January 31, Slow progress & Blood Drive in full swing!

I spoke with Lisa, Taylor's Mom, briefly tonight before visitation. We're still at a watch and wait position...

He has developed Pneumonia, which was to be expected with how weak his lungs are. He is on an anti-biotic for this.

Fever went up some but is back down to 99 degrees, it changes with every visitation.

He has been taken off of the Depravan, which is GOOD. He is still totally sedated but was given a "sedation vacation" today for a couple of hours where they take him off of full sedation. He is showing response in small but significant ways, the numbers of his status changed, he flinched slightly while the family was speaking to him, and two of his fingers moved while Lisa was holding his hand and talking to him. It's small but shows us that he's still in there and still fighting!!

The head of the Trauma Team is still confident of his eventual recovery. It could be 2 years before his lungs are totally healed. The team is also considering doing a tracheotomy in a couple of days. Not sure if they will wait until he off of the ventilator machine to perform that yet or not.

There is some blockage in the right lung but they think he will be able to excrete that himself. He is tolerating a reduction in ventilation reduction, which is a very small reduction rate at a time, making his lungs work a little more each time to see how they react.

We do have a MILESTONE! He is now 7 days out from the aorta surgery repair and are no longer worried about complications from that. Praise God!!

We ran into Neal Pascal and his wife at the Ronald McDonald House, they were there volunteering at the front desk, and Tara B-lined for him in true Tara form! He gave us his e-mail address to send him a press release for the Blood Drive. Tara and I are at her house now working on details for the drive.

To sign up to donate please visit this link and fill out your name and number:
http:
//spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoVczoUEGUJgdFJEOEZHel9wTUZrRkdjREktcXJkU2c&hl=en

Please stay tuned, hopeful, and prayerful for our Tay-Tay!

Blood Drive Sign-up Sheet

Here is the link to sign up for a time slot for the Blood Drive:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoVczoUEGUJgdFJEOEZHel9wTUZrRkdjREktcXJkU2c&hl=en

We welcome EVERYONE! There will be maps available to the Blood Bank about 1 mile away for any overflow.

Come on out and support Taylor!!

January 30, Fever is down

Text from Lisa: Just got back from visiting Taylor. The oscillator seems to be improving his lung function a tad. Dialysis is doing its job in tiny bits. FEVER IS DOWN! Hanging in there. No change from last visit. BP up so they pulled some excess fluids that brought it down. Did find out the infection in is the lungs only, not the blood.

January 29, Holding

Lisa texted to let me know he remains the same. No news is good news!

January 29, Stable but fragile

Today is our friend Katie Kerr's birthday... we lost her in May of last year to a drunk driver. It was a complete devastation to the Big River Family, which is such a key part of why we are all so close, and I know that Taylor would want us to celebrate it!

She's in our hearts every time we think of him.

As well as Chuck.

As well as Susie.

Our Family lost a few precious ones over the last year and we're not ready to lose this one! Taylor... hold on baby, we'll get through this.

So, the family has been placed in the Ronald McDonald House which has to be such a relief after a week of that waiting room! Visitation hours there are a strict 9AM-9PM; I had to stand outside with Lisa for the latest update because it was past 9PM. She's such a sweetie!

The previous blog was short because it was from a text, so here's more details from that:

The anti-biotic they had him on was putting too much strain on his kidneys, making his BP drop, causing complications. A low grade dialysis machine has been brought in to help circulation and drain fluid. They are keeping close watch on his vitals, hour by hour, watching each symptom as it comes and adjusting with each one.

Lisa said we are not at dyer straights, it's a see-saw/roller coaster. He's stable but fragile. He's OK but not critical.

Pray. Pray. Pray.

January 28, Bad night

I received a text from Lisa: Had a bad night but stable now. Taking things one hour at a time.

The family has moved to the Ronald McDonald House.

That's all I know at the moment.

I will be going by there after visitation where I can get more details.

Pray for him.

January 27, Progress, change of ventilator

Lisa, Taylor's Mom, told me today that Taylor is doing a little better than yesterday. The Doctor said not to even ask for a possible date of when it would all be over, we're just in a waiting game.

They changed him from a ventilator to an oscillator to be able to get more oxygen, at 100% oxygen, into the smaller regions of his lungs. Since they changed him over his HR and BP have improved 110%!

