Dad looked so much better today.  His exterior wounds are healing, making him look like himself again.  He didn't like being told he was getting skinny though.  I got a big frown out of him by telling him that. 

Dad didn't just look better today, his stats were better too.  His temperature was normal all day, without meds.  He was on the lowest ventilator settings again.  And his blood pressure was back to its normal, steadiness.   He has been taken off of pain medication completely and is doing fine without it. 

The best sign of all  is that he was no longer leaking spinal fluid out of his nose.  Hopefully this means that the leak is sealing itself off.  They are not ruling out the possibility that it could be draining down his throat instead, however. 

Dad did have a tracheostomy this afternoon and it went smoothly.  Hopefully this will allow him to start talking more quickly and also to be more comfortable.  We have been told that eventually the tracheostomy site will heal over and not even be noticeable. 

Another good development -  the Dr. evaluated Dad's neck and decided that the neck brace could be removed.  Dad has been moving his head and neck around alot since then.  It probably is such a relief to him to have that off!  When asked if his neck hurts, he shook his head no.

Dad has been very alert and responsive today, and still his opinionated self.  When Josh went in tonight, he took some reading material with him.  He asked my dad if he wanted to be read to, to which he received an affirmative head nod.  He started reading one thing, which Dad shook his head no at.  Then he asked if Dad wanted The Ensign read to him, to which Dad responded yes.  It feels so great that he is able to make his opinion known to us. 

Dad loves to hold our hands when we are there.   It feels so great to feel his strong grip and to know that he is aware that we are there and love him.

Today was a definite step  up on this roller coaster ride.