Lynn D's Recovery

Lynn has moved to be closer to family

2006-07-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

To contact Lynn please e-mail her at:
lynndartist@hotmail.com

Lynn's Birthday is Jan 24th call her at 707-996-9921

2006-01-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

The title says it all. Lynn is steadily getting better. This blog may be finnished.
Thank you for checking how she has been doing.

Lynn is doing well.

2005-09-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

For friends who would like to talk to her or meet with her please call 707-996-9921 and she will answer the phone.

Lynn's hearing

2005-09-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday the 1st Lynn went to kaiser petaluma and finished her hearing test.
Her right ear is normal. Her left ear has some loss in the high frequencies plus she has some tinnitus (a ringing sound in that ear).
The left ear is also very sensitive and can cause her some confusion during conversations.
She had lunch at the Stoney Point Cafe and was on the road for almost 7 hours in a jovial mood.

Lynn is drawing again!

2005-08-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

A few days ago Lynn drew some awesome pencil portraits of herself and Kris from some old photographs! She is having some pain from her left knee and needs to work on allowing the leg to be flat and to increase the range of motion for the knee. Her left ear is causing some discomfort.
She enjoys strawberry milk shakes. On Monday there were visits from a social worker, a physical therapist and a speech therapist.

Tuesday 7-26

2005-07-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

Lynn was smiling and laughing about things in her room and wants to answer her phone when it rings without giving it to anyone else. She is receiving Occupational therapy twice a week, Speech therapy three times a week and one visit from a nurse and one from Physical therapist. There are a few outpatient visits to Kaiser. She is having some difficulty understanding her situation and remembering some common things such as what her favorite flavors or food are until she has a chance to taste them. She found out Strawberry beats vanilla, chocolate and lemon at 31 flavors today. She saw a photo of herself and her brother when at Vallejo after the trach tube was removed and asked about it and what was before. She wanted to see more knowing it would be dramatic and with two family members giving her support was shown the photos taken throughout her recovery, including those at Santa Rosa Memorial a few days after the accident and a few of the van and truck. She did not want to keep them but now knows the tremendous gains she has made and the tragic circumstances involved. She has no interest in the criminal justice proceedings and does not wish to discuss them.

Thursday 7- 21

2005-07-21T19:20:00.001-07:00

Lynn was in a happy laughing mood today as family helped her make lettered labels to place on her little stuffed animals, "squirrel", "rabbit", "cat", and "dog" so she can relearn the associations. She was able to look up "squirrel" in the dictionary to check the spelling. More labels will be placed on common kitchen and other practical household items. Lynn learned she liked Strawberry flavor better than Vanilla in milk shakes. Some small steps in her rehabilitation from the Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI.

Thursday 7- 21

2005-07-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday 7-14

2005-07-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Lynn has been home in Sonoma now since 6-21 and physically has been well, receiving home Physical, occupational, speach and outpatient care. One specialist had some word search puzzles downloaded from abcteach.com and the specialist was looking for some cognitive rehabilitation software which might to run on Lynn's computer. We have been asked to help Lynn make labels on 3X5 cards of common items in the home and then stick them on the items to help her with the association. Lynn went with family to the AAA office nearby in Sonoma to deal with insurance matters on her VW van.

Wed. 6-29

2005-06-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

Lynn is in her familiar home, smiling a lot and being alert. Speech and Physical Therapists are visiting her every other day. Family can take her out to shops and restuarants or fun places. She is having difficulties with understanding some things and remembering which means visitors need to be patient. It is very helpful to ask her to repeat the simple thing you are trying to tell her rather than just to continue repeating it. Then wait a short while and again ask her to respond. Family is working on a schedule for those to be in attendance so she will always have one person with her.

Thursday 6-23

2005-06-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

Lynn was able to get up and shower in her own place this morning with Sister-in-law Jo there. She talked in very short sentences on the phone with her brother Roy. She is much happier than at Kaiser Vallejo. A PT physical therapist and SP speech therapist came to see her. She has some outpatient appointments with Kaiser. The family will need to have someone with her round the clock for awhile.

