February 23 & 24, 2010 - Pretty Good Days

Tuesday, February 23rd, got off to a rocky start, but ended well.

• Immediately after he came off the ventilator in the morning, Dad's breathing was labored and paradoxical.
• He returned to the ventilator for about an hour. When he came off the vent this time, his breathing was fine. All-in, he was off the ventilator for 15 hours!
  
• After a chest x-ray, the doctors drained fluid from around (not in!) his left lung. They recovered about 1100 cc of fluid (37.2 ounces) and Dad tolerated the procedure well. He rested comfortably afterward. The initial test on the fluid showed no sign of infection.
  
• The rest of the day was uneventful. Dad slept off and on, and was not talkative.
• His vital signs, blood work and other indicators remain positive.
• Still lots of issues to work through - one bird at a time.
  

Wednesday was a good day. Dad did very well with his breathing, staying off the ventilator for 16 hours.

• The process to see a vascular surgeon in Pittsburgh is underway. The purpose is to get a second opinion (and, we hope and pray, a more positive treatment approach) for Dad's feet.
• His buddies Dave and Ed made the trip from Elkins. Dad reported that they visited for about an hour. Dave said that he and Ed were very encouraged by the visit, noting that Dad was alert and engaged. Among other things, Dad told his friends that he recognized that he wasn't very good company. Dave disagreed, saying that it was great to see Dad's progress.
• This sort of feedback is encouraging to us, since it's not always easy to see progress as vividly on a daily basis.
• Mom returned to Elkins on Wednesday for rest and recharge. Her friend Sue is staying with Mom at the house.
• During the evening hours, he talked some. Among the highlights...he pressed the call button for the nurse and quickly got exasperated when they didn't immediately understand his request and said, "Well, somebody better do something"- pretty funny...he told me that my "breath is atrocious, too much Italian food" (is there such a thing?).
• Otherwise, he is maintaining good, solid vital signs and other indicators.
  

Thanks to all for your diligent prayers, good wishes and support. Please keep lifting Dad up for his complete recovery, along with lifting up Mom and Dad for strength and peace throughout.