Thursday Update

Thursday, June 5

Today has been a rather quiet day. This is related to the fact that Doreen had been very annoyed by and uncomfortable with the hiccoughs yesterday. In order to control them, the doctors ordered a medicine that proved to have a strong impact on her ability to stay involved and connected with what was going on around her (in other words, stay awake). Because of that, the speech therapist was not able to rouse her enough to do a swallow study in the morning. The physical therapy and occupational therapy staff came to do an assessment, and she was in many ways a rag doll. This is due in part to some lost muscle tone, but it was also due to the medication. In the afternoon, another therapist did some swallowing assessments, and this time she did much better. She handled ice chips and applesauce with very little difficulty. The medication is beginning to wear off, but it may take some more time.

An exciting part of the day is that all of her physicians approved her moving out of intensive care to another room. This evening, we are just waiting for that move to take place. It depends on whether a room is available, but we hope it will take place soon. We reassured her that we would stay close; they can’t get rid of us. Karen said we would “stay on their tails.” Doreen then asked, “Are you sure they have tails?” Her sense of humor is still intact! Of course, the delivery of the one-liners will work better when we can hear her better!

We were pleased and thankful to get a number of greeting cards today. We shared them all with Doreen, and she thanks all of you for them. For those of you who do not have the hospital address and would like it, it is:

Doreen Myers c/o Lutheran Hospital
7950 W. Jefferson
Fort Wayne, IN 46804

We hope to tell you her new room number tomorrow!