Personal Injury Law

Nestle Cookie Dough E. coli Victim, Linda Rivera, Continues to Make Slow, Steady Improvement

By Bill Marler

I love getting these email updates as of late from Linda's brother-in-law:

Sent: Sat, January 23, 2010 9:46:41 AM
Subject: Linda Rivera Continued Improvement

1-23-2010 @ 9:45am PST

Linda continues to improve, slowly, but surely. Richard went over some daily labs with me and they are all normal, except for some anemia. Of major note is that she has, up to around 2 1/2 weeks ago, required a tracheostomy (an opening in the front of the throat) and regular attachments to a breathing machine to keep her alive. She does not now require the assisted breathing and the tracheostomy opening is going to be surgically closed next week!! This is a major milestone for her. Additionally, a major source of hospital acquired infection is being sealed shut when they close the tracheostomy. One big threat to her life is shut out!!

Linda is recovering in all other areas. Kidneys, liver, lungs, and bed sore healing are progressing normally. Labs for these organs (kidneys, liver, lung) are good. It's almost like a Lazarus healing from just hours from death several months ago to shedding the ventilator and healing of her organs. There is good reason to believe she may be discharged over the next months or so. Setbacks are not uncommon. Unfortunately good outcome is not a lock.

Linda, as many readers know, has been hospitalized since May 1 - now, almost nine months.  She has lost her job and she and her husband are now on the COBRA portion of her former employer's insurance (she was a teacher).  Linda's husband, Richard, and the entire Rivera clan, have been constant companions through her every struggle.

One amazing woman, one amazing husband, one amazing family.

Full post as published by Marler Blog on January 24, 2010 (boomark / email).