So many of Linda's caregivers have been here today doing things to lift her spirits. She had a three hour trial on the trach collar completely off the ventilator and did very well. At the same time the physical therapists got her sitting up on the side of her $40,000.00 antidecubitus fluidized sand hospital bed, then put her on a cardiac chair and she has been sitting up the last two and a half hours, to get her neck and back muscles stronger so she will be ready to stand up after some more stuff is disconnected from her.
She was all smiles the whole time! She's such a wonderful, strong woman. She's frustrated that she tries to talk, but of course because of the tracheotomy can't make any sounds. The nursing staff and I are getting a little better each day at reading her lips, though. Once she is off the ventilator full time they will give her a Passy Muir speaking valve for her trach and she will be able to speak audibly. I'm sure she is going to have a lot to tell us then!
There isn't much else to say about today. Her physiological systems are all functioning quite well. There is still a little intermittent bleeding around the trach site, and the nurses have been occasionally suctioning some small amounts of bloody fluid from her lungs when she gets gurgly, but at least she's able to clearly tell us when she needs to cough and have her airway suctioned. It's going to be a long, difficult road back for her, but at least today everything looks like it is moving in positive directions.
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