Continuing Improvement

Diana is doing well, still making impressive progress, especially when one thinks of where she was even four days ago.

She had PT again today, and accomplished an excellent transfer to a chair, almost completely unassisted. She was very proud of herself, especially as she was very tired at the time.

She has now graduated to taking many of her medications by mouth, which is a great thing both because she has fewer lines running in, and because it means that her stomach is healing very well and her doctors feel that she is improved enough to advance to this level.

She is now on what is called "full liquids" which means that she can have cream soups, custards, etc. She is not yet very hungry, which the doctors tell us is expected and normal, but she is enjoying the taste of the food. And, we are told that the more she eats, the more her appetite will increase, and the more all of her other healing processes will improve as well.

Her pain is now manageable most of the time, and if she could just get a little more sleep, she would probably feel pretty good.

Her pneumonia is gone - or, more correctly, she never had a pneumonia. The chest films showed something that her doctors thought was a pneumonia, but it was actually a part of her larger infection lodged on the chest wall. It was great news when her ICU doc confirmed that her lungs were clear and sounding good.

Also, she has been moved from ICU into a private room - however, because of her infection and extreme exhaustion, her doctors have asked that we continue to limit visitors. I will sure let everyone know when she can have visitors though, because I know she would so enjoy seeing more of the folks she loves.

We are now starting to actively plan her recovery and rehabilitation period. It seems very soon to be talking about this to me, as I constantly worry about leaving her alone in her room even at the hospital - but I know that the shorter her stay in the hospital, the shorter her total recovery time. I'm hoping that as her pain issues continue to resolve she will be able to get some sleep at night and have lots of energy to devote to her PT and OT.
We were wondering today, as we watched a special on "The World's Best Beach Resorts" on the travel channel, why they don't have intensive rehabilitation centers in Aruba?? : )

Diana has improved tremendously in the past week, and every day I see her getting stronger and healthier. She told me today that she should be the poster child for her medical team - I'm sure that they are all proud of what they accomplished with her, and we are so grateful for what they have done and continue to do. She is getting great care, which makes it possible for me to go home at night, feeling that she is in good hands.

I will continue to update the blog each day. Thank you all for your great comments and of course your thoughts, wishes and prayers. Mom and I are both so very grateful for our wonderful friends and family.