Executive Privileges

I held off writing because the nurses told us they were wanting to move Rebel to another part of the SCICU- a room on another floor with windows. That happened yesterday. It's a bigger corner room - good for her physio and for her big VAD machine. But the best part is there are three big windows that face the street so she is finally seeing if not getting some natural light. The staff have nicknamed this room in the SCICU "The Executive Suite" because of its size.

Rebel still has her emotional moments... and this is a good thing. Everything now is starting to overwhelm her, but she is also having her typical "crusty" moments. A good sign say the nurses. Getting back her real personality is helpful as she moves through her recovery.

We are seeing improvements daily in her physio therapy work. She moved rooms by sitting in a wheel chair rather than staying in bed. She has started walking a few small steps, as well as doing the necessary muscle work - knee bends, squats, up on her toes, and lifting her arms. She finds all of this exhausting and difficult but is working hard to help herself.

The food has changed to "real" food rather than the minced stuff. It's almost like room service at a hotel we joked. The special room, a food on a menu you can check off. A diet technician came down and asked about the kind of food Larissa liked - vegetables, fruit, etc. So they are trying as much as they can within the confines of their menus to try and give Rebel food that she will actually eat. And they will check to see how she does over the next couple of days.

Rebel's godmother was here for a visit too. They had a good chat. I ended up having dinner with her last night at a restaurant. First time I had been anywhere except for hospital, home or church. It was nice to be out.

The hospital has had to order her a portable version of her device as the ones they already own are being used. So they expect to be able to switch her from the big machine version to the portable version after the machine arrives and they've tested it. This will give her mobility and ability to walk even more,

We are making progress..... thanks be to God for hearing prayers from soooo many people. Thanks be to God also for an amazing group of dedicated health professionals who are doing all they can to ensure our Rebel will be able to accept a donor heart.