Boxing gloves

So Mom tried to get out bed this morning! Obviously, when she is on a respirator and attached to several IV lines, this is not something she should be doing! But it did remind me how much of a fighter she is. They put on hand coverings that look like boxing gloves but are just big pillows on her hands. This stops her from grabbing the sides of her bed and trying to pull herself up. She is a little frustrated with them, but it is better than having restraints on her arms holding them down.

I spoke with her doctor, who is an Intensivist, Dr. Saurmiento, a little bit ago. He is a 20 year Air Force vet and is a very compassionate man. We (dad and I) see eye to eye with him and we're all on the same page. He said that she is improving and that he is very happy with her progress. As we know, they are not going to rush to extubate her. The doc is now saying tomorrow or Sunday to take her off the vent. Even though she is still on it, they have lowered the oxygen level that is being pushed through, which means that Mom is doing more of the work. She is down to 40% O2 and her PEEP is down to 5.

She is still communicating and in good spirits. She noticed the picture of her grandson Brenndan that I put up in her room this morning...she was staring at it and I asked if she wanted me to bring it over to her. She nodded yes, and so I brought Bren's football picture over to her. In the picture, he is wearing a pink cast on his wrist (pink is his favorite color in support of his mother, and now grandmother, in their fights with breast cancer). After looking at this picture, she was able to relax and fall back asleep :-)

My Aunt Eileen is in with her right now and I'm going to go get some food with a friend. Things are looking up today. Keep sending the positive thoughts and prayers Momma Shal's way!