Plan B

The BiPap machine initially seemed to cause the carbon dioxide levels to trend downwards, however, as the sedatives wore off, she became extremely agitated with the pervasive BiPap machine. Agitation was not going to help her vitals. Essentially, as a cardiology fellow described it, being on the BiPap is analogous to sticking your head out the window of a moving car.

Accordingly, some of the gifted nurses pushed the docs to switch from BiPap to a less invasive method of high flow oxygen through a nasal cannula. They also tweaked her meds a bit to increase her comfort level. Thirty minutes after the switch, they retested her blood gasses, which were much better, even close to normal. The morning nurse stayed 45 minutes past his shift, because he didn't want to leave before seeing the carbon dioxide results. One of the other nurses, whose shift ended, requested that the numbers be texted to her. Once it was confirmed that the carbon dioxide was improved two of the doctors came over and high-fived the nurse who pushed the idea of tweaking the meds and switching from BiPap to high flow via cannula.

They will test her blood gases again soon. The doctors expect Zoe's numbers to continue to trend in the right direction. Otherwise, she continues to rest comfortably. Hopefully we can rest comfortably tonight too. We were dozing at Zoe's bedside; clearly a sign that we're beat, but also a sign that we are all more comfortable with Zoe's progress. We just have to get used to the notion that Zoe will do things at her own pace.

Later tonight, assuming the numbers continue to trend in the right direction we will try to arouse Zoe enough to feed her a bottle. Tomorrow, she will start getting some of the lines and wires out.

Thanks again for your prayers and positive thoughts for a clean and speedy recovery - from here on out.

More updates Wednesday.