I was so happy when I walked in her room today. She looks really good and even witty. Her smile seemed bigger and brighter. She was less jaundice which made me happy.
While I was there the cardio technician came to do an echo cardiogram. I asked the difference between that and an EKG?? He said the EKG is the electrical functions, echo cardiogram is the mechanical (plumbing). It is done by ultrasound and the technician was amazing. He made it make perfect sense for Lynn and I... he said cardiologists are basically electricians or plumbers... the heart functions exactly like a toilet! The tanks fill, the valve opens, blood flows from heart. When it's empty the valve closes and the tank again fills. We got to see her entire heart, from every angle. We could even see the new valve from each side and even looked straight into it. It was AMAZING!
He explained that there is a mean average for the squeeze of the heart. It's typically 50-60%. That's the amount of blood the heart squeezes out each time it compresses. Pre-surgery was 10-20% for Elaine, today it was 36%. He couldn't tell us what was good or bad (legal stuff) but I could tell that he and the nurse were both pretty pleased.
She has been drinking water, ginger-ale, orange juice and cranberry juice. That has to be good for her kidney's, right? She ate a little cream of wheat and mashed potatoes while I was there. They are going to order real food for dinner and see how she does with that. She seems ready. It will be so nice once the feeding tube comes out.
They are now giving her a shot once a week the will help her kidney's produce red blood cells and function normally. It's easier on her than what they had previously been giving her on a daily basis.
No dialysis today. YAY!
She is breathing like a champ! She had just done 45 blows when I arrived this morning.
The Dr. said that once she can walk, she can walk right out of ICU!
She is moving her limbs more. She scratches her healing wounds and rubs her head with her left arm/hand. Lynn had her move her move her right arm for me and she pulled it up on her tummy.
They removed all but one IV and even that is barely flowing. If they can remove that then some of the tubes and ports on her neck can come out.
She works hard for the physical therapists and is definitely getting stronger.
Love you all!
-Brenda
Thanks for the updates! We are so grateful for her progress and the many answered prayers in her behalf. What wonderful family support she has! We love you all, Cousin Renae
ReplyDeleteWay to go Elaine! We are rooting for you to walk out of ICU. Our prayers continue in your behalf.
ReplyDeleteLori & family