Once again, Mom had a very quiet night.  She seems a little more aware of little things that irritate her, like her trach and feeding tube, and she tries to play with them. The oxygen delivery has been changed to what is called a trach collar, which is like a teacup over the opening of her trach.  This delivers a rich oxygen and humidity mixture that keeps her secretions loose.  She is able to often cough up some of the secretions without having to be suctioned as often.

We are moving in the direction of her being transfered to the Mather in the Skilled Nursing Unit on 2 early next week. There are many preparations that need to occur before then, and she still needs more medical “tuning up” at Rush first. I think that everyone is excited that she will be “back at home” where it is easier for most of her friends to see her, and where the wonderful Mather staff will attend to her.  She will require very extensive supportive care, and the arrrangements for that are in progress.