ICU #36

Today was a '2 steps forward, 1 step back' day. Last night Linda had some bleeding from her lower incision and required 2 units of blood. Fortunately her vitals remained fairly stable during the mini-bleed and mostly returned to normal during the course of the day. The docs have given her meds for gi tract bleeding and are waiting to see if this works. She was quite disappointed that she couldn't do the trach cradle today - just too weak and tired from last night's ordeal. However tonight she was looking much perkier and Pete (RT) was by to say they'll try all day tomorrow.

Deb phoned tonight to say she and Sean are flying in on Saturday - just for overnight - so she can see her 'baby sister' and maybe concoct an escape plan!! Looking forward to seeing them!

ICU #35

Wow - another busy day for her! She was looking quite tired tonight. They decided to insert an ATV (or is that some kind of dangerous sport vehicle?) line so they can remove all her intravenous lines. The new one is safer and has 3 ports for whatever needs to go into the blood stream. They also did a ct scan this afternoon and found a small pocket of fluid in her abdomen which could just be drainage or could be a small abcess - they're keeping an eye on it. Relieved to hear that they won't have to open her up to get at it - just insert a needle in the abdomen. She's doing well with the feeding line and indicated (we're developing a complicated system of facial expressions and hand gestures as a form of communication) that she could taste it - don't know how - maybe the smell is bringing back gustatory memories!

During our conversation (!) this morning, Linda asked about her thoracic incision (done for the massage of her heart) and so I told her about that Wednesday night - quite a lot for her to take in and she looked, understandably, scared. But she knows she's getting better and maybe now understands why we 'hover'. She also wanted to know when she'll be getting out of ICU so I asked the docs and they said the only thing holding her back from going to the surgical recovery floor upstairs was her breathing. She needs to be on the trach cradle for a full 24 hours - breathing completely on her own - before she can go. That sure spurred her on - today she did 8 hours.

Hasta la vista, amigas y amigos!

ICU #34

Another busy day for Linda. The gi feeding tube was inserted so we'll see now the intestinal tract is working. She was rolling her eyes today when we asked her if she was hungry - obviously would like something to chew on!! They also took out 2 more abdominal drainage tubes and sewed up all the holes from tubes. A bit tired this afternoon from all the activity but still calm and giving us smiles. They're still wondering about the continuing elevated white blood cell count (just sitting at an above normal rate) so they may do another ct scan tomorrow of her belly to make sure there are no abcesses. She was on the trach cradle for 4 hours today - probably more tonight - getting stronger!

ICU #33

A  busy day! Linda had 2 x-rays - one on her chest and they found a spot of pneumonia. We're hoping it won't get worse because she is still on antibiotics. Plus they're hoping to get her sitting up soon. The second x-ray was for the gi tract and things are looking good - no leaks in the esophagus or stomach so in the next few days they'll be inserting a feeding tube to get those intestines really working again. Very alert tonight - took in her ipod so she could listen to some music and she was nodding her head to the music. Talked to Dr. Temple today and he said we're not quite out of the woods yet but on the way. Good news!

Had a tasty dinner at Tracy's tonight and saw our new accommodations - we'll be moving over the Thanksgiving weekend. We're sooo lucky that Tracy is willing to 'put up' with us (and the pooches) for a few  weeks.

Some of you have asked about sending cards - probably the best bet is to send  straight to the hospital Foothills. A couple have arrived there just fine.

ICU #32

Good morning! Lucille and I both had a full night's sleep last night - wow - feels good!

Sorry there was no update yesterday - problems with service at the RV camp and the computer in the ICU waiting room is down. But Linda continues to get better - more strength in that right hand - brushed her teeth yesterday and is helping more more when the nurses turn her. She's also more alert and able to show specifically  where she's hurting. Today Dr Temple will probably make a decision about her incision - whether it can be closed for good. So getting ready to go up for Rounds - more later.

ICU #31

Hello from sunny and warm Calgary - temps hit 25 this afternoon - so wishing we could wheel Linda out for a whiff of fresh air and warm sunshine - but not yet. Hoping the weather holds. So they put a trach cuff on her this morning and she breathed completely on her own for 2 hours - that means the diaphragm is healing! Also she's off fentynol (narcotic) and just getting little boosts when she's feeling pain. So this afternoon I watched her have a real sleep - just calmly breathing, no thrashing about. She's also letting us know when she needs some moisture in her mouth and today took the swab from my hand and found her mouth. Small, glorious steps.

A wonderful surprise visit early this morning from Cheryl (Saskatoon) on her way back from a conference in Banff. She had a wee visit with Linda on her way to the airport. Great to see her and hear news about the 'old' book club.

 Lucille and I are off to the football game this evening - Calgary vs BC. Some of you will know how thrilled I am about this venture.

More tomorrow!

ICU #30

A new trach tube today - not because anything was wrong - just a slightly larger one to make it easier for Linda to breathe. She's still on the meds for her stomach but no more blood from the gastric tube - hurray!! Not so agitated this morning - calmer. Can't tell you how wonderful it was to get a full Linda smile when I walked in this am. The physio was by today with more exercises for the limbs and Linda could do nearly all of them. The last of her pleural cavity tubes was removed today so we're down to the pancreas drainage tube, the stomach tube and 2 or 3 lower abdominal tubes - and of course, an impressive array of intravenous tubes. Change of docs today - very sorry that Atta has moved on to the Children's Hospital - he quite literally saved Linda's life last week - doing CPR with Stephanie - and he's been a source of strength for Lucille and me this past week.

Don't let the bed bugs bite!