Sadie got her heart pillow

Today’s update: Sadie sat up today, was able to stand up and take two steps and sit in the bedside chair. She stayed in the chair for several hours (sleeping) but she stayed. The movement helps her lungs drain any excess fluid and gives her body a different position to be in. 

It was hard. It hurt. A lot. She yelled at her nurses the entire time. But she did it. They gave her the heart pillow to grip onto. The pressure from hugging it helps alleviate the pain she’s feeling from moving. 

They’re starting to step her down on her medications which will keep her more awake and aware- but will also cause her to feel a lot more. It’s a necessary step. They have to get her off her suppressing meds to be able to access her heart function off it. The doctor is hopeful in the next couple of days her chest tubes will be able to come out and that will be the turning point in a lot of her pain. 

Sadie also started to cough on her own today- which her nurse said for two days post op was very impressive. 

They continue to monitor her blood work and the function of the rest of her organs and tweak her medication as needed. Currently our downfall is fluid- Sadie’s body is holding on to excess fluid which is putting pressure on her heart. They’re working to shed that fluid and hopefully she’s able to get it off and keep it off. 

Overall it was a good day. We’re inching our way forward.