Mom is doing better today than she has so far. I stopped by to see her on my way to the airport and she was very alert. We chatted for about 45 minutes. She got a good night's sleep last night and it shows.The doctor came by shortly before I got there and let her know everything is going very well. In fact, they are going to pull the right drain tube today and likely send her home tomorrow. This has her a bit panicked, but she will be in good hands when she gets there. Thanks again for all the support (even the smart aleck comments from the peanut gallery).

Sorry - only two updates today, but things are slowing down a bit.  Mom had the left chest drain removed today and is still on oral pain medication.  They cut back the dosage and she is getting her wits back.  She didn't get much sleep last night and she was fading fast this evening.  She was comfortable being well taken care of, so dad and I left her at about 4:30 and ventured into the Seattle rush hour traffic and the "Kirkland Krawl".  I don't think dad is too comfortable with my pilot skills, but I keep telling him "Don't worry, I haven't killed anyone yet".  Plus, we get home a lot quicker so we could get the cleaning chores done.

Dad got versed on the pill regimen today.  In the short term, mom will have to take more pills than Carter has.... pills.  It took a solid hour for the pharmacist to go over it and show him how to stay organized.  Dad and I ran into a couple of Moms friends that are also in the transplant program.  All are excited for mom.

All signs are good and mom is doing great.  I can't say as much for her poor pet fish,  He was on a diet for a couple of days as dad and I remembered to feed ourselves, but forgot about the fish.  He is doing good now, but he is a bit lighter than when mom went to the hospital. 

I am heading home tomorrow, but between dad and me, we will keep everyone updated.

Thanks again for all the support!

Dad and I got to the hospital at about 11 and mom was snoozing. She had a rough night last night. Her epidural came loose and her pain medication was not effective. They pulled it out and she is on oral pain medication. She is feeling much better but drowsy and a bit loopy. She went for a walk and got her exercise for the day before we arrived.

Mom and Dad are having "pill training" this afternoon so they can get the daily regimen down. Appearently, there is quite a routine to follow. Dad and I are going to start deep cleaning the apartment this evening. Caroline Hight has offered to help clean this weekend and Dad is happy to have her assistance. The apartment needs to be as free of bacteria and germs as possible when mom gets there.

Though last night was rough, she is still improving as well or better than expected.

Mom is hanging in there.  She has been up and walking a bit, but she still has the drain tubes in.  They have her sitting in a chain so the new lung will expand and fill the chest cavity.  She would rather be in bed and  is still in quite a bit of pain, but the "good meds" are keeping that at bay.  After sitting on our duffs all day, Dad and I were asking if we could get one of those handy buttons we could push for our pain.  We didn't get too far wit that request. 

Her nurse today, Jesse, was fantastic and spent a lot of time with mom, listening and answering her questions.  Every day brings progress and there are no complications thus far.  The next critical step is to get the drain tubes out.  Once those are out, they can pull the epidural that is being used to administer the pain medication and get her up and walking.  We are still hoping to get her to the apartment sometime this weekend.

Again - a million thanks to everyone for their support.  Mom has gained a lot of encouragement from your messages.

More tomorrow..............

Mom continues to improve.  We dropped by this morning en route to drop Scott off at the airport.  She doesn't like her new nurse as well, but she is still getting good care.  The doctor came by to visit and said everything is going well.  She still has the drain tubes in her chest, but he said those would come out in a day or so.  She is supposed to be out of bed and sitting for 6-8 hours today so the new lung can settle into place.  As soon as the drain tubes are removed, they want her walking. 

All-in-all, she could be home this weekend if all continues to go well.  I will probably head back to Denver Thursday, so dad will take over the updates.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

I am truly amazed.  72 hours after the surgery, Mom is out of the ICU.  She had a busy day today.  Gary and Caroline Hight drove over from Cle Elum and Tina Nimick came down to visit.  She had a busy day and was off oxygen for quite awhile.  Once she was out of the ICU, she ordered Sirloin tips and rice for dinner.  Dad suggested that she might want something a bit lighter and she quickly reminded, "Glenn, I have not eaten for three days. I'm HUNGRY!"  When we left her this evening, she was sitting in a chair, eating dinner and grumpy because she couldn't put on her own pajamas.

Overall, she is doing great.  She was off of the Oxygen several times today for 20-45 minutes.  She is awake but tired and anxious to let everyone know she is doing well.

Dad is doing well.  He, Scott, and I just got through with our third steak dinner in as many nights.  Dad says they cook better than him downtown and the beer is colder, so we'll probably be eating out a few more times before it's over.   Scott is headed home in the morning, but I am going to stick around for a few more days (I have a more lenient boss than he does).

Thanks again for all the comments.  Mom enjoys what everyone has to say.  We'll keep everyone posted.

We just got some more good news.  Mom is being moved out of ICU later this afternoon.  She is still on "the good meds" and is very sleepy, but doing well.  She is breathing well and her oxygen levels are very strong.  She got a new nurse named Mike.  He is taking good care of her. 

Not much esle beyond that, but we were happy to hear that she is still improving.

We got to the hospital at about 10:30 today.  We would have been bit earlier, but the parking attendant whom mom has befriended over the last year, was pretty talkative.  She is a nice lady and is just one more that is pulling for mom.

Mom is a lot more alert today.  Her voice is coming back and she is wanting to use it.  After we said our hellos, she made sure to remind us that there were some pork chops in the refrigerator that we either need to eat or put in the freezer.  She is more worried about our eating and sleeping arrangements than she is about herself. 

Overall she is very good.  She is still pretty congested and in quite a bit of pain, but that is normal.  She continues to get excellent care.  They still have her on oxygen, but it is a very low dose.  We are going to spend the day here again keeping her company.  Hopefully our guy talk about poker, cars, and war stories don't bore her too much.  Those seem to be our chosen topics for discussion.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone is sending.  We are sharing them all with mom.

Day 2 is in the books.  Dad, Scott and I spent the majority of the day with Mom and she is doing well.  They still have her on the "good drugs" and she is pretty sleepy, but hanging in there.  Krista, her nurse, was working with her to keep her awake and they were switching pain meds to something that doesn't make her so sleepy.  She is alert and wants to talk between naps, but her voice is still not up to speed. 

All in all, everything is still very good.  She was out of bed and sitting up for a couple of hours this evening.  We left about 5:30 pm and tracked down a beer and some cow.  Another good day and we are looking forward to the progress tomorrow...

Keep the comments coming!