Saturday afternoon/evening: (mom report)
WOW!!!! (friday afternoon)
Mike is TALKING and talking and talking. He wasn't talking when we (Aunt Judy, Tamme and Bette) went to the circus and then when be came back, Mike was talking. It was almost like Christmas! He talked to Judy and Tamme and seemed to really enjoy it. Bette went out to dinner with Judy and Tamme. Bette tried to call someone to tell them the good news but wasn't able to get anyone.

(saturday)
Bette came up this morning before he went to dressing change and he was doing great. Bette went to see Karla's (her friend) girl in a competition (she did great) and when she got back to the hospital he was allowed ice. We fed him one glass of ice but that wasn't enough so we had to rig up something so he could hold the spoon to feed himself. We put tape inside out around his finger and thumb so the spoon wouldn't slip out of his fingers. They were taking the "nose hose" out. Karla stayed this afternoon.

Judy and Tamme came back to see Mike before they went home to Blackfoot, ID. He was in physical therapy when they came, putting little round pegs in holes. (what does this mean? I don't have a clue...I am the scribe... oh yeah, this is literally putting pegs in holes for dexterity) They started him eating. First ice chips,water, juice, then applesauce. Bette has a smoothie that he almost drank half of. Then his supper: lasagne, green beans, chocolate pudding and a roll. Bette thought that was pushing that a bit but he handled it okay. She fed him until he was tired out. He didn't do too bad. They took the trach out earlier. He has the suction tube "jury -rigged" to his hand in case he coughs and needs his mouth suctioned. He went outside for a while and took a trip to the cafeteria to see what they had.
Bette's friends, Jason and Karla have the Birkenstock store in Pocatello., They are going to get Mike a pair of the soft birks since his were pretty much fried.
Bette sounds tired too. Sounds like they had a great and full day. Congratulations Mike on talking, drinking and eating today!!!! Well done!

More later,
and so we go
JaCee