One day at a time: number 25

On this Wednesday, Tim got a good spell of morning sleep (until about 10:30 am, after a rough night), followed by several hours of cleaning up, respiratory therapy (he gets two nebulizers, albuterol and mucomist, every two hours) and The Vest. He got up about 2:00 and stayed up until 8:00. He weaned about four hours of that time. He felt pretty good, but tired.

We had a good long talk at noon with Dr. OtherPulmonologist. He said that he had seen Tim on the day (Day 2) that he was intubated and went on the ventilator, and comparing then to now, wouldn't believe it was the same man. He assured us that although Tim's improvement is not as quick as anyone would have it, it's still quite good.

The doctor also said that the most important thing we can do for Tim's recovery is to get him off the ventilator as much and as soon as possible. He believes the fevers reflect pulmonary infections that may not show up in the cultures but which are the result of being on mechanical ventilation.

This was helpful to Tim: he said then and later in the day that his battle is with the ventilator now, and he's fought that battle before and won. My Tim: the cheerful warrior.

He also talked later, when I was at work, with Dr. Infectious. Dr. I. is just waiting for those cultures and fighting the good fight with us.

Thanks for the constant friendship, and of course the calls and cards (we're up to two clotheslines now) and emails and visits. Keep 'em coming when you can. Good night, dear ones.