Monthly Archives: December 2013

Day 51

Cindy Lobel, Health, Status
Cindy had a problem with the nurses early this morning.  It was the first time that one of the nurses was working on the floor and not in the ICU.  They didn’t give Cindy her pain mess, had a huge problem with Cindy’s Foley catheter, spilled fluids on her bed when changing her IV, and put a urine saturated towel on her bed.   They even laughed at her.  Cindy called them over and said that she’s giving them an early Christmas gift by not reporting them but they are not allowed to be her nurses again.

Cindy’s roommate is back from ICU.  Her daughter came by yesterday and put up a small Christmas tree and lights.

This morning, Cindy had scrambled eggs and Corn Flakes.  This afternoon she had her first solid meal of pasta and meat sauce.

Day 50

Cindy Lobel, Health, Physical Therapy, Pureed, Status
Cindy used a walker to help her keep her balance as she sat in the chair today for 1 1/2 hours.  She had lunch while she was sitting there.  You can check out the menu and lunch below.  Things didn’t look so appetizing.  The bread (bottom right) wasn’t great, she doesn’t like rice (top left) or anything green (zucchini in this case), but she liked the bow ties and butter (bowl in the middle).  It tasted like it was made with chicken broth.

Day 49

Cindy Lobel, Health, Lunch, Purée, Status
Cindy got to eat solid food today.  Well, it was puréed which is more solid than anything she’s had since November first.  She ate the fruit and ice cream but wouldn’t touch anything else.  To tell you the truth, it didn’t look very appetizing and Cindy is a very picky eater.  The lids on the main course in the picture below are closed to protect the innocent.

Day 47

Chair, Cindy Lobel, Health, Physical Therapy, Status
Cindy got to sit in a chair today.  She sat at the edge of the bed for only a few minutes and then was able to stand up, turn and sit in the chair – with a little help from the nursing staff.  She sat in the chair doing her excersizes while the Physical Therapist sat across from her giving directions.  They chatted about their cats and exchanged some interesting cat stories.

Since Cindy has been able to verbally communicate, she has gotten to know a lot about the hospital staff’s personal stories and they know a lot about Cindy.  That’s our Cindy – always enjoys a good conversation and being the center of any social circle.

Day 45

Cindy Lobel, Health, Holiday, Status
Not much to report today.  Cindy is still doing well with getting weaned off the trachea.  Rita spent part of the day partying with her sibs, taking a break from the hospital.

The holiday gizmo in the video below belong’s to Cindy’s roommate, Cynthia, who is in the ICU with a lung infection and will hopefully be back on the floor tomorrow.

Day 44

Cindy Lobel, Health, Status
Cindy had another skirmish with a Respiratory Therapist.  He was just a little too rough physically and inappropriate verbally.  He called her by her hospital serial number.  Will they never learn?  Don’t mess with Cindy, especially if you don’t want a tongue lashing when she has the speech valve in place.

However, in his defense, he did a great job auctioning out her lungs.  Better than anyone else has done.

Happy Weekend!

Day 43

Blanket, Blood, Card, Cindy Lobel, Cough, Health, Lung irritation, Physical Therapy, Status, Surgery
Last night, the Respiratory Therapist accidentally suctioned too hard and might have irritated her lung.  She was coughing up some blood.  This is not uncommon but can be pretty scary to the patient.

Yesterday, Cindy received a card and blanket from Fran.  She was very pleased to get it.  It made her very happy and appreciated how thoughtful Fran is to think of her. 

There was no Physical Therapy yesterday or today.

Cindy spoke with her doctor and is considering having surgery to remove the hernia within the next few months.  Rita, Mary and Debbie are going to setup a meeting with the doctors to discuss how plausible and safe this is at this time.

Day 42

Cindy Lobel, Health, Popsicle, Speaking Valve, Status
Cindy is breathing on her own today and the speaking valve was put into the trachea tube.  The first conversation went something like this:

     Nurse:  We need to test the speaking valve.  Say something.

     Cindy:  Something

     Nurse:  I knew you’d say that.

A little later the nurse had to do a procedure and the valve had to come out.  When the procedure was done, the valve was put back in. 

     Nurse:  We need to test the speaking valve again.

     Cindy:  Something else.

     Nurse:  I knew you’d say that.

For such a  fine performance, Cindy got a treat: