Hard to believe that Sarah has been in the hospital for a whole week - needless to say she says she'd rather be somewhere else...
At about 2 AM, Sarah's sedatives were tapered allowing her to gradually wake up in order to try to remove her breathing tube and get to her to breath on her own. Anyone who has had the experience of being awake and trying to breath through a large tube in the trachea knows what kind of a nightmare this can be. Not surprisingly, Sarah handled this with the same resilient courage with which she handles other challenges - deep breaths, don't fight it, sign languaged "thumbs up." Her sister Eliza was so wonderful at her bedside coaxing and encouraging her through every minute of this mini-battle At about 2:30 the tube was out and Sarah's steady breathing carried on.
Finally, able to talk, some of you will guess her first three words: "Diet Coke Please." We were able to help her by adding: "No ice." However, she has to settle for yucky little greeen sponges on a stick soaked in ice water until her tummy is as awake as her brain. But it wasn't long before Sarah was beginning to orchestrate life for everyone in the intensive care unit.
We are so relieved to see Sarah breathing on her own and the first of a thousand tube removed from her little body. She is coping with a good deal of pain as the nurses cope with the thin line between pain management and over sedation from the medications. In addition to the sometimes perilous recovery from heart surgery, we are aware that this bacteria from hell still needs to be defeated completely before Sarah will be safe and able to return to her life.
Her brother Reed will be arriving home from Honduras late tonight, and he will be such a welcome sight for Sarah. Everyone's prayers and thoughtful support are so welcome to Sarah and to us. It feels like a giant karmic pillow under us all.
At about 2 AM, Sarah's sedatives were tapered allowing her to gradually wake up in order to try to remove her breathing tube and get to her to breath on her own. Anyone who has had the experience of being awake and trying to breath through a large tube in the trachea knows what kind of a nightmare this can be. Not surprisingly, Sarah handled this with the same resilient courage with which she handles other challenges - deep breaths, don't fight it, sign languaged "thumbs up." Her sister Eliza was so wonderful at her bedside coaxing and encouraging her through every minute of this mini-battle At about 2:30 the tube was out and Sarah's steady breathing carried on.
Finally, able to talk, some of you will guess her first three words: "Diet Coke Please." We were able to help her by adding: "No ice." However, she has to settle for yucky little greeen sponges on a stick soaked in ice water until her tummy is as awake as her brain. But it wasn't long before Sarah was beginning to orchestrate life for everyone in the intensive care unit.
We are so relieved to see Sarah breathing on her own and the first of a thousand tube removed from her little body. She is coping with a good deal of pain as the nurses cope with the thin line between pain management and over sedation from the medications. In addition to the sometimes perilous recovery from heart surgery, we are aware that this bacteria from hell still needs to be defeated completely before Sarah will be safe and able to return to her life.
Her brother Reed will be arriving home from Honduras late tonight, and he will be such a welcome sight for Sarah. Everyone's prayers and thoughtful support are so welcome to Sarah and to us. It feels like a giant karmic pillow under us all.
Dear Carl and Seddon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for setting up this blog. Jan and I send our love.
john
I cant believe this time last Friday I was talking with Sarah about picking dates to teach this spring. Please tell her that I am not taking her off the agenda and the class needs her wisdom. Sending love and healing thoughts. Mary
ReplyDeletePlease tell Sarah that I'm thinking of her and hoping for a quick and full recovery. I look forward to seeing her facebook posts reappearing very soon! My entire family is sending healing thoughts to yours. I know Sarah's incredible spirit and sense of humor will carry you through.
ReplyDeleteDan Habib
What a strong young woman Sarah is! Her demands that the family go without caffeine while she has to are priceless and precious and sound just like the Sarah we know and love! Our well wishes to Sarah & all - Love from some of the Oregon cousins,
ReplyDeleteKara, Brian, Alec, Mariah, & Brandon
Dear Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWhat an experience you are having! And while I am sure you wish you and your family didn't have to go through all this torture, how great you must feel to see how many people love you and wish you a speedy recovery. You are quite a special girl! We too love you and wish you a speedy recovery. We will come to see you soon.
Maria, Bruce and Christian
Sarah has been popping into my head all week...and now I know why! So sorry to hear of this tough start to 2011, but glad to know her sass and spirit remain intact :) I will be sending good thoughts and would love to come for a visit, when she's up for it. My sister is in town starting today and I know she'd love to see Sarah too while she's here, if that could work out. Love to all of you!
ReplyDelete