August 4 (Saturday) - 2pm update

Update to the noonish update--rewritten as of 2pm:

Before I get to the real news though, I'd like to cover one of the options for this website, so everyone is aware of a feature that some of you might not understand.   There is the option on the left side of the page to "FOLLOW" the website.  If you select that option, you list your name, and an email address and create a password.  What that does for you is it allows you to sign in with your user name, and then set notification options.   The family can see who is "following" the website, which is comforting,  so in that since your name does go on a list when you give it, but that list is for Sam and the family and its not going on some mailing list.  

The big advantage of this is that you can set up some preferences.   For example, if you ask to be notified anytime there is an UPDATE, then whenever an update is made to this website it would automatically generate an email to you at the instant the update was loaded.  That way you don't have to keep checking the website to see if there have been any changes since you last looked.   Instead, you get an email the very instant something is posted.  With your user name and password you can decide what emails you want, and from what events (such as UPDATES, POSTS, or NEW PHOTOS).  It's a slick feature and it can keep you in the loop without having to constantly check to see what might have changed.

Ok...with that administrative stuff covered, let me get on with the noon time update.   First Rich.  He's sitting up, watching the Olympics, and talking.   He's still confused about some things, but his mental acuity seems good, and he knows where he is and for the most part what is going on.   He's talking up a storm, and the doctors have told us that is good.   He wants to know some things, but other things (such as the accident) he doesn't seem to want to talk about, and it may be that he just isn't ready to try and process all of that right now.    

He's had a very busy day.   He's seen a physical therapist.  He's seen a inhalation therapist.    And he's seen a cognitive therapist.   And he's seen a speech therapist.  Everybody's been visiting him it seems -- working his treatment and he's responding well!    Another big step for today is they have actually put him on real food again, although it's not up to chicken fleet standards yet.   Right now his diet is a little restricted--they are doing the clear soup, warm broth, etc.  I think chicken broth soup was something my grandmother used to give me when I wasn't feeling good-so there must be something with that.    

Personally, I think Rich would probably go a lot faster with the food if they would let him, but they are definitely going slow with his 'gut' and letting things work themselves out.  Umm...did I say that right?  Anyway, it's going to be a little while before he's doing beer and brautwursts.   

As for Jeannette, she is "holding steady" and her all important white cell count numbers improved today, and they are really pleased with that.   Some of her other numbers, such as her temperature, have bounced around some, but all in all its been a quiet day for Jeannette and Rich has been the main action station when things are happening.    It's quite there; Jeannette's been resting well and we've all come to learn that "quiet" and "resting well" are all good things in the ICU; -- John