Can you believe it is November????

Hello everyone,

This is Cejae again. I am staying up here until tomorrow. My sick days are depleting, but it is worth it! I'm just hoping like crazy that I don't actually get sick again.

Yesterday was the day of rest for dad. He got to just hang out! Mom and I got to the hospital around 10:00 a.m. and we stayed until about 6 p.m. We went to mass at noon and then waited for Bucky & Barbara to come so we could all go eat in the cafeteria. Dad ate good yesterday! He has to continue to eat "enough" calories in order for them to consider removing the feeding tube. Needless to say, he is a calorie consuming and counting machine. He wants that pesky thing out. He is very attentive to marking his calorie counting sheet just right and making sure he is eating enough. I can't blame him, because I would want that thing out too. He is down to 168 pounds. He lost 8 pounds last week. He has lost about 40 pounds altogether.

They came and checked his right eye yesterday. The corneal abrasion is almost gone and the doctor said it was looking really good. The optometrist that normally sees him will be back today to look at it. He has a huge day today! He has to go to 'walking' for an hour. He has 'swallowing' for an hour this morning. The 'swallowing' session makes him nervous. He says that every time he gets choked they look at him and say, "What happened there?" and they mark something down on a sheet. Him and George go to this session together. He says they alternate days where they are allowed to cough more. If today is George's day to cough then that means he has to be extra careful today and that he can cough tomorrow. He's funny!

He was excited about his video! He really misses everyone back home. He is so ready to be home, but he's just got a little over a week now.

For those of you who know me, this won't shock you, but the 5-year old kid in me - who subsequently needs Ritalin - kicked in yesterday and I couldn't sit still so I went for a little wheelchair ride myself. Bucky ended up pushing me into a wall. It was not cool. But, since we won't be going until later in the day and not staying as long today, I think I can contain the 5-year old. Sitting in that hospital room all day is very tiring and I look forward to the day that none of us have to do that any longer.

Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughtfulness. We appreciate you all so much and you mean the world to us. Please continue to pray for dad's recovery. Beth Steven's mom, Glenda, has been having a rough time too, so please send up a prayer for her and her family as well.

Love to all of you!