Lacey Update May 31

Lacey was successfully moved by ambulance to the Rehabilitation Center today. They are giving her a bit of a break today, but Shelly said tomorrow they are going to keep her very busy. She has 3 different therapists. Regular one, occupational and speech.

Lacey's roommate at the center has problems with her right arm too, so they can work on their arm exercises together. Shelly and Mike have to leave by 8:30pm every night, no if, ands or buts!! So Shelly feels more comfortable that she has a roommate to keep an eye on her. Her name is Fran.

Shelly said Lacey is doing pretty good today. She is starting to ask about her friends, she remembers Brianna and asked about Tyler Richardson. She asked me about my dog yesterday, not how's Harold or Christopher... Just, "how's Max doing?" So she is coming back to us little by little. I miss her after I leave there, so much. I wlll go back next week. You know, it's Shelly's 50th birthday on Tuesday. Oh no, now I am in trouble!! Oh well, what else is new!

Ken and Peggy are coming tomorrow. Shelly said she and Mike are looking forward to their visit.

Please pray for Mike and Shelly to have a peaceful nights rest tonight. I know its hard leaving her, but it sounds like the level of care at the Center is very good. Lacey, my prayer tonight will be for you to stay strong and brave and keep remembering all the people you have in your life that love you very much. Liz K.

Amazing Lacey

wow what good news about Lacey today

Lacey we are praying and wishing your recovery in the rehab will go smoothly and quickly, we love you lots
and Shelly
Liz is right let us help any way we can we are here ....
love you all
Rosie,Larry,Travis and Taylor

Lacey Update May 30

Well, it will be a heck of a long day today, but everything I have experienced has been worth every minute of it. I drove down from Gig Harbor at 5:30a this morning and met Shelly at the hospital. After a little visit with Lacey we were off to WOU. When we arrived at the dorm there was a huge poster with very uplifting messages on it to Lacey from all of her college friends. We packed up her dorm stuff...Now that girl has some clothes!! Thank-you Kendra and Becca, you are so kind and we really appreciated your help. We said we were thirsty after hauling all the stuff out to the car, so Kendra sprinted across the campus to get us bottled water. Ask and you shall receive, I had a talk with Shelly about that on the way down. It is hard for her, because she has always been the person that helps us with a huge smile. She said she would try.

Lacey is doing so well. Yes, she is in pain, yes, she has to struggle through her therapy, yes, she has trouble with short term memory things, but she is so strong and brave and she wants to get better. Her eyes were very blue and bright today. She will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow and taken to the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon, where she will live and breathe therapy. The therapist evaluated her today and said 3 weeks in the center, now I caution things change, but that is incredible news.

Lacey received some beautiful flowers today from the Gould and Haag familys. The fragrance is awesome.
If you wish to send cards or care packages, you can send them to:
Lacey Dunn c/o Heislers
14611 NW Lilium Drive
Portland, OR 97229

Well gotta go, we are having a quick dinner with Jamie and Linda, then, back to the hospital. Linda is making us lasagna. YUM Lacey told us pasta would be her first dinner request, when she is able to eat. Mike was disappointed he thought she would ask for venison!! Right!! Take care Liz K.

Lacey Update May 29

Hello to All,
Shelly said they moved Lacey to a regular hospital room this morning. The room is very bright with a view of the river. A nice change. They are telling her Lacey maybe released sooner than originally thought. Possibly a few days. Like I have said before tho, things change day to day. They are talking about a rehabilitation center every day, 3 hours a day, for the next few months. So that is the direction they are leaning today.

Shelly and I are going to WOU tomorrow to pack up Lacey's dorm. It will be a good change of scenery for Shelly, but yet another difficult step.

Thank-you for all the prayers. They will be trying some physical therapy tomorrow and we need to pray that Lacey has the strength for that. The physical therapists are going to want to see what she can do. Through the grace of God, she will show them. Liz K.

