Mini Steps

Our time with Joy was limited to about 30 minutes total for each of us today due to the various procedures they were doing with her so we did not necessarily get the consistent few moments each hour that we wanted. But that is OK since it means she is being well cared for. They have removed all but two IV line monitoring units and rely upon manual injections into ports in her arms for other meds. They also removed one of the tubes from her neck that led to her heart and this will enable her mobility. The RN said they got her into a bedside chair and take a few steps in the room but she became dizzy and her vitals dropped so they immediately returned her to the bed. Her breathing is shallow so they have placed her on a BIPAP machine (somewhat like a ventilator without the tube down the throat) with oxygen which is designed to produce deeper breathing. Although supplemental oxygen is not ideal for new lungs, they feel this is short term and necessary at this time. They installed a "pick line" IV later today which will also be used for manual injections. Oxygen saturation ideally at 100% remains variable in the low 90%-high 80's at rest. She still has all drainage tubes (front and back) which are connected to vacuum pumps and these appear to be causing the most discomfort. She had a "bronc" today but the pathology results are unknown. The pain management is under control (about a 3 on a 1-10 scale) and she says she feels slightly better. Her voice is weak and although her sentences are short, she is coherent and cognitive skills are sound. I have told her of the many well wishing messages that we have received but it will take time for her to feel like listening to the details.

So the plan is for her to practice deeper breathing and coughing, get her out of the bed, walking and into the chair most of the time in lieu of the bed, wean her from the ventilator type machine and oxygen and install the stomach feeding tube Thursday. She could possibly move to a Step Down Unit soon but will be determined by her progress. The sips of water she was given was incorrect but they will allow for a few ice chips and have given her a small sponge on a stick to dip in water and moisten her lips and mouth.

Certainly a much better day today and although her progress was in mini steps, she appears to be generally meeting expectations.