They are weaning Riza off of sedation, both to ensure good readings in neuro tests and to prepare her for breathing on her own.
It is great to se open eyes, feel a hand squeeze, and know that she is aware of my presence. Yet I become aware of her discomfort and fear. She nods "no" to the nurses that she is not in pain, but she doesn't look like somebody having a lot of fun.
Tomorrow I will stalk the physicians in the hallways to lobby for extubation. (And, perhaps sneak in a pair of pliers...) I think she is ready.
While getting a mouth suction (like the dentist without nitrous) she pushed the suction tube out with her tongue. Besides proving to me that that is Riza in there, it is a good sign that she might have tongue and throat control to handle breathing. Dr. Nelson prepared me for a possible tracheotomy if her tube is pulled and she lacks the control to open her throat and tongue.
Still, we have lost the ventric, the cooling blanket, temperature probe, and most of the IVs. Her room looks less like the Monty Python "Meaning of Life" sketch all the time.
She'll need her trademark toughness over the next few days, I think. But I think that we could also see a blossoming when she is freed.