update: week four.

Good afternoon from the Denver Health Progressive Care Unit!
Amy has successfully moved from her ICU room to the Progressive care unit. This unit is still technically part of the ICU and staffed by extremely experienced nurses, however the move is a nod to Amy's growing stability. She will stay here until she is strong enough - physically and cognitively - to move to a brain injury rehabilitation hospital.

Amy's new room is larger and we are excited to decorate it with the beautiful posters, photos and letters which keep arriving for Amy. Amy responds with attentiveness and smiles to cards and envelopes - opening them with her left hand. Please keep sending her mail (I will update the address on this cite under the tab "mail for Amy." If you've recently sent to her ICU address, don't worry: The hospital staff has been bringing all her mail to us from the old room.)

Although Amy's health is improving and her vitals stabilizing, she is still in a very delicate transitional period. Because she has suffered several complications (including a challenging lung infection and respiratory disorder, along with blood clots and air between her lungs and chest wall,) her immune system is still compromised. Especially while she remains on a course of steroids, it is vital that she is not exposed to any colds, coughs, or germs which could easily overwhelm her.

Although Amy has been moved to the progressive care unit, her Nurses and Doctors are emphasizing the importance of slowly building Amy's world again from the familiar to the less familiar. Due to this cognitive rehabilitation strategy, Amy's fragile immune system, and her need to work with physical therapists and then have steady periods of rest, visitation is still being restricted to family. Amy's physical therapists have emphasized how much she will need in person encouragement a little down the road.

However, Amy is a person who deeply values relationships. Although she is still finding ways to communicate with us as she recovers, it is clear that letters and cards comfort her.
In gratitude always for your loving support and enthusiasm for Amy's recovery.