Sunday, March 15, 2015

Update # 187

8 Years

I think this new schedule of updates will work better for you and for us.

Saturday morning about 10:00, one of the ENT docs walked in Jeff’s room. He removed the stitches from the trach and changed the tube. The doc then used his finger to cover the tube and Jeff talked. This time Jeff’s voice was much more clear and closer to his sound. We still waited for speech therapy to install the speaking valve.

Meridith’s parents arrived around Noon on Saturday. Jeff looked much better to them than when they came early Valentine’s Day morning. They were able to enjoy time together and took Meridith out to lunch. It’s always good to have family come to visit. Thank you.

Saturday afternoon had some major discussion between the pulmonary docs and the ENT docs. So it ended up that the trach tube was changed again to one the pulmonary docs felt more comfortable with Jeff having – just in case of an emergency.

Jeff again was lifted from his bed to a chair and he agreed only for 30 minutes. This sitting session was too close after a tube feeding and Jeff got sick one time. Spacing of feeding and sitting are now timed better.

Sunday has been a lazy day for Jeff. He has not been too interactive with us but even with eyes closed he is listening.

One of the first things we all listened to this morning was an original song written and recorded especially for Jeff by close family friends. It put a big smile on Jeff’s face. They even sent a picture of the “band”. Wow, what an amazing gift! Thank you.

Jeff smiled again when he listened to a phone call from a former co-worker. Hearing your voice was wonderful. Thanks.

Speech therapy never came yesterday and we know they do not work on Sunday. So we hope for tomorrow.

Today was also the first day Jeff did not have an x-ray. Another step in his progress.

I had mentioned near the beginning of this journey about Jeff’s new modern bed. Today we witnessed another feature of this amazing bed. Mid- afternoon the nurse hit a button and the whole thing started moving in one direction and ended up in – chair position – with Jeff sitting upright. No having to wait for a transport team to come and lift him from bed to a chair. Jeff sat in his “new” chair for 30 minutes. The nurse said the bed chair is good to use on weekends when there are fewer transport people. But she said Jeff will use more abdominal muscles sitting in a bedside chair on weekdays.

We know Jeff is breathing well on his own with the trach collar – the respiratory tech removed the big ventilator machine from Jeff’s room at 4:22 PM! We pray it permanently stays gone.

Small steps for Jeff these last 2 days. Time with family and hearing from good friends was great for Jeff’s recovery. Your continued prayers are always our request. Thanks.

love,

Marcia