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.