Minor Set Back?

Brittany had a minor set back today. Her blood gases were the highest they've been and the Doctors at Duke became very concerned. She was pretty groggy and out of it, so they decided to move forward by putting her on a ventilator until they can do surgery to place a tracheostomy.

Brit is now on the ventilator. The procedure went extremely well according to the doctors and she is resting comfortably now. Their plan is to place the trach tomorrow and remove the tube from her throat. Once the trach is in place they will lower the sedation medication and wake her up. This is just a beginning of a long journey for Brit, which I am confident she will be determined to make. It sounds like a few days after the trach is in place they will begin her rigorous physical therapy, and hopefully she will be moved out of the ICU unit shortly after that. (Much better visitation policy on the unit floors)

We all know how determined Brit can be, so I am sure this will just be a minor blip in her steps toward getting her new lungs. As Brad has described to me, the tracheostomy will allow Brittany to start her physical therapy, so that her body will be better equipped for the transplant.

I have to steal a line my husband, John, wrote to Brad that sums up these procedures quite nicely "I compared this sort of stuff to things such as the port or an IV. They are merely tools of the trade with a variety of uses under very diverse circumstances. " Well put and so true!

***Thanks for the photos, Michelle! I can't wait to post more!