Hopeful for extubation tomorrow

The intensivist was just in and said they are hoping to extubate tomorrow. YAY! The vent settings are being turned down and TJ is doing well with it. It will be a few more days in the hospital, either ICU or a regular floor, then discharge. If the treatment plan is to discharge him to home we may have the option of staying in Bangkok for a few days to rest. If the treatment plan is to go to another hospital we would fly home immediatly and go directly to a hospital in MN. Either way we will be flying with a medical escort.

Tubes and IV lines are being pulled one by one. It is very encouraging as each one is gone- it also makes it alot easier to move around when you are not connected to so many tethers.

Chip is supposed to take the day off today (once he wakes up). He has places he wants to explore in Bangkok, including checking out a kayak that seemed relativley cheap. He would love to kayak the canals around here. He found a chat room of American expats in BKK and was asking about kayaks. The reaction ranged from "awesome idea" to "Are you crazy?? Do you know what is in that water??" I think a lot of the fun for him will be just to check it out and sort of ignore the hospital for a while. As a 21 year old he had to sign consents for all the treatments, including intubating his dad in a foreign country. He is due for a break. BTW for all you Bethel classmates, your facebooking, etc. has been a huge encouragement to him.

We are grateful for all your prayer and encouragement and cannot thank you enough. We feel amazingly surrounded by friends!

MA