Day 4 Less eventful, more stability, a day of rest

The day was a lot less eventful and that is good. For Louise it was a rough night. She hit the call button for the nurse about 30 times at 3 am. Why, the heck, didn't she come? Finally she came in. Oops Louise had hit the wrong button 30 times. She hit the pain medication button. So she was so overdosed on pain medication that they had to give her a shot to reverse the narcotic in her. Too much medicine had caused her lungs to slow way down and she was breathing very shallow. They called in the respiratory doctors who put a mask on her and told her they might have to put the respirator back on. They didn't but she was so scared that she started coughing and felt like she was going to throw up. It was a real long night for her.

However, by morning she was fine. She was not drugged at all and seemed to be feeling well. She did sleep most of the morning. Because she has had these respiratory problems and fluid build-up in her chest, the doctor has stayed very conservative with her. He kind of gave her another day to improve before he starts doing more tests. She has gone another day without getting any nourishment into her intestinal feeding tube. Her intestines and bowels are still "asleep" and they want to wait another day before they try to put anything in them. She also has not had anything go down her throat. They fear that it might leak and the more days of healing that go by before they try anything, the less likely there would be a leak and infection. They won't even let her have ice chips. She is still asking everyone to sneak her a drink.

They have told us that tomorrow she will be tested for swallowing. They will let her drink a little barium and they will watch it through the x-rays to see if it leaks. So her first drink is barium. Yuk!!

They had the physical therapist come to help Louise get out of bed to sit in the chair for longer than yesterday. After they spent the 15 minutes disconnecting, reconnecting and changing all containers to a little cart so she could walk 2 feet to the chair, they decided she was doing so well that they took her on a walk around the whole ICU pod. She did great and was not in much pain as she walked. it did wear her out but we were all very encouraged with the first walk. She then set in a chair for over an hour which they say is also very good for the lungs and heart. As she sat in the chair, Kelsey and Brady had her watch her favorite DVD, episode of I Love Lucy. I even saw her crack a smile once in a while. She was very happy and ready to jump (or rather gently flop) into bed thereafter.

So as I said at first it was a less eventful and hopefully healing day. Louise was a lot more in tune today. Thanks to all of you for your comments and emails. I have read them to her and she has been so happy to hear from you all. I'll be back with another update tomorrow.

Gute Nacht!
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