February 17 & 18, 2010 - Quiet Days

Wednesday was a sleepy day. Very different from the great day Tuesday, but otherwise not much new.

• Vital signs remain stable and strong. Blood work and other lab results are all good indicators that Dad is fighting the good fight.
• A CT scan on Monday confirmed the presence of fluid outside his right lung. Because he's been taking Coumadin, his blood is a too thin for the draining procedure, so the medication has been discontinued until they feel comfortable moving ahead, which ought happen in a couple days time. Among other things, removing the fluid should make breathing a little easier by giving the lung more room to expand.
  
• Dad was off the ventilator for 14-1/2 hours on Wednesday, after 15 hours off on Tuesday.
• A quiet day all the way around.

Ain't modern health care grand!?! This clip contains one of Dad's favorite lines, "You're not qual-e-fied!"

Thursday was not quite as quiet as Wednesday, but still pretty laid back.

• Dad was more alert than Wednesday and more responsive, but still not talkative.
• He spent a few hours sitting up in the robo-chair.
  
• A visit from friend Ryan and calls from friend Dave and son Erik were highlights of the day.
• Vital signs and other diagnostic indicators held positive. He was off the ventilator for about 12 hours on Thursday.
• Just after going back on the ventilator in the early evening, he perked up and was much more engaged. He was particularly keen on Mom's kisses.
  

Thanks, as always, for your prayers and warm wishes. Your support for Dad and Mom is genuinely appreciated and gives great comfort. Please continue to pray for Dad's complete recovery, along with strength and peace for him and Mom throughout this ordeal.

Side Note - I arrived back in Latrobe Wednesday afternoon. The flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Pixburgh was on time and uneventful. Flight Attendant Rule #1 - Know how to pronounce the name of the destination city. Oy!

Also, when in Pixburgh, give Nadine's a try. I saw it Monday night on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and thought I'd have try. Worth the short detour on the way from the airport. Not your mother's fried bologna sandwich.