6.20.21 Spinal Fusion Day 6

This has been a hard day. We worked with PT this morning to transfer Aimee to her wheelchair for the first time. It was successful in that Aimee fit in her chair with the few preemptive adjustments that had been done a few days ago. It was unsuccessful in that Aimee started retching and spasming immediately. We put her back in bed and she continued spasming for 3 hours at least once a minute. Every few spasms would cause her whole abdomen to contract, which made her retch and choke. We gave her tylenol first, and then valium, and finally oxicodone, which caused her fall asleep between the spasms, but they were still waking her up to happen again. We put heat packs along her back muscles. Finally with a second dose of valium she was able to rest. She has been sleeping peacefully now for 2 hours, but we are a bit of a wreck. 

So, once she recovers from this, we have to try putting her back in the chair again. :( She has to be exhausted from the spasming and from the meds though, so our next attempt will wait for tomorrow. I think we will try to give her valium first before transferring. We have to be careful to not give her too much though, because too many meds and then she needs respiratory support. Our main goal right now is to increase her tolerance for time in the wheelchair without respiratory support so that we can safely transport her home (and back if need be).