Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:30pm

LEAPS OF FAITH AND HEALTH

It is another late night, but I really need to get a note out to everyone.  Monday John was cleared by his primary doctor to proceed with the "protocol" of Select Hospital - the more aggressive steps they follow to wean people off the ventilator.  John had not been stable or strong enough before now.  The pulmonologist and the various therapists took it seriously - John has been working hard in physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions as well as spending time in "the chair."each day.

Biggest News:  John went off the ventilator and onto his trach collar at 7:00am on Tuesday morning. Twelve hours later John was tired, but determined to keep on the collar through the night.  His doctor was there and along with the respiratory therapist encouraged him to give it a try.  I was very apprehensive, but it was John's call.  As of right now, John has still been only on the collar for a total of 39 hours!!  And he had a full day of therapies - with a long nap in the late afternoon.  When he has successfully been off the ventilator for 72 hours and blood gas tests are good, they will remove the machine from the room.  John is so eager!

Each doctor has a long checklist for John to accomplish before moving back to rehab, but they also have plans for how to do that.  He still has a lot of nerve damage to heal.  We are looking at weeks in this place, but it feels so good.  John is greatly encouraged.  It took a leap of faith on John's part, but it paid off in a big leap forward in John's pathway to returning health.

Thanks for sticking with us in prayer - for sharing the baby steps and the leaps.