Progress in ICU Today

Hi all: Guest blogger Julia here since Mom's computer stopped working.  I talked to Mom on the phone, and she relayed the following information about Grandma's health situation. 

Today Grammie was taken completely off the breathing machine.  She is totally breathing on her own and can talk (although it's really a whisper).    Physicians also removed the drainage tube from her lung, so the chest drain is gone as well.

Once Grammie was off the respirator, she was very responsive and more talkative.  Mom said she is acting more like her normal self.  Right now she doesn't know the date, and is a little confused about specific details of current events, but it's nothing unusual or alarming at this time.

Grammie's coloring is good, much better than it's been since her surgery on April 20.  A nurse even asked Mom if she had put a little bit of make-up on Grammie.  Of course she knew that Mom would not bother with that, but noted how much her coloring had improved in such a short period of time.  And also said she hopes she looks that good without makeup when she is that age!  haha 

In addition to her coloring improving, we know Grammie is slowly on the mend because she asked Mom if someone would be able to come and do her hair!  A genuine Grammie concern to be sure, but sadly no beauticians in ICU.    She also asked for a Diet Coke, which of course is not permitted at this time.  Grammie asked Mom if she was going to home today, but the answer was a negative for that too!   So aside from not being able to have her hair done while drinking a diet coke immediately before being discharged, she had a decent day. 

As you can see, Grammie is, overall, getting better.  There is no timetable on when she will be out of ICU, though Mom made an educated guess for this weekend.   Once she is done in ICU she will go to the recovery floor in the cardiac unit at the Clinic.   Since she is undergoing intense respiratory therapy in ICU right now (which is likely not the same on recovery floor), it's for the best that Grammie remains in ICU for both the level of care and the level of therapy.