Sunday October 7

During this journey, rough times have often been followed by blessings.  This week has been no exception. A rough day Thursday led to a joyful Friday.  First we got word that the much anticipated removal of Donna's PEG stomach tube would occur on Monday am, and then not much later learned that efforts to secure us the overnight pass necessary to bring Donna home was worked out.  Wow how these events had us thrilled.

First the PEG, installed back in the ICU, this tube has been a lasting symbol of the stressful ICU days and in the last few months has been a constant aggravation to Donna.   For many weeks we have constantly talked about how it required her eating well, drinking well (swallow) and taking medication by mouth before removal could be considered.  Even then, wait time is needed to ensure these will all be accomplished.  Removal is a huge sign of success and relief for Donna.  Come Monday am it will be done and the last of the ICU remnants will be gone.

Next the overnight visit, a huge success to be able to bring Donna home over a Saturday night.  It makes the difference between her being able to come home or not.  She hasn't been home since the accident and it will allow us to attend mass at our own parish.  This gives us something to really look forward to.  Many thanks to the group of people who so understood the impact and fought for it for Donna.  We can't thank you enough for your help.

Donna continues to improve neurologically.  Her awareness and cognitive skills are getting downright solid.  Sometimes she fools people as the speech therapists have been working on her swallow and thin liquids and her speech continues to be a bit slurred.  The slurs lull people into wondering if the sharpness is there.  It is.  With much knocked out on the swallow and PEG side, attention will turn now to actual speech clarity.  Physically she needs more time and intensity in her therapy.   We explore the limits of the facility and will soon know if she can get what she needs.  We hope so because there is much to like here in Galveston.

I had a brief chat with a staff member in Galveston who we have been enormously impressed with.  I shared how impressed Donna and I were with his patience, hard work and sincere care for the patients.  I asked how long he had been affiliated with the facility and he indicated over 25 years.  The next evening he and I had a short chat as I was leaving and he told me that he had only worked there for 14 years.  His earliest involvement was as a patient with a head injury worse than Donna's.  Like her, he had been in a coma for 6 weeks.  I was stunned and at the same time filled with hope.  Donna and I both so respect him and whenever we see him now, are just filled with inspiration and the tangible evidence that she can be just fine someday.  Wow...

I know most of you haven't seen Donna in a while.  She has blessed the release of this photo.  Hope it warms your hearts.

Bob