Sunday, June 27, 2010

Hello from Carol Ann. I am settled in at home, trying to take it easy. That does not come easy for me. Seems like there are always so many things that need done and it is so difficult to put them off. Beth keeps reminding me to ask for help. She tells me to repeat over and over, "I can ask for help," "I can ask for help," "I can ask for help." It just seems to go against the grain if you know what I mean.

Spent Friday night at Becky's. She and I ran some errands on Saturday and I left for my house at about 2:00 PM. Chris and the boys were here to go swimming so we all went to the pool for an hour or so. It was sooooo great to get into the water - I love exercising in the pool. Our weather has been quite warm so the pool was not too cold. It was nice to sit in the sun for a little while, too. Beth called and invited me to a surprise birthday get-to-gether for Katie at Jared's house at 7:00 PM. She came and picked me up and also brought me home. Frank made yummy pizzas - he sure likes being in the kitchen and cooking. Katie was surprised. Jared has purchased a really nice home not too far from here. It was good to see all of Beth's family. I can't believe how AJ's kids have grown. Never a dull moment for Cami, I am sure. Little Ty got stung by a wasp - he really keeps her hopping!

I am determined to take it easy today. Decided to forego church and just relax. I really need to take a Tai Chi or yoga class to teach me to relax - I really am NOT good at that. Someday, maybe I will accomplish the art of relaxation, I hope. It will probably help my blood pressure, think?

Better run. Have a wonderful Sunday. Love to all, Carol
PS. Today, Smokey Joe is one year old! Happy Birthday, Smokey!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Hi! Carol Ann here!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am home! I left Aspen Ridge West yesterday afterbnoon. It is good to be home - now I can go to the pool and work on my tan! ha!

I hated to leave ARW - it was such a wonderful place with the nicest people ever! But I knew I was a short-timer because I could get around better than any other person in there. I was even waiting on tables in the dining room - ha!

I am going to spend tonight down at Becky's and then we will bring Smokey Joe home tomorrow and we will put some time in at the pool.
Becky keeps telling me she needs a "Mom fix" since she has not been able to come to ARW to visit as often as she would like. So we will take care of that with my visit tonight!

Poor Smokey Joe - he probably doesn't even know where he belongs anymore. Altho, I know he has fun with Chopper and Annie. He also enjoys the run of the fenced yard at Becky's. It should be interesting this evening to see if he acknowledges me or gives me the cold shoulder for leaving him for so long. Stand by for future reports of dog behavior. ha

I sincerely hope that I have had my last trip to the hospital for a while. We are getting way too familiar with that IMC hospital. Granted, it is a very nice hospital, but we need to draw the line somewhere! I have an appt. to return to the Cardiac Clinic in a week or two but other than that I hope to steer clear of the place. Last weekend, I did go see Leon and on Wednesday, Merri and I went to visit with Jim Geirloff after he had heart surgery. I guess visits would be okay - but I really hope I don't go again as a patient!

Will sign off for this time - just wanted to share the good news that I was home. Home is NOT a bad place to be!

Love to all,
Carol Ann

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Hi!

This is Carol Ann just checking in.
Things are on an even keel here at Aspen Ridge West, rather a slow day since there is no physical therapy today.
Just getting ready to go down to Sacrament Meeting so I may have to cut this post short. I have had three visitors already today. Merri popped in followed closely by Barb and Blair. Merri relayed the info that Leon fell during the night and broke his back (L3) specifically. He is at the IMC on the 11th floor. He is in a lot of pain but they have him on morphine. Merri is still running on nervous energy since she was awakened at 2:30 AM. She will need to slow down soon and get some shut eye for sure! Good thing they had their Father's Day BBQ last night - won't be much cooking done today!
It was good to see Blair - haven't seen her since I went into the hospital. They brought me roses and she arranged them in a vase and got my room all tidied up neat and clean. She and Barb helped me down to the dining room for lunch before they left. This facility is centrally located so the kids can pop in and out easily.

Had a nice phone call from Hunter last evening. He is such a character and uses such colorful language! Altho, I think he did tone it down a bit during our conversation. ha! Colby and Kristen have a little baby girl - about three weeks old.

