More Day 4

7:00pm
Andrew is continuing to improve neurologically.  Tonight Andrew started on a trial of breathing entirely on his own and is passing this with flying colours; the breathing tube remains.  We are hopeful that tomorrow the breathing tube comes out!  It is looking good at this time.  Then, he should be able to speak.  I wonder what he will say...I have my bets on, "Go Bears".  And on to that...someone used the acronym 'GAG' for, "Go Andrew. Go."  Maybe it should be, "Go Bears"...Go On Beat Expectations Andrew Recover Soon!

Today we received beautiful flowers from Zach Vahalos and crew and also from the Cartwrights on behalf of the Nanaimo rowing community...thanks (they don't let us keep flowers in ICU but they are beautiful and will share our hotel room tonight!).  Cal pulled some punches and got us a reduced hotel rate...thanks for that, and of course we have been floored by all the well-wishers both on the blog, email, phone calls and texts...WOW!  One of the sophomore mums dropped by with yet another offer of lodging.  We had Coach Teti and Zach come by...but Coach Teti excused Andrew from practice.  What a great extended family.  The support is truly uplifting and we are so grateful for everyone who is taking time out of their already overtaxed schedules to do all of this.  It is hard on the grandparents, aunts and uncles and this support really helps them, too.  Thank you.  I think that we will print out all the comments, texts, and emails and put them on a big card...the modern version of those big cards that people sign.  The modern age of technology and connectivity sure has made this process so much easier.  I can't imagine dropping rolls of quarters in some hospital payphone in a noisy lobby like the days not long ago.

We have new nurses and staff rotating through...Jeanine is the queen of clean and organization.  Rosa, head nurse hovers and oversees things and makes sure that everything is in order.  There are also senior nursing folks from the hospital, in general, to make sure that we are being well cared for.  Dr. Turner is the ICU night resident and he has helped reassure us that we can go home to sleep.  This has become our second home for now and although you don't want to wander the streets after dark in this area, it is a pretty good second home considering the circumstances.

So many people to thank at this point.  See you in the morning and let's hope for good news.   It is going to be a busy day...I think that Marcie is going to lower her 'cone of silence', so don't be offended by few returned calls.