July 27, 20009

This afternoon the Erlanger medical team decided that Gene was doing well enough to return to Kindred. Emily was notified early afternoon. By 5:30 he was in a room at Kindred, settling in, and feeling really good about being back there.

He is in a different room which is somewhat smaller. It looks like it's too small to accommodate a cot, making it much more difficult for Emily to spend the night there. The hospital sits on a hillside with the entrance of the 2nd floor at ground level and sloping so that the end of the 2nd floor is two floors off the ground. When Gene was at Kindred before, he was all the way at the end. All this explanation to say that there's a silver lining to all this. Emily has been trying to figure out how Gene can see the great-grandchildren this weekend. The babies are too small to be in the hospital environment, and Gene has a great longing to see them. He's said on several occasions that he wishes he could see them. Well, Emily has it figured out. The window in the room is close enough to the sidewalk that we'll be able to figure out how he can see them outside! He will be so uplifted to see them.

Gene said tonight that he's really glad to be back at Kindred. He knows that it is really hard work and he wants to do it. It's amazing to realize that swallowing and breathing and coughing and all the things that go into proper respiration can be so difficult to relearn. If it is a matter of working hard at it that will measure the success, then Gene will be successful at being weaned from the ventilator.

Visitors are welcome to see Gene at Kindred in room 206. If you choose to visit remember that ALL visitors are required to wear gown, gloves, and face mask.

Prayer requests:
Please pray that Gene's return to Kindred bodes well for him to become weaned from the ventilator. Pray that his pressure sore begins to heal and that he continues to grow stronger. Pray for Emily to have the strength that she needs to negotiate the days and weeks ahead.