Good evening to all of you, and thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers.
Aaron is still stable, and maybe doing a little better.
They are working on reducing the ventilator pressures, and said this morning that MAYBE he will not need a tracheostomy, but MAYBE they can wean him from the ventilator completely within 3 or 4 days, if he keeps doing as well has he has. That will be a true blessing.
He has been agitated, although "somewhat alert". Sometimes he seems really alert and with us, but just as often, he appears to be very confused and disoriented. He keeps trying to get out of bed, and frustrated that they have to keep restraints on his wrists, and angry at mom that I won't take them off or let him out of bed. We have to keep explaining to him that he has to stay in the restraints for his own safety. At one of yesterday's visits, when I came into his room and stood by his bed, he moved his arm around my waist and pulled me towards him. I thought it was so sweet that he was giving mom a hug. But noooooo, it was not a hug, he was simply trying to use me as leverage to climb out of bed.
We were able to use a "picture board" yesterday with him that let him get one of his messages to us, that he is thirsty. Unfortunately, he can't have anything to drink now, and that too makes him upset.
Although it is painful to watch him be so frustrated and angry, the staff tells us that it is really a good sign that he is.
The doctors still won't give us a prognosis, they really can't but said today that it is no longer "grim".
They have his morphine and versed levels down to 5 ml/hour, so he is a bit more awake. He is breathing "over" the vent, taking about 10 breaths a minute on his own.
They took out the drain and Camino pressure monitor from his head on Friday night.
Yesterday, they gave him the "remote" that allows him to control the TV and call the nurse, so he can watch TV and change the channels when he wants now. The nurses have the patience of saints, since he hits the nurse call button about as often as he hits the channel button.
Now that the tube and monitor are out of his head, they were able to take some more x-rays of his neck and spine, and although the nurse said the films were "clear", they have not removed the cervical collar yet. Not sure when they will do that.
Most of you know that we were staying at the Extended Stay in downtown Jax until Friday. We have checked out of the hotel now, and are coming home to the house at night to sleep.
I will be at the morning visit tomorrow, but need to start going to work for part of the day now.
Again, God Bless you all for your thoughts, prayers, and the support you have given us through this. There are not enough words to express the depths of our gratitude. The prayers have been so important, and even the doctors and medical staff are saying that we have had some miracles this week.
God Bless you all.
Deb
-- Deb (to reply remove what is obvious in the address)
WIP: I have no idea right now