My lil sis (3)

Yesterday, a tracheotomy was performed on Angela. This was done because the throat air tube can only stay in for 7-8 days before the possibility of infection, scarring etc sets in. During this time, they also did a lung biopsy and also got a "Lumbar Puncture" which, if you have ever had an epidural, you can appreciate the discomfort of it. This test is used for extracting fluid for testing. They are testing for meningitis as well as a number of other possibilities.

The CAT scan performed did not show any signs of bleeding in the brain but the EEG did show some signs of seizure activity.

Angela is still quite swollen everywhere, including the brain (encephalopathy)??.

Her lungs are not clear but a chest x-ray is performed daily to monitor progress.

I noticed a lot more coughing from Angela since the new trach was put into her throat but I'm sure this due to the newness of it.

I won't bother to list all of the different tubes coming and going from the poor girl's body but I'll just say that there are a lot!

An MRI was completed yesterday and hopefully we will know more today of the results. The Neurologist is coming in this morning for a consult with Angela.

This morning when I talked with Angela's Primary Nurse, he said that he was getting some "Command Responses" from her. (She could lightly squeeze his hand and wiggle her toes on command) and was otherwise a quiet night for her. Soooooooo, these are good signs. Its nice to see some forward progression for Ang, it gives us all a little more confidence that she'll recover.


I'm sure I've forgotten small details but I think this is the gist of it! Its been a very long 8 days for all of us and we appreciate all that everyone has done.

Very sincerely,

The McDade's