Mom Updates

Update (9/14/08)
Today the doctor upgraded Linda's condition such that they will move her out of the ICU as soon as a bed comes available in the regular hospital (yes, this hospital is that busy).
When I arrived this morning they were taking an ultrasound of Linda's lungs. Her right lung looked really good, but her left lung was collapsed. They drained a lot of fluid off of the left lung. Once that was done, it was clear to me that Linda's chest was rising from both sides, but they still took an x-ray which showed all was well.Linda's voice improved slightly, but the Vicodin she is on had her a little loopy. Somehow she got the idea that she would be going home tomorrow or the next day. When the nurse heard this, she asked, "who told you that?" and kind of looked my way. I put my hands up and swore it wasn't my idea. The nurse told her that she can come home when she is back in the condition that she was in before she came to the hospital. Linda seemed to interpret this as meaning the same condition as when she came in the hospital, on a stretcher, and she thought she could achieve this rather quickly. So much for wishful thinking - I'm hoping that it will be by the end of the week.It is great to have my wife to talk to again. She is dealing well with the news that she has colon cancer. She thinks it began when Devin was born in 1992. Not that it is Devin's fault, but that she had a misdiagnosed illness that has annoyed her ever since.Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We live in a time where God has blessed us with some incredible medical technology, but I also believe that our prayers were answered now that both her lungs are working on their own.

Update (9/15/08)
I found Linda up and cheerful when I arrived this morning at the hospital. She is breathing so well, that they took her off the oxygen feed. She is eating solid food and really enjoyed a vanilla milkshake that Joe brought her. She is more than willing to put in the work that the physical therapist started her on. Having had 4 C-sections, she has a pretty good idea of what it takes to get back to walking condition. In this case her goal is to be able to make it upstairs when she comes home. For today she walked to the hospital room door and back with the aid of a walker.Before I arrived this morning, Linda had met with the oncologist. Linda said that he was nothing but encouraging. He wants to be "aggressive" in Linda's treatment since she is still "young". Not much in treatment will occur for now - he wants her to get her strength back which will probably be 5 or 6 weeks from now. Please continue to pray for Linda to be able to gain strength.She moved rooms today, but to another ICU room. Officially she is supposed to be "upstairs" and out of the ICU, but they don't have any beds available yet which means she still can't have visitors, flowers or balloons. Thanks to those who have sent cards - she has really enjoyed reading them.

Update (9/16/08)
Linda texted me this morning because she got to take a shower. They have now moved her to room 445 in the Medical Center of Aurora (which happens to be the pediatric ward). She still has a chest tube in her to drain the fluid from around her lungs. She was told that it would be at least 24 hours after they take the tube out before she can come home, and the tube won't come out until she shows no signs of excess fluid around the lungs. She is working hard to increase her lung strength with one of those blowing apparatus (you know, blow the ball so high and keep it there).If you would like to visit her at the hospital, please call me first - 303-810-1780. Again we are so thankful for your thoughts and prayers. In family prayer tonight Cade asked to "please bless all the people who are praying for mom".