Day 30 - First Words!

Luke started his thirtieth day in intensive care by being challenged with breathing exercises. The respiratory therapist wanted to push Luke and had him breathe on his own with the respirator set at 5 and 5. Those of you that have been keeping up with the blog for a while will know that this is the lowest settings of breathing support for him. Not only did he sprint for the 30 minutes they usually do, he lasted 90 minutes! Praise the Lord!

This was done before we were able to get in to see him. The therapist told us when we did get in that she also had shrunk the bladder that surrounds the trach tube at the neck to seal it so that some air could enter and Luke could use it push up through his vocal cords and try to speak. She told us he had made some sounds but couldn't tell what he was trying to say. She said that if he was awake in the afternoon she would try it again.

Luke slept the whole time we were in to see him until about 5:00. The therapist came back early in the afternoon and had him sprint again at the 5 and 5 settings. This time he sprinted for 2 hours! Praise the Lord! He was asleep just about the whole time and when he did stir his breathing rate did rise to above the limits they like to see. He is still having a problem with keeping the rate down when awake. We don't know if it is anxiety or what, but he does great breathing on his own while sleeping. Please continue to pray that he will improve in this area.

When Luke woke up around 5, we told the therapist that he was awake and she came back and again shrunk the bladder. We were finally able to hear him speak! He first asked who the therapist was and when we asked if he knew what yesterday was he answered that it was his birthday. He was also able to tell us where to locate things at his house. He told us that things were foggy with him and he was having trouble putting his thoughts together. We explained to him that he is still on medication and that once he does better with the sprints he will be able to be free of the respirator. He asked how long that would be.

What a blessing! What joy filled our hearts! Although his words are difficult to understand the chance to communicate with him is priceless!

We have received such a multitude of best wishes from so many we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and most of all to cherish the blessings of family and friends and take nothing for granted. God bless you all.

---Bill and Paula