Good News Worth Waiting For

I'm convinced the combination of prayers from all of you, coupled with the visit from the kids yesterday resulted in an exponential leap forward in Steve's recovery.  He woke up from a pretty decent 90 minute nap early this morning and he was the same Steve we all know and love.  It was like a curtain lifted and there he was, smiling and giving two thumbs up.  I felt so uplifted and relieved.  After his nap, Steve asked me to read him comments from the blog along with cards he's received from family, friends, fellow officers and kind strangers.  The gratitude he was feeling was palpable in the hospital room we've made our temporary home.  Steve was overwhelmed with emotion hearing for himself the outpouring of support and love for not only him but our entire family.  So with every cell in my body, I express my deepest gratitude for every encouraging word, every positive thought, and especially every single prayer sent out on our behalf when we couldn't focus enough to pray for ourselves.  Every single one of you has carried us and for that we are grateful.

I waited all day to see Dr. Hanpeter.  It wasn't as though I had somewhere else to be, I mean I was going to be where I've been for two weeks...right next to Steve.  But with Steve appearing to have made a giant step forward, I wanted to know what we could expect in the coming days.  Earlier this morning, Steve had his feeding tube changed from a "G-tube" (inserted into the stomach) to a "J-tube" (inserted into the small intestine) because his stomach had been so sensitive to the very strong antibiotics.  All the feedings he was receiving through the G-tube were causing a lot of stomach pain, but the feedings were so important because Steve needs protein for cell production which is critical in healing, particularly the reproduction of damaged tissue.  So hopefully he will be able to have his tube feedings with the new placement of the tube.  Then in the early afternoon, the respiratory therapist removed the ventilator and Steve is now only on oxygen, room air and breathing treatments.  However, he still has the trach tube which will be replaced tomorrow with a smaller tube that will allow Steven to talk.

Dr. Hanpeter came in to see Steven at 6 pm this evening.  I had been on the edge of my seat all day waiting for the results of the blood test and chest xray and I was hoping for some indication of how much longer Steve might be in the hospital.  The doctor began by telling Steve that the antibiotics seemed to be working.  Interestingly, the doctor believed that Steve was resistant to the first antibiotic that he had prescribed.  Along with changing out the trach tube tomorrow, Dr. Hanpeter also intends to remove one of the two chest tubes.  If Steve does well without the ventilator, he will continue with room air and by the time Steve goes home, the doctor will have removed his trach altogether and sewn up the hole.  And finally, the anticipated date of discharge is, optimistically this Thursday, realistically this Friday!!!  See what I mean that all the prayers are working?!

It's 11:18 pm and Steve is fast asleep.  The nurse gave him two Ambien and he's out...amen.