maybe moving more

Some quick updates on this howlingly windy Sunday evening.

Firstly: Dad's status remains much the same. They put him on an intermittent ventilator, which we hope is not a step backwards -- the doctor seemed to indicate that they were doing that just to give my dad a rest from the hard work of breathing through the ventilator tube, so hopefully it's okay. The doctor talked about maybe doing a trach midweek, depending on Dad's progress...and I would just really love it if he was making enough forward progress to just come off the ventilator entirely by next weekend-ish. It seems to me that Dad is moving a little bit more -- raising his left shoulder, and maybe rolling his head side to side a bit -- and not just in response to pain stimuli (though he does react strongest to that), but also in response to our voices, or someone laying a chilly hand on his arm (Mom & I are famous for that!), or sometimes just randomly. These types of responses are apparently a good sign, says Dawn & her pharmacist friend. However, it's still pronation rather than the more purposeful movements we'd love to see. His pupils still aren't dilating. His fever is up a little. He goes back and forth with being able to digest his eggnog. I'm not sure whether it has been apparent from my previous posts, but my dad is comatose right now. So if you come visit P/SL -- and the ICU has open visiting hours all day and night with the exceptions of 7-8 am and pm -- he won't be able to respond...but I think we will still appreciate the company.

Secondly: Mom & I went to the 9:30 service at Columbine United Church this morning, and the praise and worship was such a joy to me. We sang three of my very favorite hymns -- "I Love You Lord," "Shout to the Lord," and "Down in the River to Pray." I just felt so so so blessed that I was able to be at church on that day and sing those songs. Mom & I each lit a prayer candle for Dad. Everyone at the church was just so warm and wonderful, and great about hugging my mom so she would know how supported she and Dad are...it was just such a blessing. Thank you so much, to all of the wonderful souls at Columbine United.

Thirdly: I appear to have caught a little stomach virus. :( Which is why this update is so late & so short. My brother-in-law's father says that it sounds just like a bug that's been going around at his work, and that I ought to be better by tomorrow morning. That would be great. But I would really appreciate some prayers that I didn't, God forbid, give the virus to my dad. :(

And finally: Thank you everyone for all of your comments on the blog! They are such a source of encouragement to us. God bless you everyone! ;)

--Kristy