February 4th

Jodi had another good day. The Dr. down sized her trach (Ok, I got several calls due to the fact that I spelled “Trach” as “Trash” two messages ago. I got several offers to help Jodi take her trash out----very funny everyone!). She is now able to breathe around her trach and because of that, she can put a cap on the trach and talk. It is so fun to actually hear her talk. She is loving it. If she can get to the point that she can keep the cap on her trach for 24hours, they will take the trach out. They also did the bone scan to check for the “H.O.” but we will not know the results until tomorrow. She did have both a bladder infection and a slight infection in her lungs. They have started antibiotics but she is feeling quite well. The only pain today is the continued left thigh. Due to the trach down size and two times going to have bone scans, she did not do much therapy. Tomorrow should be catch up day for her. We are so encouraged that she keeps making progress. Now that she can talk, she is getting pretty bossy. I think I liked it better when she was quiet.

Connie

February 3rd

This has been kind of an odd day. Jodi has been having a low grade fever all day. Once again, they are trying to figure out why. She has possible signs of infection in her lungs but they are also looking at a condition called “HO”. She has been displaying some symptoms for it. It is when the bone calcifies and sometimes grows outside of the bone. It can be very painful. She has been experiencing a lot of pain in her left upper leg and hip and her AlkPhos is high ( a lab test which can be indicative of bone problems). The pain meds that they have been giving her, as well as the muscle relaxants have not resolved her pain. The “HO” is often seen in stroke patients and people who are not up and around a lot. Personally, I think that she just pulled a muscle in her upper leg and I am hoping that I am right. If she has “HO” they can treat it with oral meds if caught soon enough. Since it did not show up on the x-ray she had yesterday that may indicate that “HO” is in the early stages if she does have it. As a result of the pain, she will likely have a light physical and occupational therapy day tomorrow or until they can make sure that her leg is up to it.

I think that I have failed to let everyone know that she can once again have visitors and she loves seeing you! Just be careful not to expose her to any colds or flu. If you have been sick, you can ask at the nurses desk for a mask to wear and be sure not to touch her with your hands. If you bring your kids, please don’t let them give her kisses and hold her hands. We hope that you will not take offense to this because she has been through so much already and we are doing our best to keep her going and healthy until she can go home at the end of this month.

Connie