Monday 09/28/09
Mike was taken care of by Jill last night and she said he was doing great. This is the first time she's taken care of him since his trach came out. She said he has all sorts of ideas to make things easier for patients and they rigged up a call light system so he just has to tap it instead of finding the right button. He is on supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula (the one you see on TV with the tube under the nose) at night. He hasn't had to take any extra insulin to control his blood sugars. He walked past 3 patient rooms yesterday. oh, and he is talking up a storm!
Now is the time when the physical therapists get to soar. They will work on strengthening his body, being able to walk, do stairs, (run marathons?) and his fine motor skills of grasping and doing some of the things we take for granted, like holding utensils and feeding himself. Jill says it's very exciting and now Mike is going to get really busy with all of the people wanting to see him.(PT, wound care, speech therapists...not to mention visitors) He will have swallow studies every day to help strengthen his swallowing and coughing skills.
His face still has a couple of wounds that they are putting medicated cream on and watching. He has splints on his hands at night but they took off one so he could reach things. His graft sites are looking good and healing. Jill said the stoma (the place where the trach was) is covered with vaseline guaze and it is healing well. The rumour has it that once the trach comes out things progress pretty well. It means that he can maintain his airway and breathe on his own. If they do any more surgeries, they can either use conscious sedation or place a temporary tube during surgery that can be removed.
Thank God that I don't have to say "he's holding his own...status quo (for the extent of his injuries)"! Let the adventure continue forward and have continuing healing! Thank you all again for your ongoing prayers for Michael.

More later,
and so we go
JaCee