Starting a New Day!

Can I just start out by saying that sleep is an amazing thing. I always forget how much lack of sleep affects you. Sam and I both got at least 8 hours of sleep, a few interruptions here and there, a huge back ache for me this morning but we slept. I would love to see someone design a much more comfortable pullout bed for hospitals. I realize they have to wipe everything down but honestly those 4 separate sections that don't line up flat do not in any way fit a body shape, I don't care how you are shaped. The crunchy pillow is another issue...but I won't go there.

Sam woke up at about 5:30 with a stronger voice than I have heard. I had them put a vaporizer (bubbler in their technical terms) on Sam's oxygen to give him some moist air. He was so dry and some of his pain medication drys him out even further. It's winter in Wisconsin, every thing's dry. Yes, he is still on oxygen, he just does not seem to be able to keep his levels up, I'm going to try to get in touch with his pulmonologist today to brainstorm. Sam is breathing shallow, we have tried the pep treatment (air blasted through a mask) but it had no long term effect.

He still drifts off every time he gets his pain medication but we have reduced the use of the morphine pump. We are still having Caz from Hanger come to make adjustments to the brace, I don't think they make one to fit Sam's unique physique but we are continuing to tweak what we have. I will continue to tweak because the brace seems so much easier than the spica cast.

Sam said "Yes" to breakfast so we will get some ordered once the kitchen opens. I could not get Sam to go in the urinal yesterday so he had to be medically assisted (let's just say ouch), but he went. This morning he told me he had to go #2. I watched how they roll and position the bed pan and although it was just gas he did get used to using the urinal. Thank you Lord...oh and can you give me some super strength for the lifting and rolling I will need to do in the next 6-8 weeks. Whew!

One step at a time...one step at a time...still praying for deep breaths, coughing, removal of oxygen, eating, mastery of bodily functions, brace tweaking and less pain medication. Oh and let's not forget a smile. He did give Brother Ben a forced smile last night when they came to visit. He kept asking to go home with them...soon my little warrior...soon.