This day has brought some tender mercies with it.  As Mary stated from her morning update, Dad was much more alert and responsive today.  This afternoon and evening he held a few of our hands, squeezed them, and rubbed us with his thumb.  It was his way of letting us know he loves us.  He opened the one eye and when we asked if he could see my mom, he nodded yes.  The nurse held up two fingers and asked if he could see them, he looked and held up two fingers on his own.  He also wiggled both right and left fingers when asked.  He became a little agitated and wanted so bad to tell us something.  His breathing started to struggle again so they turned up the ventilator slightly. We were concerned that he was digressing with his breathing, but the doctor said a little fluctuation like that is normal.  The nurse told him if he coughed for them they could take it out.  He tried and tried for many minutes but couldn't get a good cough out.  Hopefully that will happen tomorrow.  As he became more agitated his blood pressure really skyrocketed.  They asked us not to interact with him for a while to stop the stimulation so that he could rest.

They were unable to do the MRI on his neck, because it turns out that a part of the rod that is screwed into his wrist is not titanium.  The doctor is hoping that it will be something they can change out and replace with titanium metal since it is on the outside, but he is not sure.  They will have to wait and hear back from the wrist surgeon tomorrow or Monday.  Until that can be replace and an MRI can be done his neck brace must stay in place.  We really hope that will be taken care of because he is miserable in the neck brace.

They did a culture to determine where the infection is and so they can begin to treat it, however the results won't be back for about 48 hours.  They did replace the arterial line with the thinner pic line.

So many people have asked what they can do.  We asked my mom what she needed and this is what she came up with. There are so many people that are struggling and hurt that do not have the support my dad has. Some of the other patients around have few or no visitors. If you want to help us wherever you are, please reach out to someone that doesn't have that support system and help them with their struggles. Even if it is someone you don't know.  Hospitals and nursing homes are full of people that never get visitors, and have no one to turn to.  I know that would really please and touch my father and mother.

We are grateful we started this blog and can try and keep so many who have requested updates informed.  On this blog you can also send your love and support through the comments.  At the bottom of each post you can click on the word "comments" that appears in blue.  This will allow you to write a small note to our family that all of us will see.  If you don't have a google account you can click on "Anonymous" where it says "Comment As:" and that will allow you to write a comment.
Thanks again for all your love and support.