Hello hello!
She still has her Trach in as she still has considerable swallowing difficulties. The Doctors are being very conservative and want the Trach to remain as long as she is having difficulty managing secretions and congestion which Dad can clear by means of the Trach with a suction machine. Mom is allowed to have small sips of thickened liquids, pudding or ice chips. All of the rest of her nourishment is provided through the peg tube as Dad gives her four 500 calorie liquid meals per day. We have no idea how long the Trach will remain but during cold and flu season it does provide a safety valve. Mom doesn't complain, but we know that it is very frustrating and has limited her ability to speak. We still don't know if the surgery will allow her to have any more speech capability, so once again only time and healing will tell.
It's been about eight weeks since the surgery and the Doc's all believe that the deterioration has been stopped, but they also say that recovery from a second brain surgery like this can take an even longer time to recover from than what she has gone through during the last two years.
Mom remains completely dependent on Dad for all of her care and again only time will tell if she can regain any independent capability.
Mom will likely return to outpatient therapy some time next week and the hard work will be good to refocus her energies on getting better. We hope she can remain strong through all of the challenges and frustrations.
Love, Rachel & John Sedlak
Thanksgiving 2014
