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16 hours is how long was off the ventilator today. The move from the trama group to the hardcore rehab group looks like it will happen on Monday. She is already spending time downstairs in the rehab gym building up strength (picture in Photos of traveling).[...]
Shannon spent 13 hours off the ventilator today! The big news though was she passed her swallowing test which means she gets to eat again. Yeah! [...]
Shannon is blowing through ventilator weaning. The doctors are impressed. She was off of it 8 straight hours today. She also got to take a motorized wheelchair for a spin today and get out of the room. (Picture in Photos).[...]
Another great day. Shannon spent 3 hours sitting in a wheelchair and 6 striaght hours off the ventilator. She continues to get stronger.[...]
Shannon made great progress moving away from the ventilator this weekend. On Saturday, she was off a total of 6 hours in two sessions. Sunday was 8 hours in two sessions. I'm looking forward to Monday because all the doctors and therapists will be in.[...]
Shannon has setteled into her new digs and so far is quite happy with her care. They have already changed her trach to a smaller one (more comfortable) and took her off the respirator twice yesterday. On the second session, they deflated the balloon around the trach and let me talk to her for 2 hours. It was great to hear her voice again.[...]
Woo Hoo! We survived the hospital. After 21 days in the ICU, Shannon is officially into Acute Therapy in San Jose. She had a fantastic ambulance crew that delivered her up north around 2pm. Luckily she got to see familiar faces in a new place as the Whitings were able to stop by this evening and visit. I'm heading north tomorrow to bring comforts from home and will be continuing my education as well. I'm sure they will have the answers to many of the questions I have. Average rehab time for spinal injuries is 30 days so it's still some time before she can come home.[...]
The big news is that Shannon hits the road tomorrow at 9am. They decided that she was strong enough to stick with ground transportation (and skip the airports). She had another trip outdoors today and was off the respirator twice. [...]
We're still going in the right direction. Shannon got outside again today and continues to gain strength (another picture was added - click on them to see them full size). She is finally getting some solid nutrition headed her way (72 calories an hour) and her system seems to be handling it well. The big news today was that it looks like we will be headed up to San Jose very soon. Possibly tomorrow (but they still won't confirm it). Insurance says no to a helicopter so it looks like it will be fixed wing transportation from San Luis Obispo Airport to San Jose Airport. I still don't know why they can't put her in an ambulance and hit the road. With the lights and sirens they should make it in under two hours :)[...]
Shannon is still fighting well. Today she got in the chair again for an hour and a half. This time she was able to take a break from the ventilator and got some fresh air. The first time the sun has kissed her in 18 days. A picture was added to the photos section. The blood work looked good today as well. White cell count is back to normal. [...]
