Counting down.

Hello everyone,

Well, it's Friday again. It doesn't mean quite the same thing that it does when I'm working, but I'm sure it does to others.

John had a good day. He is working so hard and they REALLY worked him hard today since he had been a little bad yesterday. Everyone thinks he is doing so well.

The doctor did say he was a little "wheezy" today so she started breathing treatments again and did a chest X-ray. We haven't heard the results of the chest X-ray yet. The respiratory therapists said they didn't hear anything in his lungs when they came to give him his treatments so, hopefully, whatever it is isn't too bad.

They are still planning on him being released on Wednesday. I go Monday for some "training" from occupational and physical therapy. Wish me luck. I am also concerned about food for him. He has everything "mechanical soft" which means ground meat, thickened drinks, soft fruit, etc. I have been trying to think about things to fix and I hope all goes well. The consistency of the Ensure shakes seems to be what works best for him. He can have thin liquids if he sips them and drinks them by themselves (not with solids). We take so many things for granted when we are healthy.

He will also have to see an ophthalmologist for his eye as well. They said he can either come back to one here or see one closer to us if he wanted to. I'm not exactly sure what we're going to do with that just yet. I'm not sure we can get all of the follow-up appointments in a small time frame and I'm sure the weather is not going to stay wonderful forever. So, we'll see how that goes.

I'm pretty sure he will come home with a walker. His balance is not bad, but he is still very weak. His stamina is not great either, but he's been through an awful lot and come just a long way in a short time. God is truly amazing.

I know John will be so glad to get home as will I. It has been great having a place to stay and they have been wonderful at Loyola, but home is home and we are so looking forward to being there.

Well, Bucky and I are getting ready to go and meet Cejae somewhere between Chicago and home. So pray for safe travel for all of us.

Love you all and plan to see you soon.

Cathy