October 12 Early Evening Update

Hello friends and family,

The feeding tube was put in this afternoon. He is a little "knocked out" and groggy from the anesthesia, but it went in well. He really gets agitated with this respirator and gets mad at it and us for making him have to have it. He's restrained so he won't pull it out. His neurosurgeon, Dr. Anderson, came in to talk to us. He said he is puzzled as to why his ammonia levels are not going down. They have gone up one point. He is also puzzled as to why his bowels are not moving. We are hoping the medicine and the new feeding tube may help him to absorb nutrition and help his ammonia levels go down. He is unable to talk right now because of the respirator but still seems aware of what is going on. Earlier today he was making facial expressions and he even smiled at me a couple of times. However since the feeding tube surgery he is very sedated and isn't responding as much. His silly eyeballs are both wide open again today so they are very red. He has hiccups too and they wake him up. The Dr. said he didn't know why the hiccups were happening but hopefully once they figure out the stomach stuff he might stop hiccuping.

My brother and Melody are here with us. My friends left this morning. Mom and I are holding up much better today, but we are still exhausted. Bucky and Melody are being very strong but I know they are exhausted too.

I can't think of anything else right now. Thanks for thinking of us. I am waiting to read cards and emails to him until he feels better so that he can enjoy them. But I know he will appreciate it so much when he feels better.

Love,
Cathy, Bucky, Melody, Cejae, Adam (and John:)