Dearest Family and Friends,

Day Two of "Step Down"....not the level care of ICU, but we have to go through this to get to Rehab.

Wonderful cardiologist, has ordered new/different doses of blood pressure medicine, and hopefully that will kick in soon and make a difference in his pressure and heart rate. Also, ordered additional meds to be added to the respiratory treatments to help with the heavy edema in his lungs.

They did a "swallow test" today, but he did not do well. This is all for the correct direction to be able to take out the trachea. He is doing well off the ventilator for the six hours period at a time, but this all has to be coordinated with the swallow test, off the ventilator permanently and then they will be able to take out the trachea. At that point he can begin talking....which means I can begin asking questions, and then he can be driven crazy by my interrogation, and will probably appreciate the silence he has had up to then.

Anyway, lots of unknown matter flying around the atmosphere, but it means we are going SOMEWHERE!! All we can do is hope.

The best evidence is I can see that he is BORED and losing patience. This is the Hal we all know.

Thank you for all of the love you have shown us....the cards are wonderful, and are taken to the hospital to be read out loud to Hal.... they always deserve a smile.

With great appreciation and love, Linda