Moving and Shaking in the ICU

We really seem to be making some forward progress right now!  Rob is doing such a great job and has made it possible for more vent weaning to happen today and for talk of bone fixing to begin.  After another good, stable night and morning, an orthopedic surgeon came by to see him and mentioned scheduling him for surgery early next week to work on the first of many, many, many broken bones.  I would bet $1,000 that he doesn't actually have surgery on Monday because I think that's a little overzealous, but I LOVE that they're at least talking about it and trying to get it scheduled.  I think if these doctors and nurses were looking at a man who they feel isn't going to make it, they sure wouldn't be seriously talking about fixing broken bones.  I do raise my eyebrows a little about this newest development because two days ago he wasn't even stable enough for a CT scan, but his hemoglobin is much better now and we wonder if that doesn't play a major role in this decision.

Rob's vent settings are still at 14 breaths per minute and he's responded very well to that.  He takes anywhere between 27 and 32 breaths per minute, so about half of those are initiated on his own.  The ventilator still helps him finish each breath, but he's doing way more on his own now than before.  The PEEP was turned back up a little today to help him out and not change too much, too soon.  At one point his oxygen was turned down to 30% and is now back to 60% for the same reason.  It feels like we're moving in the right direction.

Now I would like to introduce a little blog segment called:

"Shelby Isn't Shaving Until Rob Can"

Rob's friend Shelby has launched a shaving strike until Rob's up and at 'em again.  We'll check in occasionally and see how that beard's coming along! 

Speaking of facial hair, I noticed for the first time today that Rob's working on a mustache and beard himself.  I told him that he might wake up as a burly mountain man.  Maybe we'll mess with him a little and tell him he's been castaway at sea, Tom Hanks style.

I wouldn't really do that.  That's just not nice.

In all seriousness, I thank God every day for this miracle that is being unfolded each new day.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Lord, please continue to watch over Rob and finish this through until he's home and healthy.