Over the past few days there has been progress! The doctors have finally successfully removed the shunt used for draining access fluids from her skull. That means that her body is beginning to normalize! I had the joy of video calling Cuca today with my two brothers and our tia. She looks good! The swelling in her face has reduced drastically and she looks normal and healthy. She looks well rested which is a sign that she isn’t experiencing too much stress. She participated in a successful occupational therapy this morning and was tired from the exercise but, the nurse did report that she did move her LEFT arm in response to pain. This is progress!
A few days ago, she failed the swallow test which examines her ability to swallow food and liquids. To avoid risk of food going into her lungs and causing infections and other complications, they are performing a small procedure this afternoon to install a feeding tube into her stomach. We are hopeful she will eventually regain her ability to swallow and eat. She is all about that cafe con leche!