Kwanzaa

It seems as if some of the medical issues are beginning to clear up. Dad had some gunk in his left lung yesterday and they did a bedside procedure to get it all out. After looking at the second chest x-ray, the nurse said there was a big difference and Dawn was even able to hear some breath sounds last night. His blood sugars are good and some of the other numbers that were high are coming down and those that are low are going up (how's that for great medical information.)

The plan is still to put a trach in place on Monday and they will also put a peg into his stomach at the same time; why sedate twice? The peg at first sounded a little drastic (Mom said she envisioned a steak knife in his stomach) but after hearing about how small it really is, it just made sense. It will also eliminate a tube down Dad's throat...that is a plus.

Dad did great on some breathing tests today so it seems to be the general consensus that the trach and stomach peg will be temporary. As soon as they get the cumbersome tubing replaced by the trach, we are expecting that things will be easier. They can be more aggressive with the therapy and he can have a say in what happens next (at least more of a say than a nod of his head.)

Again, thank you to all for the support you have given to both Mom and Dad. Although there are times she doesn't answer the phone, know that she is not ignoring you but that I have commandeered the phone so she can get some rest. I guess we can add Nurse Ratchett to the list of what people call me.

Also, thank you to all our helpers (nurses, docs, PT's, PA's, respiratory therapists, and others...you know who you are!) in the ICU...we love you and on behalf of Mom and Dad, welcome to the family!