FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009 ROLLER COASTER...BUT GOOD!

Again...as posted on Monday, July 6..."the difference a day makes!" A very encouraging day! The transplant doctor came by to see the family - Travis was 'out of it', recovering from sedation given for a bronchoscopy. He said Travis was doing o.k. and that these 'bumps in the road' were expected for this surgery...and some bumps are bigger than others.

To reinforce this news from the doctor, Travis' physical, cognitive, and emotional state were so much more encouraging today. He fought a good fight, and has come through that battle in a great way. Thank you Sooo much for all your prayers!!

The ultra-sound this morning revealed that there was not a problem in the arm with the picc, so, the two painful IV's were removed from the other arm, and the picc line re-instated for his medications. Also this morning, he met with a transplant counsellor and found it helpful. Following this session, he took his longest walk in two weeks. Then it was off to a bronchoscopy at 1:00 pm, and slept until 6:00 pm

A marked improvement today! It appears that, with the change in his medications last night, this has led to the improvement. Tonight he conversed more than he has since last Thursday. The smile, and the humor was back (even a small dose is great!). We were able to do a photo session...some visiting...and some humor.

He turned serious, and said he didn't know how to broach the subject. We were holding our breath, not sure what he wanted to say. "Over the last three day, I've struggled with all the coffee breath, but I can't name names - that would be too definitive". He's been wondering where we've been eating, and thought Mom and Auntie would be eating differently than Dad, but all in all it's been quite horrific, all that breathing so close to his face. Only one nurse had breath that was borderline...berry, but slightly moldy smell. Some of us had to admit that we hadn't brushed our teeth since the morning to which he said that he'd thought we hadn't brushed since June 26!!Well, ...now we're all afraid to breathe! We are hoping his sense of smell is being affected by the meds and that it will go away soon!

Following the visit this evening, it was so good to leave him feeling so much better. Talk about "angels in our midst" - Cathie's good friend, Judy, from Calgary has been so good for morale. Uncle Mark and Bryan were able to visit today as well. And, the other kind angels - God has sent them to help Travis and family.

A reminder - if you are wishing to post a comment and not sure how, see the post on this Blog for Friday, July 3.

Posted by Uncle Mark & Auntie Terri