Midday Update

Kim is awake, alert, and sassy! We are trying to get her overall strength up so she's doing some mobility exercises which included getting off her bed an into a chair last night. Cheryl took a picture of Kim giving us thumbs up and a hint of a smile under that tubing. Very, very encouraging.

Her heart and lungs are still trying to figure each other out and so her vent support (pressure to her lungs, oxygen assistance, and volume assistance) are still in place. The team periodically lowers some settings to give her a "trial", but unfortunately thus far she's shown she still needs a lot of help. The talk has turned to giving her a tracheotomy and removing the vent from her mouth which would make her much more comfortable and allow for a bit more mobility/exercise. Because the surgeon who can make that call is away for Christmas, it won't be decided until Wednesday.

She's showing signs of pulmonary edema, meaning she's accumulating a significant amount of fluid in her lungs. They're treating this with diuretics while still hunting for the underlying reasons for the fever she's been fighting. There is mild fungus in her lungs as well which they're planning to napalm to smithereens later.

Today is really going to be about treating her wet lungs, ensuring she's getting air support, and hopefully some mobility exercises.

Her spirits are good, and it's pretty wonderful to be able to communicate with writing, although still frustrating all around. She popped open her iPad and read all your wonderful support, so keep it coming!