Saturday, November 8th

Cindy relaxing on the lawn at Lake Quinault Lodge

Hello Everyone,

Cindy had another very good day today.  When I arrived this morning, they were just beginning the process of inserting the catheter into her arm to replace the one in her neck.  It was a sterile procedure, so I had to don a face mask and one of those goofy little "shower caps" to cover my hair...they even commented that, in my case, it was pretty pointless.  Anyway, it went well and shortly thereafter they took a chest x-ray to make sure they had it where they wanted it before they removed the other one (they inserted it almost to her heart).  Evidently, they did, because when I came back after my painting class this afternoon, the one in her neck was gone.  She was awake and alert and wolfed down a big breakfast (without any nausea), and her Mom and Dad arrived at about 11:00.  When the speech therapist came by she was able to answer most of the questions she was asked, including where she was (St. Vincent's), what city it's in (Beaverton...actually Portland, to be precice, but how many people know that?), her address, zip code, and phone number, and the month (the therapist gave her the date).  About all she couldn't remember was the day of the week (but after two weeks in the ICU, who could?).  We were all very pleased, needless to say.

Colleen and Ernie were there when I got back at about 6:30 and she was still alert and talkative, although her memory was not as sharp as it had been in the morning.  I think she was just getting tired from being awake and talking all day.  Later when I called her parents, they said she had been alert and talkative the whole time they were there, too (until about 3:00).  She inhaled every bite of her dinner with no problems while we watched an old James Bond movie.  (It's amazing how cheesy the special effects are in those films!)  Another one came on right after the first and while we were watching it, I glanced over and she was messing with the drain in her head.  A few minutes later, I looked over and she was vigorously scratching the sutures that hold it in!  NURSE!  A little rearranging, scooting up in bed, and cinching up the restraints later, all was well again.  Shortly thereafter, she began to nod off so I left so she could get some sleep.

Before I did, though, I spoke with the nurse for a few minutes.  She indicated that Cindy's setting the schedule now for the removal of the drain inasmuch as they have to wait until the drainage gets clearer in color.  Until that happens, they won't "challenge" her brain by stopping the siphon action (to see if her brain can absorb the cerebrospinal fluid).  Only then will they take out the drain tube (a procedure which has some risks associated with it, too).  It might be as soon as Wednesday, but no one can say for sure until that drainage clears up. When it does come out, they'll keep her in the ICU one more day for observation, then move her upstairs.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayer and know it's truly appreciated.