Joyful News

Good news! Dan’s ventilation tube was removed (intentionally) at about 10:15 this morning – and the feeding tube from his nose (unintentionally, getting caught up with the vent tubes and tapes) at the same time, giving him much relief. He nodded his head in response to questions, squeezed hands, and wiggled feet. Before you know it, he’ll be doing the Hokey Pokey! They put a plastic mask over his mouth and nose right away to deliver oxygen, and through the mask he clearly said to Chris – “CPAP!” Meaning, that he wanted the Constant Positive Air Pressure device over his nose, which he applies whenever he goes to sleep to treat his sleep apnea. So, I think we can be pretty sure the brain cells are functioning. By the way, while all this was happening, no fewer than 6 police officers (Lt., Sgt., and Patrolmen) were just beyond the curtain with Chris and Pastor Rachel. His daughter Lyssa was just beyond the foot of his bed eyeing her dad’s face, and I was employing my weapon-of-choice (the Rosary) in a corner chair. Security was covered all around! And, to the credit of the consistently excellent staff caring for him, no one seemed to blink an eye at this cordon of care – the only comment was, “It’s really secure around here!”

He’s off all meds except the final day of the antibiotic to treat the pneumonia, and that seems to be about cleared away, save some fluids that naturally still accumulate from the original aspiration and, the way I understand it, some artifacts of all that’s transpired. The lungs are still being treated with respiratory therapy and suctioning. His pulmonologist, Dr. Greg Hicklin, said he may need to do some deeper suctioning with a scope of some kind through the nose later this evening. The focus now will be on clearing the lungs further and keeping them clear. He’ll be in the Cardiac Care Unit at least another day, possibly two, for that purpose, and to be certain his respiration continues to do all it needs to unaided. Dr. Hicklin and Resident Dr. Rose explained that there’s a 10% chance that his lungs would tire so much that they’d need to reinsert the ventilator for awhile. By all indications he’s in the 90% category right now, and we expect he’ll stay that way.

Cardiologist Dr. Fleming said the defibrillator implant would be done as soon as he’s declared stable off the vent – could even be in the next couple of days – and that it only takes 30 minutes or so.

So, I expect Chris and I will trade off again tonight, and won’t it be great if he gets to be moved to another room, and the next stage of recovery tomorrow? If not, we’ll be patient, as he’s over a big hump today, and should be more conscious and communicative as time passes.

Please join our prayers of thanksgiving – with continuing supplication for full recovery, of course. Also, we’ve shared experiences with others along the way, while here, and have collected other prayer requests. I can’t name them – God knows the names. Just please add “and for all those for whom Dan’s family has been asked to pray” before your “amen.” Thanks again, and many blessings. Victoria