Update January 21, 2011

Got the news that Alex's mom had a tracheotomy today.  In addition, she has another bacterial colony growing in her lungs.  She basically JUST fought of a bacterial colony in her blood (suffered from sepsis infection) for the past month and now she has to fight off another infection?  What a life she's having now.  She was intubated and extubated 3 consecutive times.  The doctors seemed to think she was breathing ok when they extubated her on both accounts, but both times her trachea has failed her.  It started to swell as she gasped for air.  Her breathing rate was 3 to 4 times the normal rate.  Can you imagine not being able to catch your breath?  Can you imagine a tube being shoved down your throat and being knocked out for days on end?  Not being able to move or talk?  Imagine your life at a complete standstill while everyone else that you care about continues theirs.