Better get down to Church. May write more later. Love to all,
Carol

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Hi!
I have gotta' remember to always ID myself since I am using Becky's Google account. Anyway, this is Carol doing this writing.

It is so wonderful to be able to add thoughts to the blog. 'Really had a busy day - I went down to Physical Therapy (P/T) extra early because the staff was trying to finish up by noon so they could go to the company Lagoon day. Aides from Ogden came down to cover and now tomorrow some of our aides will go to Ogden to cover for them while they go to Lagoon. Everyone here is so nice and these substitute aides have been wonderful.

As I sat in the dining room at noon, the other ladies and I watched an edible bouquet being delivered here. We talked about how the flowers are made from fruit, the leaves are slices of honeydew and cantalope and then there were strawberries, grapes, pineapple daisies dipped in chocolate. Yummy stuff. Anyway, when I got back to my room it was on my table. A terrific surprise from my sister.

Another nice call from another brother. Dale called and he is always fun to talk too. I just wish we did it more often! Talked with Marie for a few minutes - she sounds well. Their family is all doing okay.

Hit a major milestone on the Spirometer yesterday. I can hit 1750 consistently and am now stretching to hit 2000. Yes! Before, I could only make it to 1250 - another indication that I had no room to expand my lungs! Duh! I am feeling better everyday - am enjoying the P/T and the "Life of Riley". ha!

Don't know how long they will let me stay here - I am hoping for three weeks. It's been a week since I arrived here at Aspen Ridge West.

Okay, it is about 4:30 AM so I think I will try to snooze for awhile before everyone starts moving around this morning. Have a wonderful day and give my love to all. Carol

Monday, June 14, 2010

Well, I just published an addition to the blog under the "Tribal Revival" I will see if I can copy and paste any of it. Guess that is not going to work - so here we go again! I just love these 'technical difficulties'. Aaawwggghhh!

Another ordinary day here at Aspen Ridge West. Usual physical therapy this AM and then Melanie stopped by to drop off my clean laundry and Bonnie came by to have lunch with me. For $5.00 and two hours advance notice anyone can join us for any meal. They serve really nice meals that look beautiful and are tasty too. Chris Rich also stopped in at about noon. He is such a neat kid!

At about 3:00 pm I went down to the gym to play Bingo. There were only about six of us and it was alot of fun. I even won a game and chose a small jigsaw puzzle as a prize. I will be able to work on it here in my room in off hours. This place is such a delight! Closest thing to a spa that I have ever experienced. I imagine I could find a spa that would put me thru a lot more pain and charge me a lot more money if I looked really hard. ha!

I had a wonderful phone call from my brother, Keith, this afternoon. It is so great to talk with him. He said he did have a nice call from Merri but he did want to talk to me personally. He sends his love to all and reports that his family is doing fine. He is such a country gentleman and so fun to visit with.

Evelyn is loving the life of a beach bum during her second week in Florida. She loves the beach and the pool and Wally loves playing golf. Such is the life of "roughing it easy" as retired folk.

Not much other news from here. Give my love to all, Carol

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Another overcast day with cool temps. I think we surely must be ahead of the usual rainfall amounts. The weather is quite unexpected for the middle of June.

Life for me here at Aspen Ridge West is wonderful. This facility is beautiful - just like a five star hotel. I didn't even know places like this existed. The good thing is that everyone is here for the same purpose - to get better and go home. The decor inside and out is beautiful. The staff and the other patients are very nice and eager to help in any way. I am meeting a lot of new friends and enjoy their company and getting to know them.

Physical therapy is a challenge but is so comical to watch. Most all patients are older than me and they do a lot of the same exercises as I do. Of course, we do have a few whiners, those who sleep while in P/T, etc - very entertaining. I admire the P/T techs who are soooooo patient and keep after their patients until they get their work accomplished.

This center is located in the middle of the valley - so convenient for most of the kids. They drop in whenever possible. Melanie took me to my home the other day and we got some of my clothes and other things that I need to have here with me. She took me to the grocery store and we had quite an adventure. Then she took my laundry home to do and will bring it back tomorrow. Beth came to the house while we were there to give me a hair cut and a new "do". The next day she came here for lunch and to tour the facility. That day (Friday) was a big day because I had lots of visitors. Becky and Merri have been in and out often - seems like there are always some things that I need and don't have.

