Saturday, October 2, 2010

During the week

Initially the doctors thought she had an amniotic fluid embolism. Currently they think it was a blood clot that travelled through her heart and got stuck in her lungs. This deprived her heart of oxygen and caused her heart to stop.

Sunday after Leslie was revived, the doctors were optimistic. Leslie is young and healthy and should be able to bounce back from trauma fairly quickly. So everyone waited. Many friends and family members went to the hospital to pray with the family and be there for support.

By Sunday evening, the doctors were not receiving the results they were hoping for. Due to her brain being without oxygen for 17 minutes, they realized it was not a good sign for her.

On Monday, Leslie's kidneys had shut down. They started doing dialysis Monday afternoon. She is still on dialysis because her kidneys aren't working like they are supposed to be. But the biggest problem is Leslie's brain. Her brain being without oxygen for 17 minutes can do serious damage.

A neurologist has been running EEG's on Leslie daily. She has also had CAT Scans. The CAT scan shows no swelling in the brain and no bleeding. The EEG on Monday seemed optimistic because she did have a little more brain activity than she did on Sunday. But it still isn't where she is supposed to be. In the first 72 hours, she should have shown response to pain, and she did not. To the neurologist, this was a very negative sign.

During this past week, her vitals have improved with support but she has continued to not respond to the neurologist's tests. The neurologist has told the family that he expects no chance of meaningful recovery. A second neurologist is coming to see Leslie today, but they don't expect his opinion to be any different. At this point, the only hope for Leslie's full recovery is by prayer.

83 comments:

  1. praying in Texas.

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  2. Our family here in Alabama will be praying for all of you! Our family has experienced God's miracles first hand and will be praying that He does the same in yours. Much love & prayers going up on your behalf.

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  3. There just aren't words to describe how sorry I am that this has happened to your sweet wife and soulmate. I am praying, praying, praying for a miracle! Audra in MS

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  4. On my knees in Mississippi for your family!!

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  5. I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now. I will be praying for Leslie.

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  6. Hillcrest Church of Christ Bible class in Abilene, TX prayed for Leslie and her family today. God, hear our prayers!!! Your Will be done.

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  7. Prayer is fighting against the status quo. We don't have to accept bad things. I will be fighting for you guys and praying. I'm so sorry!

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  8. Just found your blog via Kelly. Saying prayers for a miracle!!

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  9. Praying for you from Georgia

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  10. Also praying that God works a miracle in your lives! Your love story is beautiful! God put you together, and He doesn't make mistakes!

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  11. Praying for you in Idaho... Will be sure to get your names in a prayer circle as well...

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  12. To Leslie,
    You have prayers coming to you from California. Stay strong...pull through this...the Lord is with you.
    To Leslie's family...May the Lord bring you peace and sustain you in this time of waiting...

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  13. Praying for Leslie here in KS...

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  14. I just come over from Kelly's Korner. Prayers headed your way from NC.

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  15. We are saying prayers for your family in Minnesota...What a heartbreaking story! God Bless!

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  16. North Dakota Prayers.....thinking of you all!!

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  17. I don't know you but I saw your link posted by a friend on facebook. I cried reading this story, my heart is so heavy for you all. My husband and I just had our first baby she had two heart defects, and she only had a 20% chance of living. Through prayer three surgerys later and two (or more) surgerys to go we are making it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Praying for your family and for God's HEALING!

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  18. who would have thought that trying to bring 2 lives into the world would potentially end 3? our God is SO BIG! praying in Connecticut!!!

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  19. Praying in Washington state. God knows why this is being allowed and will redeem the tears. Believing for a miracle!

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  20. My husband is a brain injury survivor...he had several surgeries and lay in a coma for over 3 weeks...prayer is so powerful and 10 years later, he is married with two children and living a meaningful, full life. Don't lose hope...Neurologist's must prepare you for the worst and they are typically clinical and seemingly negative...surround her with love and prayers and I will join in the prayers for a full recovery.

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  21. Praying with you in Louisiana. Please keep us posted!

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  22. Praying in North Carolina. Wish I could do more...

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  23. Sending my love and prayers from Florida! May God be with Leslie and her family.

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  24. You will have a prayer warrior in Maryland.
    God can move mountains!!

