Thursday saw Brenda's therapy activity getting off to a slow start, but by Sunday she was completing her task with effort and enthusiasim. John is her coach and Jack is the cheerleader, sometimes the coach. The Respiratory Therapist capped her and she was able to talk. Her day consisted of physical rehab; that is sitting up by herself, working her hands, arms, legs, and standing in the up right position, with the goal of taking the first step. We are encourage by her effort and are looking forward to that day. Once this is completed she will go to the Miami Valley Rehab facilities where she will work on rehab all day. If you wish to visit her please call Jack the day of at (937 903-5833).[...]

The Nurse did the dressing change in the morning. She went off the CPAP in the morning, Doctor Chambers reported that her lungs sounded good however the X-ray show the lungs have room for improvement and he anticipates that occurring overtime. Her heart rate increased and she received the appropriate medication.
The Rehab therapist came in and removed her pressure tape getting ready for the laser measuring session. The Physical therapist had Brenda get into the sitting position which she did with minimal assistance, mainly her legs. She stayed up for about 20 minutes. Next, the Speech therapist came in and worked with her. Brenda was able close her lips, hold a spoon in her mouth, but they could not get the lower dentures to stay in place. After this she laid down for about 30 minutes when the Occupational therapist assisted her in sitting up by her self. While she was sitting up, the Rehab therapist and the laser measuring person came in and measured her face. This is for the pressure mask. Brenda was able to rest for the remainder of the day. Doctor Perry came in later and was happy with her activity for the day.[...]

The Nurse changed her dressing in the morning and she was removed from the Ventilator so she could breath on her own. The Physical Therapist worked with Brenda on standing up. After 3 attempts she was able to get her buns off the bed 1 time. Again she was in the stretch chair twice a day for about 2 hours each time. We showed her the pictures of the party and she really enjoyed them. The afternoon had the Occupational Therapist work with her on standing. The Therapist came in and look at her pressure tape on her face, she was happy with the results. Brenda is scheduled for a laser measurement session for the pressure mask, this done by a company named Total Contact.[...]

She went on CPAP Sunday night and back on regular Ventilator today due to increased heart rate. She was given medication to resolve this. Later in the morning they changed her back to CPAP. She is doing the Stretch chair twice a day for two 2  hours at a time. Dressing change is being done by the local nurse and was done late in the afternoon. She will go back on CPAP in the evening.[...]

We wish to thank everyone for their support of Brenda's benefit, we want to say that the support she received was overwhelming. Saturday night many of Brenda's friends asked when they could come visit her and Jack's response was that he would relay that information through today's post. Let me start by saying Brenda is still in the Medical/Surgical ICU, room 4521 zone C and they have a restriction on the number of visitors. Only 3 people can be in the room at one time. For the most part she is doing her medical treatments and rehab everyday. Basically that means she has no set schedule, so she may not even be in the room when you wish to visit. With that being said we request that the day you wish to visit her, please call Jack prior to leaving and he will work with you. We believe that your visits will motivate Brenda to work harder with her rehab and boost her moral. Thank you![...]

She had her physical therapy in the morning, she was able to sit up on the side of her bed. Then the nurse placed her in the stretch chair for 2 hours. During that time Brenda requested her teeth, we think that this is a good sign. Next, the Respiratory therapist came in for treatment. Later in the afternoon Brenda's heart rate was up so the Respiratory therapist put her back on CPAP and the nurse administered medication. Her heart rate then decreased. Later in the afternoon, her dressing was changed by the nurse and then she went into the Stretch Chair. They are trying to have her in the Stretch chair Twice a day for a minimum of 2 hours. The doctor informed us that she will not require anymore surgeries.[...]

Brenda was in the stretch chair this morning for 2 hours and again for 2 more hours in the afternoon. The Physical Therapist had her sitting up at the side of the bed for about 20 minutes. Her nurse then put in her teeth for about an hour. She then had her dressing changed later in the day.[...]

This morning started with an Hour and half in the stretch chair. The Respiratory Therapist got her off the Ventilator, so she was breathing on her own. This lasted for about Six and half hours. She went back on the Ventilator on the CPAP setting in the evening. Her dressing change was that afternoon. The Occupational and Physical Therapist came in and set up a new machine which aided Brenda in standing. She got up off the side of the bed and into a standing position 4 times. She still needs a lot of assistance in doing this step. She went into the stretch chair late in the afternoon for about an hour  and Forty-five minutes. After that she transitioned into a regular hospital bed.[...]

Brenda had a dressing change first thing in the morning, then she was in the Stretch Chair for about 2 hours. The Physical Therapist came in and worked with her Arms and Mouth. She had Brenda clean her face, hair, and comb her hair. The Art-line was removed last night. The Pulmonary doctor stopped by and restated he would start weaning her off the Ventilator. She will have CPAP during the day and Ventilator at night and then a session of breathing on her own. Doctor Perry stopped by and said he wanted her to stand up and walk as soon as possible, she was in complete agreement. The Rehab Therapist stopped by to check on the pressure tape that is on her face. She was pleased with the results. If the progress of weaning her off the Ventilator continues she will schedule laser measurement for the face compression mask next week. This afternoon Brenda worked with the Occupational Therapist setting up and standing up, today she was able to stand up four times with help. A good sign is that Brenda was able to get in the setting position on the side of the bed with minimal aid. Late this afternoon or evening she is scheduled for 1 hour in the stretch chair. Brenda will be focusing on her Physical therapy as part of the next phase. John works with Brenda on her arm and leg exercises in the afternoon. The next update is scheduled for Sunday evening which will cover Friday, Saturday,and Sunday.[...]

First thing this morning Brenda had a feeding tube placed in her stomach. The feeding tube in her nose will be removed on Thursday, if all goes well. The Renal Doctor said Brenda's kidney numbers continue to improve and she is still processing acceptable levels of urine. The Pulmonary doctor said they are going to continue to wean her off the Ventilator starting tomorrow and the delay is due to the insertion of the feeding tube. The Therapists came in today and had Brenda stand up three times, she did this with assistance of the Therapists. One time she was able to straighten her legs out all the way, and the other two times she was about 65%. This was an big improvement over yesterday. She is active participant in her rehab. They also did the dressing change later in the afternoon. She continues to increase her rehab time each day, she has a long way to go. Starting Thursday we will go to a 3 day reporting cycle unless there is a dramatic change in her condition. So we will do a report Thursday and then the next report is scheduled for Sunday. That report will cover Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.[...]