Well, it is almost time for breakfast so I will close for now. Love to all, Carol

Another sleepless night

It is very early on Saturday morning. Haven't been able to sleep so decided to try the computer and see if it makes me drowsy. ha!

Had a really full day yesterday. Appointment at the Cardiac Clinic at the hospital early am. Got back here to Aspen Ridge and went straight into Physical Therapy and had a really good workout. It is such fun to sit and watch others doing their P/T. I am one of the really young people here - so I don't dare complain about the activities because the little old lady that is 93 is doing the same exercises I do. It is interesting to see/hear others - very, very entertaining. Most of the people arrive at P/T in wheelchairs. Today, one guy just kept falling asleep and it took him a looooong time to get his P/T completed.

Beth came for lunch and to see the facility. Later in the afternoon, I had visits from my friends, Bernice and Arla. Steph, Libby, Curtis and Carolyn arrived, followed by Chris Rich. Merri was already here and participated in the signing of many papers about my stay here at Aspen Ridge. I always like to have another person present for such "signings". Found out I can stay here for 100 days - what Medicare doesn't cover my supplemental will. I may never want to go home. ha!

Curtis brought me book two of Harry Potter. I hope to get a lot of reading done today. After dinner, Steph and Bryan Boose and their four little ones arrived for a visit. So I had a really big day! I hope I can doze a lot today since it is Saturday maybe it will be a slower pace around here.

It has rained nearly all day and night. Today's temps were in the 50s and I think the same is forecast for tomorrow. Pretty chilly for the middle of June.

My appt. at the Cardiac Clinic was uneventful. They asked all the usual questions, drew some blood, and told me I was doing so good that I don't have to go back for a month! My heart is now functioning normally. Amazing - what a turn around can do. Once they got the water around my heart and lungs - everything is good. I am definitely NOT complaining.
Will close for now.
PS I forgot to sign this one. Carol

You will not believe this-2

Aaawwwwggghhh! It did it again! My 3 or 4 paragraphs has disappeared! I could just scream!

While I was at dinner tonight - I was tapped on the shoulder......my favorite doctor told me he left my newspaper on my bed and said he liked my room. I reminded him that I have a good friend who has an IN with the concierge here. When I got back to my room I found not only the paper but a beautiful orchid plant. What a guy! I think our family is going to adopt him!

Everyone I have met here is wonderful! That is residents and staff. I had breakfast and then later had lunch with the same little old lady. We went to physical therapy at 9:00 AM and got out just in time for lunch at noon. She did the same exercises as I did (I am sure I will feel all those lazy muscles in the morning) - anyway, she told me she is 93!-----old enough to be my mother! She is recuperating from a fall. Another nice thing about being in this intermediate care facility is that everyone is here to get better and go home.

I am the "kid" here - everyone thinks I am so spry. At breakfast, I ended up serving another table of ladies. I think they were under the impression that I work here. ha ha!

Gonna' sign off before this disappears again! Give my love to all. Again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers! Love, love, love, Carol

Footloose and Fancy Free

Computers are wonderful to a point - I wrote yesterday and saved a couple long paragraphs as a draft and guess what? You got it - the draft is nowhere to be found. Darn it!

I was transported to Aspen Ridge West Intermediate Care Center just after lunch yesterday. This is a beautiful facility. I have a private room, bath w/shower, DirectTV, Wireless Internet, climate control of my own room, 5 star accommodations with 24/7 nursing staff. Hopefully after three weeks of coronary rehab I will have developed new habits that will lead me to a healthier person.

The grounds are beautiful - lots of flowers, trees, shrubs: the inside is really nice with a library, dining room, physical therapy rooms, aquarium etc - I wish you could all come visit me and see just what I mean. I think Merri did post a link which would take you on a virtual tour of Aspen Ridge West.

