Day 65 - New Year's Eve

Luke spend the last day of 2008 with therapy in the morning and taking a nap in the afternoon while Paula and I got some work done on line. Paula also made travel arrangements to fly back to Meadville tomorrow. I will be staying for a while to get Luke settled back in his house, work on some modifications that may be necessary, and take him to some doctor's appointments next week.

Paula and I made a trip to his house this evening taking things there in preparation for his return. His wheel chair, walker and bath bench arrived today as well. We spent the evening playing the Wii and going through things to pack up. Then we welcomed in the new year!

We extend to all of you our very best wishes for a very happy new year and may God richly bless you as you have blessed us with your prayers, cards and comments. The new year will no doubt be the most challenging ever for Luke, but with his strength, determination, and great sense of humor, it will be a good one.

---Bill

Day 64 - Discharge Date

As a result of our meeting this morning with the staff at Sharp Rehab Center, Luke is scheduled to be discharged this Friday. He will be going home to his house and adapting to life without continuous professional care for the first time in over two months. Paula and I haven't set any definite plans for returning home yet as Luke will be needing plenty of help initially in this adjustment. It will be several weeks yet before he will have a prosthetic leg to get around on.

It was therapy as usual today. This morning SCOPe Orthotics and Prosthetics came in and fitted Luke with compression sleeves that will shape his leg in preparation for his prosthetic. There are too many factors to predict a definite time frame, but he will most likely wear the sleeve for a couple of weeks before they will be able to make a cast for the prosthesis and then couple more weeks before it is ready.

This afternoon we took Luke for an EMG (electromyogram) on his left arm. This measures the electrical activity in the muscles at rest and during contraction. The doctor tested all the areas controlled by the brachial plexus. The results are inconclusive and he is going to study the results further, but basically there was no activity in the fingers, hand or arm. This is the baseline test and further testing down the road will be able to show whether there is any improvement. We remain confident that Luke will regain the use of his left arm. Pray that God will bring swift healing here as He has in other areas of injury and astounded doctors with his recovery.

Following the EMG we had another enjoyable meal out, this time at Applebee's.

---Bill

Day 63 - Back To Work

It was a return to therapy sessions for Luke this morning. An hour of occupational therapy, an hour of physical therapy and an hour of exercise class where he works out on exercise machines with therapists overseeing. His physical therapist was so impressed how well Luke could stand and balance himself, he asked how soon he would be going home. There is a lot to be prepared before we're ready for that, but Luke is physically getting closer and closer every day.

We have our biweekly meeting with Luke's doctor, his therapists and the rehab center management to discuss Luke's progress and status. Possibly we will have a better idea of a timetable from that. Luke also has a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon.

This afternoon we took Luke out to take care of a couple of things and then a little shopping with some gift cards he received. Then it was to Outback for a dinner out which we thoroughly enjoyed.

---Bill

Day 62 - Another Rest Day

Luke had a pretty restful day gearing up for another week of therapy. In fact, he got to sleep in until late morning! After lunch he got up in a chair for most of the afternoon, working on improving his skills on the Wii, so at least his right arm got a good workout! This evening we watched a movie.

As of now he is scheduled for all his therapies in the morning tomorrow. Unless that changes, we are planning getting him out with us and taking care of some of his personal business around town. Schedules do change quite frequently based on patient needs, so we'll have to play it by ear.

---Bill

Day 61 - Kicking Back

Luke had a relaxing day today with no therapies scheduled. So we hung out together watching college bowl games, playing games on the Wii and video visiting with family back home on the computer.

Luke continues to get stronger and adapting to his modified mobility. Soon he will be starting on the compression sleeve on his leg to get it prepared for a prosthesis. His left arm still has no mobility. He may be getting some sensation to touch in the upper part of his arm, but that is negligible. He is getting pain sensations in his finger tips and elbow, which could be a good sign, but could also be phantom pain. We won't know for sure what the extent of the damage to the brachial plexis is for two more weeks when we see the neuro surgeons.

Luke remains in great spirits and continues to whoop up on me on the Wii.

