Thursday,July 2 9

Hello again everyone, it may seem as though I've fallen off the face of the earth. And in ways I have, and it's quiet out here, but I love it. I've gone 36 days off of the ventilator for more than 16 hours and 35 days without being suctioned. The doctor even said it sounded like I was moving more air, so I'm hoping that this means my diaphragm is returning. I've talked to the doctor and he has agreed to let me try to go off the ventilator for a night with blood gas test before and after. He has also agreed to schedule a moving x-ray of my chest, to determine if my diaphragm is working. On the good side I was approved for 16 hours a day of nursing care, which started this past Monday, which gives dad and Larry sometime off. It's going very well and it's comforting to know that somebody is always awake. The puppy is almost twice as big as she was, she can now bark much to my excitement. She is hard to watch at all times, she's very sneaky. For another three weeks take care everyone, and no news is good news.

Saturday, July 10

Well it's been over a month home and I feel great. This is the 12 day off of the vent for the least 16 hours or more. And the seventh day I have not needed suctioned. It's early to say but I might have this thing beat. I have a weak cough, but right now it's enough to cough up any junk. Therapy is going great, my wrist extension are getting stronger. My sister told me to wait at least a month till I got in the groove of daily life before I got a new dog. So on July 4 I got a basset and named her shilah. She's a cute little dog with not much energy, perfect. The only problem is I can't feel when she's chewing on my fingers and toes. No blood yet, but hopefully it's just a phase she's going through.