Feb 13th

Hi Everyone,
I promised to get a post on the blog from Dana and I got it. But, before you can read it we ask a favor. We have decided to move this blog to another website which is a little more user friendly for us and designed for the situation we are in. You will be asked to create a username and password. Please sign up and when you visit Dana's website you can sign the guestbook and leave a message for Dana if you choose. I will show them to her everyday or read them to her. Please go to:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danalindley


Thanks,
David

Friday Feb 12th

Hi Everyone,

Dana had a little bit more of a glow on her face today compared to yesterday. She was able to get out of bed and walk outside of her room and down the hallway. This was huge! There was nobody smiling more than me. It was a better day than yesterday and that is all that matters. I am going to get a post out of Dana in the next 24 hrs. I promise! You must be tired of hearing from me and we need some comments from the star of our show. Stay tuned…….

Thursday Feb 11th

Hi Everyone,

This is day 2 after Dana's first surgery. If I had to give it a name it would be "The healing Day". We did not make big strides forward in regards to getting out of bed and walking down the hallway but that is not always how we need to measure a good day. The doctor said that everything looks good and Dana is doing great in regards to healing her burn wounds. She is still in a lot of pain but the nurses are doing a great job with helping her manage her pain and discomfort. DANA HAS AN EXTEMELY HIGH PAIN THRESHOLD. The most difficult part of today was being in a hospital bed while Madison was celebrating her 11th birthday. Madison had a great birthday today. She opened many presents and she got the wish she was waiting for. A new kitten. Well not quite yet…Madison has some allergies so we are looking to get a cat/kitten that is hypoallergenic. (no, not one of those bald cats) I did not know they existed, but there are cats that have long hair and still hypoallergenic. Madison told me before she went to sleep tonight that this was the best birthday ever except she wishes Mommy was here to celebrate with her. Madison talked to Dana after her birthday party and that is exactly what Dana wanted to hear. Even though she could not be here for the party, Madison knew that the cat/kitten was all because of Mommy. Dana still works her magic from the confines of a hospital room.

Dana is expected to have another surgery next Tuesday. Our goal is to get her blood levels back up to where they were before the last surgery. This means lots of food and protein drinks. Believe me, when you are in pain and on high doses of pain medication the last thing you want to do is eat, but we are forcing her to eat and drink as much as possible. PLEASE keep the cards and emails coming. The highlight of her day is reading emails and cards from all of you. They don't have to say much. Just tell her the latest buzz at Pacific School or your thoughts on some silly current event. Even though the current events going on right now just don't seem to matter as much as they did before this happened. That's it for now and the easiest way to get a message to Dana is to send it on the hospital website at: http://www.torrancememorial.org/Patients_Visitors/E_mail_a_Patient.aspx

Thanks to all of you for the meals, taxi rides for our kids to and from school, swim, football practice, basketball practice, etc…. I know a lot of you have wanted to bring us meals etc…. but please save it for when Dana comes home. There will be a rehab period after she is home that she will need you the most.

Wed Feb 10th - Day After Surgery #1

Today was just what the doctor warned us about. Dana took a couple steps forward on how she was feeling and today a step back. But the main thing is her spirits are still good and the surgery was a success. That is what's most important. Dana did get out of bed and made it to the sink to brush her teeth. That is about all she could muster.

Wow, the emails were flying into the room today. They joked that we may see a line item in our hospital bill for copy paper and they may just move the hospital email printer into her room. Dana wanted me to tell everyone that she appreciates the outpouring of love and support from everyone. She is overwhelmed at how many people care about her. It is definitely helping her get through each day with a positive attitude.

Tuesday Feb 9th - Part Two

Hi Everyone,

Dana came out of surgery pretty sore and in a lot of pain. I sat with her until about 9pm and by that time she was sitting up and starting to feel a little better. She had this little button in her hand that she kept pushing that seemed to make herself feel better. She kept pushing it just like the contestants do in Jeopardy. In a raspy bedroom type voice she whispered "Maybe we could get one of these at home".

