Daily Update

This post will have daily updates on Chuck's recovery. Use the QUICK LINKS on the sidebar at the left for a quick check in without reading all entries. See previous updates below in comments.

8/7 Shelley is with Chuck today. He smiled at the voices of cousin Shirley and sister Rebecca over the phone. He smiled at Shelley's joke. He has raised him arm two separate times to indicate "yes" to a question Shelley asked him. He might be coming through with a way to communicate!



8/7
Met with all dept heads yesterday and made following changes: Chuck to receive regular aerosol treatments to keep airway secretions thinner, Chuck to receive "sleep study" to determine patterns and evaluate medication, change to 6 a day feeding instead of continuous feed, was finally treated for UTI after 5-6 agonizing days of wait, flat bad mattress changed to concave, spoke directly to treating Dr. about urgency to escalate trach removal process which has stalled for 2 weeks. It poses constant risk of infection, clogging and pnuemonia, and Chuck very likely hasn't needed it for it for some time as he swallows well and breathes powerfully on his own when the trach is covered.