More Lacey Update May 28

I went shopping tonight to find Lacey some soft pajamas. Can you imagine being in that ol' hospital gown, clean or not for weeks. Anyway, I wasn't sure what would fit over her halo, plus I started to have a bit of a melt down, so I decided to leave. On my way out of Nordstrom, I saw the most darling Juicy Corture purse. Now you would only understand if you knew how Lacey and I love our purses. Anyway, I will be on my way to Portland with one very cute purse for Lacey. No, no pajamas or anything practical. So if you see some soft pajamas that will fit over a halo, in size small to medium, please send, because Auntie Liz is not so practical.
Liz K

Lacey Update May 28

Family and Friends.
Now that Lacey is awake, Mike and Shelly are spending time with her in shifts, so one is always by her side. Mike takes mornings, they both do afternoons, and the Shelly spends the night with her. Shelly said when Lacey is awake, which is quite a bit really, she is pretty alert. She has to tell her things a few times because she tends to forget easily, but she is communicating quite well.

This is day 8 in ICU and we received good news today. Lacey will be transferred to a regular room either today or tomorrow. She will be able to receive flowers and gifts at that time. They are not sure how much longer she will be hospitalized. I expect a few more weeks. So much is decided day to day.

I will go back to Portland on Wednesday, so I may not have access to a computer. If there is not an update on Wednesday or Thursday don't panic!

Again, thanks so much for your kind words. I know Shelly and Mike would thank each one of you individually if it was possible. Just know it is really, really appreciated. Liz K.

Lacey

Mike,Shelly and Lacey,
We are thinking of you every day and keep praying for you to get better and we know you will. Travis and Taylor every day come home and ask about you and check the updates they are very concerened for you ( of course in there quite way like you would be ) we love you and get better soon they will be waiting to play some cards with you .... keep up good thoughts and we will see ya soon .
our love to Mike,Shelly and Lacey
Rosie, Larry, Travis and Taylor

Lacey update May 27

Lacey is awake. The nurses have given her a small amount of information regarding her injuries. She is not happy about the halo on her head, and wants to wiggle out of it. So hopefully, the information they gave her will make Lacey understand why she has to wear it. She had sips of water from a spoon and a few ice cubes. Shelly says she is not coughing as much. The Dr. came in and got her to move her fingers on her right hand. Hopefully she will be moved out of ICU sometime in the next few days if she continues to improve like she has. All of the life support equipment has been taken out of the room.
Of course, we want to pray for continued movement of her right arm....but there is some really hard stuff still ahead. It's hard for me to put into words, but I am certain everyone knows what I am thinking about. We know Lacey has everything and more, that it will take to get through, but she will question whether she does. God, please give her that strength. If anyone deserves it, it is her.
Have a safe graduation Ketchikan.
Liz K.

Lacey Update May 26

I just spoke to Shelly this morning. She had good news. Lacey's ventilator has been removed and she did well. The pneumonia has not progressed and she is getting a very small amount of movement in her right shoulder area. See, our prayers are working. Thank-you so much.

Shelly said Mike's sister Cheri just arrived, so she will be some added support for a few days.

The nurses commented on how polite Lacey is. Shelly sounds much better and stronger this morning.
Liz K.

Lacey update May 25

Good Evening,
I am so glad everyone appreciates the Lacey updates. I know Mike and Shelly look forward to reading your comments when they get back from the hospital at night. They again, would like to let everyone know how much they appreciate your kindness. Paula, I have to say your words were so right on. Lacey has a very strong will and sometimes its frustrating but it is getting her through now. Thank-you JJ for sending your angels, Shelly said she just wanted to go home with them and curl up on their couch. The words of encouragement. love and support from Ed and Marcia, Aunt Nancy, Brenda and Jerry, Jamie and family, The Alaska State Troopers, Mikes work family, Janet and Manny and family, Rosie and Larry, Scott and Julie, the Scudero family, Debi Koons, Ernie and Koz for picking Mike up at Square Island, Russell and Jennifer, Will and Dana, Scott and Ronda, Kerri and family, Cheyan and Johnny for setting up the web site, Jed and family, Ron, Linda and Jill and of course, Mike has been speaking to his mom often, it's unconditional we know.