New Blog- Lynn D- Prosecuting her offender

2005-06-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

For those wishing to follow the follow the prosecution of Mr. Pasquini for DUI and gun law violations please visit the url: "lynndoffender.blogspot.com"

Going home

2005-06-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 6-21-05, Lynn had the last medical attachment her feeding tube removed and left Kaiser Vallejo for home in the care of her sister-in-law, Jo, who is a seasoned RN. The ordeal at Kaiser is now over and we hope she will respond much better in her own space with people she knows and trusts. The family does wish to thank all the nurses at Kaiser Vallejo for their support and care of Lynn while she was there.

Thursday 6-16

2005-06-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

Lynn has finally had her Trach removed- 2 weeks after being admitted to Kaiser Vallejo though Kaiser knew she was going to be there for months before she arrived! Unfortunately she is refusing to go to class, probably due to her coming out of the general anesthesia administered late Tuesday. She had some nausea and had to endure a lengthy swallow assessment. Her discharge is still scheduled for Tues the 21st. Family asked her Kaiser Social Worker for an appointment on Monday for some members to receive the touted discharge planning and was told by the head of the department they had already given that to her son and not to expect the appointment! Family is hoping Kaiser will give her a longer stay now that the jaw wires and trach tube have finally been removed and she has had a chance to come out of the anesthesia with a real chance to focus on her rehab.

wed 6-15

2005-06-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Lynn was scheduled to have her jaw wires removed in O.R. under gen. anesthetic on Tues 6-14 and this has taken place with the addtion that a smaller trach tube was inserted to provide more room between her tracea and the tube. This would make breathing easier when the trach is blocked- a prequisite to having the trach removed as this signals she can breath without it. Today Lynn went through the "swallow" assessment to insure she will not suck material into her lungs and she will now receive liquids and some food by mouth. It appears she will be rid of the dreadful trach on Thursday allowing her to focus on rehab issues. Family has been told discharge is to be on the 21st unless a later date is chosen by Kaiser.

2005-06-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday 10A

2005-06-09T14:04:00.000-07:00

Lynn has been going to OT occupational therapy and SP Speach therapy (which includes cognotive reading and hearing) at the Vallejo Rehab. Unfortunately her jaw wires were NOT removed on the 8th and it is planned to be done in the Operating Room under general anesthesia on 6-14.

Kaiser Woes- She is on NOP meaning no liquid or food by mouth tho water was sipped in San Leandro, they won't do a swallow test until the wires are out althought on the 8th it seemed that only upper teeth had wires and she could open her mouth. The ENT did a digital exam and found she was too sensitive for an office procedure.
She has been told the trach cannot be removed unless she can tolerate a special one way valve to allow speech (the air wold pass through her vocal cords on exhale), which she cannot tolerate. It appears Kaiser has not followed all the recommended ENT checks for person's not tolerating the device shown on the equipment manual. This is only useful while the Trach is in place! Finally it appears a person who appeared to be a visiting non-Kaiser expert thought that the trach removal during unwiring O.R. on 6-14 would be a good idea.
A formal complaint about these matters and about Kaiser's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing is planned during the family conference on 6-9 at 11 AM, to be followed up with the State's Ambudsman office if there is no resolution by the end of Friday. If any of you know people in Kaiser who might like to know how they are being exposed, please let them view this blog which is not about to go away.

Please continue to send your energy and healing thoughts she needs every bit of help.