It took me about 20 minutes to read all of the emails that piled up in her room in just the few hours that she was away. They brought a few tears but most of all a lot of smiles. Keep them coming! We are both overwhelmed by how many people out there care so much about Dana and our family. Dr. Murthy has been with her from day one and has been great. He has told us everything we can expect and has been very honest and not held anything back. Every time he meets with us he sits down to talk and not once have we felt like he is looking at the clock trying to get to his next patient. He makes Dana feel like she is the most important patient he has and has as much time to talk as we need. Very impressed with him and the experience so far with the Torrance Memorial BICU. (Burn Intensive Care Unit) The nurses are great. Dana has built a bond with each of them. One of he nurses name is Stacey and she actually had a best friend growing up in Northridge named Dana and the ironic part of the story is that she lived on Lindley St. What are the odds! I am sure Dana will be bouncing back tomorrow and will impress all of us with her determination! Thanks again to everyone for the support you are giving her.

Some of you have mentioned that you have not heard actually what happened so I am posting a copy of an email I have previously sent to some of you.

On Saturday, Dana was burned in our kitchen when a bottle of peppermint extract fell out of the cabinet, broke and splashed all over the front of her. It was ignited by the flames of our gas stovetop. By the time she got the fire out on her clothing she was wearing she was burned pretty bad. We met with the Dr this morning and thought I would pass on the latest. About 25% of her body is 2nd & 3rd degree burns. Burns are on her stomach, legs, and left hand and forearm. Her first surgery is Tuesday and will be followed by a skin graft surgery every week for several weeks. Needless to say, the pain is pretty bad but she will make a full recovery but it will be a fairly long process. Her spirits are good and she is very positive and receiving great care.

She cannot receive flowers or visitors other than immediate family but I know that she would love to receive cards. You can send them to her at:
Torrance Memorial Hospital
Att: Dana Lindley burn unit rm#251
3330 Lomita Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505

Also the Hospital is really good about delivering her email. Here is the link to send her an email message.

http://www.torrancememorial.org/Patients_Visitors/E_mail_a_Patient.aspx

Tuesday - Feb 9th - Part One

Dana had surgery today. It lasted about 3 hours. The Dr. said it went exactly as planned. He covered all of her burns with pigskin and/or cadaver skin. This will provide a good protective layer and enable her own skin to start regenerating. It will also be less painful when they change the bandages and dressing twice a day. Still waiting for her to come out of the recovery room. The Dr. said she will feel like this is a set back after she had such a great day yesterday but he already warned us that every couple steps she takes forward be prepared to take a step back. I will post an update after she is settled back in her room. -David-

Monday - Feb 8th

I am going to try my skills at blogging - I think that this is the only way I can keep everyone updated. Thru this traumatic experience Dana has found out just how many friends she has and how many people care so much about her. I have found this out as well because my iPhone is blowing up with emails, text messages, and phone calls. I told Dana that I had no idea how many friends you have! Hence 'The Blog"!
Today was day 3 - Dana had a great Day. I actually walked down the hall and back with her about 100 ft. She is in great spirits and feeling better and starting to get her appetite back. She is going to have her first surgery tomorrow which will involve "Debridement" along with "Xenografts". Click the word for more information on each of these procedures.

She cannot receive flowers or visitors other than immediate family. Please keep all those cards and emails coming to Dana. This is what puts a smile on her face and she looks forward to reading them everyday! You can send them to her at:

Torrance Memorial Hospital
Att: Dana Lindley burn unit rm#251
3330 Lomita Blvd Torrance, CA 90505

Also the Hospital is really good about delivering her email. Here is the link to send her an email message.
http://www.torrancememorial.org/Patients_Visitors/E_mail_a_Patient.aspx

I will update after Dana's surgery tomorrow.

Love, Dana & David