Hello Family!
I am finally able to catch up. It's amazing how easily I tire though. We are sure excited to see everyone next week, but plan on me being out of commission for pretty much everything. I will be lucky to arrive with everyone's toothbrushes and underwear!
June was fun. We spent lots and lots of time swimming. We got a pool membership this year and have enjoyed going pretty much every day that it is hot. On Tuesdays we go to the summer movie program and watch a movie at the theater. We go to the free lunch almost every day and have play dates with other families trying to find things to do.
The end of June was when my events started happening. On Thursday, June 27th I started with a migraine that I couldn't get rid of. I thought it was because of the pregnancy hormones and the fact that I could only take Tylenol. After a weekend trip to the ER and many phone calls to the on call doctors, I ended up in the hospital on Monday, July 1st. On the 2nd we had an MRI performed and discovered the 5" blood clot running the length of my head. The doctors in Greeley felt confident that we just needed pain control and blood thinners, but after a week (July 7th) in the hospital with increasingly uncomfortable symptoms, I decided to head to Denver where the specialists are. Things moved quickly in Denver with lots of tests, observations, and talking. I had an excellent team of doctors watching over me including the neuro-stroke team, OB, and the neuro-radiology doctor. Thursday, July 11th I went in for the inter-radiology procedure to break up the clot. Let's just say that that was by far the hardest experience that I have ever been through. If you would like the gory details than feel free to ask, but it was down right hard. The 3 day procedure process took a lot out of me emotionally and physically. I also got an infection that I am recovering from in addition to the groin recovery where they accessed my brain through the artery. I am still having some headaches when I do too much. I am on pain meds until I can recover from the more consistent pain from surgery, etc. For long term care I am taking blood thinner shots every 12 hours for the rest of the pregnancy and for at least 6 weeks post baby (with a break during the birth). We are still waiting for results on some of the blood tests to find out if there is another reason for the clotting besides pregnancy. Once we get results back then we will know what to expect post baby and for the rest of my life.
The best part of the whole thing is that our little baby is doing great. I have never had any discomfort when it comes down to the baby. We have had a few ultrasounds and everything looks great. In addition to the amazing help from the Grandma's, our ward has stepped up big time with meals and child care. They will continue to take care of me as long as I feel the need. I even have two ladies coming to help me with laundry and packing next week for the reunion. This process has been quite the trial for our little family. The kids are tired of being shifted around and missing Mom. Brent is tired of being a single parent and trying to keep up with home stuff and work and worrying about me. Our faith has grown though. Through our prayers and the prayers of our loved ones the clot was taken care of quickly and am home now and healing. We felt the strength that came from your fasting and prayers and thank you for them. We love you! We are excited to see each of you and your cute kiddos on Wednesday!
Love,
The Greeley Lukes
AAAANNNNNNDDDDD...... 3 weeks later my headache is gone (sort of). Thank you friends and family for the prayers and support through the last 3 weeks. I am so glad to be home, but man am I tired! It's going to take a while to get my feet under me again.
So... I have some exciting news. Cami Luke came home today! She was feeling really good yesterday afternoon, just tired. By the time I called her during my early morning break she was tired or being away from the kids and in the hospital and ready to come home. She said that she missed me too. She got home at 5:30 pm, right as I was pulling into our driveway. The kids were super surprised and Ellie kept saying, " you came back for me mom!" Everyone was pretty happy. Cami will still need to rest and recover, so my mother-in-law will be here for a couple of days to make sure Cami doesn't try to do too much. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. — with Connie Powell and Lisa Powell-DeJong.
My sweet wife is sleeping now. She had another headache around three that some her up. The doctors are going the move from ICU, hopefully today, will help. They are going to new working on a medication plan as well. The good thing is that all of the catheters and sheathing are out and the blood clot is broken up and allowing good blood flow. She is in good spirits. We laughed and told each other jokes last night. Well keep you all updated. — with Connie Powell and Cami Luke.
Cami had the sheath removed this morning. She had to lay still for six hours to prevent bleeding afterward. She is sitting up now, and yelling at the machine that beeps when her blood oxygen falls below the desired level. In other words, she is feeling better. She is even joking with the nurses. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. Please keep praying for her comfort and a swift recovery. More to follow. — with Brent Luke and 2 others.
Morning update. I must have been tired when I talked to the doctor, but I had misheard when he said that they would scan the clot. They stated that they need to let the medication work on the clot for 24 hours before they scan to check on its progress. They plan to scan it around 4 this afternoon when they move her out of the ICU. She is a trooper. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. We are not out of the woods just yet. I will keep you updated. — with Brent Luke.
Cami is back from her scan this afternoon. Great news, the doctor said that the clot is broken up and there is good blood flow in the vein. There are still some smaller pieces present but they are not occluding the flow of blood. They are very encouraged by the results. They have removed the catheters, leaving the sheathing in place for tonight due to risk of bleeding. She will remain in the ICU until tomorrow when they remove the sheathing. She will then be moved back up to observation with the milder thrombolitic (anticoagulant) for a couple of more days till she is ready to come home. Thank you all for your support and prayers. They have been and continue to be answered in wonderful ways. I will post again tomorrow. — with Brent Luke and Connie Powell.
This is Brent Luke, Cami just went into the operating room to start the procedure about three hours ago. They called at hour two and said it was going well so far. Now we can just wait, and see. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.
Cami Luke, for those who are not following her updates, is currently in surgery to remove a blood clot that has developed in her brain. It has been three hours, we got an update about an hour ago, that everything is progressing well so far. They should be calling in another hour to give us another update.
(5 1/2 hours) Cami Luke is coming out of surgery. Waiting to talk to the doctor. We are hopeful that all went well.
Ok. So Cami came out of surgery about two hours ago and is now sleeping. The doctor was encouraging. He said the procedure went well, and they were able to place the catheters in her head. The best option would have been to use something called an angiojet(?) to break up the clot and suction it away. They could not get around the clot to do this. So they are using the catheters to administer anticoagulant directly to the clot. They will then check on the clot in the morning to see if it is dissolving. I will keep everyone posted, and let you know more in the morning. Thank you for all your prayers.
Cami Luke is sleeping now. Her doctor said the procedure weren't well. They got the catheters in place. They had two options one there, use an angiojet(?) to break up the clot and suction it away, or administer anticoagulant directly to the clot. They were unable to use the angiojet(?). So they will be monitoring her through the night and check on the progress of the clot tomorrow. That'll you for your thoughts and prayers.
