Updates up to October 10th

Tuesday, Oct. 10 - 7:50 p.m.

Today brought some reassurance for us. After trouble on Monday with removal of sedation, Abby is adjusting well to being back on sedation again, with few cranial pressure issues once sedation and the respirator were re-established. We are quite happy to be patient and wait for her to improve before trying removal again.

In addition, I had a reassuring conversation with one of the doctors in the unit. Whereas I had imagined that yesterday's events could have caused additional brain damage, she assured me that there is much buffer room built into their management goals and that the swelling that was experienced yesterday should not be responsible for more damage. Praise God.

Today we also attended a meeting for family of head trauma patients and were able to obtain some reference material--we have been desperate to inform ourselves more, so this should help. At the same time, the physical therapist and occupational therapist stopped by Abby's room and began some of the range of motion therapy that will be important to maintaining her physical capabilities.

We also had a good day with Frank. He got all his school work done this morning, we had lunch together, and then he went to join a friend overnight.

Thank you for your prayers--we love you all...

Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, & Frank.

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October 9 (update by Barb Colley)

Today was a small set-back. Abby had been receiving a CAT scan each day last week until
Friday when she had an MRI. The Dr. Friday thought her brain looked better and didn't see any bad signs other than bruising, which he expected to see. When Abby developed some fever Saturday and they started getting secretions from her lungs, the focus shifted a bit to her respiratory system and the need to get her off the ventilator as quickly as possible. They actually removed her from the breathing
machine early this morning. But, the other, possibly head neurosurgeon, came in today and was not happy with the decision to remove her. His focus is still on her brain. They did another CAT scan today and compared to the other CAT scans of last week, show that she still has considerable swelling. He had her reintubated and resedated. So, Abby is back on the ventilator and they are going to take things slower at this point. First things first- gotta get her brain where they want it.

She does have an infection somewhere, though. They have taken cultures from various places to determine the location of it so they can treat it specifically. As a result, the Linam's are asking everyone to understand that they need to cut back on her visitors. There are so many bugs going around right now and even if we don't feel sick, we can take germs into Abby's room. They still very much welcome anyone who wants to come up to see them. But, please know that you may not get to
see Abby.

Gordon, LeeAnn, and Frank are still at the Ronald McDonald house. The
feeling by LeeAnn today is they plan on staying there until further
notice. LeeAnn's mom is staying with Abby overnight while the 3 of them
get some sleep.

Taylor is home. She was released on Saturday and will continue her
recovery at home.

There is a benefit planned for both Abby and Taylor's family. The 4H
club of Wimberley and possibly Cypress Creek Church will be combining
forces to put on an event. There may be music, a silent auction, and of
course good food. Will announce the details later.

Every one's prayers are being heard for our God is an awesome God.

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October 8 (update by Barb Colley)

Great news for Taylor and her family. Taylor was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and is now at home.

Abby had a MRI done instead of the cat scan on Friday. Normally a MRI would be easy to have done but this was very traumatic for Abby. She has lots of tubes hooked to her and all these tubes needed to be removed before the MRI could be performed. The MRI showed that there is bruising on the brain but no other soft tissue.

Abby is still in ICU and the doctors are now taking her off of her meds at certain intervals throughout the day. What this means is that she is slowly being taken off everything she is hooked up to. This is a good thing. They are hoping to remove the breathing tube soon.

She has developed a respiratory infection and is running a fever. She started taking antibiotics yesterday. Today the fever is more minimal. Also the pressure on her brain is maintaining.

Abby has shown just a few signs of awakening. An example would be that she opened her left eyelid and then it would close.

Prayer is still so very important. Please pray for physical strength and healing for Gordon and Lee Ann as they go thru this week. Continue to pray for healing for Abby and Taylor. Pray for the Frank and the Linam's family members who are helping them. Pray for Taylor's family.
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October 6 (update by Barb Colley)

Thursday night was a good night for Abby. She had a cat scan on Friday and the results should be in by Saturday. The cranial pressure has stabilized. There are reports that doctors are "pretty sure" there is no spinal cord injury. Her hand and feet were both tested and they all had movement.

Taylor is now is a private room. She is awake. She has a broken pelvis, broken wrist, gash on her forehead and a small scull fracture.

Gordon and Lee Ann were able to obtain a room in the Ronald McDonald House. The room there is $25.00 a night. There is a kitchen in the room so they will be able to warm up meals. They will be staying until at least Monday. In the meantime, meals delivered to them would still be a great idea! Over the weekend, Gordon and Lee Ann will evaluate their situation and come up with a plan to be there for Abby and to also be there for Frank. This may mean one staying with Abby while the other spends time with Frank and then after a while they would switch. Please remain in prayer for Abby and her family as they make these decisions.

The Linams would so like to express their appreciation for the outpouring love and support! They feel they have been so blessed by everyone. At the same time, they would still like to encourage people to lift up and pray for the driver of the vehicle and also pray for Taylor's family. Both are still feeling badly about the accident.

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October 4th (update by Barb Colley)

Yesterday Abby and her neighbor friend, Taylor, were riding a four wheeler. Taylor was driving and Abby was passenger. They were riding in a hilly neighborhood and drove across a field and onto a road. A car was driving by at the same time as the girls drove onto the road. The four wheeler and the car collided and both girls flew off the four wheeler. Taylor has multiple broken bones that are serious and she is looking at having surgery. Abby has a serious head trauma with several scull fractures and bleeding. It was a miracle that there was another person on a four wheeler close by that led the rescue personnel to Abby's home where her parents were notified of the accident. Abby was life-flighted to Brackenridge Children's Hospital.

The most concern for Abby now is the swelling of the brain. She being kept in a drug induced coma. The doctors removed the sedation for one hour on Wednesday but the pressure was too much on the brain, so she is back under sedation. She also has a broken collar bone and a broken ankle. The prognosis is positive but it will be weeks of very long rehab. She will be in ICU for the foreseeable future.

Gordon and Lee Ann have been blessed by the outpouring of prayers and love. PLEASE DON'T STOP THE PRAYERS AND OUTPOORING OF LOVE. They are asking for prayer for the person that was in the car. They realize
completely that it was an accident. They also request prayer for Taylor's family who is from California and are new to the area.

Lee Ann has asked that Barb Colley be the contact person to provide information about Abby. If you feel led to call Gordon and Lee Ann, then do. Barb will be giving updates on Abby to this website as soon as she receives them.

The hospital does not have a lot of restaurants close by, so Lynne Kypuros is hoping to organize some meals to be delivered to Gordon, Lee Ann, Frank, and other close family members who are at the hospital. If you are interested in helping out with food, please contact Lynne Kypuros.