" Dar's Trach Downsized"

Afternoon all,

Dar had her trach reduced from a size 6 to a size 4 cufless yesterday, this will allow more air to move to the larynx and will make speaking easier.

She is doing very very well with the change. Her size 6 presented some difficulty upon removal, very tight, but all is good.

Dar is not wanting to talk much to the staff and hopefully I can encourage her to participate more with them. She does pretty well with me, even long distance on the phone. I think it is an emotional issue, we just have to encourage her over this hurdle. I can only imagine the thoughts that are going through her head. It must be so difficult to process all that has happened to her. She was prescribed Zoloft while at Kentfield for this very reason. Earlier she would cry quite a bit and Dr Doherty did not want to have Dar get "stuck" emotionally as she began processing all that has happened since December, so the Zoloft was ordered. It has worked very well to date but I have learned that the patient can build up a tolerance to the medication. We may have to revisit the dosage when Dr. Doherty returns from vacation.

It is my goal this weekend to try to encourage Dar to have as much involvement with the staff as she can muster. Encourage her to talk to everyone, ask for ice cream, ask for V-8 juice. I want her to start to find that comfortable place with her support staff. We know she can do it, she was earlier. Now we have to help her over this hurdle.

Soft foods, ice cream, yogurt, pudding, and V-8 juice have started again, little bits, but Dar is not showing the excitement she did at Kentfield. Hopefully I can work her through this today by phone and this weekend when I am there.

FYI, as a result of my last post, the Enterprize Record and Oroville's Mercury Register printed a very small story about Dar and her recovery. Thank you from me to the party or parties involved in this effort. Thank you also to the folks that have already contributed to Dar's Recovery. As I have no way of knowing who you are I will periodically thank all that have helped.
Sierra Central Credit Union, Account # 290404

The shower conversion is going very well. The pan was hot mopped today and the tile should be started Monday. Two days to tile, one day to grout, We might have a shower by Thursday. Thank you so much for your contributions to Dar's homecoming.

Also, have a new appointment with Social Security on the 20th of the month, I have hopes of haveing a different outcome this time. I may have inadvertently shot my own foot back in January. I am hopefull we can correct my mistake. Sounded good yesterday on the phone. I have to have Dar sign a document that will allow SSI to look at records. No big deal, we'er ready. Please pray all goes well, this is so important for her.

Will keep you posted,

Love Danny