daggiesmom Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Joanie is a pain in the *ss... that's how I can tell she is getting much better. She keeps insisting that she can go home NOW! She is still somewhat confused & groggy from two weeks of an induced coma, which the doctor says is fairly common. However, she thinks she is being clever about plotting her great escape from the hospital. First, she tricked a nurse into calling me at home early this morning. When the nurse hands her the phone, she tells me to get there right away & bring her clothes. (I hear the nurse yelling in the background that it isn't true and that Joanie tricked her.) She later tells Dr. S that Dr. B says it's OK for her to go home. She then tells Dr. B the same thing about Dr. S. When Dr. M starts telling her about the therapy plan for the next few days, she tells him that she will do the stuff at home since Drs. S & B say she can leave. She stopped nagging around mid-afternoon and her nurse said maybe she finally realizes that she really isn't ready to leave. I just smiled. The nurse doesn't know her like I do. When I kissed her as I was leaving tonight, she said "Don't forget my coat & pants in the morning." Medically, she is doing much better. The final drainage tube is out as are the catheter and most of the IV lines. They replaced the oxygen mask that she has used since Sunday with a small oxygen tube that sits under her nose & causes her no discomfort. She is on solid food and ate a good part of a cheeseburger that the docs let me "smuggle" in after she just picked at the hospital food. They had her up out of bed for about an hour sitting in a chair. She started breathing exercises today to strengthen her damaged lung and tomorrow she starts physical therapy to start building strength in muscles that she hasn't used in over 2 weeks. Still of concern to the doctors is her heart rate which occasionally becomes irregular and very high with no discernable physical cause. She is still in ICU with a bunch more healing to go but, if all goes well, she could be released sometime next week. Brian Quote
Ry Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Man, who knew Joanie was such an escape artist. I am impressed! Thanks for the update. I hope she continues to improve so she can be sprung. Quote
karen335 Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 If not sprung soon. She may spring herself... Joanie, behave you still have some healing and strengthing to do. Go slow and get well, so you don't end up back in that place. We're all here wishin and hopen and prayin for a quick release... We miss you!!! Karen Quote
dadstimeon Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Glad to see she is improving and will be home soon. Quote
J.C. Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Thank you for the update and the laugh. Joanie will keep them extra busy with her plans for escape, at least they know what she is trying to do and will watch her every move. Prayers still going for her to get home when she is medically ready. Hugs. Jackie Quote
gail p-m Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Thanks for the update on Joanie. I, too, enjoyed the visions of her escape plans. Continued prayers for Joanie. gail p-m Quote
Donna Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Brian, thanks so much for the good laugh ..I needed that today..Tell the nurses and Doc's to keep tabs on their scrubs, she might take a pair for The GREAT ESCAPE!!!God Bless You and Joanie..It's nice to know God hears our prayers.. Donna Quote
carolhg Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But do obey the doctors orders. Quote
Nushka Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Clever, clever Joanie. She has a plan. Thanks for the laugh. I hope she really gets to come home next week...strong and able to eat etc. Nina Quote
Maryanne Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Hi Brian, Well, Joanie certainly is on her road to recovery! I hate to be you tomorrow when you show up without her coat and things. I am really glad that she is doing well and starting therapy. Hopefully you will get your Joanie back home next week. Everything crossed here to make that happen. Thank you so much for keeping us udated Brian, she is certainly a lucky lady to have you at her side. Take care, you must be so relieved that she is getting stronger and stronger each day. I do pray for her heart rate to stabletize. Maryanne Quote
cindi o'h Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 they don't call her spunky for nothing! great story..wonderful will. love, Cindi o'h Quote
ginnyde Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Boy, do we love our Spunky. Hope pt goes quickly and that Joanie gets home quickly. Tell her she is missed. Quote
