There is a new doctor in the rotation this week, but she never did call me during the day. I called this evening and spoke to Dorothy’s nurse.

Basically, no change today. Meaning that there has been no change to oxygen levels and no change to any of her medications throughout the past day. The good news is that they are no longer having to increase her oxygen levels or the blood pressure medication when she is on her back.

The nurse did promise to leave a note for the doctor to make sure that I get daily updates directly from her.

At the time Dorothy was put on the ventilator, I was advised of a possible outcome that is seeming to be an increasingly likely result. She is currently intubated – the ventilator tube goes down her throat and down to her lungs. However, they cannot leave her intubated for more than about two weeks due to complications from the pressure that it puts on the upper airway. After that point – and Dorothy is at about day 12 now – they have to remove the tube and perform a tracheotomy (Wikipedia article) in which they will have to surgically insert the tube into her windpipe just above the ribs. I’ve been hoping that this option could be avoided, but it seems likely at this point. Fortunately, from what I understand, recovery from the tracheotomy once the tube is removed is relatively quick and complete.