Day 2 - Get on 'The Floor'

Shaking off the ICU:

That is our goal today to get out on the dance floor.  Well, the Floor as it is called - the place where the non-critical patients go (for remainder of recovery), and we are told her room is ready!!

She has progressed great this morning.  Instruments and lines are rapidly vacating her ICU room and the sun is shining in the window - a great day indeed.  She had water and a Popsicle this morning, and just got up out of bed to take a stroll to the bathroom - didn't want to do the bed pan!  She got up quickly and walked very fast to the bathroom, all while the other ICU nurses where hooting, "Yeah, fast recovery girl, you show them surgeons!!  Look at her go!"  That was cool.

Sarah and nurse Cat discussing how to get out of ICU!

Dad with Sarah after a fast walk.  Look at that green shag blanket.
The talk of the ICU is that blanket, Erin...

She is eating some jello, sprite (that is gone) and more water.  Time for a nap after the big bathroom excursion.  Rounds were just completed by the fellows and they love her progress and want to yank the J line (in her neck artery), Foot IV and various hand/wrist IVs in the next hour!

Let's see, so what will that leave her for inserted attachments...?  Well we have the dreaded chest tube still, and a few pacing wires coming out of her chest (somewhere??).  Think that is it.  He pain levels are great, and she feels good, and will rest for a few hours until they kick us out to the FLOOR!!!

On The Floor

We got to the mythical 'Floor' and it is a bit over-rated.  Not as high-end as ICU:  two to a small room, shared bathroom, roommate has numerous visitors streaming in and out all day/night.  Good motivation to get outta here.  Sarah is doing well, been doing a lot of sleeping, but also some walking and more eating in between naps - so great progress.  Pain is in check, on some decent concoctions of meds to keep the chest wound at bay.  Dr. Emani made a guest appearance on the floor to check  on Sarah, and that was nice.  He was saying how her heart sounds just great - ECHO on thursday to base-line the new aortic flow signature.

Dr. 'Ram' giving the new valve the official listen.

Sarah had a nice dinner of mashed potatoes, roll and butter, and vanilla frozen yogurt - all white, all easy on the stomach.  Sarah did some video chatting with Katie and Molly today too, so that was nice for all the girls.  Plan is to have Judi stay with Sarah tonight and I will take off for some Zzzz's at the hotel room later tonight.  Been a while since I've had any sleep - going to be nice.