Acute Girl

Things are progressing very rapidly in Ivyland. Or should I say Ivywood? Anyway, things are moving shaking. One thing that we have been trying to push for is getting Ivy to a point where she can have her trach removed. Not before she's ready of course, but we have been trying to get the staff to at least look into it. This would require a series of swallow tests to see if she can protect her airway as well as some other evaluations. Eventually it will lead to her being able to drink, then eat and if she were doing well with that for a while, the trach comes out. We were told last week that Ivy was not a candidate for a swallow test. They reversed their decision this week when they found out Melinda had given her some water already. She didn't know she needed a doctor to order water, Ivy had just asked for some and mom gave it to her. Anyway, days after not being considered for a swallow test, she passed it, and is now authorized to drink and eat ice! After she does well with that, the next step will be to get her eating liquid food, then solids.
This news, coupled with Ivy's recent talking, prompted the physical therapy physician to evaluate her again. He determined that she is ready for acute rehabilitation! So she has about one more week here in the hospital and then its off to another facility where she can get holy three: physical, occupational, and speech therapy for at least three hours a day!