I got to the ICU at @5:30am. She was loopy but awake. Ernie had been her nurse all night and he had nothing but glowing reports about her progress.
He used all the words I wanted to hear:
Strong
Fantastic
Beautiful
Vibrant
Feisty
Super Woman
Spirited
Spunky
They had the ventilator turned off since about 5:00am. Effectively, she was breathing on her own. At 6:30, they removed ventilator completely. Sweet relief. Important milestone.
Because of the pneumonia, the greatest fear and concern was that she would have a hard time getting off the vent. She exceeded the expectation.
After a few minutes, she squeaked out a few commands. "Water." Next, she winced, "Ouch." "What day is it?" "Where are my glasses!"was followed by "Hi Ninny."
The cardiac surgeon was doing rounds and was just working on Moms chart. He glowed about her progress. He tells her that she needs to sit up in a chair today and start eating some liquids. She had some oatmeal and coffee right away.
Again, I am not clinical in any way (I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night), but the monitors in her room seemed to be tracking a very stable set of vitals. I can say that only because I was intent on understanding the stats in the holding room before the surgery. Those numbers were wildly erratic. Before the surgery, her heartbeats were arrhythmic and very fast. Today, it was seemed perfect.
He wants to keep her in ICU for a few days. Might go to COU on Monday.
We went back again at 10am and again at 6pm. Steve and Pam were there most of the afternoon. Mom was seldom without a family member there for more than an hour or so. She is doing great. She sat in a chair for a few hours and had some soup. Her favorite Nun, Sister Pat came by.
A spoon full of ice chips. Nap. TV."Where are my glasses! TV. Nap. TV. "Fix my hair!"
She's doing fine.
I'll go back on Sunday morning and meet with the Cardiac Surgeon and Pulmonogist.
Time to rest and heal.
The Vols are on tonight and she wants to see the game.
She thinks that Dooley is cute.
She's doing just fine.
So happy to hear that she has received her gift. She sounds like a strong awesome lady. It is amazing what a good Doctor can do these days to save a life. We will keep all of you in our prayers. Brian, your writing is excellent, so I am expecting your first novel middle of next year?!
ReplyDeleteLove, Kathy $ Jeff Kraintz and family
Hi Brian....What is Judy's status as of today, the nineth? No news is good news but being across the US we are anxious to hear her progress!
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Judy is a special friend to me going back 65 years, so I care very much for her recovery.........Hugs,Sue