Thursday, January 15, 2009

Today Christy had a procedure done called a Tracheostomy (see picture to left).  People often refer to it as a "Trach".   It's a surgical procedure on the neck to open a direct airway through an incision in the windpipe or trachea.  This was presented to the family by the doctors as an option because it is the method of choice for long term mechanical ventilation (being on the breathing machine).  The family decided that this would be a more comfortable way for Christy to breathe.  The tube in her mouth seemed very uncomfortable for her, and could possibly damage her vocal cords if it stayed there for too long.  Since the doctors feel this may be a lengthy recovery, we didn't want to have a tube in the mouth making oral care difficult and cause unnecessary discomfort for her mouth & face.  With a trach in, Christy doesn't have to have the pressure and stickiness of the tape holding the breathing tube (ETT) in place.  The suction can still be hooked to a trach to help remove mucus.  The trach can also still be hooked to her ventilator.  Christy received a short acting type of sedation and some pain medication for this procedure.  It was done at the bedside by surgeons who use a scope to look down the airway.  The procedure itself is quick- maybe 15 or 20 minutes.  The recovery will be mostly watching the new "wound" heal by monitoring for bleeding and keeping it clean.  Christy is receiving intermittent pain medication for any discomfort she may be having. A trach is reversible, so when she is conscious again and can maintain her own airway, it can be closed.  Christy is on minimal settings on the ventilator.  She is on the mode where she is initiating all of the breaths on her own.  The machine supports each breath and delivers oxygen. 

Today while Kaeo and I were in visiting, we saw some exciting eye movement.  Christy was coughing and needed some suctioning, which can be uncomfortable... with this stimulation, she opened both her eyes.  Christy has opened her eyes before but we actually saw some movement of the eye balls as if she was trying to look around.  When we call Christy's name and ask her to open her eyes, she does not, but it was wonderful to see her pretty eyes open up as if she was awake.  We don't know when Christy will come out of her coma, but it's the little things like these that make us so hopeful that it will be sooner than later.  We stand by daily hoping and praying for our miracle!

I also wanted to take the time tonight to mention that there will be a fundraiser held to dampen the burden of medical bills accumulated during Christy's recovery.  It will be on February 28th, at Pipeline Cafe, from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am.  There will be food and live entertainment.  The tickets will be sold for $30.00 per person.   It will be a lively celebration in honor of a woman we all know to be beautiful inside and out.  I will pass on more of the details as I receive them.  And, if you feel that you may be able to help out with donations for door prizes or with recruiting bands or advertisement or anything else please let me know. 

good night xoxo, gabby