Saturday, March 29, 2008

Tracy Sat up for an Hour

We went in to see Tracy about 11:00 a.m. and Mary, the nurse, was getting her situated in her bed. Tracy had been sitting up for an hour and is plum wore out. She also did some breathing exercises. Do you remember the movie "The Right Stuff"? The astronauts in training were required to suck on a machine that held a ball in suspension at a certain level for so long a period of time. That is the same kind of machine that Tracy is using. She is supposed to do it 10 times an hour. She has to suck hard enough to raise the indicator to 1500 ml. She had done it at 10:30 a.m., but she showed us what she had to do and got to 1000 ml, then 1250, then 1500 ml. Third time's a charm. Then she decided she was done. The nurse said that was fine because it wasn't time for her to do it anyway.

Tracy is doing what she is supposed to. It is hard and she is challenged, but she is willing. I told her that probably when she's able to sit in that chair well enough and is using that breathing apparatus effectively they will probably be more willing to move her into a regular room. She said flatly, sarcastically, "Yippee". I explained that then we could be in a room together and she didn't say anything. It's hard and she is becoming more aware with every moment of what she is facing.

Ann is in with her now just sitting beside her as she sleeps.

Jeff

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, all-
Tracy is an inspiration to us! You all are. We're here for you if you need us. Lloyd and Betty

Anonymous said...

Jeff,
It has been so great to be able to know how Tracy is doing. Thank you for putting so much detail in your updates. I am so encouraged by the good news and how it is even better than what the surgeon thought before the surgery. Tell Tracy, I am so proud of her courage and am blessed by her faith in God. I am so impressed by her strength.

Guess she will be getting lots of gifts of chap-stick the rest of her life! Jeff, maybe get a variety of flavors and each time ask her what kind she wants.

You all are in my prayers and I am so glad you are being blessed throughout this.

Donna Cummins

Anonymous said...

You can do it, Tracy!

I know it is hard, but you are and always
have been a "fighter"in the good sense.

We love you,
Susan, TL