Rock Star

Cathy had another good day today. She has gained enough strength to get herself in and out of bed on her own. (She thinks she is soooo cool....). Cathy did not spend any time on the trach collar, but she did spend most of the day sitting up in a chair. The doctors have ordered Cathy to be on ventilation (Bi-Pap) 24/7. They are going to try to have her to start walking while on the Bi-Pap.

Tomorrow Cathy will be going in for a Cat-Scan of her neck and chest. I believe that they are going to attempt to identify the source of the bleeding with this procedure instead of a bronkoscopy. The bleeding is minimal one day and quite substantial the next.

Cathy had an emotional surprise this morning. Cathy's nurse for today was one that she had become very close to during previous hospital 'visits', Isabel. They both cried when Isabel walked into the room this morning. They had a pleasant day which will repeat tomorrow since Cathy will have her for a nurse again. After her shift was over, Isabel stayed in the room and visited with us for quite a while. During her visit Isabel shared an interesting perspective on Cathy's health. Isabel told us that of all the rejection patients she has seen who had to be intibated, she has never seen one extibated and last (live) very long. She has also never seen a rejection patient regain enough strength to be considered for another transplant. Although Cathy has not been re-listed, Isabel said that the doctor's notes on her chart make it clear that it is definately being considered. The doctors want Cathy stronger. Cathy is a "Rock Star" she kept saying. After hearing this, it is a little easier for me to accept the doctor's caution about re-listing Cathy.