We weathered the storm with no problems. There wasn't much damage on the hospital grounds or at the condo. I did see debris on the way home, but nothing really bad. It's still a little windy and we are going to get some of the backlash as the storm moves north, but only got 2.65 inches of rain instead of the 10-15 that were predicted.

Bill had a terrible night. He was awake all night and his nurse said that for the last 3 nights he had been awake every time she came into the room. She didn't mean that she woke him but his eyes were open and aware when she walked in. After staying with him last night I know the reason. Because he can't talk to use the call button, and because he doesn't have good control of his bowels, they are checking him every hour. So, they are keeping the light over the worksink on, and the door halfway open. And both of those shine right in his eyes. The light was turned out and the door was closed at 5 this morning and the room was darker than it had been all night. I mentioned it to Dr. Patel this morning and he said he was going to make sure they kept the room dark. He was also going to give him something to help him sleep. It's too hard for him to participate with therapy when he's so tired during the day.

He did make a little more progress today as far as using his hands and arms. He also swallowed most of his medicine. The nurse that he had today is one that went on our outing with the LVAD and she remembered him. She was very good with working his hands and arms and trying to get him to communicate. She's also the one who got him to swallow.

Speech pathology came in again today and after he was suctioned, she put her finger over his trach collar and he was able to breathe through his mouth. She tried to get him to try to make a sound when she put her finger over the opening, but he was not able to do that. But, she said she thought that a cap could be put over the trach tomorrow. He would still breathe through it, along with "regular" breathing, but it would not let air out. This would make it possible to talk and swallow and perhaps start eating solid food. Dr. Patel wants to take the nasal tube out since it has been in for so long. If he's not able to swallow well, they will have to put a feeding tube in his abdomen. So, that's the major happening tomorrow. He will also have his next biopsy this week, either on Weds. or Thurs.

At Kari's suggestion I bought a "magnadoodle" for Bill. For you with kids, you know what this is. For those who don't it's a magnetic drawing pad. It has a larger stylus to hold and you just shake it to erase it. So no messy markers or used paper. We'll see how he does with it tomorrow.

It's getting late and I had a pretty sleepless night also. I woke up every time they came in the room. They aren't as silent as they think they are!