Sunday August 17: This morning we arrived a little later than usual with having to change rooms at the hotel. As we arrived at the hospital this morning Joyce was wide awake and recognized us immediately. As I held Joyces hand she squeezed very firmly. The Trauma team was already situated outside her door discussing her case as usual. Her fever is non-existent anymore, blood pressure is stable but fluctuates if she gets agitated or is in a deep sleep which will reduce the numbers slightly. When the attending doctor and his team came in to do their morning update and assessment he was able to get Joyce to squeeze has hand very firmly, and she was able to wiggle her toes on command. She also raised her leg but there is some strength issues that is understandable. The doctor discussed that the ventilator will remain in for 1 or 2 days to verify she can clear the congestion by herself. The possibility of a trach is looking less needed if she continues to progress and can breathe on her own. They conducted a test today to allow her to breathe by herself for 30 minutes, she passed this test with no complications. Her settings on the ventilator are at the bare minimum for a cleared airway. She slept a good portion of the day, and occasionally opened her eyes when her co-workers and friends came to visit today. These visits are a tremendous help not only to Joyce but to our family as well showing the loving support and compassion of everyone. They have stopped giving her pain medication, but later in the day she became a little agitated and uncomfortable. I asked her if she was in pain she nodded no, but when asked do you want the tubes removed she nodded yes. She is getting just a single dose of pain medication when needed to help her calm down and to sleep. If Joyce continues to improve as she has in the last 24 hours we are looking forward to this next week of improvements. Continue to pray and send positive thoughts so that things continue to progress and that God puts his loving hands on Joyce and recognizes the loving, caring, and compassionate person she is!!!!
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:17:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015