Lydia hospital day 44

Lydia is doing great. She was off the vent for 9 hours yesterday and did fine. The plan is to see if she can stay off it all day today and overnight. She apparently pulled out her nasogastric tube last night but is eating soft foods fine anyway. She is doing her usual Lydia things like "reading" books and saying hi and asking for ice cream. Yay!

Lydia hospital day 42

She was off the vent for over 5 hours yesterday. She's been drinking some formula and nibbling at applesauce and pudding, in addition to the tube feedings. Still on about 45% oxygen, but that's not a big problem. Today we start weaning some of her oral sedatives. All good news.

Lydia hospital day 41

She was off the ventilator for 4 hours yesterday and did well with that. She is happy. Today, she read a book with me, and signed and mouthed "purple" when I asked what color part of a picture was. Today her i.v. sedatives are being stopped and she'll have another trial off the vent. Yay! She's getting better.

Lydia hospital day 40

Lydia’s still looking good today. This should be her last day on her i.v. sedative, and tomorrow is the last day for her antibiotic. Today they will see if she can breathe completely on her own for an hour or so (still with enriched oxygen). That’s an important step in getting her ready to return home.

I can’t imagine being Lydia. “Why am I here? Why can’t I talk? Who are all these people? Why do I have tubes in my nose and throat and arm? Why can’t I get out of this metal crib?” But she seems to be taking it in stride, and looks happy. Maybe understanding our tragedies isn’t as important as it’s cracked up to be.

Lydia hospital day 39

Another good day. Signing, recognizing us, asking for the phone, helping get ready for bed. She needed 55% O₂ last night, but is at 45% now. Still tapering her sedatives— all the i.v. meds should be gone by Tuesday. Also we got the first statement from SLCH and are very grateful for insurance.