KAY ZELLO SATURDAY UPDATE.

After about three hours, they performed a second CAT scan, the bleeding was significantly worse.  They immediately took her into surgery where they removed most of the right side of her skull to allow the blood to drain and to stop the bleeding.  The surgery lasted 6 hours because she was bleeding in several locations and had also developed a blood clot in her front right lobe.  Originally the neurosurgeon reported that he would need to put that part of her skull into her stomach to preserve it for four weeks but the surgery was so successful that they were able to place the skull back in place.

In a message dated 9/3/2010 3:51:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, tim@jewels4god.org writes:

Please pray for my mother, Kay Zello! 

She and my father were returning home from my oldest sister's house in Maryland yesterday where they had been celebrating her 46th birthday and on the way home they stopped at a rest stop near Fredericksburg, Virginia, for my mother to use the rest room.  My father waited in the car and while my mother was in the rest stop she passed out and severely banged her head on the floor.  A women came out and knocked on my father's window to ask if he knew her.  Before my mother went into the rest stop she was having devotions with my father in the car and reading to him from the book of Proverbs.

My mother was on her back on the floor with blood coming out of the side of her head and she was unconscious.  The ambulance came and took her to Mary Washington Hospital (fortunately I was only 5 minutes away).  The first CAT scan showed that she had a brain clot that covered the entire right side of her brain on the opposite side of the impact.

After about three hours later they performed a second CAT scan and the bleeding had become significantly worse.  They immediately rushed her into surgery where they removed most of the right side of her skull to allow the blood to drain and to stop the bleeding.  The surgery lasted 6 hours because she was bleeding in several locations and had also developed a blood clot in her front right lobe.  Originally the neurosurgeon told us that they were going to put that part of her skull into her stomach to preserve it for four weeks but the surgery was so successful that they were able to place the skull back in place.

They are keeping her sedated through tonight, are regulating her breathing, and have an escape hole in her skull for blood to drain.  In less than three hours (sometime before 6AM this morning) they will perform another CAT scan to see how much bleeding and swelling there is.  If it has worsened they will have operate on her again.  If the same, we will have to continue to wait and pray that she recovers and does not have brain damage.  The next 72 hours are very crucial for her survival.  Please pray for my father, our family, and especially my mother over the next few days and coming weeks.  Thank You!

My mother is a Proverbs 31 woman and has served the Lord faithfully for nearly 60 years!  She recently celebrated her 69th birthday.  Last year, she graciously modeled for us and is on page 54 of our first Jewels 4 God catalog (click here to view).

She and my father are extremely close to me, my wife, and our two children - Rachel (12) and Luke (9). 

Blessings,
Tim and Michelle

In a message dated FRIDAY 9/3/2010 3:44:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, tim@jewels4god.org writes:

I am writing this update from the ICU waiting room at Mary Washington Hospital.

Got about 15 minutes of sleep last night.  Hard to sleep until Sunday and we know that Mom will live.

The CAT scan came back and showed that her bleeding has subsided.  Her swelling increased a little bit but not enough to warrant another surgery at this point.  The Dr. did say that Mom responded to verbal commands and was able to squeeze and release with both hands and move her feet.

Around 9AM they tried to reduce her sedative in order to allow her body to try to start breathing but she was unable to breath on her own, started gagging, and coughing.  This was very discouraging but positive in that her gag reflexes are working.

About 45 minutes ago (1:45PM) my father and I were with my Mom and Dad had to step out to the rest room.  Almost immediately after he left the room Mom still heavily sedated Mom started moving her hand toward the back of her head.  I held her hand and let her know that I was there.  That I loved her very much.  That friends all over the whole world are praying for her.  That she has the best Doctor taking care of her.  That she hit her head really hard but she looked beautiful (she always does) and that her Doctor said she was recovering well.  I prayed for her.

She tried to get on her side and I helped her by holding her hip for about 10 seconds to keep her from leaning back over to her back and then gently let her get back in the same position. She reached for the back of her head again.  I told her that I knew she was in pain but it will be OK. She leaned forward a little and began to panic and gag again. While stroking her hand I told her that she had a tube in her throat to help her breathe, that she is OK and will be OK and not to leave us and to try to breath. She leaned back and relaxed again.

I asked her if she knew I was there and if she could squeeze my hand.  She squeezed my hand and lifted it towards her, raised her other arm, opened one of her eyes (the other is swollen shut due to her fall), leaned forward a little bit, pulled me towards her and hugged me.  I told her that she didn't need to do that and she needed to rest.

She leaned up a little bit and tried to get back on her side again. I tried to help her but told her that I could not do it alone because I was afraid to (there are many tubes coming out of her body) and told her that I will go get the nurse and we will get her on her side.  Right away she lied back down and relaxed.

The nurse came immediately and I told her all the above.  She helped me get Mom on her side and then gave Mom a verbal command to squeeze her hand.  Mom squeezed the nurse's right hand and then after a verbal command let go.  She didn't respond with the left hand but could have been due to the heavy sedation.   Nurse shined flash light in Mom's eyes and both pupils dilated. 


I told her that she reached for the back of her head twice and that I think she is in pain when she comes out of the sedation every once in awhile.  The nurse immediately gave her a pain killer (she had only one other one since getting out the surgery last night at 12:15AM.

She has been having an occasional irregular heart beat which her cardiologist said may be the reason she blacked out.  The brain, swelling, and bleeding was caused by the impact of hitting the hard floor.

The next 48 hours are critical.  Please pray that she is able to breath on her own.  Pray that she is able to make it through to Sunday afternoon without further complications.  Pray that her brain is healthy and that there is no damage. Pray for a full recovery.

Our family is exhausted.  We are crying and interceding on behalf of my Mom.  We know that she is deeply loved and respected.  We know that she is dear to the heart of God and in deep communion with Him.  Every bit of good news gives us hope.  Love always perseveres!

Thank you for your love, friendship, and prayers!
Love,
Tim, Michelle, Rachel, and Luke