Day 31, It has been one day since Cynthia was moved from ICU to the pulmonary wing and everything is going great. She has a tracheotomy collar on and the oxygen is set at 30%. Although she can't speak she has been able to write a note. Wish I could remember sign language that I learned in the early 70's, it would come in handy about now. Joe
Day 32, Cynthia is doing great with breathing on her own with some assistance from the tracheotomy collar. Tomorrow they are going to do a swallowing test to see if it's time to start feeding by mouth. She says she is hungry so the test couldn't come at a better time. Joe
Day 33, Cynthia was sitting in a chair when I got to the hospital this morning with the ventilator collar on and the oxygen is set at 28%. She just got back from x-ray for a swallowing test to see if it's time to feed her by mouth and they fitted her with a voice box so she can talk. It will take a bit for her to get used to be voice box because it makes you breathe different. Joe
I went to Hobby Town USA this afternoon and bought a N scale Kato Unitrack silver 130 foot single track steel truss bridge. My camera on the phone isn't working for some reason, will take a photo of the bridge with Cynthia's phone camera when I go back to the hospital and post it later this evening. The other arched bridge I need has been ordered from eBay and should be here around the first of next week. Once all of the bridges are home I will cut the Tomix arched truss bridge in half and reassemble it to the same width as the other two bridges. Joe
Day 34, Cynthia is doing great, she has the tracheotomy collar on and the oxygen is set at 30%. She was able to eat a couple of times today but not a whole lot, her appetite is still a little off. Joe
Day 35, Cynthia was eating lunch when I got to the hospital, she had a half bowl of soup, crackers and a banana. Everything is going great and she is learning how to talk again. Still has a way to go but she has come a long way. Joe
I received the last bridge needed for the Arkansas River Bridge project today in the mail. Will take it to the hospital when I go back after dinner and start building the kit, photo coming soon. Joe
Day 36, Everything is going great. Cynthia got to walk around the hospital floor earlier today and got a little wore out and has been sleeping most of the day. A lady from patient care showed us how to take care of the tracheotomy incision and also several other things that we need to know. We are supposed to meet with the lady on Monday to finish the lesson. Hopefully Cynthia will get to go home shortly after that. Joe
Fantastic news Joe! Great to hear Cynthia was able to get up and about for a bit. I know you both would be so glad to be home together.
Day 37, Cynthia may get to go home on Monday according to what the doctor said this morning. She is chomping at the bit about the news, wants to go now. Before we need to get the equipment to take care of the tracheotomy incision which we should receive Monday morning. I can't hardly wait, miss the little pup. Monday will be day 40. Joe
Day 38, Cynthia will be able to go home on Monday, the only thing we are waiting for is the equipment to take care of the tracheotomy incision. The supply company will be open on Monday morning. We are on pins and needles we are so close, a little upset because she could go home now if it wasn't for the equipment. Joe