Cynthia's New Adventure

Hello Everyone, this is Dave bringing you up to date with Cynthia's New Adventure. Many of you may already be aware of what is going on, but we wanted to reach out to as many people as we can to let them know about our latest happenings.
We started having problems on November 30th when Cynthia complained about pain in her abdomen and back. We went to the Emergency Room, but they could not identify any specific issue causing the pain and discomfort. Towards the end of our visit at the ER, she started feeling better and the pain subsided, so we were sent home.
Over the weekend, the pain returned and was more localized on her right abdomen side. We were able to get into our doctor on Monday, and he felt she might be having gallbladder problems. After some blood tests and a CAT scan, the doctors determined that her gallbladder was badly infected and had to be removed. We were sent immediately to the hospital across the street, and she was admitted for laproscopic surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Our Pulmonologist told us that a tube would have to be inserted into her throat and she would be on a ventilator during the surgery. He told us that there might be a problem weaning her off of the ventilator and back onto her BiPap breathing machine. She still wanted to go ahead with the surgery, so about 8:30 that evening she was rolled into the operating room. Luckily both Kari, Garrett and Todd were able to be with her before the surgery and spend to some time with her. At 10:30 we were told they had finally be able to insert the tube into her throat and were starting the surgery. She came out of the operating room around midnight and went directly to the ICU. The surgery went fine, but the doctors were concerned about the tube in her throat and her ability to go back to the BiPap. They had an extrenely difficult time geting the tube in.
 The next morning Dr. Libby, the Pulmologist, told us that the tube problems prevented them from weaning her off the ventilator, and the only alternative was to give her a traceotomy and put her on a permanent ventilator. When he asked her if she still wanted to go ahead, she emphatically indicated "yes" by shaking her foot up and down. The trach was done about 5 PM last night (December 6), and this morning she is doing fine using the hospital vent. During the original surgery her right lung had collasped, and a tube had to be inserted into the lung cavity to help the lung re-expand and drain the cavity. We hope to have the tube pulled tomorrow. She will be here in the hospital for several more days until the trach incision heals, as well as the other incisions, and her strength and health returns. From the hospital she will be transferred to a recovery hospital facility to get used to the new ventilator we will take home with us. And during that time myself and our caregivers will be trained on how to maintain her trach tube and the ventilator. We will probably have to get at least one more caregiver because she will need 24 hour coverage to ensure she is protected. With the ventilator and trach, she will not be able to speak or eat anything by mouth. This will be a big transition for all of us, but we will see it through somehow. So as of now at noon on December 7th, that is where we are. As more infomation becomes available I will try to update you. Please do not plan on sending her flowers because she will want me to take them home and take care of them. And they are not allowed in the ICU. Cards are great, and hopefully she will be back on the computer soon.