Today was a better day than yesterday, but nothing to write home about...except that's exactly what I'm doing! It was also a strange day and we've got to figure out what's happening.

Bill was awake when I got there and the vent was in CPAP mode. But, his numbers were all over the place and he was again laboring to breathe. He wouldn't respond to questions and kept dozing off. He slept off and on most of the day.

Crystal, the respiratory tech really wanted to try the trach collar again, but because he seemed to be fighting the vent, decided that he was too agitated to attempt it without causing him more distress.

The only time he really responded in the morning was to Dr. Williams who rubbed his chest and woke him up. He asked him how he felt and Bill mouthed "fine". We both called him a liar and he smiled. Since he was still running a low grade fever his nurse asked about some Tylenol and Dr. Williams was a little reluctant to order any. He feels that it's still just a reaction to the bronch yesterday and said it's not uncommon to spike a 102-104 degree fever after one. He also said that it could tell them if they've missed something somewhere.

Dr. Omer started him on Zosyn, an antibiotic that the bacteria seemed to respond to. Of course it will take a few doses for it to make a difference.

Emily, Bryan and the girls came to visit and he barely opened his eyes the entire time they were there. He finally really went to sleep and all of his numbers evened out. Crystal came back and said that his respirations were the lowest and best she had seen them.

A big surprise for me was to see Dr. Edwards! And he actually talked to me and listened to my questions and comments. I told him at one time Bill's monitor went off and it showed his heart rate to be 209 beats per minute and then immediately dropped to 104. He, Dr. Edwards, immediately went and looked back at it and came back in and told me that if was artifact, which is a false reading. It may have picked up a vibration from somewhere or something, but it wasn't anything to worry about. He did say that Bill has come a long way in the last 4 days and he thinks that he's on the right track with getting weaned from the vent and then get the trach capped and reduced. Capping it means he will be able to talk and reducing it is the size of the tube used until it can be taken out completely and his throat healed. He thought that the peg feeding tube was the right way to go and he's of the opinion that Bill not eat or drink again to avoid aspirating again. I still don't think that will happen, but only time will tell.

After Dr. Edwards left, right about time for me to leave, he really woke up when Diane came in to do her thing. I heard her laugh and he was smiling his big toothless smile at her and winking! After she left, I went to the other side of the bed since that was the way he was turned and he was really awake this time. He blew kisses and when I told him that McKenna told me she had decided what her 1st girl's name would be, he laughed before I even told him the name! I hope she's not planning on it any time soon since she's only 14!

We actually think the problem with him wanting to sleep all day is that's he's staying awake all night. It could be just the effects from the anesthesia yesterday lingering, but this is not an isolated incident. Diane was going to make sure that his nurse tonight was going to turn the TV and lights off and make sure his door was closed. I guess I'll find out for sure Monday night when I stay with him.

So, it was a much better day than yesterday, yet still not as good as it had been in the days before. Hopefully, tomorrow will be even better!