---Bill

Day 60 - A Typical Day

Today was a typical day of therapy for Luke. Three hours of strengthening, endurance and range of motion of his left arm kept him busy for half of his day. The rest of the day was spent getting lots of Wii therapy with Dad. This evening his neighbors brought in pizza and movies for the evening entertainment.

At the present Luke is planning on staying in San Diego when he is released from the rehab center and continuing his out-patient therapy. He's got some things to work out yet so nothing at this time is definite.

---Bill

Day 59 - A Very Different Christmas

Although Luke spent Christmas 2007 in warm and sunny San Diego apart from the rest of us, this was a first for Paula and I. While the rest of our family gathered at our home in Meadville, we spent the day at the rehab center with Luke, except for an hour and a half when we were able to get away to the Zamora household to once again visit Luke's dog, Boston, and to be treated to a delicious traditional Christmas turkey dinner. Since Luke didn't have any therapy on Tuesday because of travelling to doctor appointments, he had a full day of therapy today. This morning was occupational therapy. When it was done at 11:30, we booked to Zamora's for a brief visit and to enjoy the meal. We just made it back in time for Luke's physical therapy at 1.

Later we hooked up on line with our family and were able to see our grandkids showing off their Christmas presents and chat with the family. They got to see Luke open his gifts. While in the hospital we rigged up his X-Box for him, but he found that he wasn't able to effectively play the games he had for that with one hand. After seeing what he could do with the Wii systems that they use here for therapy, we felt that this would be a good gift for him. We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening playing it. He thoroughly enjoyed it and the day as well.

---Bill

Day 58 - Christmas Eve

Luke spent Christmas Eve working on his therapy. First up this morning was another session with the neuropsych therapist who had him work through various tasks testing his thought and reasoning capabilities. One test had him form a pattern of colored blocks from a picture that she showed him. When he finished she told him she had never had anyone complete the task in so short a time.

Then it was on to occupational and physical therapy. They continued to work on range of motion in his left arm as well as various exercises to strengthen all his muscles. During his therapy, he was paid a visit from Odele, the rehab center's therapy dog, who got quite comfortable with him.



Following his therapy he had an hour of exercise therapy where he could work out on his own. He pushed himself pretty hard and took a much needed nap after lunch. He also had several well-wishing visitors today.

I neglected to post the picture we took of Luke at his Border Patrol station running the scope when we visited on Monday. Here he is getting into it.


Luke, Paula and I extend to all of you our sincerest wishes for a wonderfully Merry Christmas! Among all the presents, feasting, fellowship and merriment, may we all be blessed by the greatest wonder of them all, that God demonstrated His great love for us, that our Saviour came as a baby in a manger, the event heralded by angels and witnessed by shepherds and kings!

---Bill

Day 57 - Checkups

We took Luke back to UCSD Medical Center today for two more checkups with his doctors. The first appointment was with the vascular specialists that placed the stent in his aorta to repair the tear. They want CT scans, with and without contrast (dye in the blood to light it up on the scan) to make sure it is in place and doing its job of sealing the tear. That will be done on January 9th. He will require follow up CT scans in a couple more months, then six months later, and then once a year after that.

Luke's second appointment was with the orthopaedic doctor that worked on his left leg. She said everything is looking good and he has the 'go ahead' to start with the compression on his leg to get it ready for the prosthesis. She was elated to see how well he has recovered and told us that only one out of ten patients that come in with the severity of injuries that he had survive. What gave him an edge is his age and his physical condition, but most importantly the grace of a loving God who answered thousands of prayers.

Between appointments we took Luke to Subway for his favorite sub. Before we left this morning Luke had a session with the neuropsych therapist working with him on various types of tasks just to check and make sure everything is OK upstairs. He completed everything with ease.

---Bill

Day 56 - Back to the Station

Luke made his first visit back to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station this morning. We went down early so that he would be there for when the midnight shift agents, the shift that Luke worked, came in from their duties. There were a lot of smiles and warm greetings as they were all very happy to see him back. It didn't take Luke long to take control of the scope and survey the areas of the border that he had worked.

We stayed for the first half of the benefit barbecue held on his behalf. It was more time of chatting and laughing with his fellow agents. Then Luke needed to get back to get his occupational and physical therapy workouts. During his workout he received a phone call greeting from Chief Aguilar, head of the national Border Patrol. Chief Aguilar had honored us with a visit while Luke was the ICU but under sedation and pain medication. This time Luke was able to talk with the Chief.

