January 10, 2009

Today we discovered that Christy's chest tube had been taken away last night! The chest tube was helping Christy's left lung stay inflated. Christy had broken ribs on the left side of her chest, and those seem to be healing on their own. She still has a fractured scapula (shoulder blade), which is healing on its own. Her liver, kidneys and spleen are stable and her labs are stable. Christy is making more than adequate amount of urine. Christy opens her left eye when she is coughing and being suctioned, so that is a good sign. She still has a breathing tube and is attached to the ventilator. The ventilator is the breathing machine that supports her breathing and delivers oxygen. Christy is taking breaths on her own over the amount that the machine is delivering. For the very first time, Christy is yawning and having the hiccups. It's good to see her doing normal things. The most exciting news is that she moved her left arm in a slightly flexed position today--AND it was with her weak arm. With the kind of injury in her basal ganglia (part of the brain) she has left sided weakness. The very first time she was taken off sedation, pain medication, and paralization following the hypothermia (cooling) treatment, Christy wasn't moving her left arm and leg. So we anxiously await her waking up, but we are cautious to not stimulate her by too much talking and touching. Christy needs to rest and heal. Also, always wash hands to prevent the risk of infection and please no sick visitors. All of our love, prayers, and positive thoughts are healing Christy by the minute!