10.18.21 ICU 27

You did not come here to read my expressions of thankfulness I’m sure. I have already expressed this sentiment. Yet, there are feelings of kinship we have with each person who has been supporting us. At risk of sounding melodramatic, I want to try to explain again. 

Through the years we have lost friends. We have missed countless gatherings. We have lost dreams. We have rebuilt an idea of what our life would look like. It has for the most part been isolating. We have chosen to link arms with each other and to grow together where we are. It has been worthwhile to care for Aimee and our family. 

While we have been dragging ourselves through this past few weeks, so many people in great love and kindness have come around us. Long ago friends, family members, even some distant acquaintances, have each just picked up a corner of our load and walked with us. I’m not sure I can paint a picture for you of how this feels in our hearts. It makes me weep. Ed and I have been teammates with encouragement from others for over 12 years. Yet right now and through this dark couple of weeks, we have heard many cheerleaders who have identified themselves in word and in action as part of Aimee’s team. There are no words to express this team growth, except to say that we are so grateful. And you have made our days lighter just by your recognition of the importance of treasuring, of fighting for Aimee. 

Speaking of Aimee, she has really stabilized over this past couple of days. Her room is full of peace. Her symptoms of sepsis are receding. Her quick pneumonia treatment has been effective. She is still sounding coarse and diminished, but her lungs are staying strong with lots of respiratory therapy. She is nearly off of anxiety and sedation meds. She had one more pain med taken off today. They also turned off the suction from her stomach. I will say that she is not comfortable at this point. Her belly is becoming more bloated with fluid, but so far no vomiting. If her stomach and small intestine would just wake up enough to process her own stomach acid, we could move to the next step. 

Today we made several plans. I met with a wound care specialist to make a plan for each of the areas of concern. We made a plan with Urology for the future for how to bring in a sterile urine sample from home. We took steps in the plan to have bone density infusion  done by getting a dental exam and x-rays. We made a plan to have a body scan done to rule out other fractures. We made a plan with PT to adjust her wheelchair and discussed how to stretch her lower extremities safely to avoid factures. 

We also discussed with the medically complex care team the transition process of getting Aimee moved from the ICU. There is a unit that is a step down from here, but higher level than acute care. It is the medically complex trach vent unit. It is set up very similar to ICU, but the specialized nurses cover 3 patients each (ICU it is 1-2 patients, acute care is 4-5). Once in the next unit, we will be able to participate in her care, being trained officially in a classroom and unofficially at bedside. At this point Pulmonary will not sign off on her leaving the ICU, but we feel that we are getting closer. Aimee has been moved from one-on-one nurse care to two patients to one nurse. We are making progress!