Thursday, April 2

Ron had a very good day today.  He was so excited this afternoon when they gave him a voice valve for his trach tube, and he could talk!  He got a nose tube for O2, and a temporary cap for the trach.  They are going to leave the O2 nasal tube on all night, and tomorrow, Jill, a respiratory therapist, said she would put a regular cap on his trach tube.

 His physical therapist today was Mike, who is also a golf pro, and Ron let everyone know about his personal goal to be home in time to watch The Masters on April 9.  Dr. Tita's Nurse Practitioner, Tammy, came to see him, and he told her his goal, too.  She had them get him up in the chair and had the Occupational Therapist come to evaluate him.  Tomorrow morning his aid is going to help him take a shower, and the OT asked me to bring in some "home clothes" (pj pants and T-shirt) for him to work with getting dressed himself.  With him being still in isolation, she didn't know whether he can work in their "gym" room.  He may just have to do exercises in his room.

He never got a nap today, so he was pretty tired tonight.  His mom and step-dad got here this afternoon at about 2:00.  We stopped at Andrew and Jenny's for them to meet Hannah and see Lauren, and got to the hospital at about 3:45.  Ron was so happy to see them and actually be able to talk with them!  They brought a beautiful prayer quilt from their church  that was made especially for Ron.  Each knot was tied as someone said a prayer for his recovery.  They left when his supper came at about 5:15.  Andrew and Jenny came from about 6:00 to 7:00, and when I left at 10:00, he was pretty exhausted!

His temp was up slightly this evening, but it might have been just that he was so tired from a pretty big day.  I asked for, and his nurse tonight put in for his white count and hemoglobin count to be checked in the morning.  They stopped the tube feeding yesterday, and he's eating well.  They are giving him the "Enlive" protein-rich apple juice at each meal, too. 

Thank you so much for the continued prayers and get-well wishes!  Thank you for all the help at school (especially Betsy and Jennifer), for the gas card from Linda G. and Stars and Stripes Team, and for the baskets of goodies from CMC!  I can't tell how much it is all appreciated!!

Love,
EJ