Update #46

3:00 p.m. visiting hours were really good. Dave was much more awake and definitely more upbeat. While we were gone for lunch, the cardiologist ordered an EKG to check Dave's heart and started him on some meds to help regulate/stimulate his heart beat. His blood pressure has been lower since this morning, so he will be getting two units of blood at some point today as well.

Quick story that anyone who knows Dave (and has seen how convincing he can be when he wants something) will really appreciate: While we were in his room just now, Dave was motioning for us to work out his broken leg a little bit, which he "says" (nods when we ask him) has been hurting more in the past couple of days. After we had worked him out for a bit, his mom offered him some water, which we have been able to give him in very small amounts for the past few days through a sponge on a stick that he can suck on. After having a few spongefuls, Dave looked at me, tilted his head and mouthed the word "soda." Once I had confirmed that soda was what he wanted and told him that he couldn't have any because it might affect his stomach, heart, or any number of other things, he continued mouthing "soda?" with a questioning look in his eyes and a mischievous smile on his face, probably hoping to wear me down. After we laughed with him and refused a few more times - which was, by the way, incredibly difficult with him smirking at us like that - he gave up and switched to "pop?" still smiling, probably hoping to win over his parents who prefer that other word for referencing carbonated beverages. You'll be glad to know that we did manage to resist his charms until the end of visiting hours but promised to bring him some cold water with ice chips (to replace the tepid tap water in his room) when we visit at 5:00 p.m. Good thing we didn't have anyone from Texas with us, or he might have tried his luck with "Coke?" next. :-)

Needless to say, it was good to see Dave acting much more like himself, especially after this morning. Keep praying - for his heart, for his colon, and for his spirits - and know that God is using you and your prayers to make Dave stronger and more like himself every day.