Caring Bridge update on Dan

We hope today, Sunday, will be a real day of rest for Dan. It’s noon, and the past 36-48 hours have been spent trying to balance his sedative and pain medications so that he’s unconscious and comfortable, but not too heavily sedated, as that causes his heart rate to drop too low.

Chest x-rays last night and this morning look clear, showing improvement in the pneumonia that appeared in his right lung a couple of days ago. He’s getting respiratory therapy and suctioning to keep moving fluid out of his lungs.

We’ve learned a couple of things about Dan: 1., he does not have an internal snooze button – he wakes up on a dime, and 2., he does NOT like the tubes in his nose (feeding) and throat (breathing). The minute he’s conscious, he fights like crazy – arms and legs thrashing as much as the restraints allow and face twisting like that guy in the “Edgar suit” in the first Men in Black movie. So there will be no more attempts to wean him gradually off the ventilator. He’ll be kept comfortable and asleep until tomorrow (Monday) morning, when the ventilator will be removed.

One of us is staying with him through the night and several all day to help monitor his progress, let him know we’re there, reassure him in case he does awaken, and reassure ourselves and you by staying informed. Thanks again for your support and prayers; keep them up -- breathing on his own will likely be the next big hurdle.

Keep praying folks, j