My kids have been sooooooo wonderful - I never was alone while at the hospital - someone was with me 24/7 in ICU as well as on the Heart/Lung Floor. I so appreciate all their love and concern. Family is what it is all about!

Merri mentioned Dr. Aman - he is the nicest man ever! At the hospital, whenever someone talked about that nice doctor - you KNOW they were talking about him. He told me all about when he met his wife - how beautiful she is - their one and only date, their son, etc - what a man! He showed me a letter from President Monson which gives him a "home free" IN to heaven - ha ha! He also told me he is a "Jack Monson." What a hoot!

I guess I gave the kids a really big scare and am sorry about that because I was unconscious for about three days and didn't know what was going on until Wednesday, June 2. But yesterday the doctor told me about the three Ultrasound tests since I arrived at the hospital and with Monday's test - it shows my heart is working normally now. Yes!

My phone number in my room is 801-713-3213, and my cell is still 801-661-6543. Call - I would love to chat with you. Best to call after 11:00 AM because I am in physical therapy until then.

Thanks again for all the love and prayers and the fasting. All has been greatly appreciated. Give my love to all. Carol

She's baaaaaaacccccccckkkkk!

Melly stayed with mom over night and it was completely, udderly uneventful.  Dr. Monsoor Emam brings mom a paper each day!  He is very sweet.  I will let mom elaborate when she is ready to blog.  She has attempted to blog a few times, but encountered a few technical difficulties.  We'll let her try again later.  If we continue down this path, she will be released either tomorrow, or Wednesday!

Mom asked that we look into a intermediate care facility.  Michele, mom's social worker, is helping us get lined up there.  Mom looked at a few online and her first choice is Aspen Ridge West.  You can check out the website at www.aspenridgewest.ahcfacilities.com.  Dr. Emam says it's like a 5star hotel.  She can be there up to 20 days.

More later - Merri

6/6/10 - Good Sunday Morning!

We had a restful night.  The overnight staff is less intrusive than in ICU.  They were like small breezes that slipped in and out.  Mom slept well - I slept like the dead, as usual (not a great quality for the 'night watchman'). 

At last check mom's sugar was down to 154.  Looking back to last evening's high sugar scare, there were some hints of what was coming.  I thought I should share them with her other 'watchers', so we can nip any future  Mom was unusually chatty.  Mom is wonderful to talk to and with, but she was doing more of the talking than usual.  Then when she laid back and shut her eyes, she got down-right goofy.  She was laughing and poking at something in the air.  The nurse (Anne) tried to ask her a few questions, like 'what day is it?... do you know where you are?' - and I could tell she wanted to answer, had the answer, but couldn't bring her self out of sleep enough to answer.  When Anne and I tried to wake her, we couldn't (panic).  It took several minutes (enough for me to call for backup) before we could bring her up and out of that sleep but then she would only bubble to the surface, for a few seconds.

She  is doing quite well this morning. 

Out of Intensive Care! No more tubes!

This evening mom got moved out of ICU!  Yippie!  We are in room 408.  However, she gave us another scare.  Her sugar has been on the rise and tonight, when her new nurse, Anne tried to ask her some questions, she was unresponsive.  We couldn't wake her up.  I (Merri) was here alone with her and it felt very familiar - seemed just like last Sunday when this whole thing started!  I immediately called for family back-up - Leo, TJ, and Becky came running.  However, by the time they got here, mom was talking to Anne, still a little goofy, but not for long.  She is back to her cheerful, chatty, coherent self - thank goodness.  Following Dr. Eman's orders, Anne gave her some insulin and brought her sugar from 320 to 154.  Whew!  I have the overnight shift and have told Bex she can go back home, but I am secretly wishing she stays. 

2 am Saturday June 5th.

Wow what a day of activity!!! Momma is sleeping quite well at this point. But Cory and I are pretty awake. In all the hub-bub, Barbie and I forgot to tell momma that Cory was coming up for the night. So when he got here, she was very pleasantly surprised to see him, and thrilled to know that he was going to be staying. Barbie bid us adieu and went home to rest and recoup. What a vigilant and valiant caregiver she is. Thanks Barbie!!!

