Today when Heather's sister, Heidi, and I got to Heather's room they informed us that she again had a vagal response while they were suctioning her breathing tube and her heart stopped again. I say let's get that tube out so that won't happen anymore.
Her breathing is doing really well, and she is strong enough to be extubated today (I know. You've heard that before.). There is a catch, however. They have noticed what may be blood coming out of her NG tube (It looks a little like coffee grounds.). So, in order to be sure, they are going to put a scope down her throat and into her stomach to look for potential sources of bleeding (eg., ulcers, irritation in the stomach from the NG tube rubbing on the lining, etc.). They also wonder if it may be old blood that was the reason for her low hematocrit yesterday. (By the way her hematocrit looks good today, between 32 & 34.). They don't want to extubate Heather until they have done the scope and know what is going on with that. Again we wait.
The burn doctor came and looked at Heather's legs this morning, and said that they still are looking to doing surgery next week. He said they have to shave away the dead skin to find out how deep it is and whether/how many grafts will be required. He said they may need to use cadaver skin to stimulate growth, but they will definitely use her own skin which will possibly be taken from the back of her legs, her hips, or sides. If they can, they will likely keep her here in the Surgical ICU, but it will depend on what her needs are as they start working on her.
The physical therapists came in and again had her sit up. She seemed quite tired from her standing up episode yesterday, so they did not push her to stand again. Though more tired today, she seems stronger to me.
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