Kasey Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Hoping for continued improvemenet and FAST....to be able to get Joanie home soon! Kasey Quote
bunny Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 this is so great to hear. she's spunky, for certain!! if I didn't think we'd all get in trouble, I'd repel down the side of the hospital and spring her myself! Brian, once she's out of the ICU, please let me know if I can visit. I'd love to be the LCSC emissary. also, guys, if you want me to bring Joanie anything, let me know. you can either send it to me, or I'll pick it up for you and you can pay me back (no shipping). Brian, give her a big kiss from all of us!!! xoxo amie Quote
shineladysue Posted December 28, 2005 Posted December 28, 2005 Be Patient , Joanie!!! We want you to get all well before you make the big escape.. Prayers coming your way.. Love, Sue Quote
Geri Posted December 29, 2005 Posted December 29, 2005 Well, isn't this good news......good job it's the winter or she'd be leaving in her skivvies!! Geri Quote
nancy c Posted December 29, 2005 Posted December 29, 2005 Oh my God, I love her!! She's great..a mind of her own. I do wish her well. She's a fighter. Give her all of our love! God bless her! Nancy C Quote
Debi Posted December 29, 2005 Posted December 29, 2005 Hey Brian, tell Joanie we're standing by with the bus and the chickens and can break her out of there at a moment's notice... Quote
Kaffie Posted December 29, 2005 Posted December 29, 2005 With her spunk, it wont be long and she'll be back on her feet, at home and giving you a bad time for not getting her out sooner Kathy Quote
daggiesmom Posted December 30, 2005 Author Posted December 30, 2005 Today brought more good news. Joanie has been moved from intensive care to the "respiratory stepdown unit". She will still be closely monitored there -- three patients & one nurse per room -- but the focus will be on helping her to regain her strength rather than life support. Respiratory therapy will continue and physical therapy has begun. The only downside to the move is a relatively minor one: Visiting hours are greatly reduced and enforced, unlike ICU where I could pretty much be there at will. BTW, flowers & such are still not permitted but should be when she is moved to a regular room sometime next week. Thanks again for everyone's continuing prayers and good wishes. I printed & started reading the messages to Joanie but she got teary-eyed & stopped me after a while. She was truly touched by the outpouring of support, as I am. ...Brian, once she's out of the ICU, please let me know if I can visit. I'd love to be the LCSC emissary... Thanks for your kind offer, Amie. I'm sure she would love to see you. I will let you know when she goes to a regular room. Brian Quote
Don Wood Posted December 30, 2005 Posted December 30, 2005 Yep, sure sounds like Joanie is getting better! Thanks, Brian, for the great update. I know you are breathing easier. Don Quote
Donna Posted December 30, 2005 Posted December 30, 2005 Brain, with all your troubles you still found the time to update all of us..You are a very SPECIAL person, and for that we all say Thank You!! I know it had to be very tough for a while, and you held it together for all of us and dear Joanie.. God will send her home again and the hew year will be a healthy one.. Thank you..Thank you..Thank you... Donna Quote
Maryanne Posted December 30, 2005 Posted December 30, 2005 Brian, Joanie, may not be able to receive flowers, but she can receive cards. Please give us the address of the hospital and the room she will be in. I would love to send her out a card. So glad for the news. The only thing with me is I will be away from the 3rd to the 9th but I may have computer access not sure. So she may not get mine as I have a feeling she will be home soon. But others could send cards. If it is in the next couple of days, I can't see why I could not send it. Let us know. Thanks, Maryanne Quote
tnmynatt Posted December 30, 2005 Posted December 30, 2005 Oh Brian, So glad to hear about Joanie's improvement. Continuing to pray for her. Take care. Quote
daggiesmom Posted December 31, 2005 Author Posted December 31, 2005 Brian,Joanie, may not be able to receive flowers, but she can receive cards. Please give us the address of the hospital and the room she will be in. I would love to send her out a card... Here you go, Maryanne: Beth Israel Medical Center 1st Avenue & 16th Street 5 Linsky, Rm 02, Bed B New York, NY 10001 She will be in that room until at least Tuesday but I imagine the mailroom has a way of tracking patient moves. BTW, Joanie took her first walk today. It was short & closely monitored but it was her legs doing the work. Happy New Year, all! Brian Quote
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