Good evening,
Larisa has had a great day. She has rested (except when they were working with her – she had a PICC line placed today, which makes the nurses happy). This basically consolidates the IV lines that they are running through various access points into one port, in her right arm. She is on a teeny bit of blood pressure medication. Her kidneys seem to be working great. Her comfort level is good – she doesn’t appear to be in any pain. She continues to be sedated. BUT – this afternoon, when I went to see her, Martin was in the room. I said “Hey, Larisa, it’s Dave”, and she raised her right hand and waved! Martin and I got to spend a few minutes ‘visiting” with her…then the propofol (sedation) kicked in. It was a huge lift to see her respond.
She also had another interesting test today – indirect calorimetry. This machine hooks up to the tube that goes between her lungs and the ventilator, and measures the volume of oxygen consumed and the volume of carbon dioxide produced. Using some fancy equations, a little bit of knowledge about the oxidation of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and of course a “fudge factor” they can calculate the number of calories she is burning, what her caloric needs are, and what type of calories she should be receiving in her feedings! This is similar to the testing that is done on elite athletes at peak exercise. I don’t know Larisa’s results 
Chris and JoEllen arrived today. It is nice to have them here. The Friesen’s brought some supper up to the waiting room. Virginia and Roanne were by this afternoon. It has been a quiet day in the back and in the waiting room (they kind of go together…).
Larisa’s next surgery is scheduled for 7:30 Thursday morning. This will primarily be reconstructive work on Larisa’s face and eyes. Dr. Sprole, the plastic surgeon, will be involved, along with Dr. Bingaman.
I hope all of you are having restful evenings. Thank you for thinking of us.
David for TWR
lanae hall
20 October 20097:14 pm
Thanks for such a detailed, interesting post. Good to think she is getting such thoughtful, in-depth care. And how wonderful that she waved at you!
Continuing to think of you and hoping for a restful evening and night for Larisa and all of you too.
lisa wright
20 October 20097:14 pm
Great news to hear of another “boring” and restfull, healing day for larisa. Glad you have such a wonderful team working with her. Take care, Love and prayers from Abilene–The Wright family
Kerry and Janna Williams
20 October 20097:58 pm
a huge smile from Minnesota………sounds like a quiet day of healing. Thoughts are never very far from you all. Thanks for all your post and detail updates.
Relyssa Jelinek
20 October 20098:07 pm
Thanks so much for this Dave, its so nice to hear all the good things going for Larisa
i have people that dont even know Larisa that ask about her at Karate, its so nice to know that people who have never even met her care about her and are concerned.
many big
couple of hugs,
lots of love for all,
expecally Larisa<3
hoping to be there next weekend sat afternoon and Sunday.
<3
Susan
20 October 20098:07 pm
Oh, I love to hear about the quiet days! And the comfort level! And the wave ! I hope that tonight is another good night, and that a lot of healing is taking place. Anxiously waiting each update.
Tina Toews Hancock
20 October 20098:22 pm
I am loving all the good news! My heart is definitely there with you. So glad for all the encouragement that I’ve received by reading everyone’s comments & thankful that our Father feeds us in many ways & situations. Sending much love & hope your way!
Hugs,
T
John and Sandy Linder
20 October 20098:31 pm
Oh so very wonderful that her day has gone this way. We think of you constantly and are so hopeful that there will be more good days than bad here on out. Keep focused, keep your chins up, and keep letting us share.
Have a peaceful night!
Kenny & Erin Van Ommen
20 October 20098:44 pm
YAAAYYY!!!! Excellent news — and now we hope you all have a very restful night and another good day tomorrow. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers!
Kenny, Erin & family
Maxine
20 October 20098:48 pm
Amazing how encouraging a “little” thing like a wave can be, isn’t it. We’re smiling here just reading about it.
Thanks again for an update, and wishing you all a restful night.
The J’s.
The Bryans
20 October 20098:54 pm
Our hearts are smiling along with everyone elses’s!! Love hearing about the wave….And our thoughts are there very often, too….Maybe we just need to say “Amen” to all of the above…Restful evening and night to all of you as healing continues!
A. Schwartz
20 October 20099:38 pm
Again thanks as others have said….oh just so glad for positive ones just know when she is calm the healing is going good…and know you can relax just a bit…long hard days for all…been there done it….hospital bit…I had thought of getting some to come with me to donate blood but it 2 day too soon for me so will call red cross and see if when give here some how can be credited to Larisa.
Just keep on keeping on you faithful dear ones and we will do our part on this end…A and C
Patty Rosehill
20 October 20099:41 pm
Such good reports coming from TWR!!! How encouraging a little wave can be. You cannot know how many times I mention Larisa’s name in prayer throughout the day…especially on surgery days. It’s great to hear that Chris and JoEllen made it safely there. Have a restful evening. We’ll look in on you all again tomorrow morning.