She also said his color has improved. He is still in SICU and they are getting stricter on visitors, allowing family only. I try to go by during times they are not visiting with him.

Family visitation hours:
4AM-5AM
10AM-11AM
4PM-5PM
8:30PM-10PM

So, if you are going by to visit with the family be aware that they will probably with Taylor during these times.

Keep praying! = )

Blood Drive February 3rd!

Did you know that 10 donations can save up to 30 lives?!

The Chattanooga Blood Bank is in dyer need of all blood types. I've been told that they have been having to buy units from other resources to fill Chattanooga's needs. They are so grateful and excited about Taylor's Blood Drive next week!

When: Wednesday February 3rd
11AM-2PM and 3:20PM-7:20PM

Where: In front of Rhythm & Brews, behind Big River
http://www.rhythm-brews.com/directions.asp


What to expect:

• Banner to sign for Taylor to later hang in his room
• Video message station to send Love to Taylor
• Sweets & snacks for after the donation
• Donation bucket
  

Be Sure to:

• Allow yourself an hour for the entire process
• Wear short sleeves
• Drink plenty of water
• Bring your driver's license or two forms of ID
• Eat a healthy meal before, avoid fatty foods

How: There is currently a sign-up sheet posted in the back hallway of Big River.

We can take 3 donors every 20 minutes. I will watch the sign-up sheet the next couple days and then post what times are still available. Maps to the Downtown Blood Bank will be on hand if there is an overflow of donors.

Big River people: Please sign up ASAP so we know what slots are open.

If you are not able to make it out, but still want to donate, feel free to drop into one of the area Blood Banks and donate in Taylor's name.


The registration area will be located in the Blue Room, the banquet room in the back of Blue Water accessible from Market Street. Parking will be available, though limited and for the donation time only, for donors in the Republic lot next to Blue Water!

Not big on needles? Not able to donate? Come on down and show support anyway! We will also have a donation bucket available that will go directly to Taylor. His family will be coming out to show support as much as they can.

Never donated before? Here a few links to know what to expect:

http://www.givelife2.org/donor/process.asp
http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/first-time-donors
http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/tips-successful-donation
http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements

Have you had a tattoo or piercing in the last year? I have gone to the Tattoo Studio before and gotten a form stating that they are certified with the state of Tennessee. The tattoo or piercing does have to be completely healed before the donation.

http://tattoo.about.com/cs/articles/a/blood_donation.htm

Please come out and support Taylor any way that you can!

January 26, A message from the family

Tara Morris and I are here with Taylor's uncle John and his Great Aunt Glenda in the SICU waiting room. We dropped in to give them a Blood Drive poster and show them the blog.

John has finally convinced Lisa, Taylor's Mom, to go home for a night for the first time since Thursday and get a good night's rest. I don't know if you have ever spent time in one of these waiting rooms but a good night's sleep is nearly impossible.

The asked us to give you all a message:

"We wanted us to tell you all THANK YOU SO MUCH for the thoughts, prayers, and support! We are overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring and demonstrations of LOVE for Taylor! A special thank you to the Big River Family. Keep the collective good will and positive energy coming. We all, especially Taylor, are remarkably grateful, aware, and receiving every conscious healing thought. With Love and unyielding HOPE."

-Taylor's Family

They said they will stop by the Blood Drive on Wednesday for as long as they can.

-Lesha

January 26, take a deep breath for Taylor!

I tried to stop in today in time to catch them before visitation but had just missed them so I went up to SICU. Visitation is limited to family at this point but they had taken me up once before, so I tried to not intrude.

I had printed out his Facebook page so the family could see all the wonderful and beautiful messages his friends have been posting. I thought they could read them to him as well.

Their faces were more grave than usual... his Uncle stepped out to tell me his condition and then I took off so they could have their time with him.

He told me that he had taken a turn for the worse today. It's going to be a rollercoaster... he has ARDS which is fluid in his Alveoli, a gland in the lungs.

See link:
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Acute+respiratory+distress+syndrome

They had been suspect of Pneumonia, and testing for it, but are confident that the ARDS is the cause. They went in with a scope to clean out the Bronchial Tubes but the scope can not reach the Alveoli.

