Day 7: P.M.

Tonight's post is encouraging ... many good reports from today.

Test results were good (I didn't get specifics, but to know that they were good.) Dad is still on the ventilator, but the nurse said that every patient is different and he'll come off when it's right for him. (Let Oklahoma State get ahead by a touchdown or two, and that might give him some impetus!)

They are gradually lowering his sedative (replacing it with morphine to keep him comfortable) so we can move toward getting him off the ventilator. The pulmonary specialist once again turned the ventilator into a mode that let Dad do more of the work on his own, and Dad did better this go-around than before.

His pupils are reacting to light quicker than before, and that's another good sign. Also, today he started trying to roll over onto his right side (his favorite sleeping position) on his own. Once the staff came in and helped him on to his side, Mom said he seemed to be much more comfortable. (After being on your back for a few days, we all would!)

He ran a slight fever today around 101.2, but they treated it with Tylenol. He's on an antibiotic as well, and the fever appeared to react favorably to the Tylenol. He still shows good strength on his left side, raising the left arm, but not as much movement on his right side as before.

All in all ... many good things reported today from the staff. We're all in town for the weekend, so we'll keep you all posted.

Additionally ... Dad's nurse today revealed that she's a dedicated Bulldog fan. We can just imagine that very time she called to him, "George, can you hear me? Can you hear me?" that he was thinking in reply "Go DAWGS!"

Day 7: Lunchtime

It's been a full week since Dad fell. In some ways, it seems like yesterday, but then you begin to think what all we've experienced in a week, and it seems much longer. Your words of encouragement and prayers are tremendous and we thank you for that.

Dad is neurologically holding at about the same spot. We will probably hear more later today about the test results. He was put through the ringer this morning, but with some good things in addition to the tests. He's been bathed and shampooed, teeth brushed, and everything changed from head to foot. Even when you're sedated, that's got to feel better.

Also, the pulmonary specialist once again pulled back on the ventilator to let Dad try and do some of the work on his own, and Dad apparently did better this go around than the last time. I think they are going to continue to try and wean him off slowly. They raise and lower his sedation level to help keep him rested until his body is ready to start taking over again.