CTSU Day 5

**UPDATE** The swallowing test went well. The speech therapist seem to think her vocal cords are improving. She went from have vocal cord paralysis to vocal cord paresis. That is a good thing. The therapist seems to think that she needs to exercise them and they will get better fairly quickly. We still haven't spoken to the ENT. Hopefully soon. She was assigned a PA from the endocrinologist....uhhh...area?? for diabetes management. She said that her sugar was ranging in the 2 and 3 hundreds yesterday and today. Hmm, that may account for her sleepiness and confusion. The Dr. has ordered a head CT. He is checking for signs of a stroke. The neurologist didn't seem to think she had had one, but they want the money..I mean..er...they want to rule out that possibility. Mom seemed more coherent this afternoon. I really think what they call confusion is really just her being really sleepy. Anyway...I hope some of you aren't annoyed with the almost hourly updates. Some have said they appreciate them, so I'm going to keep doing them. I think they are therapeutic for me, too. :o) Plus, it helps we keep a record, and mom will know what's going on when she comes out on the other side.


We were really hoping that mom would move to "stepdown" today. She had requested that I stay the night with her, but dad and I both packed a bag in case she changed her mind. Turns out, we didn't need it. The Dr. decided to keep her in CTSU (Cardio Thoracic Surgical Unit). Basically, that is ICU for heart surgery patients.

Today isn't as good as yesterday. The speech therapist (more on that later) came in this morning and worked with her, and that made her really tired. She is frustrated because she wants something to drink..more on that later....never mind, I'll just tell you now.

She has Vocal Cord Paralysis. Evidently, when the intubation tube was put it, it moved her vocal cord (I'm not sure if one is paralyzed or two) and she can't talk and can't swallow. They keep saying that it's....you guessed it....normal. That "we're waiting to see if it corrects itself in a couple days." The speech therapist said this morning that her voice would probably return in several weeks or months. Ok, that's fine. She can't talk, and Oma can't hear....yay for dad. However (comma) :o) Swallowing is pretty important!!! We are waiting to talk to the ENT today. I've been researching it online, and have some questions for the Dr. that hopefully will make me not seem like a paranoid daughter.

Her lungs still have fluid in them. I think her nurse said it was an improvement from yesterday. She is on low oxygen, still....Ummm, what else? She is still very sleepy. I guess that's about it. Our big prayer right now is for her swallowing issues. And for my dad. He is soo soo tired. Ok, me too, but not as much as he is. Thanks for the encouraging comments, prayers and cards that have been sent. We keep her updated with who has called, written, and inquired. She has requested that no visitors come back, though....you know how women are with how their hair looks. :o) We love you all!!