As I posted earlier, we started our day off with a bang by getting rid of that stinking ventilator. As the day went on she started breathing heavier and was just having a harder time breathing than the DR's wanted her to have. This is obviously to be expected because she has freaking pneumonia. This afternoon they put her on something called a BiPap machine which is similar to what someone with sleep apnea would use. All of the nurses reassured us that this is not something horrible or awful. It is a mask that goes over her face and a loud machine pumps air/pressure/other things I don't understand to help her breathe. It's kind of an in between from having just oxygen or being full fledged on the ventilator. It was described as feeling like having a leaf blower in your face. Sounds awful, yet better than the tube down your throat. When we went in to say goodnight to her, she was off the BiPap, but they are thinking she will do some time on it, some time off it, etc, etc. until her lungs are stronger. They are also working on getting all the crud/fluid out of her lungs. She is working on doing this by coughing and suctioning, but it's just a long and slow process. So for tonight...prayers/good vibrations for strong and clear lungs. Since she had a harder time breathing today, they let her rest instead of trying to get her out of bed. They are hoping to get her up and at 'em tomorrow and will call in a Physical Therapist to help with this. She will probably be seen by an Occupational Therapist and a Speech Pathologist as well. I'll be interested to see how these therapists work in hospitals because I've only seen them in action in a school setting.
We are all remembering that every single person has told us you don't just shoot yourself out of the ICU with no issues. There are hiccups and bumps along the way and that is to be expected. Brandon (head nurse who is awesome) reminded us today that she's in the ICU and that's really never good. From our perspective...we want her to stay with them in ICU as LONG as she needs to. These nurses and doctors are ridiculously attentive. She is essentially getting one-on-one care and even though we want her out of there...we are all hesitant to leave our "comfort zone." I would assume it's like when you have a baby (thank goodness this is just speculation). You want to take your baby home but don't want to leave that "safety net" that is the hospital.
Well that's all for tonight. First post in a while without pictures. Sorry about that! I will try harder tomorrow to poke around the hospital and find picture worthy things.
We love you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love,
The Queen's Royal Court
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