"Would you like to hear some good news?"

This is how Missy began our phone conversation at 5:55 tonight(2/12)! She reported to me that Dad had the vent removed and even said a few words! Hallelujah!



Dad is doing well, but very tired. Visitors have had to been limited a little bit so he can rest. I figure he has had two weeks to rest! =)



It is actually a very interesting story of how the decision was made to have the vent removed. I will not tell all the details for the sake of privacy but what I will relay is this...Miss has done a great job of paying attention, asking questions and writing down notes. She has recorded physical observations of Dad and the meds he has received. She has also tracked his dose amount of the various meds. This has helped her, and the family, play an active role in Dad's recovery. This has been crucial to keeping us all in good spirits and focused on what we can do. A funny side note...the family in general is designed to do what Melissa has been doing. In the hospital we monitor Dad's vitals (HR, BP, etc.) with great attention to detail. The day they hooked up Dad's brain to the 'brain stuff', my Uncle Johnny went home and learned how to read the monitor which showed Bim's brain activity on the Internet.



It is mind boggling to think that Dad's surgery was two weeks ago today. What many said was impossible was achieved...Dad was speechless for two weeks! =D Sorry I could not resist.


The past week has been very hard on all of us. Dad has been making progress, but slowly. Today is what our hearts needed...as if this is even about us. I know that as Dad continues to gain consciousness his fighter's spirit will return. Dad is a battler and he will be determined to get back to being the dad, husband, son, brother, boss and golfer we all love!