Lacey made progress today. They still have not been able to remove the venilator, but were able to insert a smaller tube. Hopefully, this will be more comfortable for her until they can remove it. The physical therapist came in today. She got Lacey into a chair for a little while. Lacey actually took 2 steps back to the bed with the help of the therapist. Shelly said the therapist was pretty amazed. There is bit of setback tho, Lacey has pneumonia. They feel they caught it very early and started her on antibiotics right away. The nurses have told her she has been in an accident, They also tried to get her to write, but she could only scribble because she is right handed and there is still no movement with that arm. Our prayers for the next few days could be for movement or an answer to why she still has not moved her right arm, the antibiotics to kick the pneumonia and the small ventilator to be removed, so she can communicate with us.
Mike and Shelly are admittedly tired, but Mike buys Shelly a big iced mocha every morning and she says that helps. Talk to you tomorrow. Liz K.

Lacey udate May 24

Shelly and Mike want to thank all for the outpouring of care, concern and most importantly your prayers. The prayers are working. Today she crossed her right leg over her left. Still no movement in her right arm. She is waking up and understands what is being said to her. Shelly went to grab lunch today, she said "Lacey, I am putting Rock Honors on TV and getting lunch." Lacey gave her the left thumb up. The ventilator is still in, they gave her more medicine to alleviate the swelling and if not able to remove it by tomorrow morning, they will insert a smaller tube.
They have received calls from WOU faculty, guests from Yes Bay Lodge, people they don't even know. Lacey made many friends in college this year. The boys that brought up the flowers to her were Carlos, Joey Dell and Vince Morin. Thank-you we will read her your note soon.
Shelly said she may start to post when she can. We will be looking forward to that.
Shelly and Mike are staying with her brother which is about 25 mins from the hospital. Of course Jamie, Linda, Jamie K and Tommy will take good care of Mike and Shelly. Liz K.

Lacey Update

They still could not remove the ventilator due to swelling in her throat. Maybe sometime in next few days is Mike's hope. We did have a break through today. We have been concerned about her right side, but today she lifted her right leg up. Still no movement in her right arm tho. She woke up a few times today to a small degree and Mike asked her if she could see or hear him and she squeezed his hand. The nurses also put her in a recliner chair and she sat up for about an hour. Tho she is not really awake there are moments when we know she is there. She has had a few visitors, family members, the Jakubek girls and a few boys that brought her up some flowers in a Gatorade bottle, I will post the boys' names when I can get them from Shelly. Colton and his family have also visited. Of course Mike and Shelly appreciate the support from everyone. I think our prayers for the next few days should be looking for the ventilator to be removed, more movement on the right side and a peaceful awakening. I know we have prayers as far away as Oklahoma and Florida. If you would like to post something on this site or have questions, feel free to ask, and I will try to get back to everyone daily. No flowers boys.... but cards and letters can be sent to OHSU Patient: Lacey Dunn 3181 SW Sam Jackson Road Portland, Oregon 97239 Talk with you all soon Liz K.

Lacey

Lacey,
We are all praying for your recovery and to get well soon ,we are also here for you Shelly and Mike for anything you need .
We love you all
Rosie,Larry,Travis and Taylor

First blog update on Lacey's condition

We are hoping the ventilator will be removed sometime today. There is some swelling in her throat so they have to wait for that to go down before removing it. The swelling is caused by fluid build-up. Lacey is actually breathing on her own, but the tube is still in place. They are gradually reducing the coma inducing medicine and are hoping to wake her up in the next day or so. Please pray for the Dunn family, this step will be a difficult one.