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  25. Praying for you in Middleton, Idaho. Our God is a awesome God. I know frist hand. My brother was on life support, I made the decision to take him off. Two hours later his organs started working again. That was last October. Today he is singing to his God in church. Keeping the prays coming for all of you.

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  26. came across and read this.

    Prayers from Manassas, Virginia

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  27. Prayers being said in Canada, thinking of all of you.

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  28. Our women's class is praying for you in Springdale, AR. You are also in our families daily prayers. God is with you always!

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  29. Please don't give up. Our God is bigger than medicine, bigger than odds, bigger than loss. Praying for Leslie, Mark, and your three children-- none of you should have to lose another mom and wife. So sorry, but believing in Him for you when you are tired, burdened, and broken-hearted.

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  30. Prayers are being said in Bowling Green, Kentucky. God bless this family.

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  31. Prayers went up for Leslie in this mornings service at Grace Tabernacle in Ft Worth, TX. Be assured that there will be continued prayers! Jesus is our Healer!!!!!

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  32. Praying for you all in Kansas City.

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  33. Praying for you Leslie, your angel babies and your family. praying. praying. praying.

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  34. Prayers from California.

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  35. From SE Pennsylvania-Praying for Leslie, her husband, and her sweet babies in Heaven.

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  36. Praying for you Leslie and you husband and the angels that have gone ahead.Praying for your step children as well.Prayer works wonders and I know that for a fact...Praying if Florida

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  37. Praying for your family from Madison,Wisconsin
    God Bless You!

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  38. From Alabama...praying for you Leslie and your family.

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  39. We are praying for your family and expecting God's goodness in this situation.

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  40. Sending prayers for you and your family.

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  41. I saw your blog through others, I just want to say that I am praying for you!...I also have sent your blog to others and have them praying for you as well.

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  42. I am praying for sweet Leslie and family in Ohio! We place her in the hands of the GREAT Physician. May He hold and comfort your family right now and always.

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  43. Praying from Cleveland, Ohio!

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  44. As a nurse, I know the in's and out's of what you are going through. Please remember that your doctors and nurses do not have the "end all be all" say as to what will or won't happen with your precious wife! I'll definitely keep you in my prayer's and will encourage the other nurses at St. Anthony's (in okc) to pray for Leslie too...

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  45. Praying in Georgia!

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  46. Prayers from Michigan. We serve a Mighty God and I am praying for his healing touch.

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  47. I prayed for Leslie and Mark
    -NC friend of Mario

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  48. Praying for your family.... from Scottsdale Arizona

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  49. We are keeping Leslie and her precious family in our prayers! Miracles still happen today. I truly, truly believe.

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  50. Our friend and sister Julie Arce called and told us about Leslie. We wanted you to know that Leslie and your family have and will continue to be in our prayers. May God give you peace and comfort while you wait for his healing. Laura and Jeff Hamblin

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  51. I cried reading your story...I am praying! This blog is being passed around facebook, I know many across our country are praying for a miracle.
    Our God is greater, our God is stronger.
    He is in control, no matter what the outcome--He deserves all praise, honor and glory.
    -South Carolina

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  52. Prayers for Leslie and her family from OH.

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  53. Praying with BELIEF from Starkville, MS.

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  54. Praying from Chicago, IL...

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  55. We have everyone that we know praying for Leslie, Mark, their children, and their families.

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  56. We are praying for your family. God Bless you,
    from Dallas.

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  57. Praying, even still. Believe she will pull through- she is a fighter- she doesn't give up so easily. We love her to bits- and you too, Mark. I believe God will show you His grace and the full power of His extravagant love- and the MIRACULOUS. Keep on believin' :-)

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  58. Thoughts and prayers for Leslie from Oklahoma City. Also comfort from above to the family during this very difficult time. May God's loving arms surround you all and lift you up when you are weary.

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  59. I know its extremely difficult, however God takes that which is his. We all are on loan from him to this life.

    Take joy in the fact that they all are in a better place, waiting to see you all once again, one day.

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  60. I am so sorry for your loss. I read her story because a church friend of mine knew Mark and I have been praying.

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  61. I am at a loss for words with this story...I am SO very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the pain your family must be in right now. All I can do is pray...Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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