Mom did a good job with the spirometer, consistently hitting 1250, and that was at midnight. Her RN tonight is Cobi, A great nurse who really wanted to explain to us what mom's heart is experiencing. Of Course mom told her how mad she was when they sent her home after her April 22nd visit here, with info on Congestive Heart Failure, especially since she did not ever heard one person say the words during her stay. They used words like, effusion and she just did not want to think "failure" of course... really, who does want to think failure of any kind???

So Cobi explained to Cory and I how just like when you get a good scrape on your arm, the body reacts to injury or insult the area under attack will become inflamed and will weep, putting off liquids to protect the assaulted tissues. The kidneys do it, the skin does it, eyes do it, Nose does it, guess what?? So does the heart!!! And Momma's heart has had alot of irritation and annoyances lately.

That, I felt was a good layman's interpretation of what is going on. And it makes complete sense.

Of Note: we have just had to put her Oxygen cannulea back in for the third time. She is sleeping quite soundly and has pulled it out. She has no idea we have put it back..... Another reason we need to be diligent and watch her. You know I remember her doing that on Saturday night in Lakeview Hospital too. Umm .... I am not liking that thought path. I am Closing this post as Cory begins to snore in Stereo with momma, yes we are sleeping on the floor in her room (very against the rules - Yikes!!) ...... I am going to hold her hand and lay my head on her bed so I can know when she moves to scratch her face and maybe pull the cannulea again. We gotta make sure her O2 Saturation stays up there if we are hoping to get out of ICU - and onto a regular floor.

Huge hugs and Big Love,

Becky Sue

Wishing I Was Bedside with My Momma

I am thinking of you from afar Mom.  I will get there as quick as I can tomorrow.  I am glad you are doing so much better.  I can't wait to be back by your bedside, holding your hand.  See you soon!  Love you!  Merri

Keep those cards and letters coming!!

We share all of your well wishes, emails, phone calls, posts, etc. with Mom.  She is very pleased to hear from all of you.  Keep the words of encouragement coming.  (The beautiful bouquet  in the picture is from Beth.) 

Friday 6/4 Noonish

Becky's Cryptic note taking while Docs were in the room.

Doctor Revenaugh.( Cardiologist)

He is talking about what they believe started this all. Fluid retention in Intestines

as well as heart and lungs.

Contributing factors:

Overdoing - Physical activities

Forgetting Lasix (diuretic)

Facts:

heart muscle is weakened

Replacement Valve could have been too Small

Heart Failure Service - Clinic Participation here at IHC with special team of CHF specialists,

Barb Asked how long we would work with the CHF team until we are facing the possibility of

a mechanical valve. Dr. Ravenaugh Made it very clear that would be the worst case scenario, and he was confident that working with the CHF Team and the Program here at IHC would

avert the need for another Open heart Surgery.

Maybe tomorrow out of ICU - Into a regular room - But in the

Hospital here until mid next week.

Current Condition is Stated as "Critical but Stable" or "Guarded".

They are talking about her getting ICE CHIPS!!!!!!

The social worker is here asking mom about her concerns about discharge concerns.

1000 on the incentive spirometer. HOORAY!!! hit 1500 @ noon and Again at 12:30PM

11:20 - she is out for a walk with the PT and Beth.

Back from the walk and Wade gave her ICE CHIPS - she said it was better than Caviar.

(ANYTHING is better than caviar!!)

Dr. Rasmussen (Critical Care Intensivist)- She is too well for his service. He is going to have to move on and find some body sick.

Ordered Dietary Changes - Remove Nasal Gastric tube, Get on soft foods - 3 Meals a day.

Heart failure Specialists will move into her caring team and will work with Dr. Revenaugh.

______________________________________________

Barbie and I Are holding steady but getting hungry ..... Can you hear the tummy rumbles - Time to think about food ...........

Love to all, Thank you for celebrating the good news with us.

Huge hugs and big love,

Becky Sue & Barbie Too!!!!

Friday AM 6\4

Hello Again Kaggie Fans,

Last night was a more restful one for momma. since they ex-tubated her yesterday afternoon, they had her breathing with a misting mask over her nose and mouth to help her airway and voice box heal from the trauma of the Endo Tracheal Tube. This morning she is on a regular oxygen canulea and is much more comfortable. And is resting well.

