Christi here~
I had hoped to report that the trach was out today, but alas, it’s not. Although she continues to breathe well on her own, the doctors wanted to wait until after the weekend just in case there were any complications after its removal. I see the wisdom in their choice, but I really HATE that thing!
She worked really hard for all of her therapists today, but I think physical therapy was the toughest. She was working and breathing so hard at one point that she blew the cap off her trach and hit her physical therapist with it! (I really tried not to laugh. Okay, not that hard.) They went through stretching for full range of motion and that seemed to be really painful. In fact, when the therapist said, “It’s getting better,” she replied, “Better than what?!” She also did some more sitting up to help strengthen her core. She has trouble holding her head up and she lists to the right, but they’re working on it. She also got her first real shower today. What a nice change from sponge baths! Her occupational therapists helped her put on her very own pajamas, so that was a nice change from the drafty gown, but alas, it had to go back on for the night.
Although she still doesn’t really know anyone’s name, she really does seem to recognize people and realize that they are somehow familiar to her. She was talking about Zachary and called him her “Pooh Bear,” and that is her nickname for him! She continues to eat real food and to chat with us. Sometimes it makes sense, and sometimes it doesn’t, but she seems to be making sense more often than she did in the beginning, so I thank God for her progress. When her therapist asked her what she would like to be called, she replied, “Sweetheart.” So good night, Sweetheart. Sleep well and let your brain heal.