Smoooooooth....

If I could play a little Carlos Santana as you read this, "Smooth" would be the track playing upon clicking this post.

She was exttubated before I even laid eyes on her after surgery and I am still floored by that. She is on one liter of oxygen, we are weaning down her morphine, and she just asked for a cheeseburger. Her she is getting her EKG this AM.  We took out two of her peripheral IVs and her arterial line this morning. Progress!

Rounds just occurred and should she clear a little more junk from her lungs on her own and sound clear, she is stable enough to move to the floor and out of the PCTU. I am in shock that this is my child we are talking about! My prior experience here makes me nothing less than scarred and traumatized, but it looks like we will be spending only about 1 day in the PCTU as opposed to the 100 from the last time.

I slipped out to snag a cup of coffee and the rounding team showed up while I was gone. They ended up coming back a little  later so I could be part of the discussion. This is just one example of how patient and family centered care translates into the health care experience here. It's nice seeing these pieces in place and improved from our last stay. Families are part of the team to provide input, information, and participate in the decision making process because it does produce better outcomes.

Also, a word about hitting that drive through at McDonalds. If you choose to drive through, throw the change from your food into that little box. The new Mott House here in the hospital has added a completely new dimension to parent functionality. There are 8 private rooms, each with a single bed and a recliner as well as a private bathroom and shower. We were so lucky to get one!!! This space is located on the same floor of the hospital as the PCTU. There is a community kitchen and living room with a peaceful view. I can't tell you how amazing it is to be able to  slip away to private shower, take a private nap (Temperpedic donated a twin mattress for each room), make a private phone call, or eat something without paying cafeteria prices. Donations make all of this possible. Thank you for considering this next time you find yourself with a drive-by French fry craving.

Thanks for following along and we will have an update next when we move to the floor and get a visit from the big sisters.