9 a.m. on Friday

We're cautiously optomistic this morning. Jill just called from the hospital and said that my mom is more responsive this morning than last night. She can now wiggle just one foot and squeeze the nurse's hand slightly, but that tongue is still our most reliable yes/no indicator. Jill said that when my mom wants to get their attention, she waves everything she can, particularly her foot. She is totally off the sedative, and now on about a fourth of the pain medication than she was on two days ago.

She is doing the breathing parameters right now to see if we can pull the breathing tube out. Her muscles are strong enough to breathe on her own, but the big test today will be if she can cough enough on command to move something from her airway (precaution against choking once the tube is out). So think strong breathing thoughts!

Her bilirubin is down (this causes jaundice), which is a great thing, but her liver enzymes are slightly up. So we're not out of the woods yet, but we're hopeful that with her improved response, she will be able to overcome this.

Thanks to the beach house women for the bear and balloons; Vickie for the care package; Lisa and Marge for the UC Davis stuff and the Harry and David basket; and Mary and Ted for the "Chocolate Heaven" box. Thanks also to John and Grace, the hospice thrift store, and Sukey for the cards (I'm forgetting one, but I'll list it tomorrow). A huge thanks to Uncle Bob F. and Vickie and Bob A. for planning to fly out to be with my mom and dad towards the end of May.