---Bill

Day 55 - A Visit To Boston

Luke rested most of the day today except for a trip this afternoon to visit with his dog, Boston. Boston has been staying at the home of a fellow Border Patrol agent. We took Luke to his house this afternoon for a few hours. As soon as Boston saw us park out front in Luke's jeep, he came running out all excited. They had a good time together as we did visiting with the Zamora family.

---Bill

Day 54 - Saturday Workouts

Today was Luke's makeup day for the therapies that he missed yesterday taking his 'road trip.' He pushed himself pretty hard with his arm and leg workouts. But after some rest he was able to get in some fun therapy on the Wii system with another patient. Later it was back to work with, what is probably the toughest for him, walking with the use of a walker. After his workouts he relishes a good nap!

---Bill

Day 53 - Doctor Visits

Luke paid visits to doctors today for checkups. With a little help from pop Luke got into the van and we took him back to UCSD Medical Center for a checkup with the trauma team doctor. He had the last staples removed from his left leg. Everything looked good. They talked to him about a couple of things he will need to keep up with. He will have to have periodic CT scans to make sure the stent in his aorta stays put. He will also have to be sensitive to the fact that now any fevers or other illnesses he gets will need doctors attention because of his splenectomy.

After the doctor visit we took him down to the SICU to say hello to all the nurses that cared for him during his five and a half weeks there. They were very happy to see him looking so good as you can see.



Between visits Luke got to eat out at a restaurant for lunch. He enjoyed that very much. Then it was off to the orthopaedic doctor. They removed the cast from the surgery on his elbow and then took x-rays of his elbow and hand. They also removed the stitches from the surgery and the last of the stitches in his hand and fingers. Physical therapy will be adding range of motion with his left arm to his daily exercises.

Since we were gone all day he didn't have his regular therapies but they're not letting him off the hook that easy. He will make it up by having his full three hours of therapy tomorrow. Monday is the day his Border Patrol station is having the Christmas Benefit BBQ for Luke in lieu of their regular Christmas party. We hope to be able to take Luke to the BBQ.

---Bill

Day 52 - Progress in Therapy

Luke is improving with each day of therapy. He is able to do more exercises and to work longer and with more weight on the devices. The workouts do tire him out and he likes to get as many naps in between sessions and meals as possible. Paula and I participated today, working on helping him in and out of a vehicle. We are taking him back to UCSD tomorrow morning for an appointment with the trauma team and then to another appointment up the road in La Jolla for an appointment with the doctor that repaired his elbow last week.

---Bill

Day 51 - Rain Outside, Therapy Inside

Today was another rainy day in the "It never rains in San Diego" area so it didn't seem so bad spending the day inside in therapy. Between all his therapies Luke spent about four hours in therapy. It wasn't all sweat and strain, though, as part of his occupational therapy was playing ping pong and I got to play with him for a while. After finishing up his last physical therapy for the day, we went across the hall and were able to get in some recreational therapy on their Wii system.

Luke has been working hard this week on getting his old appetite back and this evening was no different. His neighbor brought in home made chicken parmesan, pasta and cookies. A very delicious meal was enjoyed by all!

---Bill

Day 50 - From Wii to Polynesian Dancers

Luke got to enjoy his last morning with his friends from Crawford County by having them participate him in occupational therapy. His therapy was playing sports on the Wii entertainment system. It was most likely the most enjoyable therapy he will have.



We had a meeting this morning with his entire rehab team including his doctor, case worker and his therapists. Each discussed how Luke is progressing from each of their prospectives. The purpose is to make sure everyone is on the same page.

After saying goodbye to his visitors. Luke had lunch and his last visit from his speech therapist. He has progressed with his breathing and swallowing that therapy will no longer be necessary.

This afternoon Luke had an exhausting workout with physical therapy. He did several exercises with his leg. Then he used a walker and moved using his right leg and arm. Here he is with his physical therapist.



