Friday, November 4, 2011

Slow steady progress (day 10)

Slow steady progress. All the vital things, pulse, breathing, blood pressure, are great. No more cardiac monitor alarms, thank god. She is still fully awake and present and spirited. For example, she didn't want me to go home last night, and I finally just had to push back so I could get some sleep. She is still comfortable, not in any pain, and spent the night listening to Mozart on her iPhone.

Today Nancy is off the continuous dialysis, getting regular dialysis once every day or two instead. This is progress, as continuous dialysis is something they only do for really critical patients. Her kidneys are starting to work again, although they aren't anywhere close to normal operation. The surgical drains have been removed, and neither operation seems to have any complications Later today or tomorrow, her breathing equipment will be switched so she can talk; right now, the tracheostomy tube is just letting her breathe, and it needs some kind of valve in order for her to talk. I think all of this indicates she is beating the infection, but she is still retaining a ton of fluid, and I think full kidney operation will be a big milestone.

The neurologists keep checking her, and she doesn't have the strength yet to raise her arms or legs, or fully open her hands. Since both abscesses were on the spinal cord, they tell me that it may take her months to fully regain her strength. There is a lot of physical therapy in her future. She also has about six weeks of IV antibiotics ahead, although she may not need to stay in the hospital for all of that.

I'm at work now, for the first time in a week, and will be back to visit this evening. I've gotten some remarkable, lovely emails from some of you (there are about 115 people on this list!) and one friend sent a Jewish care package, chicken soup and challah were on my doorstep when I got home last night. We both feel loved and well-supported.

Love,
-tdc

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