Some Improvement But Still Guarded

"I spent Saturday night at Margaret's bedside in the hospital, keeping vigil and trying to reassure her. She was mostly sleeping under heavy sedation but every hour or two, her eyes would open and she would be aware for a few minutes before dropping off again. By sunrise, she awakened for more extended periods. She communicated with gestures since she cannot speak right now. The Good Samaritan ICU staff and City of Hope BMT clinic staff have really worked to balance every test, image, and vital sign with medication and procedures to keep things under control. This morning Maragaret's condition is much improved: normal temperatures, normal heartbeat and blood pressure, x-rays show less congestion in her lungs, and she looks less distressed. However, she still has pneumonia, she still is on the ventilator, and she still requires lots of antibiotics. There was some buildup of fluid between her chest wall and lungs, so a thoracentesis was done this afternoon. While I went home for a couple hours sleep, Margaret's friend Kate went in to sit with her. Since she is a former respiratory therapist, she is familiar with the ventilator and ICU setting. Otherwise visitors are out of the question right now. Your prayers and loving thoughts are working; please keep them up. I'll be back at the hospital in an hour or so, and will update everyone tomorrow." -Ken