Support Raymond’s recovery from brain aneurysm and stroke.

I wanted to give an update to family and friends on Ray’s current situation.

Day 10: Raymond had a better day today than yesterday. We weren’t quite sure if he was going to make it with the migraine pain 10 out of 10 in his right forehead radiating to his right ear. He was describing it as an ice pick in his right ear. The neurology team took out his spinal drain yesterday at 2pm and he was required to lay flat all day in his hospital bed. He had multiple dressing changes since then, actively leaking spinal fluid from the site. They replaced his stitches at the bedside at 3pm today without lidocaine, so keeping fingers crossed that they hold better and prevent further leakage. They would do a blood patch in his spine tomorrow morning if he continues to leak. The migraine medication Depacon IV has brought his pain down to 5 out of 10. We are trying to wean off the oxycodone and Keppra. The continuous hiccups have subsided. He was able to participate in PT/OT activities, up to the chair and using the bathroom. He sang along with Waylon Jennings for a few songs He tolerated 3 speaker phone visits today which lifted his spirits. I had to break the news to him that Big Red our Dodge Ram is totaled, so working through that mess. I was trying to keep bad news from him during these past 10 days but needed to know how to move forward with that process (out of my nursey expertise). A few hallucinations today with him seeing “Angels fluttering around the room in the air” and I mentioned at least it wasn’t flames and pitchforks. He agreed

We appreciate all the well wishes, prayers, and texts that we’ve received. Hopefully, our friends and loved ones are able to follow his progress on Facebook and CaringBridge. Laura will keep making updates as he progresses throughout the week. His family has been staying in hotels close to the hospital to be there to support him.