Day 20

Wednesday, 5/22/13 @ 7:30 (Day 20)

Samuel continues to do well. He sat in the chair for a long time. Intermediate ICU takes a bit of an adjustment. The nurses are still learning what all is required in caring for Samuel. The Physical Therapy team came and explained that his spinal brace was put on wrong and showed the nurses how to do it right. He is so thin now, but today he was able to eat two small bowls of broth at lunch. It made him smile. Tomorrow he may get to try creamy liquids if he handles the clear liquids well tonight. He has an infection in his abdomen, but it is being treated with IV antibiotics. Tomorrow the PT team will try to help him walk around his bed with the walker. He gets very dizzy sitting up and it will take some time to build his strength to walk again.

When I spoke to the social worker today, I expressed to her that I really didn't want to put him in a nursing home environment because I am worried that the atmosphere would crush what fight he still has in him. She understood my concerns and said that we would work on a plan to try to work towards bringing him home with PT and nurses coming to the house. She said that is what she would want for her son. It sounds like we are a ways from going home, but I have peace about that being the plan for Samuel. I am sure we will have our hands full, but at least we would be at home. Blessings!