Dan & Nicole Loyek
20 October 20099:55 pm
Sounds like a very encouraging day
Appreciate the updates. Thinking of you all.
Corey, Julie, Trevin and Logan
20 October 200910:00 pm
Encouraging news…glad you all could experience that today. We’re all waving at Larisa, too. All our love…
Nate and Ralna B
20 October 200910:01 pm
How very encouraging! Once again, thank you for always keeping us updated. Know that we think of you all lots! A good night to all.
Lillian Snow
20 October 200910:06 pm
Good to hear Larisa had a good day, and hope the surgery will go well on Thurs. We will be away from the computer for a week or so, but you know you will all be in our hearts. Think of you always. Dale & Lillian
Gary and Judy Ewing
20 October 200910:35 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!! What a wonderful reassurance of the power of love, in such a difficult time. We are so thankful for a God that cares about each one of His sheep! Please know we are with you in spirit!
Lorene
20 October 200910:53 pm
i am always thinkin bout larisa
shes very strong though and i have faith 
i miss her so much though… tell her i love her 
Joel and Cheryl Blackburn
20 October 200911:10 pm
Thinking of you all there….glad today was a positive one! I am glad Uncle Chris and Aunt JoEllen are there now! We think of you all so often. Thanks so much for keeping all of us non-locals updated! We love you.
Cheryl and family
Bobbie, Greg, Blaine and Justin Bengtson
20 October 200911:41 pm
Great to end the day reading of Larisa’s little response to you, Dave and Martin. We can only imagine the thrill to be on the receiving end of that little movement. Glad for your quiet day. Wishing Larisa and all of you a restful night.
Les Kuehne
20 October 200911:51 pm
Glad to hear every little step forward Larissa takes. We continue to think of her and you all. We are so thankful she is getting such good care there. Take care, the rest of you, and know we think of you, as well, with sincere love in Christ.
Les, Bonnie
D & J Chipperfield
21 October 200912:03 am
How wonderful to hear that Larisa had a great day…in all the ways mentioned! May it continue and continue! Keeping all of you in our hearts and prayers…
Debi Long
21 October 200912:37 am
I just heard about the accident & my heart goes out to you all there. Our study tomorrow PM is Prov. 18 & I love the verse that speaks about a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. How thankful we are for that Friend! You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Sandra Corcoran
21 October 20091:40 am
I too have been in a place of unexpected heartache and confusion. What helped me get through it all was that I knew what ever happened God was and is in control. I use to tell myself, and still do, that God has a plan. All I need to do is fit in. God is so good to us. Even in these experiences, especially in these experiences, he is teaching us so much and drawing us even closer. My little girl, after struggling so hard, was only four and a half when she passed away. What a gift I was given in those four and a half years. God has a plan for everything and everyone. I know it’s not the same situation your in. I wanted you to know that I know how it feels to have a loved one in a compromised situation. I love that God taught me that nothing matters but salvation. I love that in our weakness he is strong. I love that he loves me, and you.
We never know what God has in store for our lives. I didn’t know that others would be looking on my life so close that it would make a difference in theirs. What a beautiful responsibility we have. As I’m writing this hymns keep coming to mind. “Nothing matters but salvation”, “Just cling to the hand of Gods dear son”, “Never let your courage falter”, “Oh for the peace of a perfect trust”, My little girls favorites, “I’ve a friend”, “Tell me the story of Jesus”. I hope this helps even a little.
We are praying for you all and thinking of you all as she continues to improve.
Love The Corcorans
Randy Bloem
21 October 20097:02 am
Glad to hear of the response from Larisa’s raised hand. I was thinking about the help we receive from God’s hand. His hand comforts, protects, leads & guides, heals… so glad we have a hand held out to you and me! Hand join in hand with you.
Darrol and Debbie
21 October 200910:16 am
Oh, Sandra Corcoran… Thank you for sharing your family’s sad experience- it wil inspire others, as it did me.
Many years ago, we experienced a very difficult loss of a precious little boy we were to adopt, after having him as our own for 9 months. I took the loss as a personal punishment. Lavina Swenson, my Mother in Truth, perceived my pain and came to me. She told me that day, that even in my deep sorrow, I could be a help to others by proving to them my Faith in our Father’s love and plan. Somehow, that was in His plan, or He had allowed it; but, I had the priviledge to show others how He will NEVER leave us alone even when our hearts are crushed. Her precious lesson, has sustained me through many difficult situations.
Jeff and Monica, I hope also as Sandra, that sharing these things can be a little help to you. Love, Darrol and Debbie