Five weeks ago today -

About 10:00 am today the "blue fairy" appeared to Mr. Steve's room in the medical coat of the Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor! He took out the large trach that was used for the ventilator and put in a smaller collar. It was a real adventure. Steve put the nursing staff in a real tizzy with all the coughing. I will refrain from graphically explaining all that happened. At some time I know he will share this fun experience with you all. After the smaller trach was put in the doctor "capped" the trach - not allowing air to flow through the trach but Steve would now be forced to use his mouth and nose. Something he has not done yet.

Steve became like Pinocchio!! He talked and talked. He had his eyes open for most of the day also. You figure with the amount of words he had stored up for 5 weeks, he had a lot to catch up on. One story after another came rolling out like hot lava from a volcano! I had to tell him to stop because I was laughing so hard it was hurting.

Ken the OT guy was really pleased with the way Steve was pulling up with his right arm to straighten out his back while he was in the wheelchair. The wheelchair is very uncomfortable for him because he has some arthritis issues. They would like him to sit in the wheelchair for four hours. Ken is explaining to him about the bones and muscles and what he needs to do to strengthen everything. Of course Steve says - you sit for four hours in a wheelchair and tell me how it feels.

-mom

Now its my turn...

Dad had a good day...he's talking for sure...i know we said he was talking before but this time he's talking the way you and i talk...and its probably more comfortable for him now then it was.

I got to the hospital tonight around 6 and then mom took off so she could have the night off...so dad and I hung out for a couple hours:) it was really nice:) it's weird to talk to him now because he's kinda like my 'dad' again...he's talking about 'life' and not this body part or that body part hurting...which he does..but its different now. its kind of hard to explain...

We prayed before I left...and when I was done he said "good job"...silly boy...

Anyway...Mom and i have early mornings so its off to bed...thanks so much for all the cards and comments! Mom read to him a card from the little boy I nanny for and he LOVED it! Thank you Ian!:) Mr. Steve loved it!

I've asked dad repeated times about people coming up to visit and he says "why?" and then says its not much to see...and then he talks about other things which i won't go into...

But I know some of his Sunday school kids and kids from church want to see Mr. Steve...and the hospital has no set age limit on visitors...so you are more than welcome to bring them....but please respect other patients and keep an eye on the little ones...also please prep the kids that Mr. Steve does not look or sound like he used too. His eyes are closed a lot when I'm there so expect that...also his head, his beard, tubes, etc...its a lot to take in for a kid and he doesn't want to scare anybody...

and he definitely doesn't wish this experience on anyone!

thanks again for reading a little bit about our lives...
~kim~