many of you went to bed. A lot of good stuff there. But at the bottom of each day, you can leave comments. So if you want to send Marissa a message, or ask me a question, please write to us there. I'll show them to her. Updates to come later today. So long for now.
Marissa, I love you ! All my children and grandchildren love you ! So you hang in there and be well soon, girl, soon ! Sally
Posted by: sally chew | August 18, 2008 at 10:00 PM
comming to see you today..you better rest up
Posted by: scott simon | August 19, 2008 at 04:03 AM
Marissa,
I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that you are improving. It was great to see you Sunday even though you were groggy I could see you were coming around. You have a lot of people praying for you daily! Meemaw and Grandaddy ask about you everytime we talk. Kasey and Justin plan to come back up and see you real soon. I love you and I am reading about your progress. Every sentence......I dont want to miss any of how much better you are doing.
Posted by: Kelly | August 19, 2008 at 04:14 AM
I am glad to hear that you are getting better.Elizabeth and Sam wanted me to call you and I was trying to explain that you could not talk and Elizabeth said to let you know that she misses you and to take care and get better soon.Elizabeth also asks about Matt(her boyfriend)tell him Elizabeth says "hi".Sam is enjoying school and took the books you bought him when we were there and they enjoyed them.
Get better soon.
Love,
cousins(Robin,Elizabeth,Sam and Karl)
Posted by: Robin,Elizabeth,& Sam Fry | August 19, 2008 at 04:32 AM
Wow!! I just read Matthew's update for today & am thrilled to know how much progress you're making every day ! I hope to see you either today or tomorrow. Love, kay
Posted by: kay till | August 19, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Marissa, I love hearing about your wonderful progress! I'm so happy to hear they took out the respirator. We know your really hurting but just keep up the healing. I'm giving morning, noon and night updates to Sorrell, Tops and Cullen. Love from us all -Bunny
p.s. Thanks to Mathew for keeping us updated.
Posted by: Bunny Chew | August 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM
You are a strong young lady. We love you and know thatm you will continue to forge ahead. We love you a lot and will see you soon
Posted by: aunt marsha | August 19, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Marissa! I know how strong you are and love reading about it all day!!! I am so proud of you, you just don't know! I came to see you sunday! You looked beautiful! I talked to you for an hour and even though you may not remember you seemed to respond to a lot of things that I said! I am coming to spend some quality time with you REAL soon! I love you and pray for you day in and day out. I bought a wrist band with your name on it so I constantly (and I do exaggerate constantly lol) think about you! I love to hear about your good news! You hang in there and keep improving! I love you with ALLLLLL of my heart! You're my girl- Kasey
Posted by: Kasey | August 19, 2008 at 01:58 PM
We have tried to write you for days but cannot connect with your blog. With your advice today we can finally let you know how worried we all were and how happy we are to have read your blog today and know that things are going in the right direction. These past few days have been most concerning for us but we are sure unbelievably wearing for you and your mom. We wish you and your mom strength and much love.
Please tell Marissa that all her Lipsyc Clan cousins send kisses and love and prayers. Todays message from Matthew really gave us all some happiness. We cannot wait to continue to receive good
messages about your conquering this situation.
All our love,
Nat and Marilyn
Posted by: Nat and Marilyn | August 19, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Marissa!
The new progress is great news! Keep on rolling! We all know how strong you are.
Much love and big hugs,
Lisa, Jeff and Mia
Posted by: Lisa Simon | August 19, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Marissa! I just thought that you would like to know that Lisa (from camp) asked about you tonight. So many of the girls have. In fact all of them! Allison, Meghan, Morgan, and Lauren! They are all praying for you. Lauren was talking about her strong you are and how you were always there for her. She wishes she could see you but I told you how much they all loved you sunday :)! When you get better, we are all going on a trip. So we are just waiting on you girl:) See you soon!! Everyone is still praying for you
LOVE YOU
Posted by: Kasey | August 19, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Great news!! Hang in there and keep on improving! I am so glad you are doing so much better my sweet Marissa!! I miss you and Love you! I continue to pray for you daily!!! :)Can't wait to read more! Will we still get updates when you go to Anchorage Matt??
Posted by: Kasey | August 19, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Marissa,It is so exciting to hear that you have come so far. I can't express to you the joy I feel to know that our prayers are being answered. You are a miracle! I love you so much and am so thankful that I KNOW you are going to be 100% soon. I will be watching for you to make the progress updates just like Matthew has done. Keep on keeping on...and "Who's Shannon?" Says Hello and Get Well Soon!!!!
Posted by: Kelly | August 20, 2008 at 03:43 AM
Marissa, you are amazing! So many teachers at the junior high have been praying for you. It blows me away how strong you are despite everything you've gone through. I walked back there the other day, although I don't think I was suppose to be back there, and you were sitting up with your glasses on. I almost fainted. I'm so excited they took you off the ventilator. I know that was so uncomfortable to say the least. Hang in there and I'll see you soon.
Posted by: Sharon Flowers | August 20, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Marissa! I am so happy you are doing so well. Love the blog, I have read it everyday! Get well so you will be ready for your Birthday coming up soon! We Love You!
Posted by: Molly Baker | August 20, 2008 at 07:02 AM
Hey Marissa!
I'm so glad to hear your doing better in what seems like every hour. I've been thinking about you everyday now and reading this blog. (special thanks to your brother for being very detailed). and ill hopefully see you and Matt soon!
Posted by: chris Jones | August 20, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Hi Marissa, Marla, Lauren, Alan, and I want you to know we are keeping up with your progress via this blog and praying for you! We think about you everyday and LOVE that the reports keep getting better! Hard work but keep it up!! Much Love!!! Joanie, Alan, Marla and Lauren
Posted by: Joan Lipsyc | August 20, 2008 at 01:12 PM
From Janne Targan:
HI MARISSA....WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY, AND KNOWING YOU, YOU`LL BE OUT OF THAT ICU SOON SO WE CAN SEND YOU SOME
FLOWERS TO CHEER YOU UP.
I`M SURE THE CONCERN OF YOUR LOVED ONES AND WONDERFUL FRIENDS ARE DOING THAT UNTIL YOU ARE OUT. MATTHEW HAS BEEN WONDERFUL AT KEEPING
US ALL POSTED- WHAT A SPECIAL BROTHER YOU HAVE!!!! STEPH HAS ALSO TALKED TO HIM, AS WELL AS ARNIE AND YOUR MOM. MARSHA HAS EMAILED ME. YOU CERTAINLY HAVE A LOT OF US WHO LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU....SO MUCH.
MY CELL IS 310-699-0243, IF YOU JUST WANT TO SAY HI. AS SOON AS YOU GET OUT OF THAT PLACE AND ARE BACK TO NORMAL, YOU SHOULD COME TO SANTA MONICA. WE HAVE 3 EMPTY ROOMS, AND I`LL MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD
TIME. BRING EITHER MATTHEW (OR BOTH).
LOVE YOU, JANNE AND STEPH
Posted by: matthew | August 20, 2008 at 01:27 PM