Good News Today

I just talked with Chicken Mama a bit ago, about 1:30 pm Arizona time.

This morning, with Chicken Mama, IV hook-up, and some other miscellaneous equipment at his side, Tom walked (well, shuffled v-e-r-y slowly as Chicken Mama says) down the hall and outside to sit in the sun for a little while.

Shortly after lunch, even though a small part of Tom's lung is still in a collapsed state, they took out the tube that had to be inserted to do the initial inflation right after the accident. A procedure that caused more pain and has knocked him kinda flat for a little while.

Now it's wait and see how he does on his own. They're watching closely his oxygen levels and looking for any shortness of breath. Currently he's still on supplemental oxygen with a reading of 90. He has to reach 92 on his own before he can blow that popsicle stand.

Speaking blowing, he wanted me to be sure to tell you all that after they took the tube out, he tried to blow his nose . . . very gently because of those shattered ribs and all. The results of the nose blowing came out the incision hole where the tube had just been taken out. He seems to find this pretty funny. I guess it's a good sign to know his sense of humor is still intact.

If he behaves himself, they've promised that he can take a (sit down) shower later this afternoon or tonight which he is really, really looking forward to. He couldn't do that while the tube remained inserted.

Chicken Mama is still camping in his room. But last night she commandeered several pillows to place on her rock hard sleeping cot and said she got a good night's sleep and is feeling pretty good today. I've said it before and I'll say it again: She is one tough lady. Darn good thing . . . considering. Amen.

Best news of all? If all goes well with his lung and if more x-rays in the morning look good, they are talking about discharge tomorrow! Let's all keep our fingers crossed.