Saturday 3P

2005-06-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

Lynn was admitted to Vallejo rehab on Thursday and family has been present (as required observers round the clock). The time of unwiring her jaw is still set for 6-8 at 11:30 but now at Vallejo and family has lodged a formal complaint with Kaiser over this timing. Friday she attended 2, 30 minuteOT occupational therapy classes. The first was closed door to family ?because of the filed complaint?? and the family attended the 2nd which was strength and dexterity testing. 2 OS speech therapy classes included a hearing test (only mild left ear loss where the major skull impact occurred) and the reading and understanding of written information and speech. She has some difficulty understanding spoken words. Lynn was so tired with 10 minutes to go that she very clearly wrote "I need to stop". The next class at the gym was skipped with her being tired. Saturday Jacob her son and Lynn's friends Chuck and Chris came to take over the required round the clock Observation and Lynn went to a Gym class. A scan of her skull and one of her face were taken. A sonogram of the legs to check for clotting is to be done. There are no classes on Sunday. Lynn has been confused and sad at times and getting lots of hugs. Please continue sending your thoughts and energy for her healing as it may take a long time the way things are going.

WED midnight

2005-06-01T23:15:00.000-07:00

Lynn may need round the clock care for awhile. Anyone interested in helping for 4 hours or more (sleep over facilities are available) please contact her father, Ray, at 415-377-2744.Thank you.

Wed PM

2005-06-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Lynn is being moved to the rehab facility in Vallejo on Thursday 6-2!! #3 South, room 324 and may need to be watched around the clock by family members until she is checked out by the staff. The address is 975 Sereno Drive, Vallejo. Call 707-651-2313 for directions and information.

Family members had to move heaven and earth with Kaiser to have this happen. And we will agressively continue pressuring Kaiser to provide the care and facilities needed for her recovery. The left and right hands of Kaiser has not communicated very well and unfortunately their knowledge of TBI (traumatic brain injury) appears limited in some of the facilities.

Sunday

2005-05-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Lynn is in room 54b of the San Leandro Facility and was resting but she is refusing some items delivered through her feeding tube by shaking her head "yes" to "may I give you some Vitamins" and then grabbing the tube and shaking sher head "no" when an attempt is made to deliver it. There is a location monitoring device on her right ankle to sound an alarm if she tries to roam too far from her room. We are pushing to get her jaws unwired ASAP so the Trach and feeding tube my be removed at the 6 week point. The PT has had her sip liquid with the jaws wired to check her swallow response which was OK.

Wed.

2005-05-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Lynn is now in San Leandro room 54 to be closer to the Nurses station for more observation with arm restraints to keep her from removing her Trach ventilator for moisture. Her feeding tube area inflamation is much improved.
Kaiser woes.The family heard that a phone call from Kaiser Vallejo about a bed for Lynn to San Leandro was messed up and the Vallejo bed given to another patient! Kaiser San Leandro's phone personnel leave much to be desired. We are considering a formal complaint. Kaiser is being pressed to make the the timing on her trach removal and jaw unwiring coincide with the original 6week period instead of the 7 weeks they have an appointment for.

Tuesday 5P

2005-05-25T01:48:00.000-07:00

Lynn is in room 80b at San Leandro and was resting peacefully and communicates with head yes/ no and can make sounds thru her Trach. She will be getting some antibiotics and a topical cream for an inflamation around her feeding tube. The wires holding her jaws shut will be removed in about 1 1/2 weeks.

Your thoughts and energy for her recovery are very evident so please continue to send them.

Friday Afternoon

2005-05-20T21:55:00.000-07:00

Lynn was taken to Santo Rosa from San Leandro for exams/x rays etc. Her broken left leg is doing fine and the wires will be removed from her jaw in another 2 weeks.
Great news:Roy was there and she actually spoke to him through her Trach! She wanted to get out of the exam room and sit in the hall and moved in her wheeled chair to do that. Independent Lynn is with us once again!
She is now in room 80B instead of 66A at Kaiser's post-acute care center in San Leandro, 1440 168th Ave. off of E 14th.

Thursday noon

2005-05-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

Lynn is being moved to room 80b from 66a in San Leandro so she can be near a window and only have one ventilator making noise instead of two. She can sit up and get hugs or just hold your hand. Friday she will travel to Santo Rosa for some tests and return to San Leandro.

Your healing thoughts and energy are very evident around her.

