Thursday, May 28th - Update
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! I’m happy to share that mom is doing a lot better today! The few days after the bronchoscopy were really tough, she was extremely disoriented, weak and having almost constant tremors. Her oxygen use had increased enough that they put her back on the ventilator. Today is the first day they trialed the high flow trach and she tolerated it great for 4 hours. (Prior to Sunday she was doing 20+ hours) The team has decided that she was being pushed too much and needs to be weened off the ventilator even more slowly. They did a CT and found that the right plural space had filled up with fluid but an ultrasound showed that it wasn’t enough to warrant a chest tube. The plan is still to try and optimize the right lung by treating the pneumonia and keeping it clear of mucus.
For the left side, the fluid still there. Every time they operate things get better for a little bit and then fluid builds back up again. Treatment of aspergillosis infection is tricky to do especially when it’s in the plural space. However CT shows that the top of the left lung is looking more open.
Today she felt clear headed and was able to do TWO walks. After three days of no waking everyone is more than impressed. Mom is happy to be less shaky and able to hold her phone again.
The team is still concerned about the extreme delirium and tremors and are consulting with neuro. Current test results and brain ct show no signs of brain injury. They have cleared me for another family visit on Saturday! I read her all of your messages and showed her all the photos/videos you shared :) thank you for the continual love and support!
The nurse said she slept from 11-1 am when she woke up and was alert. Her confusion seemed to be more resolved although she is still not sure where she is.
She is very drowsy but able to respond and answer the nurses. CT scan at 7 am shows the right plural space filling with fluid and the team is discussing draining it and placing a chest tube on the right side. She will remain on the ventilator today and rest. She was unable to walk earlier but they will try again this afternoon.