Jennifer and the vent

Hi everyone! It was a long day yesterday. We all took turns going back to see Jennifer, talking to her, holding her hand, rubbing her hair, you know all the things that probably irritate the hell out of her! lol She is doing wonderful! The color is coming back into her face, which helps me and everyone else that sees her. We hardly slept at all Friday night and Sat. morning. Then was ready to get a hotel room, take a shower and lay down for a little bit, when the Drs had come in and then decided to try taking her off the vent. That's certainly not the normal that soon, but the medical people all said she was doing so well, they were going to try. They backed the pain and sedative drugs down and she started becoming a little more alert. She was breathing fairly well, but the more she came off the drugs, the more "panicky" she became. She has this huge vent tube down her throat and has to control her breathing through this tube. We were coaching her, telling her to calm down, breathe slowly, etc. She was doing well but the panic set in and I think she had a full blown panic attack, so they started her sedative and pain med. back up, started back up on the vent with the air and it made her go back into a deeper sleep.
That was excruciating to watch as parents. Afterwards, we left, once we realized she was ok and sleeping and went to get a hotel, take a shower, get some food and then check back with her again before we finally said goodnight. Cameron slept in the icu waiting room, wanting to be neaar her. Ray of course, had to come back and check one more time before he could relax and sleep.
Today, we were in there visiting and once again, they are backing down the meds and trying to get her off the vent. They want to take this slow, reminding us we're not in a hurry, which I so know, and then said they were taking 2 chest tubes out and the iv in her neck. That was great news! They decided if we would agree, for us not to be in there when they are trying to get her off the vent. They said it's hard on the family to watch, which is SO true!
So, were in the waiting room, waiting......
Becky