ChloeWatts.com

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Just a few interruptions during the night made last night better than normal. Secretions have been thicker than we’d like, with a couple blocked suction tubes. Those freak me out a bit when it’s too thick, blocks the 10 fr suction tube, and I don’t have time to grab it before it returns down the trach.

Her schedule was changed so much today that nobody could keep up with it. OT with Kim and Sarah started the day out. She is playing with personality now, so the therapists are really having a good time with her. Speech was second with Christie and Jenny. That’s probably Chloe’s favorite as she gets to taste a variety of things. Her tongue is really doing a lot of moving compared to last week. I see the front sides moving in front of the teeth. Her side to side movement is much better also. I even thought I saw the tip do a little movement. This is what we need for the swallow.

I was here by noon after a dentist appointment with Dr. D and the rest of Dana’s friends. Ivey was happy to see me and get some people time and some back yard time. Chloe was just coming back from OT when I got here. She was pretty smiley.

Afternoon was set with OT, School and more PT until 3:30. All went great. When we got back we took a trip with Mama to the Emergency Room parking lot to visit Mama’s car. The Life Flight Helicopter wasn’t on the pad unfortunately. It was a great day though and the sun was even out. Chloe was diddy boppin all the way out and back. After we left there we went to the Children’s Garden to check out the Tinman’s butt and the rest of the fun things in the garden. Of course the helicopter flew over us when we were there. The kicker of the whole walk was a trip to the piano. We got there just in time because there was a rehearsal of a brass group about to start. Chloe played a few songs and was ready to get back upstairs. She uses her hands well on the keyboard. It won’t be long now…

Tuesdays are movie night, so we were entertained by “Cool Runnings.” Very appropriate for this time of year I’d say. I love that movie and I saw Chloe laughing many times. She has also been reading her books again. This is something I think is a huge advance. That means her eyes are doing well.

She has been very good at getting to the bathroom with help of the walker and Mama or the nurse. There is great progress in so many areas that I’m feeling good about the March 10th target date.

We had our weekly meeting again today and there weren’t any great surprises. She will be on some antibiotics for a suspected “infection of sorts” that may be making her secretions thick. The therapists all spoke of how well she is progressing. There was talk of having us practice a weekend pass in the hospital, but that would just mean Dana would be working without the nurses’ help. It wouldn’t mean Chloe could get out of the hospital, which is our idea of a weekend pass. The suction machine is the big stopper for us getting away. The hospital won’t lend us the one we use here because of liability. I don’t have to agree with their policy but it’s not one that I want to fight. They will look into us getting one from an outside source so we can get out of here for five hours or so.

Be well,
Ron