Yes, it's her. You can assume that if a couple days goes by without any news here, it's because there's not a lot of news. The waking up has been so slow, and the difference between days is how many times Rosina nods her head, or how she looks around, or if she was able to close her mouth. She's starting to do all three. She looks better.
This morning they switched the ventilator to over to CPAC mode, which means that she's still connected, but she's doing the breathing herself, not the machine. If her respiratory rate gets too slow, the machine kicks in. That's a small but good step. They have also lowered her steroids and so far have not seen any new bleeding in the lungs, which is what the steroids were for. There was a little concern today as they saw some fresh blood around the trach, and they had to do a bronchoscopy, but the lungs were okay. That was a relief. The "bronch" as they call it, is a lot easier with the tracheotomy. Considering how slow this is going, it's a good thing they did that. She has also had abnormal numbers related to her liver and today they also did a plasma exchange. As a by product of the bone marrow transplant (remember the bone marrow transplant?) your plasma takes a hit and needs to be freshened up. So they wheel in a machine which takes blood out of you, spins out the plasma in a centrifuge and then adds new plasma as the blood goes back into her body. There's also been some concern about her kidneys, but that changes day to day. It's hard to keep track of all this stuff and how it is caused and/or connected. I'm not sure, but I think the plasma condition also shows up as low platelete numbers, and she's been getting platelets. She's been getting everything.
I was over there today and talking to her and her eyes opened a bit, but when I sang a bunch of songs to her, songs I made up to sing to the kids, her eyes were open wide. She heard it. It was nice. Those songs usually put her to sleep (as they should).Thanks all, for the kind words!
xo
ph
6 comments:
Sounds like Rosina's getting better, bit by bit. So glad to hear it! And we love the fact that when you were singing to her, Rosina perked up!!! Peter, your blog and the wonderful photos are keeping us feeling totally connected to Rosina and you and your experience. Thanks for sharing yourself and this amazingly trying situation. As always, we send you our love and positive vibes! Julie & Steve
Glad to hear the good news Pete! Sounds like little by little she's getting used to her new bone marrow. Excellent! Beijos Ro!!
Keep up those baby steps trodding forward, we're steppin' with youze guys ....
xox Liz
Peter, you and your blog are beyond extraordinary. This seems to be a reverse "Six degrees of separation" -- more like countless degrees of connections between you and your readers. People like myself, once-removed (via my daughter), who have never met you and know Rosina only casually, are with you on your roller coaster ride of a journey, wishing they could help, and determined to hang on all the way. It's a privilege to be part of it.
Liz's mum
Love to all of you. God Bless, Elizabeth
God Bless you Peter and Rosina, and Jake, and Nina, and Will. You must be missing each other, and things as they used to be, especially at this time of year! We are singing songs for Rosina, and sending our love, Nancy and Barnet and Kate, Eliza and Mike
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