5-26-2006

Aliyah is doing much better. They finally had the breathing tube removed today, which was getting pretty annoying to Aliyah. They also got the rest of the drain tubes from the surgery removed. They have been able to wean her off most of the heart medications she was on after the surgery. She has the crazy straw down her nose so they can feed her better until her stomach can handle food. It basically goes, down her throat, through the stomach, and into the small intestine, thus bypassing the stomach. Her heart rate is down and her blood pressure is up, both are very encouraging signs of improvement.

She is mostly still very groggy, but comes around and is able to squeeze our hands on command at times. She can also answer yes/no questions by nodding or shaking her head when she is alert. It will take a couple of days before she can talk very much.

The phone number in the CVTR waiting room in the Cardiology Building off of Naab Road just south of 86th street is .... Dana and I will still be here most of the time. It will be a couple or a few days before Aliyah will be able to interact with visitors much at all. Her friend Ari came in and held her hand for a couple of minutes, but that is about all she is capable of currently. She mostly just needs to rest for a couple or a few more days, then she will need, want, and welcome as many visitors as can make it by. If you do want to briefly visit with her over the next few days, the visiting hours are pretty strict in CVTR (9:30-10:30, 2:30-3:30, 4:30-5:30, and 8:30-9:30), and no one under the age of 14. When she is moved to CVPV in a few days, then the visiting hours will be much more flexible.

Many have asked about Dana and myself. We are tired, but doing pretty well. We have had a lot of support from friends, nurses, and others here at the hospital. We are encouraged and enjoy having visitors as well.