Day 29

R continues to do well with his recovery. Here is the latest news on a number of fronts...

He continues to do well with his new ventilator. The settings on the vent will change over the course of the day. Lately, they seem to be making changes in a positive direction. This would indicate his lungs are getting stronger and he is able to breathe more on his own without assistance from the vent. There are plans to take his chest tube out today - another good sign.

As of late Tuesday evening, R was taken off of the IV medication for his heart (amiodarone) and moved to an oral dose. So far so good. If you recall, he did not tolerate this well the last time it was tried. This would be a focus of prayer for the next 24 hours.

When Jen & I went in for rounds this morning, R was not on dialysis. My excitement was short lived as he was scheduled to go back on it today. His kidneys are not working. The doctors say that they will begin working when they are ready. Perhaps they will begin working as he gets stronger and further along in his recovery. Again, another prayer emphasis for the next few days.

R's surgical site still had some oozing (medical term) blood today. The doctor ordered some platelets, thinking that should solve the problem.

R is now about 36 (or so) hours off of the paralytic drug. As I mentioned yesterday, he is more aware of his surroundings and responds to stimulus. We were told not to make too much noise today so he could get some rest. Jen and the nurse were able to give R a bath in his bed today. His blood pressure would climb as they moved him around - a sign that he is responding to what is going on. Because of all that he has gone through recently, we fully understand the importance of R getting all of the rest he can get.

Thank you for your continued prayers!