Small Improvements

Today was another dialysis day for Andrea and somehow it didn't get started until almost noon, so PT didn't get the workout with her that they wanted.  Since it was so warm today we bundled her up first thing this morning, and went outside a few minutes.  Tomorrow they plan to give Andrea a shower, first one in about 10 weeks.  They have been very diligent about bathing her in bed, and because of the different lines, monitors etc, they couldn't have showered her anyways.  We'll see how she manages that, we expect her to be very tired, but it will be a step in  the right direction.  Her MAP, or mean average pressure is steadily improving,that number is derived from subtracting the lower number from the bigger one in the conventional way of measuring blood pressure.  For an easy example if your blood pressure would be an easy number like 100/60, your MAP would be 40, which would be on the low side.  They first said they were happy with 55 to 80 range, but she struggled to get past the 50 mark.  Now she is in the 60 to 72 range which is very good.  Not sure why it improves slowly like that, my understanding is that her heart output was so low, and now with the pump it takes awhile to get adjusted to such a dramatic improvement in circulation.  Slowly the body gets adjusted to the better flow and the circulation improves all around.  currently she is on no blood support support medications or antibiotics, just her blood thinner  drip and anti rejection meds, vitamins etc.  She may have a swallow study tomorrow, however I don't think her trache site is completely closed yet.  That is all for now, hope to report again tomorrow with some more positive news.

Goodnight, Maynard