August 17, 2004
Update 8
Good Morning,

Today is Tuesday, August 17th...Dad has been in rehab for 12 days and seems to be making progress. Again, it’s the little steps that count.

His breathing has improved tremendously, although he is not completely secretion free and continues to need assistance when coughing. (with this injury you have to retrain yourself to cough, as he cannot feel himself doing it). He has, however, come along way since day one in rehab, regarding this issue.

Each day he tries new rehab/hospital food (pure excitement). Although he's not to keen on the taste, we're ecstatic he's eating on his own. He is still in the "pureed" phase, but each day they add something more substantial to see if it follows the correct passage way...so far so good...it's looking VERY POSITIVE he will have a future OFF the feeding tube!!!! We'll let you know when the tube comes out, it will then be OFFICIAL!!

His trach is scheduled to be removed this Friday, they originally told us it would be yesterday and then changed the date on us...this means he will be breathing completely on his own, another HUGE milestone. Again, we'll inform you when its official.

Dad continues to fight the sleep issue; his apnea/snoring is keeping him awake. I don't think he gets more than four hours a night and it is very exhausting for him to be in full force for his daily activities. We are working through it, we try different avenues each night and one them is bound to work.

His spirits are good 95% of the time, he has his moments of disbelief now and again, but says we have to "just press forward and not look back"...isn't that just like him.

His therapies are going slow but he works really hard each day to conquer something new...even if it means a 1/4-inch of "new" movement. He hasn't regained any feeling YET, but we continue to pray some will come back.

We hope everyone is doing well and as usual, we thank you for all the prayers, love, support, cards, messages, etc.

Following is the address of the hotel and hospital as per the request of many:

Staybridge Suites
Karen Henry
1211 Second Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Mayo Clinic
St. Marys Hospital
Mary Brigh-3
Glen Henry Rm #40
1216 Second Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Love,
The Henry Clan