Karen update

Here are two emails I received from my sister today, written by two people close to Karen. Please keep praying...her address is at the bottom if you feel inclined to send her your well wishes.

We would like to share what we know about Karen’s condition. She is in a medically induced coma due to the severity of her injuries. This is common with burn victims. Her condition has been and will remain very critical for weeks, months……..no one knows how long. Karen will be kept in this comatose state “ a long time”, because 60% of her body has 3^rd degree burns. She is on dialysis, due to renal failure, as well as having blood pressure problems. These seem to be the two major concerns—besides the burns.

Karen’s son, John, is now living with his dad in Hecla. He is coping much better, but he’s lost everything, too.

We know this sounds very dire, but we have been told that it is all unpredictable and Pam and I see that it isn’t like any other injury or disease. There is no timeline, prognosis or diagnosis given. Hour to hour, day to day………..

Please continue to keep Karen in your prayers. Pray for her comfort and strength. Each day that she is with us is a miracle.

and...

Karen is currently in surgery to remove the burned tissue in anticipation of eventually being able to graft healthy skin. This is standard protocol for burn victims. Her family is at the hospital with her.

I would not encourage anyone from work to go visit with her until a later time. Now is a time needed for rest and recovery. Visiting also brings outside germs and infection, which she is very susceptible to at this time. So, give her time and visit when she is stronger.

Cards and emails are the best choice right now. Her sister is staying at the family house provided by the hospital for a small fee. She sits faithfully with her sister, and reads her all of the cards and email’s, which is wonderful stimulation for Karen. I do believe she may hear her sister. However, she will be kept comfortable for the time being with medical interventions.

Karen also remains on dialysis to cleanse the toxins from her body until her kidneys can do this for her. This is not uncommon at this time. This will be a slow recovery, so I ask you all to sit tight. We will keep you posted as time goes on. This is Karen’s 5^th day out, and that is a good sign. Karen is a fighter, and she is getting the very best care there is to help her on the road to recovery. I know your thoughts and prayers are with Karen and her loved ones.

Karen Visley
West Penn Hospital
T2 Burn Unit
4800 Friendship Ave.
Pittsburgh,Pa 15224