Wednesday Day Shift Update

Hi all. Today started out good, got a little down (because of my being emotional) and then got great. Sam passed all the tests that Wes his Respiratory Therapist put him through before getting a thumbs up to come off the respirator. Thank you God. His food tube and sedatives were shut down and when the Trauma team came through they did an evaluation and it was decided to extubate Sam. Thank you God and Trauma team. Out came the feeding tube and out came the respirator tube, and just like that Sam was breathing on his own and had two less tubes and was also taken off the IV sedatives for good. He is still getting the pain meds. He was quite a bit groggy from the meds but Sarah his nurse felt he should sit up for a little while. He was moved into a hospital chair and seemed to be okay with it but still his grogginess from all the sedatives kept us from getting a good grip on what he was feeling or needed.

Okay, here's where my downward spiral came. Seeing him sitting in this chair, head to one side, and not talking scared me and made me doubt any future steps forward. I quickly packed my bag, told Sarah I was going to my room, and went to sleep almost immediately upon getting to the room. I slept three hours sleep with no interruptions until Cameron got a cell phone call, mmm was that you Jeff?

The great was when I went back to Sam's room. Sam looked so peaceful, no tubes in his mouth, no air into his nose. I saw the Sam we all know and I felt peace also. I talked to Sarah and she said that while I was gone Sam had said his last name when asked and had said Cameron's name. It was so exciting. As Sam started to stir awake I held his hand and just looked at him. When he opened his eyes I said hi and he looked at me and waved hi. As the night progressed he said his head hurt, yes, no. Mind you it takes good listening skills as his throat is probably quite sore from the tubes but the words could be heard. When Cameron asked him questions Sam answered with a nod, a thumbs up, and even once held his fingers showing "a little bit". Also, Sam kept point to his mouth so Jenn (his night nurse) asked if he was thirsty. He was given what looks like a lollipop but it is a sponge on the end of a stick. He like it and Jenn as if he wanted some Sprite and he said yes, please. He sucked on the Sprite lollipop a few times. I told him I loved him and he said I love you back to me. My heart melted with joy and hope. He got a little restless and when I asked him why he was touching and rubbed his head, he said it hurts, so Jenn gave him some pain meds and he drifted off to sleep.

How could I have had doubted. I was reminded that we cannot let even the smallest amount of doubt enter our minds.

Sam will continue to make baby steps forward and will need my/our faith, love, and spirit to help him through the ups and downs of recovery. Cameron has been a wonderful big brother and tonight I was reminded of just how close he and Sam are. I was with Sam for about 30 minutes before Cameron got to the room and he was pretty restless. Cameron came in and Sam settled down and all was good. We three were together and it is wonderful.

I thank you all for your prayers. My favorite song is God is An Awesome God, now more than ever I believe the words and have seen how He works for us even in this time of unknowns and having to take one day at a time. Today's one day was awesome.

Stephanie