Well, even though this is dad's typical position, he would certainly rather be resting in the confines of his own comfy home with his partner, Dexter, as opposed to the ICU bed where he has been for 5 weeks now. My mom and I went to visit him today and I was really excited to see him. He appeared to be glad to see me, and when my mother tested him as to who I was, he gave her the "stink eye", as in "who are you kidding lady?!" My mom likes to do that to him; she quizzes him about his knowledge to see if there has been memory loss, and more often than not, after she throws in a wrong answer, dad will provide this look as if to say "you are the idiot, not me." This look is reassurance to all of us who know my father.

He was certainly more alert than when I last saw him, which was prior to and right after the last surgery he had. He is more interactive, and is able to indicate through nonverbal gestures some of his needs and requests. The cardiologist did a consult yesterday and has changed the blood pressure meds, which is one of the sole reasons he is still in the ICU. Hopefully they will take the desired effect and we can begin to look towards the step-down environment. He was also off the vent for 5 hours this morning, and then again as we were leaving afternoon visiting hours. So these are all signs of progress. I tried to use a communication board with him today, but unfortunately the one they could find in the ICU was in Spanish, so when I pointed to a picture of a person with lightning bolts to the body and the caption "tienes dolor?" dad looked at me like "who are you kidding?"; I suppose instead of one understanding that meant do you have pain in the body, someone who does not speak Spanish would understandably believe the person was being electrocuted. So we will wait until they can dig up one in English. A second language was not a requirement when dad was in school, back in the olden days...

So, all in all, he is doing as well as can be. Now his spirits and mood are a different story. Imagine laying in a bed in the same position for 5 weeks, without the ability to talk, move part of your body, eat, walk, etc...It is difficult to imagine but I know I would be bored, irritated, depressed, annoyed, fidgety, and angry. So trying to make him laugh is part of the daily routine, and empathizing with his current condition. We just can't wait to bring him home, but we will have to wait...it is still a ways away.

Thanks again to all who ready this regularly, and who send cards, positive and healing energy, call, pray, and keep us in your thoughts. We appreciate the show of love and support more than you could ever know.

Love, Tracy