Update #63

I just got a really positive update from Dave's parents. Sorry for not posting yesterday - I talked to Den in the morning, but by the time I got to my computer to post last night, I was pretty confused about what he had said and figured it would be better to wait until I understood what I was typing before confusing the rest of you with me. :-)

First, the drainage from Dave's side (from the hole in his colon) has been drastically reduced - seems like the meds are working! The doctors are continuing to monitor the amount of drainage, but they have decided to keep him on the meds to see if they hole will close entirely. Dave's glucose was up yesterday, which may have been as a result of the TPN (the nutrition that is going into his blood), so they have altered the TPN slightly and have also decided to partner it with a very low dose of food administered through his feeding tube (they set the dose at 10 ccs - he has been at 70 ccs to get his full 2,000 calories). Using the feeding tube in these very small amounts will stimulate his digestive system and also allows the doctors to give him his sleeping meds again - yeah!

The tube in Dave's chest, which had been draining the fluid from behind his lungs, seems to have stopped flowing, so it may be removed in the near future. His leg seems to be feeling better today, a huge improvement from Sunday when Chris (his roommate) said that Dave's nurse actually gave him enough pain meds to make him sleep because the pain was so bad.

One other great update - Dave was on the trach collar again last night and went for almost two hours breathing on his own! According to his dad, Dave still is certainly not volunteering to use the collar, but he seems to be doing well with it when they put it on him.

And since I'm full of positive news today, Tony (Darlene's husband) is being moved to a room outside of the ICU today! I got a text from their youngest daughter last night, and she was overflowing with excitement. Can't wait to give them a hug when I get back to Knoxville tonight.

Keep up the prayers - lots to be thankful for today!