July 10, 2009

Gene had a good day today. Emily found him more alert today than he has been before now. She had some pictures of Madison that Aunt Frances had taken with an old fashioned disposable flash camera. So I think they were in a more familiar form than all the pictures I've been showing him on the iphone. Mom asked him if he wanted his glasses to look at it and he said yes. Then he kept his glasses on for a little while today.

It is so great to know that he's getting very aggressive treatment for vent weaning, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound treatment, and speech therapy! All of his care givers are commenting on his progress. He is currently on the C-Pap setting on the ventilator, which means that he only gets pressure to help him breathe and some oxygen support. He is actually initiating all the breaths on his own. When the family sees him day in and day out it is sometimes harder to see the progress. It's also clear that the caregivers have a very clear notion of the task analysis that will take him to the long term goals. They know each little step that must be accomplished to give him the foundation for the next level of accomplishment. So the family greets their progress reports with maybe not an entire level of understanding, but with enthusiasm.

Gene has developed a pressure sore on his lower back which is giving Emily some concern. The wound nurse is working actively on it. Wound care is one of the specialized services offered at Kindred, so it seems that we can expect good results for that.

Emily is still spending the nights with Gene, sleeping on a cot in his room - she reports that she is sleeping well. Emily has always had such a strong nature. We are certainly seeing it in the way she is moving through this situation.

Prayer requests:
Please pray for Gene to be comfortable with the lessening of respiratory pressure support, for his swallowing reflex to grow stronger every trial, for him to continue to have increased strength and movement in his arms, hands, and especially his fingers, and for him to have the courage and strength to do the work that the Kindred staff gives him to accomplish.