Day 32, 11 p.m. medical update

Greetings from quiet Room 12 after a busy day in it!
Sage was up early this morning and in the 'chair position' to greet her doctors on rounds. As DHMC is a teaching hospital, it is that time of the month when some of the interns and residents shift - so there were some new faces today, in addition to some of the familiar ones. Sage listened attentively to the report, shook right hands with the attending physician for this week, Dr. DeLong, and showed how she could raise her right arm and squeeze the foam exercise square with her right hand. As Dr. DeLong said, "now that is a motivated patient."
The plan is to slowly wean Sage from the pressure support of the ventilator and maintain her very steady and solid progress forward. Sage will also get a 'downsize' of the mechanism of the trach, which is another positive step toward her coming off the ventilator. Slowly, slowly wins this race.
Sage then spent the morning checking her email and facebook accounts, listening to her Ipod and reading the special edition Rolling Stones on the Beatles. She also had a swallow study with the Speech/Language Therapist, who determined that Sage's swallowing reflex is working well. Ice chips are now allowed - no more need to suck on the swab stick! - and as the week progresses, along with Sage, certain simple food will perhaps be tried, starting out with ones that are of simple and easy consistency to swallow.
Sage's NG feeds were started yesterday and have progressed steadily; she receives 30 cc/hour (about one ounce) of the 'super smoothie'. The nutrition team is looking at the formula to add protein powder.
Sage got to the green chair by the early afternoon and spent the rest of the day in it. She read some posts of the blog, skyped with Mark, Nathan, Sandra, Joshua and Sasha in Germany, took a nap,  and received a phone call from her cousin Luke who is on his way to Rome for the semester.
Sage also had Physical Therapy, and most exciting of news - she walked!! four steps out of the chair, holding onto the shoulders of Maureen, her physical therapist. Wow! That is progress and motivation! Go Sage!
Sage ended the evening  by watching the second part of the movie "Grease" on tv, along with some episodes of "Family Guy". She got back into bed around 9 p.m. and is sleeping away, Peter Rabbit right there snuggled into her side. Pop did bring in a pack of playing cards, in the hopes of some rounds of Gin Rummy and winning some money off Sage, but will have to hold off until tomorrow.  It appears that Sage has the same plan to add some coins to her coffers....
Thanks, blessings and huge gratitude to all in the circle, both near and far, along with the medical miracle makers who continue to watch over and care for Sage.
Good Night and good snuggles.

nothing like the corner suite.....

or a good read for Monday's work schedule!

sunset in new hampshire

last light

and evening colors