Dear Diary Thursday....

Yesterday was a MUCH better day at the hospital. They took my cousin off of sedation for twenty minutes yesterday morning and she is recognizing people, trying to speak (which she can't do with the ventilator) AND she is having no more heart issues OR blood pressure issues....they have totally stopped and everything is being controlled BY HER. The only medication she is on is antibiotics and pain killers. They still keep her sedated because they think her body getting the chance to rest, like she is, is doing the most for her. Today, they will be taking out the chest tubes, and hopefully, her respirator and stomach drain. She is more swollen than any human I have ever seen in my life, but the doctors have now increased her chances to 20% instead of 10%. The family has finally had a chance to slow down and take a deep breath. I actually got home last night (late as usual) and saw my husband for 10 minutes before he went to work, crawled into bed and slept the entire night......first time in almost two weeks.

And can I just say, there is probably not a better smell in the morning than a crockpot of lil' smokies and barbecue sauce?