This evening the center had a Holiday Dinner Show. After a dinner of traditional Hawaiian food we were treated to a show by Heali'i's Polynesian Revue. I wish I had a picture to post of the dancers but they were so entrancing we didn't think to snap a photo!

Very special thanks to Jenna, Josh, Matt and Dustin for taking time away from family to spend time with Luke. We appreciate it and you can be assured it was a tremendous boost for Luke!

---Bill

Day 49 - Luke Aces the Test!

Luke had the swallow test this morning and passed with flying colors. As a result he was removed from all restrictions on his eating and drinking. I'd like to describe how much he enjoyed his 'normal' lunch, but I believe this says it all:

To celebrate this next step on his road to recovery, we had a special dinner for him. The weather was too nasty (wind and rain - typical weather for his old home town, Meadville!) to take him out so we we brought dinner to him from Red Lobster. Luke thoroughly enjoyed his shrimp alfredo but still has a long way to go before his appetite is back to the way it was before, when he was able to put down 110 shrimp scampi!

In between enjoying his meals he was able to squeeze in several hours of occupational and physical therapy. He is able to do a little more each day.

---Bill

Day 48 - Another Day of Rest

Luke spent the day pretty much resting. We did take him for a stroll out of the rehab center and over to the cafeteria in the adjacent hospital. Jenna and I needed a bite to eat and Luke wanted to be up and about. We also played some cards and watched a movie. By early evening, though, he was tired out and fell asleep.

Tomorrow he has the barium x-ray swallow test which will hopefully get him off having to thicken all his liquids. He will also have his first full day of therapy.

Luke is very concerned, as we are, about his left arm. He does sense sharp pains in his finger tips and this evening he sensed pain in his elbow. We hope this is real pain from the damage to his fingers and from the surgery last week on his elbow and not phantom pain like he has been feeling from his leg. They should begin soon to do testing on the nerves. Continue to pray particularly for healing of the nerves in his left shoulder.

-Bill

Day 47 - Picture Perfect Day

Luke started his second day of rehab with occupational therapy working his arm on a couple of workout machines. Then he had a session with speech therapy doing exercises to strengthen his swallowing muscles.

He was served up his cheeseburger for lunch as ordered, which he thoroughly enjoyed as you can see:

After lunch Luke had physical therapy and worked on his standing using parallel bars. After getting into the standing position he worked on raising up on the balls of his feet. After a short rest he then worked on lowering to a slightly squatted position. I was able to snap a photo while he was working out.

After therapy Luke got a very special visitor. Boston came to see him. It was a very happy reunion for both of them.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I guess enough has been said. Although today was cool and overcast with occasional showers, it really was a picture perfect day for Luke.

---Bill

Day 46 - Intro to Rehab

Luke's first day in rehab was pretty much an assessment of his condition and abilities. The first to see him this morning was his rehab doctor. He gave him an overall check-up and will be coordinating with the doctors at UCSD about his neck brace and left arm. Next was occupational therapy who got him in a wheel chair and took him to the therapy gym. While there they had him start working his arm on a couple of machines.

The speech therapist paid him a visit during lunch to check his swallowing. She scheduled him for a barium x-ray swallow exam Monday at 9:30 a.m. Luke is really hoping he will be able to get off the thickend liquids.

After lunch his physical therapist paid Luke a visit and took him to another therapy room and had him work on getting in and out of the wheelchair and sitting up on his own from laying down. He didn't spend very much time in therapy today. He will have a light therapy tomorrow, have Sunday off and then start full schedule on Monday which will be about 3 hours a day.

The representative from SCOPe stopped in today as well and took measurements of Luke's leg. She ordered the compression sleeve to start shaping his leg for the prosthesis and it should arrive Tuesday. She also gave us a brochure on the C-Leg, an advanced computerized prosthetic leg that she is submitting for approval from his insurance.

Luke spent the rest of the afternoon and evening watching movies and visiting with his friends. He is looking forward to tomorrow's meals. He ordered a cheeseburger for lunch and a chicken pot pie for dinner.

---Bill

Day 45 - The Big Move!

