The cause of the fever has not yet been determined.  New antibiotics have begun and yesterday Louie had a CT scan to check the appearance of the bowel. There is some leakage, however,we hope this has nothing to do with the intestines or anything major but rather may have another origin.  Dr. Saggi ordered a wound vac to draw out the fluid. The CT scan I believe showed nothing negative but was inconclusive. Today he went to Nuclear  Medicine for a HIDA scan.  This lasts for an hour in a tube like apparatus. . Louie was wrapped up in this velcro binder thing which made him feel in his words like a "burrito". Not fun, but done.
We will keep you posted if we find out anything.  Dr. Saggi has surgery now and a transplant later so it is a busy day for him . He is really fabulous and takes good care of Louie. Our prayer now is for the bowel to be doing well and the leaking to be a fixable issue.

The good and the not so good...

The Good
Currently mom and dad have a new "home".  He's been transferred out of ICU/IMU and to a regular room (RM 923).  This certainly means progress and I'm amazed at how quickly things are moving this time around.  I say "mom and dad have a new home", because this also means that Mom and Aunt Rose aren't sleeping in the waiting room anymore. :)  Dad was able to sit in a chair yesterday for 2 hours (not a regular guest chair, a neurochair).  It wasn't comfortable (and was painful), but he did it! 

Not So Good
Okay guys, your prayers worked wonders on the swollen arm so I'm coming here with another request.  This morning he has fever.  I guess this is his next hurdle, so whatever prayers you sent up earlier this week please send them again.  Maybe this has something to do with the central line, but hopefully it is doesn't mean that infections are setting into any of his surgicial sites.  Until later. - Tracy

The ultrasound showed a superficial vessel that may cause the swelling. This is not harmful, so no additional care is needed other than possibly a bit if heat. Thank you again for your continued prayers.

Bump in the Road

Hopefully this is just a small bump and not truly a setback.  Dad's right arm is swollen.  He will be taken for an ultrasound this morning to check for a blood clot or a problem with the central line.  A better case scenario would be fluid build up. Dad's really worried about this, so please pray that they determine the cause (and are able to fix it) soon. 

Touched By An Angel

Yesterday I started the day in the most wonderful way. I looked across the waiting room to see my dear friend, Judith. We hugged and greeted each other joyously. It was again more than a coincidence to see her because Judith was scheduled for housekeeping on the 8th floor. When she came in, her supervisor oddly sent her to Hermann 3--ICU.  If you don't remember Judith , I can only describe her as an angel sent to me at the most unusual times. She would comfort and reassure me when I was afraid and later celebrate with me when I was most hopeful. She confidently told me that Louie would indeed wake up (even though much time had passed with no signs of this). I only saw her a handful of times but she seemed to "know" things. Yesterday she reminded me that God always has a plan laid out for us. Sometimes we must wait paitiently to see that plan (as in our case) but it's always in place. I told her how much her kindnes and faith meant to me in those chance encounters. I called her my angel. She said that we all have someone in time of need that God,in his goodness, sends to us.

This may be difficult for some people to understand. You may not believe the odd circumstances that caused me to see Judith at random times in our previous 9 months at Hermann and again now. It doesn't really matter if you believe her to be an angel, as I do, or not. If we could all be a little more like her the world would be a better place. I'll tell you why I think this to be true. When I look into those beautiful brown eyes I see deep faith, love and acceptance. No matter what you believe, know this---------JESUS shines through Judith.

Blessing to you all, Ruthie

All continues to go very well. Dad said yesterday, "if visitors come tell them to wake me up; I don't want to miss seeing anyone."  We laugh at this, because back in the early part of 2009 hundreds of visitors came and he wasn't awake to see any of them!  We are just so thankful to be having such a different ICU experience.  I could go on an on about how different it is.  First and foremost he's awake!  He's not telling mom "to go get his other wife".  He's not insisting that the nurses are all drug dealers who stash weapons in his bedding.  He knows who all of us are and he speaks coherently! 
He's been watching TV and flipping channels.  His only complaint is that he doesn't get the channels that play "westerns" all day.  I personally don't even remember them having a TV in their previous ICU rooms.  I hear that they did, but it never once was turned on.  I guess  I didn't realize that people back there actually watched TV.  I thought everyone was in "our boat"; making brief visits with little activity.  He's asked to have his cell phone at his bedside, but apparently that's against the rules.  He has many friends that he's ready to call!
They've spoke about trying to get him out of bed sometime toward the end of this week.  Undoubtedly this will be painful, but its progress that far supercedes the timeline I had in mind.  Recovery is off to a great start!