August 23, 2004
Update 9
Good Morning,

Sorry for the delay, my email has been down.

Great info on Dads behalf...THE TRACH IS OUT!!!! That is fabulous news, as they are confident he will no longer have breathing issues. Even though he has been breathing on his own, the trach was in place for emergency purposes, they don't feel that danger still exists. It was a painless procedure; in fact Dad asked the respiratory person "when are you taking out the trach?" he replied, "I already did!”

Dad still has the feeding tube in, however they are not nourishing him through it. He is eating 100% on his own and they use the tube for flushing etc. The tube will remain until they feel his caloric intake (by mouth) is satisfactory and the hole where the tube is inserted is prepared to shut on its own.

He has regained some feeling in his left bicep. His left side seems to be stronger and having more response than his right (he is right handed). Strange, b/c in ICU all responses were coming from the right side...none from the left. We will take whatever we can get, every little bit counts!

According to the Docs and Nurses who have longevity in this facility and have seen many people in Dads condition, he is ONE FAST HEALER! They tell us, he's ahead of the game. We are HAPPY for this news and EXPECT nothing less from him. (Its only fair we pay him back for all those childhood expectations).

I'm sure alot of you wonder what he looks like? He looks like Bullet!! He is still wearing his uncomfortable neck brace but when they take it off to clean him up or to do certain therapies, he looks just like himself! His eyes are tired, as the sleep issue continues, and he has some minor abrasions on his head that have yet to heal. From the first day he entered ICU, its hard to believe he could look this good again, HE DOES!!

Lisa returned to Arizona (Sunday), Lance is still in Minnesota (until Wed) and I am headed back to Minnesota tomorrow. Glen Jr. comes up every Friday morning and stays through the weekend. We all rotate sleeping in Dad's room, not a night goes by w/out one of us in there!

Mom will head to CF on Wed afternoon and will return on Friday a.m. w/ Glen. Any volunteers to pick her up on Wed? I'll buy you lunch!

We hope you are doing well; you're safe and healthy. Thank you, thank you for all the support, please continue to pray. We feel like the prayers have been a significant part in Dad's fast healing.

Love,
The Dream Team/Henry Clan