10.22.21 ICU 31

Aimee just got back from another abdominal CT scan. It has been an all day affair. She only had her central line and no peripheral IV access left. For a CT they need a 20 gauge IV for contrast and Aimee is not an easy access. As her day nurse said, “She has angel hair pasta veins.” After several nurses and many pokes, the IV team with ultrasound was called. Success! 

We also had to pump her already swollen belly full of contrast, which was a very uncomfortable process. Once we navigated the hospital for our field trip, Aimee was shaking so badly that we had to bind her up to take the scan. :( 

She is now back in her room. She still needs trach care and a new packing in her abdominal wound, but the nurse kindly agreed to give her a break for a couple of hours. She is calmed and falling asleep now. 

Her post-surgery illeus in combination with her vent adjustments are the remaining obstacles keeping her in the ICU now. The team expects to have the vent settings all settled by Monday. We will see if we can get the illeus resolved by then so that we can take that big step forward of discharging from the ICU. Tomorrow will be 21 days here.