It's Friday, June 27th. The past 48 hours have been optimistic compared to a week ago, where it was bad news after bad news. 

Paloma came into the ER last Wednesday for pneumonia, and then the ICU discovered she had cardiomyopathy as well as a very large blood clot. However, as of today, the clot is completely gone. PTL! The doctors aren't concerned about it having traveled to her brain, either, but will continue to monitor her. Her lungs have recovered and she is trialing breathing without the vent-her first trial went beautifully. She finally restarted feeds yesterday, but at a very slow rate so her stomach can slowly adjust. They are continuing to wean down meds since she is maintaining great vitals at the lower doses. 

Also, she has her talker back! We've been telling the staff all week "if she only had her talker, she'd really let you know what she was thinking about you all." I asked her if she wanted to go home, and she said "of course" repeatedly to make sure we all got her point. My sassy girl. 

Unfortunately, she still has heart failure so a PICC line was placed today for meds she'll continue to need. 

At this point, the ICU doctors are getting ready to extubate her sometime this weekend. We are hopeful she will do great, but we know our life with Paloma will look different moving forward. 

I'm in a weird place where I am thrilled she's ready to be extubated, but very scared that this is the beginning of the end. No one can ever fully prepare for this moment, but Alan, Ben, Rori, myself, (and I guess Milo ha) have been preparing for the past 7 years.

We are immensely full of gratitude for the unending support, love, and prayers you all have shown our family, most especially Paloma.

Bl. Solanus Casey, pray for us.

-Lisa