ICU day 6

Susan’s recovery in ICU continued today following a restful night. When her heart rate dropped to the low 40s this morning, her nurse was concerned that hydrocephalus had returned and requested a CT scan. The results were actually outstanding – no hydrocephalus and less blood. The doctors were wondering where it all went; but they might understand if they knew how many people have been praying. Now we can say prayers of thanks for such good results. The scan still shows some swelling, so Susan will need to remain on elevated steroids for now.

The neurosurgery and vascular surgery teams are coordinating their plans, which may still happen together in the OR. The neurosurgeons will sterilize and internalize the drain they removed on Friday rather than either pull or replace the entire shunt. With her VP shunt enclosed but not operating, it’s won’t become clogged again with clotting blood in the short term, and won’t need to be completely re-implanted if she needs it in the longer term.

Next, the vascular surgeons will revise Susan’s power port either during the same procedure tomorrow or perhaps Wednesday, if the shunt procedure happens at bedside.

Meanwhile, back to brain cancer treatment, Dr Nghiemphu visited us today and is both pleased with Susan's status and eager for her to resume chemotherapy when she can handle it. We're bumping next week's scheduled MRI and oncology visit to allow more time to heal, so we'll get back to clinic on April 10th. We'll be prepared to begin chemo again if necessary. 

In her occupational therapy session today, Susan showed good strength in her legs and improvement in her arms – encouraging signs as Susan edges back to rehabilitation. The therapists here will recommend acute rehab once again, so we hope insurance approvals will not be delayed following her prior false start.

We thank God for Susan’s progress in recovery, for her hemorrhage and hydrocephalus resolving so well, and for God’s favor on us during this episode.