Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday, November 30th

Dear Dad,

Today your brain pressure numbers have stayed consistently positive. They are still keeping a close watch on your kidneys. They still aren't performing how they should. The doctors had talked about putting another tube in the other side of your lungs to help drain the fluid. They ended up not doing it, so we take that as a positive sign that they aren't getting worse. Today we got a letter from Elder Brown. He says that he hasn't prayed so hard in his life. He expressed his love and some kind thoughts for each member of our family. This is very hard on him, but he continues to work hard on his mission. He says this is a huge test of his faith and desire to preach the gospel, and that he hates to fail tests, so he will continue to "stick to the task". He is where he knows he should be. We love hearing his comforting words to us. We have a constant prayer in our heart for your recovery.

We love you,

Us

Donations for Dad

There have been many questions asked regarding donations. There has been a donation account set up at Zion's Bank for David. For anyone wanting to know, you can go to any Zion's bank and make a donation to the David Brown Donation Account.

We are very appreciative of all the love and support we have received and continue to receive. We know we are extremely blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives to rally around us during this difficult time.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday, November 29th

Dear Dad,

There were two different scenarios for your struggling kidneys. We are so blessed that it's the better of the two. You had muscle breakdown in your urine. This can be taken care of unlike the other scenario that would have caused permanent damage. Your oxygen levels were better last night, than the night before. They did a x-ray of your lungs today and they also look a little better than the previous x-ray. They are watching your blood pressure. They want it to be at least at 60, but shooting for over 80. Last time we got an update it was at 78. They don't want your blood pressure to drop too low, to make sure the blood is circulating in your brain. We are very grateful for all the small things that continue to improve bit by bit. It's always a comfort hearing good news.

We miss you.

Love,

Us

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Sunday, November 28th

Dear Dad,

Today your brain pressure numbers have finally gotten right where the doctors want them to be. Keep it up! They have put a tube in your lungs to drain excess fluid that's building up. They will keep a close eye on this and make sure it's doing the job they want it to. They are a little concerned about your kidney function. It is not doing well at the moment. They have a kidney specialist looking over your kidneys, trying to figure out what the exact problem is, and how to fix it.

Today in sacrament, we heard a wonderful talk given on hope. It was perfect for us to hear while we were all fasting for you. Hope is what we all have. President Uchtdorf said in a talk on hope, "Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance." We have great hope for your complete recovery and have faith in our Savior, that he knows the desires of our hearts.

Goodnight Dad, Keep fighting.

Love,

Your kids

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fast for Dad

Dear Friends and Family,

We will be doing a fast for Dad starting Saturday afternoon to Sunday. We would love for all of those who would like to participate with us to join. Thank you for all your prayers, kind words and deeds, thoughts and all of your support. We are grateful for each and every one of you.

Love,

the Brown Family

Friday, November 26, 2010

Friday,November 26th

Dear Dad,

Yesterday and today your health has remained about the same. The doctors have been hoping to see the pressure in your brain drop to a lower number and stay there. Since it hasn't, today they did another CAT scan. It looked about the same as the last one. It was good to see that there wasn't anymore bleeding or swelling. They feel at this point, it will be best to switch you from a paralyzed/heavy sedated state, to a medically induced coma. This will allow your brain to completely rest and heal since there will be no brain activity going on. They want you to stay this way for a week and then it will take a few days after they stop it for the drugs to be out of your system. We are hoping at that point that you will start being responsive and be able to keep your brain pressure down on your own. Kristopher and Mark gave you a beautiful blessing yesterday. Know that the Lord knows exactly what's going on and how to heal you. This has been a great trial of all our faith, for which we are grateful.

Yesterday we met as a family at the hospital. Your dad gave a wonderful prayer, in which he asked for special blessings for you and our family at this time. We are so lucky to have such a supportive and loving family. It brought peace to our hearts and was a great comfort. We then went to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch. All the hockey moms brought over TONS of yummy food. We are so thankful for them, that they took time away from celebrating with their families, to serve ours.





Colin is really becoming quite the walker. He is also trying hard to say grandpa. So far we have "pam pa" and "pa". Yesterday he kept looking at Mark from the side or from behind. He would try to get his attention, thinking it was you. Every time Mark would turn and look at him it would make Colin cry. We are pretty sure it's because he's confused that you two look so much alike. He's not the only one, many of your visitors have also seen the resemblence. We continue to pray everyday for your complete recovery. We are truly THANKFUL for you.

We love you,

Us

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

November 24th

Dear Dad,

Tonight the Jr. Grizzlies Hockey team hosted a scrimmage game against Murray in honor of you. We are truly thankful for all the love and support that we received. Everyone has been so great to our family during this time. The game was a fun one to watch. Both teams played really well, ending in a 4-4 tie. Here are some pictures of the night:




Everyone was given orange ribbons to wear


The poster for people to sign




Your biggest fan


A special thank you for all that organized this event and to those who participated. It really means so much to us all!

November 24th, 6:00 P.M.

Dear Dad,

Today they performed a tracheotomy. They said this will help prevent infection, be more comfortable and overall help you to breathe better. They found a small spot in your lung when they did the chest x-ray. They will keep a close eye on it to make sure it's not an infection, and if so they can treat it. Your nurse today is a young mens leader. One of the kids in his class is on the hockey team with Dakota. We will have to find out who it is. The overall pressure in your brain today has been the best it's been to date. We always look forward to news like this. All of us kids are going to watch Dakota play hockey tonight. They are playing a scrimmage game against the Jr. Grizzlies in your behalf. We are making sure to take lots of pictures for you. As you have told us many times, "stick to the task".