Luke moved from UCSD Medical Center to Sharp Rehabilitation Services this afternoon. Leading up to the great event he had several 'removals.' He had the stitches removed from his left leg, he had the PICC intravenous line removed from his right arm and he had the catheter removed. The only things that remain are the cast on his left arm from the elbow surgery the other day, a pin in his left thumb and the cervical collar that he is to wear for another almost six weeks. That time may possibly be shortened if they determine here at rehabilitation that it is no longer necessary.

After arriving here, he got settled in his room had dinner and, feeling pretty tired, went to sleep. Friends from Pennsylvania flew out to see him and were able to visit with him briefly before the ambulance crew arrived to take him to Sharp and then were there to help him get settled in.

Those of you that have been wondering about that first drink of orange juice, I apologize that I did not report the event when it happened. The funny thing was that the first time he was able to order his breakfast, he chose apple juice instead of orange! That really surprised me, but I guess his tastes changed over those few days. He did get his first orange juice the next morning, though.

First impressions of Sharp Rehabilitation Center have been overwhelmingly positive. The facility is very nice and the people have bent over backwards to take care of Luke's desires. I ran into Mike and Bonnie, a couple we met at UCSD Medical Center. Mike is an officer that was hit by an impatient driver while escorting a motorcade on a motorcycle shortly after Luke was hit. He was in the ICU with Luke and came to Sharp a couple of days ago. They commented on how great the therapists are here. It sure looks like Luke is in the right place. Luke's new address is on the right sidebar.

---Bill

Day 44 - Goodbye Trach, Hello Solid Food!

When I got in to see Luke this morning physical therapy already had him in a wheel chair. They had him wheel himself all the way to the end of the hall. They would have had him wheel himself back but speech therapy came to work with him as well. He stayed in the wheel chair for speech therapy and was able to sit for almost an hour, but was then ready to get back in bed with being tired and his back aching.

A representative from Sharp Rehabilitation Services came and spoke with us about the facility. Plans are still on track for him to move there tomorrow.

Speech therapy returned for another swallow study, where they put a video tube into his throat and watch as he swallows different food items. He did much better than he did a week ago and he was cleared to eat solid food. He isn't totally recovered yet, so for now he still needs thickener added to any fluids he consumes. This allows him to swallow it completely and prevents any residual fluid from trickling down the bronchial tubes into his lungs. After what they have been through the past six weeks, we certainly don't want to set them back.

Then the doctor came in and removed the trach tube. She simply pulled it out, the hole closed up and will seal on its own. She put a bandage over the site just to help it stay closed. While she had the top part of the cervical collar off, I took the opportunity to give Luke a shave. His beard was causing him a lot of itching under the collar.

So for lunch today Luke was able to have is first solid food in over six weeks. And did he ever enjoy it, and dinner as well!

Representatives for SCOPe Orthotics & Prosthetics came in this afternoon and talked to us about the process of working towards getting fit with a prosthetic leg. His stitches are still in his leg from his last surgery so nothing is starting yet, but the first step will be putting an elastic shrinker on the leg to decrease the swelling and help shape the leg for the prosthesis.

The Border Patrol union is donating $2,000 to Luke for his recovery expenses. They are also doing a fund raiser for him. Luke's own Imperial Beach Station is going to fore go their usual Christmas party this year and have a BBQ & Raffle to raise funds for Luke. Again, we are so very much appreciative of the moral and financial support Luke has and is receiving from his Border Patrol family.

---Bill

Day 43 - Final Surgery at Long Last

After several postponements, Luke went for surgery about 8:00 this morning to fix the end of his radius bone in his left arm. They removed the broken piece and replaced it with a metal piece. He got back to his room about 1:00 this afternoon, thinking of food. They brought up some soup and puddings which he cleaned right up. The surgeon reported tonight that everything with the surgery went fine. His left arm is in a cast, but that will only be for about a week. Then they will start working on moving the elbow. Not much has changed with his feeling in the arm.

This afternoon his trach doctor came in and was very pleased with how he is doing, being able to have the Passy-Muir on all day long. She thinks the tracheostomy tube may be able to come out entirely tomorrow! Great news from the same doctor that told him yesterday that his cervical collar would have to be on for 12 weeks instead of 6. I found out that my assumption, that it was something they saw in his MRI that extended the time, was incorrect. She said she doesn't know where the 6 weeks came from, because her records show that it was 12 from the beginning.

