30/03/12

Jules was just off for her shower when I arrived.  I had her lunch mushroom rissotto with fruit cake for afters in my bag which was just as well as the cheese and chutney sandwich the hospital provided didn't look that great.  After the shower and hair wash Julie had a latte then tucked into the rissoto a piece of fruit cake and some fruit.

 It's full on in ICU with physio, breathing, speaking, being turned, placed in the chair, going to the balcony for a cup of tea and a chocolate brownie, then back to the ward for more speaking, checking of emails.  Then it was time on the ventilator and a rest before dinner.  A short chat with Russel and Colin before dinner (hospital food ugh) the fish looked like white cardboard, the smoked salmon we had in the fridge was a good substitute, the broccoli had been cooked to almost complete destruction and the less said about the mash the better, a glass of grapefruit juice then some grapes and strawberries to finish.  It was now 8:30 PM. After dinner Jules watched episode 3 of Suburgatory on the ipad but I wouldn't be surprised if she dozed off before the end.

 Clinically through the day there was not much to report the doctor showed me Jules lung X-rays.  Before the bronchoscopies the left lung was completely white on the X-ray collapsed with fluid.  After the bronchoscopies the white areas reduced and the latest X-rays have virtually no white areas and both lungs are fully functional.  The doctor explained that the fluid was not from infection but produced due to the bodies response to the injury and the lack of strength in the muscles used to cough to clear the lungs allowing the fluid to build up.

 The physiotherapist demonstrated the exercises Jules needs to do to strengthen her upper and lower arms and suggested that her regular visitors perform the procedure 10 times on each arm three times per session with 3-4 sessions per day.  It is a big effort for Jules as it requires a lot of concentration for her to will her brain to send the signal to the muscles to do the work.  She is keen to get on with it to build some strength.

 So Saturday will be more of the same 12 hours or more breathing off the ventilator, 2-3 hours with the speaking valve and arm physio.  interspersed with coffee, meals, bathing tea and cake, visitors. using the ipad looking over the papers.  and today's treat will be to watch The Hunger Games video Darrel has obtained

 Only a short report today, but of positive progress.

Kind regards Norm