I've Got No Strings To Hold Me Down!

Please note these are paper flowers as I don't think real flowers are allowed in the ICU

 Mom continues to make amazing progress. All of her many many tubes, wires, and devices are now gone, allowing mom to be like Pinocchio and exclaim: "I've got no strings to hold me down!" And off she goes. She had a salmon dinner last night complete with a beignet for dessert and an omelet with bacon for breakfast (all far better than peptide 1.5). She even decided to take a stroll around the ICU as shown in the below video.



As Mom continues to get stronger, her biggest challenge right now are her lungs and throat. During CPR the doctors think she aspirated blood and stomach contents and probably hurt her lungs from the compressions. Her throat is still weak from the breathing tube and she gets very tired from talking. The more she talks the more she coughs and it is hard for her to clear her lungs. Doctors say it will clear over time but that she should take it easy. They also want her to expand her lung capacity by using what mom has called her "Voldemort torture device" pictured below. She has to fill her lungs to capacity with a huge deep breath and then blow out for as long as possible keeping the flow to a regulated amount. This usually causes her to cough and is not comfortable for her but you know Mom, she is obedient despite the discomfort.


On a related note, Mom is still not recovered enough for visitors. She is torn between wanting to see everyone and needing to recover more. When she has people in her room she talks more and it makes her throat sore and causes her to cough more. We are uncertain where she will be in the next couple days as there are multiple options for next steps so visiting is made doubly hard. For now please keep praying and leaving comments.

We love all of you and look forward to mom being home and her usual self, which if the current rate of progress continues could be sooner than we thought (weeks instead of months).

Comments

  1. Lucy UlrichSeptember 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM

    Wow! She is doing so well! She looks more like the sister I know and love. She deserves some kind of award for her hard work and determination! Please give her my lovešŸ©·

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie MatthewsSeptember 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM

    I love seeing Laurie's smile again. So beautiful. The paper flowers are stunning. Her meals sound like something from a fancy restaurant. So happy for the steps toward healing! You go girl!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Julie MatthewsSeptember 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM

    And I should tell you I check for updates on your blog more often than I check my texts or work email.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marian- Love to you! You, Neil and your family are in my constant Prayer! Way to go! And keep it up!❤️September 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM

    You look fabulous! Your grit is paying off! Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Whitney CreamerSeptember 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM

    What amazing progress! We are so happy to see this outcome for you Laurie. We can’t wait to see you out and about again on your morning walks :) Miracles for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Annie MorrisonSeptember 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM

    Laurie, I’m so happy to hear you get to actually eat now. Sending love and hugs! And more prayers for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Leo and JulieAnn Udy FamilyOctober 1, 2025 at 10:12 AM

    Love that smile of yours. Keep up the good work. prayers always coming your way.

    ReplyDelete
  8. sharonmarsounOctober 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM

    I'm so grateful for the updates, and more grateful for the good progress! Keep on that Incentive Spirometer! It will help you heal! Many prayers are being answered!

    ReplyDelete

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