Today the plan is for The physical Therapist to get her up and moving around as much as possible.

I want to share with you some things I learned from Blessed Bryan (the ICU nurse that worked so diligently that first day Here) About the differences in the Medical grade classifications. Since I had always understood that being on a Ventilator was the criteria for "critical" condition. He told me "yes you are right", (my favorite four words). He told me they consider momma in "Guarded" Condition. The reason we are still in ICU is because she is still on IV Epinephrine And because the recent ex-tubation has her as an aspiration risk. So until they (speech Therapy) give her the green light so she can swallow, an she gets some ice chips and applesauce, to go down. We will be in ICU, for a few more days it looks. Then they will be able to get her to a recovery type floor. We Floor sleepers are very excited about that possibility. (Aunt Ev hates the futon beds in the regular rooms, but compared to the floor sleeping, it is like the Ritz!) But Having Momma in the unit or on the floor that is best for HER is Priority number one. She has now spoken to Aunt Ev and Ray and Verna Roberts, on the phone. Right now they are giving her a bath at bedside - she is in a chair next to the bed. and she is loving the shampoo she is getting from Natalie. She just said this was like a having a spa day. She is smiling and happy right now. We are coming to you directly from her room right now. More later as we get to talk with the doctor and Physical Therapists.

Love and hugs to all!!

Becky Sue

2am on Thursday June 3rd: Random Notes

Just a couple of noteworthy things:

Since you have all heard about Momma's Unusual degree of fiestiness, I need to share this with you. As you know she has been able to communicate with us via dry erase board. She signaled to write so I prepared the board and since she pulls the clipboard ( which has a 8 x 10 dry erase "notepad" taped to the back of it) and I can not see what she writes until she is finished writing, I was not quite prepared for what I was about to see.......

She turns the board towards me, motions toward her foley (urinary) catheter, and then points to the words she had written "This is the Piss" then she pointed to the cardio-centesis fluid collection bag and points to the words she had written. "this is the vinegar". We laughed so hard that she had a coughing fit.

Also of note:

The ventilator machine puts off a series of tones, that varies depending on the mode it is set on. Right now the alarm tone for indicating an abnormal pattern of breathing ( in which category laughter is definitely located) The machine puts off a tone very much like the Horn that one of the Marx Brothers uses, And it just seems to make us laugh even harder. I think we have determined the machines name is Harpo. Knowing that laughter is truly the best medicine, I believe this model of ventilator had a development team of comic geniuses ( to get the Harpo Horn so right) or they need to make the Machine smart enough to identify the difference between gasps and guffahs.

Another tidbit:

Inter-mountain Medical Center is unrivaled in quality of care. Doctors Hildegard Smith and Ravenaugh have been stellar. The ICU Nurses are amazing, first in their caring of Mom, and second in their compassion to her children. They Are Bryan, Ryan, Claire, Joni, Stephanie and Adam. They have allowed us to stay with momma - even though the "book" does not allow for that. They have answered our questions, without making us feel like "lesser educated beings" same with the PT's OT's and CNA's and with only one exception the Resp Therapists have been awesome as well ( Special ^5 for Juliet who suggested throwing darts at "lil Hilter")

Last one:

When someone tells you that LDS elders are not available to give a Momma in an ICU unit a blessing at 1:15 am, go ask someone else!!! There are blessed beings available at any and all times. Just a tip, Try asking the Under appreciated, over worked, sweet spirit at the Emergency Room registration of any hospital. when she says "I know just who to call - do you want One or Two?" Then hands you a kleenex when she sees your tears. You know you were guided to the right person. Angels are everywhere. I dare you to doubt it.

OK I am done for now - Thanks for reading my rant.

Peace & Blessings,

Becky Sue

Night time 6/2 closing in on 6/3

Hey Kaggie fans!!!

