We arrived at the hospital today to find that Laurie had had a CT scan without contrast dye. We believe this was to determine if she will get a permanent drain placed in her head. The nurse also told us that they had clamped the EVD to see if her body could manage the intracranial pressure. The had also increased her oxygen to 100% which was keeping her Licox oxygen level at 20 (20 and above is good). By noon they had lowered the incoming oxygen to 90%. All of her other vital signs are good.
We talked to the doctor today. They are planning to take out the EVD and all of the Licox leads from her head because she is able to manage the intercranial pressure on her own. The are starting to wean her off of all medications and sedations to see how her body will mange to take care of itself. We were reassured that her heart has not shown any ill effects being at elevated heart rate and pressure. Laurie is over the hump of concerns of vasospasms. This is a step forward in her recovery.
The doctors removed the EVD and Licox connections. Laurie is no longer wearing her party hat. The only leads coming off of her head are for the EKG machine monitoring her brain waves.
Both of her feet were responding to pinching. Her arms are posturing which is a result of her strokes a week ago. Her right eye remains half open. We wonder if she sees movement while she is sedated.
Later in the day, Laurie received 2 units of blood to give her more hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the brain.
