Happy 67th Birthday!! (update by Nancy)

Thanks to all of you who showered Steve with cards and prayed and fasted on his behalf.  It was so comforting to learn the names each day of those who were holding us up this way!   No less than 57 people (that we know of) fasted one day during the week.

He is slowly being returned to us one millimeter at a time- this week we saw muscle flexing in both of his forearms!! So while it's up and down on a daily basis (as those who came to visit on a day when he could barely stay awake have observed) it is steadily a climb of improvement when seen from the longer view!

His birthday was a low key day, which was just right.  Steve was smiling and nodding as I read the cards to him.  Even the one from wonder dog, Ruby, in California!  Diksha drew one of her special cards, showing a past memory of helping Steve with his trains with Molly (old dog) and prior cat Ziggy in the picture:)  The staff at the hospital also made a card and signed it and put it on Steve's door.  He even received a birthday serenade from a staff member, Kianna!  I missed it!  That evening, several friends came by to share Servatti's cheesecake (see Rick feeding Steve this treat, sans crust!)  Steve talked with him using his special valve and really enjoyed seeing everyone.  They ended the evening praying over him as they laid hands on him.  It was really special.

Steve's pulmonologists have several approaches to the weaning and yes, he did go 55 hours straight off the vent last week.  They then read his "numbers" and decided it might have been a little ambitious and now he is asked to hit 8-12 each day and rest at night on the vent.  Confusing for sure, but I have nothing to gauge this by, so I have to temper my urge to insert myself and say "Of course, we should push this!"  (Sometimes I do exactly that!)  He has two appointments lined up that should shed light on where we are and what more can be done.  They are Nov 3 with a highly regarded neuro muscular doctor who saw him when he was in his first ICU and Nov 4 with an ophthalmologist with CEI who will assess his eye situation to see what can be done to make them track better together.  Right now, he has to squint when he does his communication board and can't see computer or TV as well as he would like. Please feel free to send Steve an email on his new account slparsley@microbuzz.com.  Then, when he next goes on, he can see you there:)

We appreciate so much your faithfulness in following this path with us.

Thank you everyone,
Nancy