I’m in Claire’s room again this time listening to the smooth tones of Jack Johnson: Claire likes his music and it seems to calm her.
Today was part two to yesterday’s hard day. Claire was very agitated yesterday and her heartrate and blood pressure betrayed her feelings to the world. It was difficult to watch and concerned the doctors. Today, Claire didn’t have a chance to be agitated until after surgery and the anesthesia wore off. We were disappointed to see the posturing continue as she started to stir.
What was encouraging is that the posturing doesn’t appear to be as aggressive as yesterday. Furthermore, her heartrate and blood pressure were not as volatile. Claire also did a much better job of moderating and calming herself today.
We were disappointed that the ventillator tube didn’t come out today and were hoping that Papa would be able to kiss her goodbye tube-free before be had to return home tomorrow. As it is Papa gently held her hand and whispered he’d see her soon without the tube.
It is hard too see my dad go home. He is a comfort to be around. He is strong and caring. He loves his family. The home he made for me and my siblings while we grew up made me want to duplicate it. While our world fell apart this week, he took care of us. I love him for it.
While my dad missed the extubation, he didn’t miss it by much. We’re expecting to have the ventilator tube removed early tomorrow. This is a big and complicated step. Claire is breathing well over the ventillator but we are still concerned about how well she will be able handle mucus production in her airways. We unconsciously swallow and dispose of mucus that lines our airways. We don’t know if Claire will be able to do that. She has a low cough and gag reflex that indicates she should be able to do it, but we don’t know how prepared her body is to take over those functions. So tomorrow will be a long, challenging day as she is monitored and makes a case for staying off the vent. Please pray her body only gets stronger once she’s extubated.
All of these events will take place in the context of Tiffany’s birthday. While celebrating is a difficult proposition, I am mindful that tomorrow is the anniversay for when my beautiful wife and best friend arrived. She will always hold my heart and I will always pursue hers. We celebrate together and we grieve together. Tomorrow will be a combination of both, and we will do that together as well. I thank God for my Tiffany.