Finally!

The trach is finally out! They took it out yesterday amid very little fanfare. It was good to see. It was wonderful to see. He looks remarkably like himself. There was actually less trauma taking it out than there was when they replaced the whole thing. This means he is down to the feeding tube and cath, but no more monitors, wires or other appliances. He looks so much more comfortable, he looks restful, he looks like himself. I have taken some of his clothes from home and "adapted" them with velcro so they are easier to get on, and he gets the benefit of wearing his familiar favorites. The first day, he was still flinching a little when he coughed but his neck and shoulders seemed so much more relaxed. Today he has started to make much more noise. The girls and I have gone out of town for the weekend to be with our family, and attend my grandfather's memorial. I called MB who has come down to visit him for the weekend and could hear him in the background. He was practicing his vocal sounds. What it means we do not know. It could be he is trying to talk, he could think he is talking, perhaps he likes the vibrations in his throat, or maybe he just likes the sound of his own voice. No matter what it is that is driving it, it is new, it is different. New and different are about as exciting as it gets in our world. The other new thing that happened this week was in physical therapy. They put him up in a standing frame yesterday. It is like a harness in a frame that they put him in and place his feet to see how he tolerates weight on his feet. He is supported but they let his weight rest on his feet. He did very well. I am impressed with all of the new things they are trying, and encourage us to help with as well. We continue to work with the doctors and therapists to put him in the best possible position for recovery. I have said it before and I will say it again.....It is all in his hands. They are good hands.....strong hands.