Some very very good news today. They turned off the respirator and Riza breathed on her own for 30 minutes. They will likely do this a couple more times overnight.
My focus is set on removal of this tube, so it stands to reason that if she can prove she does not need it, we're on the way. (What do we want? Extubation! When do we want it? Now!) I heard a hundred good reasons to leave it in, but I still can’t wait 'till it comes out.
Riza was more awake today and the swelling had subsided enough that she opened her eyes frequently. This was exciting, but I was not allowed to jump up and down and talk to her when she did it.
Of course, after a great day, they have to hit you on the way out. The new worry is a blood clot in her left arm. It's not too bad and it is very common, but it poses a conundrum: you fight a clot with anticoagulants, but those are clearly at cross purpose with a recovery from hemorrhage.
The radiologist will read the ultrasounds and confer with the Pulmonary Docs. She's in good hands.
Yet another thanks to everybody helping me out. I went to friends’ for dinner (Thanks Lou and Marykay!) and later came home, once again, to food in the 'fridge (Thanks, Brooke & Tania!) Jk’s law: make sure a lot of people have a key to your house. It helps when you’re locked out and it allows magical people to do magical things.