Post ICU...Day 2

Oh, it is wonderful to have my Princess back!  Today is our second day out of the ICU where Princess began what would become an 11 day ordeal that started due to her seizing continuously for nearly 14 hours.  Having been put into a medical coma and putting her life on the support of a ventilator, we have experienced an up and down mix of emotions and events over these last two weeks.  It is surreal to think that nearly two weeks ago she was hooked to all this strange equipment for a second time and now, just two days out of the ICU, she is not hooked to anything...No oxygen, no IV line.  Her recovery is remarkable.

Now, while my post has an upbeat message, it is important to know that she does have a long road to recovery ahead.  Basically for the entire month of July, with the exception of one week, Princess has either been on a ventilator in the ICU or recovering in a hospital room.  Obviously, we are very excited to be on the road to recovery.

These last two days have been good and have unveiled just how slow Princess will need to take things.  Learning to walk again and use muscles that haven't been used for 11 days.  Learning to swallow so that even just a sip of water could be had.  While, we're confident that this relearning is not from the seizures, it appears that it has more to do with the extended intubation.  While we were able to get some rest over these last two days, we have met with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Pathology.

Thankfully, yesterday, Princess did pass her retest of the swallow test. This meant that Princess could safely consume water, and solid food.  Consuming food and water now meant that she could get the necessary food and nutrition to begin her battle back and have full recovery.  Visits from Physical and Occupational Therapy were extremely helpful.  It also gave good light to the physical limitations as Princess will need to rebuild her strength.  Today and yesterday we are just working on walking with a walker and getting to and from bed to the bathroom or around the hospital room.  The positive, for those that know Princess, she is a fighter and today it was incredible to see her progress and some strength come back.  Her balance was improved and for the most part I was not assisting her as she moved.

Still no seizures!  We have now gone a full week since the last recorded seizure.  Praise the Lord!  Her pneumonia is still pretty strong and today's x-ray did show that she is improving and today would complete her last day of antibiotics.  As the doctor shared with us, he truly felt like Princess was over the hump and should continually get better each day.

So, that is the latest from the Foxhole.  We are grateful for the rest and the lack of medical equipment that now surrounds us.  Please continue to pray for Princess' strength, and healing.  The pneumonia is truly strong and makes it very difficult to breathe.  Her throat is extremely sore and inflamed from the second intubation in just three weeks.  Pray that walking, balance, and stamina will be restored to her.
Thank you to everyone who has checked in, and encouraged us along the way.  Last night we took the time to read through the blog as I shared with Princess what she had just gone through.  I know today, she has also had the chance to read through some messages and even most of the cards that have been sent through the mail!  Thank you!