Steve had a sleepy day. He was very tired. The respiratory therapist decided it was time to slow down the process of taking him off the vent. He was off 18 hours yesterday and it made him too tired so she let him stay off for only 8 hours today.
Still there is evidence that his lungs are getting stronger. He is coughing hard and bringing up mucus from the pneumonia. This is kind of gross but a very good thing.
Steve decided today that he wants to be home by next weekend. (Dave, he wants you to take him fishing in Story. He heard you bought new fishing poles). He said he has seen enough doctors. He also said that he wanted every doctor and specialist to come in and introduce themselves and tell him what they are doing for him because he wants to know what he is paying for. (Must be feeling better, he is starting to get concerned with finances...oh and food)
Steve wants to eat real food but is still given only ice chips. He keeps telling us he is hungry and asks whats for supper! They are planning on looking down his throat in the next day or two to try to determine why he is having trouble swallowing.
He will take the last round of medicine for pneumonia soon. However, they will probably start a new round of perhaps a different kind of medicine to continue treating him until at least most of the 'gunk' is out of his lungs.
The nurse came in today when I was clearing out Steve's mouth. (Andi can vouch that it is not a pleasant task but needs to be done so he doesn't swallow what he has coughed up) She asked me if I was Mrs. Bartenhagen. I laughed and said, "yes, by marriage to a brother."
Laurie: sister-in-law from North Dakota