The pulmonologist wanted to remove Cindy’s breathing tube today and do a tracheotomy.  The trachea would be inserted and capped so that Cindy can breathe on her own but still be able to use a ventilator if necessary.  They did a blood test and determined that she needs to be off the blood thinner for at least 48 hours before any incisions should be made, just to make sure that she doesn’t bleed too much and her blood will clot.  

 So the expectation is that the breathing tube will be removed sometime this week, no earlier than Thursday, and the tracheotomy will be done.  Cindy can’t wait.  She would love to be able to suck on ice chips (and eat and drink) and be able to speak instead of communicating by writing.