I think I got my Christmas gift early this year! Bill was alert and awake again this morning when I got here. His nurse told me they had tried the trach collar earlier, but it hadn't gone well so they put him back to CPAP mode.

He was really responsive to everything today and this afternoon he was put into the stroke chair. He seemed very comfortable for the most part, but considering that this is day 22 in ICU and the first time he has been out of bed in that time, it was great to see.

Dr. Edwards came in and said he's definitely on the right path and since he's basically doing all the breathing, even on CPAP, he thinks Bill might be ready to go back to regular oxygen and then start capping the trach.  He also said that he wants to start working toward removing the catheter.

Bill has moved well today, raising his arms and scratching his nose, but when I got here his arms were in the soft restraints. He kept pulling at the trach during the night. He also reached for it at times today, especially when something was being done to him. It seems to be missing a small piece of accordian tubing and it comes apart really easy.

Occupational therapy came in and just worked his shoulders some. She asked him if he wanted to lose the moustache and he shook his head no. He wasn't really interested in working at that time since they had just bathed him and put him in the chair.

While he was in the chair he crossed his legs, slid down until he was sitting like he always sits at home, took the pillows out from under his arms and took his sheet off. Then he started shivering some but couldn't put the sheet back on.

The best part of the day was when the respiratory therapist Chad came in. He is a very tall, soft spoken young black man who has always been very gentle with Bill and has said that he can tell that he is a nice person. When he finished doing what he had to do Bill gave him a wink and he told him that he appreciated that and told Bill Merry Christmas. Bill reached out to shake his hand and then told him Happy New Year! And he was very understandable! I just sat in my chair and cried, but this time they were happy tears!

We're waiting for Mary-Rose, Jack and the kids to get here. They should be here any time now.  I think she'll be surprised at how far he has come in the week since she was here before.

So, it has been a great day. I hope the evening is peaceful, and that I can sleep in this recliner. I'll let you know in the morning!