Tuesday

2005-05-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

Lynn slowly continues to improve while at the San Leandro Facility. She has her jaws wired shut but was able to make a sound like "cool" when shown a photo of Roy's dogs! Please continue to send your healing thoughts and energy.

Thursday 10P

2005-05-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Lynn has taken a ball point, clicked it, and written some words on a pad! She has also taken some hand written notes, rotated them right side up, and seemed to be reading them with her eye movements. Her large photos are now posted in her room (66a) in San Leandro. Thank you for the healing thoughts and energy which is very present.

WED 5P

2005-05-12T05:15:00.000-07:00

Lynn is in San Leandro and had some physical therapy consisting of standing with assistance and grab rails from a wheeled chair for about 4 times and then to stand twice and take take a few very short steps. This was not easy for her.
She was then wheeled around the halls for about 30 minutes by a family member with Jim Cahoon who came from Sonoma to visit her.
Jim is doing a benefit for her with a silent auction at his restuarant, Gramma's at 19209 Sonoma Hwy . Also Scott Sherman's The Framery at 762 Broadway is doing a benefit. The benefits run through the 15th when these fine people are donating 10% of their gross for Lynn.

Thank you for the healing thoughts and energy which is very present.

Tuesday 4P

2005-05-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

Lynn was clam today and mostly fussed with her mits. She is in a low bed with a bed sized pad on the floor next to it to guard against her falling.
Thank you for the healing thoughts and energy, it is very present.
Again- She is now at Kaiser's Post acute care facility in San Leandro, see prior post for directions etc.

Monday 2P

2005-05-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Lynn is slowly recovering, now has given a hug in addition to her smiles, yes/no head nod. With her jaws wired shut (for another 3 or 4 weeks) there is no talking.
Thank you all for the healing thoughts and energy which is present.

Again, there is a benefit with silent auction from Monday May 9th for a week at GrandMa's Pizza in Sonoma 19209 Sonoma Highway (hwy 12).
She also has a trust account receiving checks payable to
FBO Lynn Danehy acct #10088367 at Sonoma Valley Bank, P.O. Box 1228,
202 West Napa St., Sonoma 95476 (note the FPO means"for the benefit of").

The Framing Shop at 762 Broadway in Sonoma is also doing a benefit for Lynn this week.

Friday 8P

2005-05-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

Lynn is very restless and can easily sit up and move around in bed. She has smiled, nodded yes and no, and waved goodbye to some visiters; but is not following commands.
Your healing thoughts are appreciated.

She is now in Kaiser's Subaccute care Rehab at 1440 168th (1 block E of E 14th) San Leandro in room 66A with 11-8 visiting hours. She will be there until her jaw is unwired in about 4 weeks.
Take 580 to 164th and go west to E 14th or 880 to 238 and go to E 14th.

1PM Wed

2005-05-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

Lynn is continuing to improve her responses with head "yes" and "no" motions for brief periods but not responding to commands and was up in a special chair for an hour.
She is going through the "slowly waking up stage". The next phase expected is one of "extreme agitation". Thank you for all the healing thoughts.

The Grand Ma's Pizza in Sonoma where Lynn did a mural is doing a fund raiser for her by donating
10% of their gross for the week starting on the 9th. They will also be holding a "Silent Auction" and are looking for things to be donated for the auction. Their address is 19209 Sonoma Highway (hwy 12) in the Maxwell Village shopping center and they are open from 11A to 10P.

A trust account has been set up in the Sonoma Valley Bank at 202 West Napa St., Sonoma 95476, where checks made out to The Lynn Danehy Trust may be sent.

Sunday 10A

2005-05-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Lynn is improving by starting to follow some commands but is not into a definite recognition phase.
Your healing thoughts are appreciated.