His case worker came in this afternoon also very pleased with his overall progress and told us that a representative from Sharp Rehabilitation Center will be in to see us tomorrow morning and that he may be released from the Medical Center to Rehabilitation as early as Thursday!

Even though neither of these giant steps is certain to happen this soon, we thank God and give Him the praise and glory for His goodness and answers to prayers, as well as for all the saints' prayers for Luke!

---Bill

Day 42 - Luke Goes Mobile

Luke continues to get stronger and stronger. His physical therapists were very much impressed with his ability to move himself to the edge of the bed with very little help and sit up on his own. They then assisted him into a wheel chair and I pushed him out into the hallway. From there he worked on wheeling himself using his right hand and leg. I snapped a picture of him so all could share in this great moment. You can click on the photo to view a larger image.

A doctor came in this morning and gave Luke some disappointing news. He has been wearing a cervical collar from the beginning and the original plan was that it was necessary for six weeks. Today makes six weeks and he has been looking forward to getting the collar removed. He learned today that now he has to wear it for three months. The MRI done on his head and neck last week must have shown that the fracture at the base of his skull and the damage to his vertebrae hasn't healed as fast as originally thought.

Luke said today that he has had some sharp pains in the tips of his fingers on his left hand. Hopefully this is another sign that he will recover from the paralysis in his left arm. He will be heading to surgery at 7:30 tomorrow morning to repair the end of the radius bone in his left elbow. This time it should be a go, barring an overnight emergency that would bump his surgery.

---Bill

Day 41 - Another Move

Luke was moved this morning up the hall to room 535. It is still a part of Intermediate Care but a lot less crowded and quieter room. Again today he had quite a few visitors which kept him busy all afternoon and evening. I went to his apartment today to get his X-Box and bring in for him. He was very happy to be able to pass the time with his games.

Luke took a couple more steps towards getting the trach tube removed. He went the whole day today without the trach collar that supplies oxygen enriched air over the trach tube, so he was breathing room air. He also was able to still speak without the Passy-Muir valve over the trach tube.

Luke's right fingers were also very happy to find out that they don't need to be pricked any more to check his blood sugar. Since he is off the feeding tube and eating meals on his own that is no longer necessary. He will be on pureed food for a couple more days until the speech therapists come back and use the scope for another swallow study. If everything looks good he will be able start on more solid food.

He said the sensations in his arm are the same as yesterday. I am hoping tomorrow we will get a visit from the neurosurgeon and find out their plan to treat his brachial plexus injury.

---Bill

Day 40 - One More Tube Gone

Luke was able to get the feeding tube, that ran up through his nose and down into his stomach, removed today. He's getting his old appetite back even though he's still getting pureed food to eat. We were told he is supposed to start getting some solid food to eat tomorrow but his menu choices were all pureed food.

Talk about answer to prayer! I asked yesterday for prayer for feeling to return to Luke's left arm and today he told me that he feels a little pain in his upper arm and has a slight tingling feeling in his lower arm. I still have not received the official report as to the nature or extent of the damage to the brachial plexus but am cautiously optimistic that the sensations he is feeling is the first step towards full use of his left arm and hand.

He did have his first experience with phantom pain last night when he was sure something was squeezing the big toe of his left foot but then realized that it wasn't there. Luke continues to be upbeat about his situation, even occasionally making an joke about it. There have been a couple times when it has got him down and no doubt there will be more, but I'm sure that his faith and strength of character will overcome.

Luke had a steady stream of visitors today which was good in that he was doing a lot of talking (great therapy for him!). It made him pretty tired after he ate his dinner and slept most of the evening.

---Bill

Day 39 - Up and Out of Bed

Physical therapy is having Luke do more and more each day. In fact, when we got in to see him this morning he was sitting in a chair beside his bed. He told us that they had him stand up beside his bed when they were working with him earlier.

He continues to improve on his eating as well and will probably be starting to eat some real food (before it hits the blender!) on Sunday.

The MRI he had done yesterday shows some problems with his brachial plexus. This is a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. There is swelling and bruising around it. We don't yet know how serious the damage is or what the long term prognosis is. Please pray that when the swelling and bruising abates, feeling and muscle control will return.

