Oops! This was supposed to post March 6

We've been a bit discouraged with inconsistencies in Grandma's care lately, but it has served to get many things cleared up and coordinated so that her progress can continue. In a nutshell, we recently discovered that Grams hasn't been using the speaking valve for about two weeks (she can talk and eat while on the speaking valve). So while she has been spending more and more time off the ventilator, she has been losing the muscles she built up while on the speaking valve.

After a couple of conferences with her doctors and therapists, they have put her back on the speaking valve three times a day and are working there way back up to where she was. In addition, they are continuing to increase the time she is off the ventilator (about 20 hours today, I think). This is all really hard work for her, but she is doing great and is encouraged.
Grams' birthday is tomorrow (March 7), and her wish is to get OUT of the ICU! Let's pray that that happens soon-soon-soon!


We are praying for:
* consistent care and wisdom for doctors, nurses, and therapists;
* encouragement for Grams;
* encouragement and peace for Gramps;
* accelerated healing of her lungs;
* healing for her spinal cord so that she can move her hands better and her feet at all.

missy