Lifesavers for Latasha

Today was a prolonged day that yielded little gains; although trying to be glass half full, it was forward and not backward.

The respiratory doctors turned off Latasha’s ventilator to see if she could and would breathe on her own, and she did. So that was a good victory, although short-lived because they turned it back on an hour later.

The biggest struggle has been Tasha’s slow regaining of consciousness due to the sedation and pain medications. To counter this, they attempted to do an epidural, but her blood pressure didn’t like it, so they stopped. The plan is to try again tomorrow.

I would be lying if I didn’t admit I felt defeated today, but we knew this would be hard. Tasha is a fighter who responds to voices and faces but still doesn’t move her fingers, toes, arms, or legs. We assume it’s because she is physically exhausted and depleted, coupled with pain medications. Time will tell on that aspect of her immediate recovery goal.

Another positive win was that the doctors removed two chest drainage tubes. I’ll take that for now.

We’re all hoping that tomorrow has more little wins and that those little wins, in the grand scheme of things, add up to big ones over time.

We all knew this would be hard, but you don’t know how hard it will be until you see the one you love lying there. No words can describe that pain and feeling of uselessness and helplessness. A feeling that will haunt me til the day I die. But a price I’ll gladly pay to see my best friend live her best life. I would take that pain if I could just let her have a pain-free life with no heart and lung issues.

My to-do list has been growing by the day, especially on the front of sorting out where we will temporarily live after she gets released for her local post-operative care. I am leaning toward an Airbnb for comfort, space, and accommodations for working remotely and visiting medical care staff and family.

Please continue your support and prayers. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and will forever be indebted to everyone!