Surgery Today

Heather went into surgery this morning at 7:30am. They will be reconnecting her intestine. After I posted yesterday Heather continued to do really well. She improved in every way. They took her off all the medications that were supporting her heart, and her heart continued to perform really well through the night. Her blood pressure has been around 105/65, and her heart rate was in the 110s. They reduced her oxygen level to 50% (from 80% the day before), and the pressure in her lungs after exhaling came down to 10 (from 16 the day before). Her liver is performing better, and her kidneys continue to perform well. On Tuesday night they were using 13 different IV pumps, and now they are using only 7. Her white blood cell count was much higher yesterday than it has been. They are only using one antibiotic (they were using 4). They are continually reducing the amount of fluids they give her. Basically she is doing better in almost every way.

They expect that she will have some set backs in her progress after the surgery, but they still plan to slowly bring her out of the paralysis and the sedatives after the surgery is over. They will wash her insides out again (Dr. Hatasaka told me last night that during the first ICU surgery they used 12 liters to wash out her abdomen. He also explained that they pour the liquid in, kind of slosh it around, and then suck it out.).

I spent about 1/2 hour with Dr. Hatasaka again last night. He mostly just explained all the progress she is making that I have discussed above. He said that the OB/GYN Department will be having their 2-hour conference today (about 30 doctors will attend) where they will be discussing Heather's case.

I wish I could remember everything I hear, so I could keep you all informed, but it comes fast and furious. Thank you all for your concern and prayers. She really needs them this morning as she is in surgery and recovering from it.