I wish I was updating with better news.  I have been able to get to the hospital twice this week to visit, though she’s sediated and doesn’t realize that anyone is there.  Today was the most that I’ve seen her eyes open in 2 weeks. 

The dr today said her condition today is not any better than it was on Monday.  Yesterday they tried to get her to breath without any help from the vent but she was just too weak.  So she is back on the vent, she can initiate the movement but the machine is still providing full support.

They sent her for a CAT scan this afternoon because her right lung looked worse than before.  So the results came back showing pneumonia DUH!!!  Didn’t we already know that??!!  It is in both lungs, worse in the right lung than the left.

They aren’t going to do too much more than they’re already doing over the weekend, then on Monday they will re-evaluate things.  There has already been made mention of a trach, feeding tube, long term care facility, etc.  Ugh I just can’t even think about those things right now. 

I just want  her to fight this thing but it just doesn’t seem like she has the strength to fight anymore.  So I’m hoping that somehow I can give her some of my strength.

Some of you may not know but my grandmother has been in the hospital since last Sunday morning.  She was placed on a ventilator and admitted to ICU at our county hospital and put under heavy sediation so that she could rest comfortably.  MCH was able to confirm that this was not heart-related but that she did in fact have an infection somewhere.  Several times while at MCH they were un-successful in trying to wean her off the ventilator so this past Friday she was transferred to a bigger hospital in Columbus that has a pulmonary specialist on staff. 

On Saturday morning she had a cat scan because they could see from xray that there was “stuff” in one of her lower lobes of her lung.  There is also some concern that her heart is weakening from trying to keep up.  The cat scan results indicated that she has double pneumonia.  At last check (Sunday evening) her fever had been gone for 24 hours and her white blood cell count was improving.  She was still on the ventilator and sediated.

I am patiently awaiting this morning’s update.  So if you don’t mind could you send up a couple prayers and think good thoughts for a speedy recovery!  I’ll try to update when I have some further information.

ETA - Today’s update was just received.  She is not doing any better or any worse.  Either today or tomorrow they will perform an EKG.  The doctor said he was concerned about her quality of life based on her current sedentary life style, meaning she is never going to be the same.  She is not going to bounce back from this as quickly as a healthy active person would.  The doctor’s main focus right now is to get rid of the infection and to get her weaned off the ventilator.  They have noticed at times that she will take a breath on her own with the ventilator just supplementing. 

 A lot has been going on in my world even though I haven’t posted an entry in awhile. I am finally at a point that I can write about my major change that will be happening on December 1, 2008.

 After 13 ½ years at my current job the time has come for me to move on. I went through a lot of soul searching on my end and found that this is the best move for me and my family. But change is good. I am very excited about the new path I am taking and I’m very much looking forward to the new challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead.

Stay tuned as I’m sure there will more to say once I start my new endeavor!