The big development of today is that Dad was extubated.  The ventilator is finally out!  They have kept an oxygen mask on him and there is always the possibility that the ventilator will have to be replaced, but this was a huge development in Dad's progress.

Dad has still not been able to talk, however, aside from a few feeble "yes" and "nos" to the speech therapist.  For example, he did answer "yes" when they asked if the ice chip they gave him felt good on his throat.  He answered "no" when asked if he remembered what had happened.  He was not able to verbalize his name or age when asked to by the speech therapist.  He was moving his mouth and trying to talk, but just could not get the words out.  This is most likely due to his throat and vocal cords being tired, weak, and swollen from more than a week on the ventilator.  It may take a few days.  There is a possibility that it is a side effect of his brain injury.  Sometimes patients struggle to speak with this type of injury and sometimes they are OK. 

Aside from that one ice chip, Dad is not allowed to eat or drink anything until he can speak.  They want to make sure that he is able to swallow safely before they give him anything so that he does not aspirate fluid into his lungs.  He is still being fed with a feeding tube.  His mouth must be so dry and thirsty!  They did allow Shari to swab his mouth out with a cool, wet swab, which he really seemed to appreciate. 

Whenever Dad is awake he wants someone right by him holding his hand.  He squeezes our hands when we talk to him and in response to questions.  Shari told him that he must be so tired of laying there and would rather be hiking in the Tetons.  He squeezed Shari's hand several times.  Shari told him that she was going to hold him to that and they would go hiking in the Tetons this summer.  Dad again squeezed her hand repeatedly.   In Shari's own words:  "It is amazing to me that even though he can't talk, and even as injured as he is & laying there so helpless, he still has the ability to show love for his family and make everyone who holds his hand feel his love. How remarkable that is."

In addition to retaining his deep love for others, Dad still has a stubborn streak.  Dad was thrashing around trying to pull off his oxygen mask when his arms were loosened.  The nurse asked him if he would quit trying to pull it off if she left his arms untied and he shook his head "no."  She had to restrain his arms again.

Other medical notes: 
The staples were removed from Dad's head today.   

Spinal fluid is still draining from Dad's nose and could continue for up to a couple of weeks before they take further action. We are still holding out hope that the leak will seal off on its own.

The infection Dad was fighting was either pneumonia or CSF infection, but it is controlled at this point.  The cooling body wrap has been removed and his temperature is normal .

There are not any plans at this point to change out the metal screws on his wrist for MRI purposes.  When Dad can talk again, they will take off the neck brace and  have him do some physical tests for neck movement. 

Getting the ventilator out today was a huge step.  One step at a time . . .