She stayed off the Ventilator until Monday night when sthe doctor ordered her back on the ventilator. They found fluid in her chest cavity, near her lungs on the left and right side. Tuesday, they drained 1.5 liters out of her right side and they fixed her leaking feeding tube. Early Wednesday morning they are scheduled remove the fluid on her left side. Monday and Tuesday she worked with Rehab, but the move to Miami Valley Rehab has been postponed. It was explained to us that the valley rehab it is 3 hours per session and this is 3 timesper day. Quite frankly she is not ready for that. Wednesday she will transfer to Kindred Hospital, it is located in front of the Old St. E. hospital.[...]

Brenda started out with a bang, Thursday afternoon it was reported that she had contracted MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria) and we have not been told the type, but this requires us to wear a gown and gloves during visitation. Antibiotics is a possible course of action. By Saturday she was able to stay off the Ventilator for 72 hours! Her daily work with the Therapist continues. Friday they removed her Trach and installed a smaller fenestrated Trach which will make using the CAP to speak easier for Brenda.They also removed her catheter. At this time she only has a feeding tube. She is NOW on schedule to go to Miami Valley Rehab floor (ZONE A Fourth (4th) Floor) within the next 7 days, give or take a couple of days.[...]

The past two 2 days, Monday and Tuesday, Brenda worked very hard with the Therapist. One highlight was when she worked with the Speech therapist she was able to hold a spoon in her mouth as she tried to pull it out and she was able to swallow. Another success was the Respiratory therapists had her off the Ventilator each day for about 16 hours each day. The goal is Forty-eight hours straight without the ventilator. She is able to sit up at the side of bed longer each day and work on standing up. Coach John is happy with her progress, but we all know she has a long way to go and that this is the hardest phase of the healing process.[...]

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.[...]