She has had a day full of excitement. The Physical and occupational therapy, marching by the bed, an actual out of bed commode experience. A Sponge Bath, visits from a few different Doctors, beloved family visits. Still on the ventilator, still in ICU. We know we are at least going through the night with the vent tube in place. There is a chance that if her night is a smooth one - she may get the tube out tomorrow. Although she had a recent episode during a tracheal suctioning (about an hour ago) it really made her mad. She decided that writing on the erasable white board kind of communicating is the best - through that we have really been able to get her feelings and fears,l and thoughts, and such. it has been a great relief. We tell her of the Phone calls into any of us and comments on the blog. She really can feel your love and prayers. Keep them coming, we have a few more corners to turn. She even turned on the TV and watched the news. I hope she has a great and restful night and that tomorrow she will continue to make improvements.

Peace and Blessings,

Becky Sue

6/2 - We are communicating! Yippie!

Thanks for all the suggestions! The hospital had an alphabet board that we commandeered. Couple that with a pointing device and woo-hoo we have communication! We have made great strides today. She is awake and alert. They turned off the ventilator, it's not breathing for her at all, but is providing some oxygen. Her O2 sats are staying over 90. Her lungs got a little lazy while she was on the ventilator, we have to keep reminding her to take deep breaths. Tuffy went and bought a kitchen timer that goes off every 2 minutes to remind her to breathe deep. They removed many of the wires and tubes (Bex will have to fill you in on the names and purposes of each - she's the one that speaks medical-lingo). She has seen the physical and occupational therapists today. They had her up and marching in place! What a difference a day makes! Your prayers are appreciated and obviously working! Keep them coming!

6/1 Evening update - She spunky - but angry

Mom has been awake more this afternoon and evening. However, she is very frustrated and angry that she can't communicate with us verbally. We are trying very hard to understand what she is trying to say. We have used many mediums (maybe we need a medium - or mind reader). We tried having her write, which she can do, but with the tube down her throat she can't pick-up her head and her hands are restrained to keep her from pulling out the tubes (and she would if she could), so that means she is writing blindly. Her first written communication was 'pile of balls - velcro' followed by 'molecular model' - she was thrilled when we confirmed that she was telling us she feels like a 'molecular model'. If anyone out there can interpret the significance of that, please do. We apologized for our poor Charades and Pictionary skills, to which she replied, 'you need to play more'. We tried making an alphabet board that she can point to, but that frustrated her as well. We are open to suggestions on how to better communicate with her non-verbally, if you have suggestions. We were able to understand her when she told us she misses her mom and dad, and that she feels bad for Sandy Sterling, because she doesn't have a mom. Barb seems to be best able to understand her and she isn't letting Barb leave her side. Melanie and I are spending the night, too - for moral support for Barbie. She smiles and nods when we tell her of all the calls and messages from friends and family - keep those coming.

Tuesday 5pm

They ran a CT scan this afternoon, They did not place a chest tube as they anticipated they would need. There is not a whole lot of effusion (Lung/heart excess fluid) They did place a Nasal Gastric tube for feeding. She will be on the ventilator for at least another day. They ran an arterial line into her left wrist, so they can remove the one in her right groin. Adam told me they are hoping to get her up to walk around - Of course I assumed that meant she would be off the ventilator to do that.... but he quickly corrected me, and let me know they can go for walks on the vent. (Darnit - I just know she would so like to get that out. She asked about Aunt Ev, and also asked about Frank.

Tuesday Morning 6/1/2010

We had an uneventful night. Mom is pretty much the same as the last update. She is still running a fever and they are still trying to determine where her infection is hiding. They have cultured everything they can, but cultures take time to grow. So time is what we are looking at, and it is seeming to be moving so slowly. Merri and I slept well last night, and are determined to stick out the day. I am sure as the day wears on we may change our minds.

Today's Momma's nurse is Adam, (if you watch Big Bang, Picture Sheldon..., yes really!!) He let us know that the Hildegard Smith team will be gathering to discuss the course of action for today. We will post more once they have let us know what the plan for the day is.

Love to all.....

Becky Sue

PS: Hildegard Smith is Utah's Dr House!! She is the Critical Care Team lead and is held in very high esteem by her team members. Since I LOVE House, I am relieved to know that we have the best of the best working our Sweet Momma.