Sunday, May 31

You know when you are running a Marathon some miles just seem to come so quickly and yet others seem like they will never come.

I would have to say at this stage in the running we have just completed mile marker no. 3 (I better remember that so I don't have to run that one all over again - cannot even imagine having to run the same mile 2x in the same day). And what a big one this one is:

Today, Sunday, May 31, 2009, a cap was placed on Deano's trach (yes I know it wasn't trace - corrected as soon as I realized). There are no words that I can find today to express how huge this feels for so many reasons.

First let me tell you something that I thought was pretty funny. My Dr. stories. Anyway, today when the Dr. walked in the room; he gave his standard "He's doing good" and I have been practicing to be okay with that. AND THEN, the Dr. says we are going to cap the trach today. I said to the Dr., "are you sure it's ok?" He then just looked at me and said "Yeah, I am pretty sure it is okay". Everyone there laughed.

So, now his throat and vocal cords can really begin to heal and we will know what the path will be with his language. And if everything starts to heal and he is swallowing then they can begin to orally introduce some nutritional liquids and then if he handles those well the feeding tube can be removed.

The cap will stay in place right now for emergencies and to allow Dean to be suctioned. If he does well over a period of time (don't really now what that is)then the cap can be removed and that hole will close up.

I am so excited about this. Huge, huge, huge step in his recovery.

Oh, and the more tubes that can be removed; the more rehabilitation work.

And today, Mark of Mark and Karen visited with Deano and Mark and Deano were having a conversation about music. Mark is going to burn a few CD's for Deano and was trying to find out what style of music he (Deano) enjoyed. So, Mark indicated to Deano 1 finger for Yes and 2 fingers for No. First question: Do you like electric (I think that's what it was) music? Dean held up 2 fingers (no). Now I wanted to make sure Deano understood. So, next question: Do you like the Who? (I already knew the answer to this question, of course). Dean held up 1 finger (yes). This is all great news. Did I mention how excited I am?

Aunt Sylvia and Papa John haven't seen Deano for 1-1/2 weeks and they noticed as did my Mom and Grandma Jo that when Deano smiles now more of the right side of his mouth is moving.

Oh, and Dean looks much more like Deano without the trach collar on.

I'm so excited; I'm about to loose control and I just can't hide it!!!! (I think the actual words were "and I think I like it"-Don't know if I am ready for that one yet)(Maybe tomorrow).

On a personal note this weekend was interesting for me because I had to get back to trying to live my life with Riley. We didn't have milk and I ran out of laundry detergent, etc. So, I had to make Costco run along with the super market and putting gas in my car, etc.....

P.S. Papa John I heard what you said :-) and sometimes we just don't have a choice.

P.S.S. Hey Uncle Jim (Colorado Uncle Jim not Seattle Uncle Jim), so much for the Loogies or was it Denver Nuggets. Well I guess we can say loogies now - good thing they were already home. Now they don't have to pout on the flight home.....To bad to sad :-()