Just spoke with Sister Connie.

Okay, good news, first: His sputum is now clear, so whatever they've been using to fight the infection in his lungs is working! His blood is also clear!

They are kind of at a loss as to what is keeping his fever up. Tylenol is not keeping it down, so they have packed him in ice. He has a fever blister, so they've ordered an air cushion of his bum..talk about riding on air.:-)

Because he's been on the vent and morphine for so long they can't really do a very good evaluation, from what I understand, so after much consultation, Karen gave them permission (tough decision for her), this morning, to do a tracheotomy, so he is still on the vent, but it's connected to the trach instead of going down his throat, which may improve things as they will be able to back off the morphine and he can communicate in writing. They've been having to keep him sedated so much on the morphine, it's been difficult. Even though this sounds dire, it will give them a better idea of what's going on.

I probably will not hear from Karen, today. Connie took a few calls for her to do and she will be back at work, tonight. Tris and Michael continue to be great brothers and sons and taking care of home.

I feel a little bit better about all of this, today. I think the trach and getting off the vent may actually prove to have been good timing. As Sister Connie said, we've seen him come back from the edge, so to speak, before, and I don't think he's used up nine lives, yet, plus he's got all those Karmic Brownie Points that big ol' heart of his has earned him.

There ya go, folks. Please keep up the good work.

luvyakat