Cindy’s room has been unbearably warm for her. For the last few days, the nurses have tried to get it cooler, but haven’t been able to figure out how. This morning, they found out that the room temperature in her room was controlled in another unit. They moved her to another room where she is much more comfortable.

We originally thought Cindy was going to be moved out of ICU and onto the floor. Since she needs to use the CPAP at night and only the ICU is qualified to operate it, she will stay in the ICU.

Physical Therapy came to visit this morning. They wanted to make sure she was able to walk. The other times she had been in the hospital for any length of stay, she needed to go to rehab. She took five steps forward and back and then did it again. Her walking is not a problem.

Doctor Tsai’s Report

Dr. Tsai came to visit Cindy this morning. He told her to stay on the pain medication. People have a tendency to hold their breath when they are in pain. The doctor wants her to keep breathing without hesitating for the pain. Cindy was on Morphine, but it made her nauseous so they switched her to Fentanyl – which we know she can tolerate.

The doctor ordered an esophageal test otherwise known as a swallow test. He wanted to make sure there were no leaks from the surgery. She went to X-ray around noon today. They found no leaks.

What Dr. Tsai didn’t tell Cindy was that her stomach is swollen. That means no solid food until the swelling comes down. Cindy will be on a liquid diet for weeks or months, depending on the swelling. He also said that her stomach has to learn how to “behave” like a regular stomach should act and not like one that has lived next to her lung for so long.

Dr. Ardillis’ report

All of Cindy’s “numbers” (Blood pressure, white blood cell count, heart rate, etc.) is holding study WITHOUT medication. Cindy has not had any medication for pulmonary hypertension since her surgery. Her blood pressure and heart rate are good. Her lungs are functioning well. This is incredible. She was using 3 liters of oxygen for breathing with her trachea. Now she is using 2 liters. Her CPAP went from 15 peeps to 5. She is getting rid of the carbon dioxide by herself. She is able to breathe somewhat through her nose. Her saturation hovers around 96 even without oxygen support for short periods of time.

What now?

As of now, Cindy will be in hospital for at least a couple of weeks depending on the stomach swelling. She will be on clear liquids and crushed medication.

Graphic by http://www.coastalgi.com/images/sample_diet2.png