Waiting

Let's start with the really good news. Melissa is much more awake, aware, and alert these days. She is still hanging out in the ICU, but she is off sedation and only getting pain meds as needed. Physical and occupational therapy are working with her on sitting up and core stability. Respiratory therapy is helping her with time off the ventilator using just oxygen through a tracheostomy collar.

The theme right now is waiting .... Waiting for the stomach to heal from the feeding tube that was replaced the other day. Waiting for all the medical details to be in the right place for her to be transferred to a long-term acute care hospital for the next steps in her recovery journey.

Prayers are definitely still appreciated:

• Gratitude for the nurses, doctors, and staff taking care of Melissa. They are amazing.

• Patience for Melissa. She is pretty frustrated with the pace of things right now

• Continued improvement in all aspects of Melissa's condition, particularly with physical therapy and weaning off the ventilator.