Tuesday June 1, 2010

Wow, the day is just half over and have we ever made progress! Hank had a great night last night with his sleeping, no anxiety pills needed and also breathing on his own. He did have his pain meds administered but thats it! His blood count has come down to 25 from 32 yesterday and everyone is pleased that it will continue to drop. He still has his neck brace on from the fractures on #5 & 6 vertebrae and will have it on for 6 to 8 weeks but by then his ribs should be pretty much healed as well as his fractured scapula. So all bones will be done healing about the same time, yeah! They took the port out from his dialysis and hopefully never to be put back in. His numbers are looking good for toxin levels and they'll test them again tomorrow. He's peeing like a race horse, so you go Hank! They redressed the hole in his knee today and will do that every 3 days but they say it is healing really well.
Now for the exciting news...he got his respirator out (again) this morning! He is breathing really well and they felt he is doing fine without it. The first thing he said was "I need a beer, maybe a couple". He has this deep sexy voice right now and I kinda like it! His speech is so much better than the first time they removed the respirator I can't believe it. In a few hours hopefully they'll let him have ice chips, they have a swallow nurse come and test him. This trauma unit is so amazing, they have different groups for every little thing they do. Specialists in just one specific area along with all the other training makes for good people! The only tube left is his feeding tube and if he passes the swallow test more extensive tomorrow they may introduce some food by the weekend. A woman from the 12th floor rehab came in and talked to us about what to expect when he gets moved to the 12th floor. He'll be working out for about 5-6 hours a day with little breaks in between and I can participate if I want which I plan on. I really didn't realize what it entailed but simple stuff like how to take care of himself with two bandaged hands! They say maybe by Thursday or Friday we'll be there! So all in all it's been a terrific day!
Oh, one last thing. Note to self, the balloons he has gotten drive him crazy, he says it makes him think that someone is standing over in the corner. I'm sure under different circumstances they wouldn't bother him. Thanks again for all your well wishes, cards, flowers (and balloons). Until later.