Sat. 10A

2005-04-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Lynn is now settled in to Kaiser's Santa Rosa Hospital from her transport from the San Rafael facility last night and her son Jacob and friends Chuck and Chris are having a visit with her.
Her condition shows some improvement with her eyes open; but she is still not following commands.
It is room 419 and visiting hours are 11 to 8. The address is 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403. Take the Bicentennial Way off of 101, then left and left on Ventura where you can see the Hospital.
Thank you for your healing thoughts and thanks to the POMO Indians for the flowers sent to her while at San Rafael.
For those interested in TBI (traumatic brain injury) information, two internet sites are:
www.headinjury.com and www.sdbif.org

Thursday 10P

2005-04-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

Lynn deliberately smiled at John when he walked in today! Her first sign of recognition.
Kaiser is working on sending Lynn to Santa Rosa until she can qualify for the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) rehab group in Vallejo.
Please keep sending your healing thoughts, they are present.
It appears all her staples and stitches have now been removed.

Wed. 9P

2005-04-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

Lynn's condition is very much the same as on Monday's update. Her location is now in Kaiser San Rafael, visiting hours noon to 8:30P rm 504.
An eye doctor checked her pupil response and reported it very good. An ortho doctor checked her left leg and found it progressing well.
We hope to soon have her transferred to Kaiser Santa Rosa which was full on Tuesday.

Monday 7P

2005-04-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Lynn's eyes are open but she is not following commands. Purposeful body motions. Awaiting results of Catscans made Saturday and today. Kaiser is to move her Tuesday, their Hospital's location is to be decided.

2005-04-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday 7:30A

2005-04-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

Lynn's nurse just said she looks great! Still unconscious. Having lots of purposeful body movements but not following commands. She is breathing on her own now without the ventilator. No results as yet for the Catscan done Saturday. Your healing thoughts and energy are present and appreciated.

Friday 10P

2005-04-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

Prior to the accident Lynn had her own, lynndanehy.com, pages you may want to view to get to see a picture of her and know her achievements.
Today the, ICP, internal cranial pressure sensing bolt was removed and during the suturing of the site she definitely responded with her arms.
A Kaiser representative visited and thought she may be stabile enough shortly to be moved to one of their facilities.
Ventilation (breathing) equipment has been set so it no longer breathes for her 100%, allowing her natural breathing to kick in when appropriate.
Your healing thoughts and energy are present with her.

Thursday 10P

2005-04-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Lynn's signs have been stable enough to possibly remove the "bolt" in her skull for monitoring the cranial pressure on Friday. Also after the eye doctor examined her, he said they may remove her internal eyelid stitches on Friday. The 9 hour facial recon surgery Wed. revealed that her facial bone fractures were extensive. Her swelling is expected to peak by Saturday.
Your healing thoughts are appreciated.

Wed. 9:30P

2005-04-20T21:55:00.000-07:00

Lynn is out of the 9 hour facial recon. surgery which seems to have gone well!
She may have some numbness which will pass. There was a delay during surgery due to a sudden pupil dilation which required a scan showing no complications. The eye doctor was present and freed some eye muscles being pinched by her fractures. An O.R. RN friend of Lynn's dropped in to see her during the operation.
Please send her healing energy for recovery.

Tuesday

2005-04-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

At 5P the nurse said Lynn was doing good with numerous body movements and following some directions.
Her facial reconstruction of all the broken bones is scheduled for Wed and she can use all our healing thoughts.

Late Monday

2005-04-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

Lynn is scheduled for facial reconstruction on Wed.
A feeding tube has been instituted, her bowels will be kept functional

Noon Monday and Prior Condition

2005-04-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Go to archives for latest posts
She is scheduled for facial reconstruction on Wed.
Today Lynn replied to Roy with 2 hand sqeezes.
Sunday she had intentional leg movements.
Saturday she had a hand sqeeze.
Friday her eyes were examined and no injuries were found tho nearby facial bones were fractured. Her broken left leg has been pinned.
Other previous:
There are some cracked ribs and most of the facial bones are broken.
Skull plates were installed on left side and we are anxiously waiting for a return to consciousness.
Cranial pressure is being monitored, Xrays and scans are being performed.