Lifesavers for Latasha

Latasha had another really good day of recovery and is growing stronger with each night’s rest.

Eating solid foods, drinking protein shakes, and drinking water have greatly increased her energy and strength.

Today was the same: respiratory, physical, and occupational therapy. Sean, her Doctor of physical therapy, is a beast! He had her walk with a regular walker for over 200 feet without sitting down. Tasha did it with little struggle. She was allowed to walk with the nurses as needed and move to and from her chair with light assistance. Tomorrow, she will walk without a walker unassisted, all with the goal of going to the step-down unit on Friday.

Once she’s on step down, they said we could take strolls together around the hospital. We plan on heading to the rooftop for some much-needed fresh air.

Unfortunately, they found more blood clots in her leg, so that’s still being sorted out. I’ve added a picture of her brachial artery surgery scar from the DVT clot they had to deal with last week. You can see the severity and emergent issue it had and why she had to go back to the OR for the 3rd time.

The biggest and best news is that they have been able to turn off her pacer to let her heart work on its own, and it has stayed in sinus rhythm all day. This is a huge deal because that’s what’s keeping her in the ICU right now. As long as it remains steady and doesn’t go into a-fibrillation or tachycardia, she’ll be good to go. I could get into a whole heart transplant for dummies on that topic, but that’s for later.

Tasha has been enjoying picking out her meals and feeling more and more like herself. She even has a laugh or two with the medical staff and is smiling a lot more.

We are all so proud of her, especially all the doctors, nurses, and therapists. She is a model patient and an example of true resilience in overcoming such a rare and hard surgery. Hearing the medical team talk with her brings me so much joy and pride.

Until next time.