Gwendolyn is a champ! She is transitioning to the Trilogy with ease and, thanks to the help of so many people, the last few days have been positive ones. The reality that her settings are now so high that she is even more vulnerable weighs heavily on us, but the kindness of others helps to soften this and we have always believed we can find a silver lining and that is what we choose to focus on. So some of those positive highlights are:
1) The transition was almost seamless. Gwendolyn wasn't overly worried or bothered. She did so well we did not have to be hospitalized. And for the first time in a week, she did not use oxygen when sleeping.
2) We LOVE the Trilogy 100. Of course the top reason is it is helping Gwendolyn breathe. But we are also appreciating all of its fancy bells and whistles, such as two breathing modes: one for day and one for sleeping when she needs a bit more support. And the Trilogy is quiet, has an internal battery!, an easy to use control screen, and its own carrying case — ohh, ahh!!! And most of all, it exist! I could kiss the person who invented it!!!
3) LifeCare Solutions has gone and continues to go completely out of their way for us. When the original machine didn't get transported in time, our wonderful rep, Sue, drove down to meet the Respironics rep from Irvine and back up again, delivering the machine at 10:30 pm on Wednesday night with a huge smile!!!
4) We love Dr. Yuan and her team of nurses and RTs and so spending two days with them was a treat. Everyone is so kind, so professional, so thoughtful, and just pleasant to be around. And above all, we trust them immensely. Dr. Yuan has a wonderful collaborative approach and is above all else most interested in making sure Gwendolyn receives the support she needs. She rearranged her entire schedule for us, called her friend and colleague (who is a well respected SMA pulmonologist) Dr. Schroth in Wisconsin multiple times to discuss Gwendolyn, and spent hours answering our every possible question and concern. We keep trying to convince her to move to Santa Barbara and be our neighbor, but for now she's staying put 
8) And, of course, last but not least is that Gwendolyn is so adaptable, so easy going, and is such a determined fighter. We don't know if her fighting spirit is a part of why we are still so blessed to have her, but we know it surely doesn't hurt. We love you buttercup. Thank you for being you!