We love you,

Us

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday, November 23rd

Dear Dad,

Today you have stayed pretty consistent with your brain pressure, staying mainly in the low 20's. Last night they moved you onto a different bed. They have put an air mattress under you to help keep bed sores away. A nutritionist saw you today and said that you are going to need 3,000 calories to keep your strength up. Right now you have been receiving 1,800. Hopefully bumping up your caloric intake will help make you stronger. We will make sure you have a box of Christmas tree zebra cakes ready to go the moment you are able to eat. There is a big snow storm coming in tonight. Mom has sent us kids home to have a sibling night. We are going to watch movies and eat lots of junk food. We don't like to leave mom, but know that this is what she wants. You have an incredibly strong wife, but you already know that. She is a great comfort to us all, knowing the right things to say to keep our spirits up. What a great example she is to us of unconditional love and compassion. We are thankful for her. Keep getting stronger and stronger.

Love,

Us

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday, November 22nd, 11:30 A.M.

Dear Dad,

Yesterday afternoon they gave you what they call a "sedation vacation". This is where they take you off of the heavy sedation for periods of time (usually an hour or two a day), to see how you respond. They like to see what the pressure in your brain does, watch your vitals and perform some responsive tests. Last night, during sedation vacation, they shined the light on your eyes and you flinched. You also got aggitated when they pinched your toes. During the night you remained about the same. This morning during your S.V. your brain pressure numbers raised some, so they went ahead and brought back to your full sedation. Your eyes are staring to look less irritated and blistered. I could tell that mom was very pleased to see this. We continue to be amazed and so grateful for everyone's prayers, kind words and selfless acts of kindness. They do not go unnoticed and we pray each night, with gratitude in our hearts, for each and every one of them. Dad, you are extremely loved.

Love,

Us

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sunday, November 21st, 9:00 A.M.

Dear Dad,

Last night the pressure in your brain stayed steady in the low 20's. They say a normal person should be around a 15. It starts getting dangerous around 35 and up so they monitor it and do what they can to keep it below 35. We get really excited to see it below 20, which is where it is now. The nurses said if you keep it down on your own like you have been, then sometime today they will start giving you less sedative to see how you respond. Mom said that your eyes are starting to look less swollen. We had our first really big snow last night. We know you live for days like this so you can put your master snow blowing skills to use. But don't you worry, I have a feeling we are going to have many more snow days this winter. Keep fighting Dad!

Love,

Us

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Saturday, November 20th

Dear Dad,

Good news! Your brain pressure is down to 18-19, and you did it all by yourself! Way to make us proud!

Love,

Us

Saturday, November 20th

Dear Dad,

The CAT scan they recently did, shows that there hasn't been any change since the last one. Right now they are concentrating on bringing the pressure in your brain down. They are trying some new medications to help with that. We were told today that the pressure would mostly peak to the highest levels to date, and then hopefully it will start lowering on your own. Dakota is getting ready for the school dance tonight. They are going to be having dinner in the hospital cafeteria. We will all get to see him before he leaves. So many people send their love. Many have made cards and posters that mom put up on the walls in your room. You're going to get a kick out of reading them. You are extremely loved!

Love,

Us

Saturday, November 20th

Dear Dad,

Last night the pressure in your brain continued to go up and down. The medicine they have been giving you helps with lowering the pressure. Your big brother came to be with you last night while mom went home and tried to sleep for awhile. You are very blessed to have such wonderful siblings who care so much for you. We just got a report from the Dr. They are going to take you back soon for another CAT scan. The medicine they give you for lowering the pressure has stopped working as well. They want to do the CAT scan to make sure there isn't something they aren't seeing. They are readjusting the bolt that measures the pressure, to make sure they are getting an accurate reading. They continue to keep you heavily sedated to keep you still and comfortable. Your lungs are getting better. Every chest x-ray they do looks better and better.

Yesterday we were able to talk to Elder Parker Brown. He said that although it will be difficult, he will keep working hard. He knows that is exactly what you would say to him. What a strong boy he is, and what a comfort he is to us all.

We love you,

Your Kids

Friday, November 19, 2010

First Update

On the night of Wednesday the 17th, Dave took a bad fall on ice and hit his head. He was taken to IMC in Murray. He was put in a drug induced coma to help keep him still and comfortable. Tests showed that he fractured his skull in the back and that he was bleeding in his brain. They had him on a ventilator to help him breath. We were informed that things would get worse before they got better, which is where we are now. Last night he was put back on a ventilator to help him breath and to give his brain a rest. They did a CAT scan that showed more swelling in the brain and the places that had been bleeding started to bleed again. A bolt was put in his head to monitor the pressure. He had thrown up shortly after the hit, which caused some complications with his lungs. They are keeping a close watch on his brain, monitoring the pressure. They are trying to keep his fever down and keep a close eye on his lungs. The pressure in his brain is already going down and looking better from last night. Right now they are trying to keep him comfortable and making sure he is getting plenty of rest.

We will be posting future updates on this blog for all of his friends and family. We thank everyone for all of their love, support and prayers. We feel very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to rally around us at this time.