Day 10 – A New Hope – Saturday, April 15

Sorry for the Star Wars reference in the title, but I am holding out hope that today will be the start of a positive turning point that we have been looking for. Battling her sundowning and depression has been difficult, but in the next few days we should see some changes as the new meds get in her system. Please keep Sue in your thoughts and prayers.

~8:00AM – Kim, Cyndie, and Wade headed in to see Sue. I am staying back with Samantha to continue to catch up on some work, and then we will head in a bit later.

~9:30AM – Sue is not happy again today. In fact, the word *pissed* has been bandied about. That makes me sad because I want her to embrace the challenge that is ahead of her (which I know she will eventually), but it also makes me a little happy. Anger is a strong emotion, and that can be a good catalyst for change. Sue is amazing, but she has had an angry streak in her since the day I met her, and you know it when you see it. I don’t mind her tapping into that if it will help her progress towards the rehab goal. I just don’t want it directed at me. (Or at anyone of us, but I really don’t want it directed at me.) 🙂

~10:00AM – The respiratory therapist came in to put on what we call the “shaky-shaky” vest. This is a wide band that wraps around Sue and pulses air rapidly through it to make it vibrate. This helps to loosen the liquids in her lungs so she can cough it up (or have it sucked out). The picture is of her shaky-shaky time, which we consider her current form of Zumba…

~10:30AM – The day nurse, Nurse F, came in to check up on Sue. She debriefed Kim and Cyndie on the night’s events, which according to her transfer from the night nurse, Nurse T, were uneventful. She most likely slept most of the night, so that is good. She is more alert today, but still has limited energy. She is doing small nods and shakes of her head for responses.

~12:30PM – Can it be true? Are we jumping forward? It seems unreal, but there is talk happening right now about moving her downstairs to the stroke observation floor – skipping a move back to the CCU! This would be a huge step. Sue’s stats are good and her tests are coming back positive, so even though she is a bit emotional, she is doing well enough to make the change. Nothing is for certain now, but we are hearing good news and hoping for the best…

~2:00PM – She’s MOVED! Sue is now officially in the stroke observation area and OUT of the ICU! This is a huge move for her and a huge win. Nothing ahead of us but rehab! A little bit smaller room, but it has a private bathroom, a real door (for quiet), and more comfortable space for family. This is a big day!

~3:00PM – I can’t believe that I need to repost this, but visitors are not allowed! Yes, she got moved to a new room, and yes, it is a big improvement and validation that she is doing better, but NO, this does not mean that you can show up to spend time with her. Sue still cannot speak, which means she can barely communicate. Additionally, what we have seen from visitors is that they come in and start crying (sometimes wailing), which is very hard on Sue. She also still gets tired very easily, and we are trying to help her conserve her energy for speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy – not visitors. Therapy will help her get better, and this is about her and her needs. I am sorry if you feel that we are being harsh, but this is not about you – it is about Sue’s recovery and rehabilitation. Please do not make us be the bad guy by turning you away (sometimes repeatedly) or escorting you out. Thank you.

~7:30PM – We invited Pastor K in to pray with Sue. Their time was good, and it brought her comfort. He will most likely be coming back tomorrow before he flies out for another conference. It was lucky that we got to see him when we could.

~10:00PM – Kim and Cyndie are spending the night with Sue. The rest of us headed home. We will be back tomorrow to the new room on the observation floor! Looking forward to lots of rest and rehab to prep her for a move to an in-patient rehab facility.

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