Day 31, It has been one day since Cynthia was moved from ICU to the pulmonary wing and everything is going great. She has the tracheotomy mask on and the oxygen is set at 30%. Although she can't speak she has been able to write a short note. Already kicking my butt. Haha Joe
Day 32, Cynthia is doing great with breathing on her own with some assistance from the tracheotomy collar. Tomorrow they are going to do a swallowing test to see if she can be fed by mouth. She even got to sit in the chair for awhile this afternoon. All in all it was a great day with more progress ahead. Joe
Day 33, Cynthia is doing great, she has the ventilator collar on and the oxygen is set at 28%. They just took her to x-ray for a swallowing test to see if she is ready to be feed by mouth. She was sitting in a chair when I got to the hospital this morning, she was really enjoying the being out of bed for about a hour. Also they fitted her with a voice box so she can talk but she hasn't got the hang of it yet, it changes the way you breathe and will take a bit to get used to. Joe
Cynthia passed the swallowing test and got to eat dinner for the first time since she went into the hospital on December 13th. She only had a few bites and got full. The last time we ate before her fall was the night before at dinner, she was tube fed since this started until this afternoon. Joe
Joe, I agree with all the positive comments on Cynthia's progress. I pray that she will continue to improve so that she can go home. I also pray for you to have the strength to come through this time also. I know it is difficult to stand by our loved ones and not be able to do anything except trust God and the doctors. Terry
Day 34, Cynthia is doing great, she has the tracheotomy collar on and the oxygen is set at 30%. She was able to eat a couple of bites both times they gave her a meal, her appetite is not quite there yet. The speech therapy is going good so she will be taking soon. Joe
Day 35, Cynthia was eating lunch when I got to the hospital, she had a half bowl of soup, crackers and a banana. Everything is going great and she is learning how to talk again. Still has a way to go but she is getting much better. Joe
Day 36 Cynthia was asleep when I got to the hospital this morning. They had her walk around the hospital floor for quite a bit. A lady from patient care showed us how to clean the tracheotomy incision and several other things that we will need to know when Cynthia gets home. We are supposed to meet with the lady again on Monday and hopefully Cynthia will get to go home shortly after that. Joe
Day 37, Cynthia may get to go home on Monday according to what the doctor said. She is chomping at the bit about the news, she wants to go now. Before we need to get the equipment to take care of the tracheotomy incision which we should receive on Monday morning. Can't hardly wait, I want her to come home as well, miss the little pup. Monday will be day 40. Joe
Day 38, Cynthia will be able to go home on Monday, the only thing we are waiting for is the equipment needed to take care of the tracheotomy incision. She is very excited about the news. The supply company with the equipment will be open Monday morning. Joe
I spent a month in the hospital (the one I practice at!) in 2002. I know full well how Cynthia feels and how good it will be when she gets home. I will continue to pray for her recovery. I just hope what happened to me when I got home doesn't happen to her - I sat at the back window waiting for trains to pass (I live next to the Ft. Scott sub) and I didn't see a train for 6 hours!!!!!
Day 39, Cynthia and I are excited about going home but a friend just reminded me that Monday is a holiday. So I'm not sure if the medical supply company will be open. If they are closed it will be Tuesday when Cynthia could leave. Bummer if that happens. Joe
Day 40, Cynthia doesn't get to go home today because I have some paperwork that needs to be turned in. It took me all day to find out what was needed. Talk about frustrating, nobody could tell me what was going on until a few minutes ago. I can get the paperwork tomorrow morning and hopefully Cynthia will go home that afternoon. Joe
Hate when that happens. I remember after our daughter was born, we were all set for Carla and the newborn lass to be discharged, just needed the Dr's signature. After a couple of hours of waiting, I finally asked if the Dr was even on site. They weren't, so I got them to have the shift Physician In Charge to authorize it. Learned that trick the hard way in the Navy. Sometimes you have to politely press past the standard answers to get better follow up.