Out of ICU

Today was a great day :) his CT scan showed more expansion of the brain, the space left is getting very small. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Skarli, came in and removed the bandages and checked the incision and drain. Because of the vast improvement and minimization of the space, he removed the drain and put a stitch in to close it up. RJ bore that very well (no anesthetic, both are painful). Before the doc pulled the drain, I asked RJ if I could take a picture of the incision, he said "as long as you show it to me." That's my boy! He has 32 staples and 1 stitch. I counted the staples. Twice :) I also promised not to post that picture & gross everyone out :)

RJ ate some Jello, but said his jaw was sore and we didn't try the crackers. He got up to the recliner chair and sat up for over an hour before we put the footrest up and reclined it slightly, then he dozed there for about another hour. He tried some Mac & cheese while up, but his jaw was too sore for that.

He was removed from ICU status after the doctor's visit this morning, and moved down a floor in the afternoon once a room opened up. That wore him out, as he rode down in a wheelchair. He transferred from the bed to the recliner, recliner to wheelchair, and wheelchair to bed today, quite a workout!

My mom and dad arrived shortly before 1, they visited with RJ for a bit then we went to lunch. They helped moved all our stuff to the new room, made sure RJ was settled, then we left him to the nurses and went out to the seating area to talk. RJ slept most of the afternoon and evening, in peace & quiet in the new room. He is still on IV fluids to keep him hydrated, but his meds are now oral instead of IV. The heart monitor is off as of just now, with only the O2 monitor remaining. (his lowest stat I've seen is 97%, for my coworkers)

One more CT while we're here, as far as I know, and that will be tomorrow. There's also another blood draw for the hematology docs in the morning, and then we should hear some results as they all come in. (for the nurses I know: I believe it is a PT or PTT they are drawing. I have that info second-hand so I could be wrong too)