Luke will be heading to a rehab center in the near future, possibly as soon as the end of next week. He has a lot of decisions to make concerning the what's and where's. We are supporting his decisions and are here to help out in any way we can.

---Bill

Special News Flash!

Luke has a new nephew! Ian Kenneth Miller was born to Becki and Eric at 7:15 a.m. Eastern Time. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 ozs. and is 21 in. in length. All are doing fine.

Day 38 - Out of the ICU

This morning Luke made the first of what will probably be several location changes along the road to recovery by moving from the ICU to the IMU or for those of you that don't like acronyms from the Intensive Care Unit to the Intermediate Care Unit. This is the step between intensive care and a regular hospital room. It is a ward with six patients and nurses always in the room. It's a little more crowded from where he was, but it's moving in the right direction. The room number is 533.

He still has the trach tube in his throat but has been breathing on his own since being taken off the respirator last Friday morning. He was able to keep the one way valve on all day again today allowing him to talk freely. He did much better eating his meals today. He fed himself and was able to eat larger portions of his pureed food. He had an easier time swallowing. We continue to thank God for Luke's progress.

Luke had the MRI on his shoulder this afternoon to see if there is any structural damage that may be causing the numbness and paralysis in his left arm. Hopefully we will learn of any results tomorrow.

---Bill

Day 37 - First Meal

Luke had step two of his swallow test today. They put a scope in his throat just above his voice box and watched as he swallowed different types of food. He did good enough that an hour or so later they brought him lunch - mashed potatoes, squash, bean soup and vanilla pudding. Well, it's how he has to start before working up to cheeseburgers, shrimp and burritos! For dinner he had pureed meat, pureed peas, mashed potatoes and applesauce. He was able to take a bite or two of each but got tired out easily from working on swallowing.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy gave Luke a visit today and put him through a number of exercises and sat him up on the side of the bed. He has lots of exercises to do with these in addition to the ones given by the speech therapist.

Luke was scheduled for an MRI of his left shoulder area this afternoon, but ended up getting bumped to tomorrow morning because of an emergency. This is the one drawback to being in the ICU and needing procedures that are not critical.

Luke's current status is he still has the feeding tube in until he can eat enough. He has the trach tube in until there is no doubt that he will be fine without it. He has the pic line in his right arm for the IV antibiotics and occasional pain medication and he still has the catheter. His left leg is healing very well after the last surgery and the swelling has gone down considerably. He is weak from spending the past 5 weeks laying on his back, but his exercises will help him overcome that.

---Bill

Day 36 - Bumped Again

Luke's elbow surgery was postponed again today after a couple of emergencies took precedence for the operating room. This isn't really a problem as the fixing of his elbow can be done at any time and is not affecting his recovery.

Luke had the first step of the swallow tests today. They are evaluating how well he can swallow with the trach tube in. First he was given some small pieces of ice to chew on and swallow. Then he was given some spoonfuls of water. Next he was given water with material in it to make it thicker. Since he did well with all that he was allowed a couple of spoonfuls of applesauce! His first food in 5 weeks! Tomorrow will be the next step where they will run a scope down to make sure food won't go into the lungs. He has exercises to do with his mouth and tongue to aid the process of getting back to eating.

A neurologist came in today and examined Luke's left arm. He doesn't have sensation in it and no reflex action. They are going to do an MRI on his shoulder area in the near future. Pray for healing that he will regain the use of his arm.

---Bill

Day 35 - MRI

Luke had the MRI done today on his head and neck this afternoon. Hopefully tomorrow we will learn the results. Also tomorrow Luke is scheduled to go back to surgery to repair the end of the radius bone in his left elbow.

Luke did very good today with his breathing. When we went in to see him this morning they put a cap on the trach tube which is a one way valve that opens when he inhales and closes when he exhales so that he pushes the air up through his throat and vocal cords. This allows him to talk. He was able to go most of the day with the cap although it does tickle his throat more. He did quite a bit more coughing expelling material from his lungs.

Things that should be happening within the next few days are a swallowing test working towards allowing him to eat and drink and moving him from the ICU to regular room. All steps of progress in his recovery.

---Bill