Evening update

It's 6:30 and Dr. Futran and Co. came by for the nightly visit. Mike had, and passed, his final flap check. Everything looks great and the surgeon is very pleased with the progress thus far. Here's a preview of the next few days:

• Down-sizing the trach tube to a smaller size (step #2 in preparing to remove it)
• Getting rid of the cast on the left arm and replacing it with a splint (looks kind of like the carpal tunnel splints you see on cashiers at the grocery store)
• Starting on swallowing liquids

If everything keeps going so well and stays on track, Mike could be discharged early next week! That was certainly welcome news.

Many of you have been asking about me and reminding me to get some rest and take care of myself while I'm taking care of Mike. In an attempt to do just that, I asked the nurses for something other than the single straight chair that is in Mike's room, hoping I could get some sleep without having to leave the hospital. The nurses kindly found me a medieval torture device reclining chair, so I was able to catch some z's during the day today. I'm thinking about heading home late tonight to sleep in my own bed, play with the animals, pick up some clean clothes, collect the mail, etc. I'll just see how things go here before I decide. It has been great to be able to crash at John and Nancy's place in Wallingford, and they have spoiled me with all sorts of goodies.

I will post at least once tomorrow with any updates/changes. Mike says to tell everyone hi and thanks for everything!

Busy day already

Gee, it's only 10:00 and the day has already been full of activity for Mike. The gaggle of residents came by about 6 for the flap check. They all agreed it looked great. Then they "took down the cuff" on his trach tube, which is the first step in the removal process (which takes a few days). Taking down the cuff allows some air to now pass around the trach tube so that Mike is doing some breathing by mouth. (Notice I am avoiding saying that he has become a mouth breather!) The net effect is a very positive one: MIKE CAN TALK AGAIN! At this point just a few words at a time, and he sounds like he has a bad cold, but he's talkin'. As much as Mike is a great writer, he does like to talk, too :-) Plus, I have the sense he may be getting a bit tired of me having the last word in every conversation.

In other medical news, the docs took the drain out of his arm, and I think the cast is due to come off by the end of the week. He has good function in the fingers of that hand, and they are nice and warm. All good signs.

Also (I told you it had been a busy morning!), he went for a walk, making a complete circuit around 4 NE, moving at a good clip. Steady and strong.

Now he is sitting up trying to find something decent to watch on TV (hmmm...Martha Stewart or The View...such choices!).

As always, thanks for continuing to send positive thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. A special shout out to the friends and family who have been taking care of our pets this week. I can tell they have been pampered (the pets, that is), and will probably be completely disappointed when it is just me and Mike back at home with them!

Cheers!