He has been put under a deeper sedation, they had been slowly bringing him out, to help him relax and have changed the ventilator to a more aggressive setting to get more oxygen into the lungs. There isn't much they can do for the fluid other than get oxygen in there.

***Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor or any kind of medical professional. I am relaying information from the family.

The Doctor is still confident, this just extends his time in the hospital which will be longer than originally expected. His vitals are still good as well as his blood pressure! The surgeon is happy with his progress as well.

He's young... the Doctor said a man in his 50's would not have survived this.

Again, keep praying! Pray however it is that you pray. There is power in that!

Close your eyes, picture his smile, and take a long, deep breath.

Feel your breath and meditate on this miracle that we take for granted every day.

Then, SEE Taylor taking a deep breath. SEE his lungs free, clear, and healthy. SEE him better than ever!

The Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday the 3rd. Details in the next posting.

In Him,
Lesha

January 25, continuing good progress

Hey guys,

I just talked to Taylor's mom on the phone. She said they have plenty of food, snacks, and drinks for now. They're pretty tired but making it thru.

They are bringing him out slowly, a little more everyday... she said he is resting well and the fever is down. ( he had a slight fever the other day, I may have forgotten to post that) He is responding more, a little more each time they see him, making faces and being a little stubborn.. imagine that, Taylor making faces and being stubborn! Who knew..? ; )

I am waiting on the call back from the Blood Assurance people, trying to make that happen this week.

= )
Lesha

January 24, healing gradually and stable

Hey guys,

I just went by the hospital armed with food and deserts from the restaurant. His mom likes the smokey chicken pasta... = )

We found out a few more details. The wreck happened Thursday around 8PM during that nasty hail/rain storm that came down that night. The lady that hit him refused medical attention and left the scene after the police gathered information from her, and they've not heard from her since. No one was ticketed or charged from the wreck.

He is improving slowly but steadily. They have taken him off 2 of the medications he was on and keeping his blood pressure and heart rate stable.

Last time they went in to see him he did open his eyes, on his own, but they couldn't tell if he was focusing on anything or not.. more like he's in and out, but not quite in all the way. He is responding to them though! He slightly squeezed his Mom's hand while she was talking to him.

Also, he has been moving his legs slightly on his own. He had propped one of his legs up, cutting off one of the hundreds tubes running out of him and they were able to talk him into cooperating to relax the leg so they could straighten it back out.

So, he is responding and improving gradually. They're still not bringing him out of sedation yet, which is good b/c he's in an insane amount of pain right now.

Keep up the prayers for fast healing and a better than ever Taylor!

♥
Love,

January 23 First details of condition and wreck

Hey guys,

Sorry if this is a repeat, I figured out an easier way keep you all updated so a few may get this message twice. The first part may be redundant but I want to cover all the bases for those that haven't been at work or have moved on to work other places.

If you haven't already heard, Taylor was T-boned by a truck 2 nights ago and is in critical condition at Erlanger in the SICU. He suffered severe internal injuries and has had two major operations, one removing his spleen and the second to reattach his aorta. His heart did stop during the second surgery but was resuscitated, THANK GOD!

I went by the hospital again today. He is responding to pain stimulus, other than that he is the same. Lisa, his Mom, said that we are more than welcome to come by and visit the family but Taylor isn't ready for visitors just yet as he is still in the induced coma.

He will be in ICU for at least 2 or 3 more days and then into a room. Cards are welcomed but we need to hold off on balloons and flowers until he has a room.

Big River sent me over with pizzas last night, Paula & Angela went with Panera this morning, and Karen took a care basket today. I will probably go by after work tonight with some food.

He's not out of the woods yet so we must keep praying!! We are looking to put together a blood drive in his name so stay tuned on that. It thought it would be cool if we could make a video of everyone giving him love and encouragement at the drive, so if any of you have a video camera, editing software, or any of that please let me know!

Love you all!!

Lesha

Taylor's blog, an explanation of the blog

Hello friends,

My name is Lesha Patterson and I am a friend of Taylor's from Big River. This blog started as a Facebook message to keep the Big River Family updated on his current status but has grown past that contact group and I thought this to be the most effective way to get the information out.

Taylor's wreck was on Thursday January 21st at 8PM during the awful rain/hail storm.

The first few messages will be direct copies from those messages up until the current time. Please keep him in your daily prayers!!

Much Love,
Lesha