day 11

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness." ~ Bob Hope



This will be a Christmas we will never forget. It is hard to want to have a big festive dinner and celebration with Sarah being in the hospital, so we didn't. We plan to have a belated Christmas PARTY when Sarah is home. We can't wait for that, but we did have a great day. Jimi went up to the hospital this morning and then the rest of us got there around noon.


Sarah got the greatest gift...she was able to hold her daughter! Jimi talked to her doctor, who then had to get special permission from someone higher up. We were so excited that we could surprise Sarah with a visit from her little girl. Mom got Gracie all glitzed up in a super cute outfit (of course we had to put a bow on her) and we headed up to the hospital. Amy and Craig were there and Amy was able to get the moment on video and what a moment it was. Mom, Dad, and I walked into her room first. Mom said to close her eyes for her Christmas present and Sarah could tell something really good was about to happen. Then Jimi walked in with Gracie and truly the light in Sarah's eyes were never brighter. She started to cry...we started to cry...her nurse started to cry. It was beautiful. We all laughed and cheered too and then gave the little Jarman family of 3 some time to themselves. We all think about presents this time of year, but really it is all about the presence of loved ones being near and remembering the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have all felt His love and mercy like never before these past 11 days.


Yesterday was a day when Sarah's spirits seemed down. I can't even imagine how hard it is to be in the ICU on Christmas. I felt so bad leaving her last night. I think seeing Gracie was the boost that she needed.


I talked about Sarah's CT results yesterday. Seeing how sick her lungs still are, we know it will take longer on the vent to let them heal. Dr. Lotten talked to Sarah this morning about a tracheostomy or "trach". This is a stoma that is just below her vocal chords into her trachea. Having an ET tube in is very uncomfortable and a trach would very much help in that regard. It would also help with decreasing any infection that could migrate from her ET tube that is in now. She will be on the ventilator, then they could even go to a trach mask (where oxygen comes out of a mask that is right by her trach...there is no pressure support). They can wean the FiO2 on a trach mask and then put a nose on it (a cap) to see how Sarah does all on her own before eventually decannulating her. It's our hope that the process will go quickly, but again we will take things as they come. Sarah totally agreed to the trach. She is such a trooper.


So, looks like an ENT doctor will do the trach on Monday. If she is stable with the trach, she will stay in ICU another day and then she could get transferred to the Intermediate Unit.


Her PEEP was at 10 today, but FiO2 was down to 40%. Again...it's a tweaking game. Some numbers go up and other go down. Clinically she looks so much better than what her CT and
X-ray show.


She had a full day with family visiting. Craig and Amy stopped by. Mom and I washed her hair. Ryan read her all her facebook messages and comments on her blog (keep them coming! They mean so much to her!) We helped her open up her presents. She is worn out. They were going to give her an Ambien to help her get some good rest. Oh Ambien...she definitely will have visions of sugar plums dancing in her head! We love you Sarah. Your recovery is the Christmas miracle everyone has been praying for!