Looking For New Digs

Yesterday evening when it came time to be put back on the ventilator, Cathy insisted on staying on the trach collar. The doctor let her remain on the collar until around 2:30 this morning when the results of a midnight blood gas draw were available. Once again, Cathy's CO2 saturation was high.

Cathy remained on the ventilator until around 5:30 this morning when she was put back on the trach collar.

They are looking for a regular hospital room (outside of the ICU) for Cathy. We were informed that since the new hospital has more ICU beds than medical observation beds, it may take a few days to find a place for her. When Cathy does get moved to a regular room, it will be without a ventilator. This hospital's protocol will not allow patients on ventilators outside of an ICU. Therefore, when Cathy needs to be rested, they will use the Bi-pap machine. This is the same machine that they tried to use on July 13, when they attempted to extibate Cathy the first time. However, this time instead of forcing air in and out of Cathy's lungs through a face-mask, the machine will be connected to her trach. This machine is noisy and looks very 'old-school'. (Kinda scary). After Cathy is moved out of the ICU, she will be attended to by a completely different team of doctors.

Cathy wore the talking valve for only a few minutes today. Unfortunately, they removed the valve just before I arrived, so I was not able to hear Cathy's angelic voice. Jessica was in the room at that time so she was able to hear her mom's voice again.