Tuesday 09/08/09
Tom said Mike had a pretty good night. He is awake now. (5:30am SLC time) He was put back on the vent last night at about 11pm so he could get some more rest. The T-piece was on for about 7-8 hours yesterday. He coughs up quite a bit of phlegm with the T-peice and it usually ends up in his mouth, passing by the vent because he has a forceful cough. Tom said that Michael has been off the propofol since yesterday afternoon. (He's going to get back on it after surgery) He was doing pretty well with holding still but thinks he should be able to get up and move around normally. After Tom explained to him why he couldn't and reminded him where he was he calmed down and tried to relax. He still wanted to move, though. Every couple of hours he would forget, get restless, and Tom would explain things again and he would calm down.

His sodium has remained elevated, even with the water flushes. His urine output remains steady, but the kidney function values are creeping up. (they have been worse)

Michael is scheduled for surgery today. He is the third case so he won't go in until later this morning or early afternoon. They have a couple of units of blood ordered for him for the surgery.

So there have been at least three nurses that have commented on how nice of a family Mike has and how refreshing it is to see a caring family and a "functional" family. It is so important to have an advocate when one family member is ill or non-verbal. The nurses cannot be there all the time so it is wonderful that Bette is there throughout the day. When Michael is unable to clear the phlegm and needs to be suctioned, Bette is very good about asking for him. She is a positive and comforting person to have and I am so thankful that she is able to be there. Thanks to Aunt Edna, who has been tremendous support for Bette and Mike. She will be missed when she goes home this week. Thanks for the rest of our family that go down to see Mike.. Chris and Karen, Ted and Mary... we love you!

So much for my soap box ramblings...
Please think of Michael today for his surgery.

More later,
and so we go
JaCee