HELLO! it's so exciting for me to be able to wake up every day and write you guys the next update, the next batch of happy news we've received since i last posted something. early this morning i drove Sam to the airport so that he could catch a flight back to NYC, where his job and acting career await him . . . of course, it was hard to say such a fast HELLO and GOODBYE, but his support was SO wonderful, and we know it was great for him to take off for NY knowing that my dad's healing is in progress.
last night and this morning, my mom has heard my dad speak . . . although he is only able to utter the same word, which is normal at this point.
he continues to be more and more responsive -- the left side of his face lights up if we tell a joke (or make fun of him, which is much more enjoyable) and he waves and acknowledges the people around him to the best of his ability.
he's completely off of his IVs, except for the occassional antibiotic that they're giving him due to the fact that he contracted a mild form of pneumonia while on the respirator (which is not uncommon, according to the nurses).
this afternoon or tomorrow we're hoping to move my dad out of ICU, which would be great. we have to wait on some test results before we'll know if he's ready or not, though.
the next step, like we mentioned in the last blog, is to look into a rehabilitation facility. right now it looks as though it wouldn't be wisest to transport my dad anywhere very far from here, but there are a couple of good places in the Twin Cities and then Mayo Clinic in Rochester, so we're just kind of evaluating options and looking into what would be best for my dad. since he is so young and fit, and his brain is still so healthy, we're looking for a very intense program that will challenge him daily to improve and get his body up and running again. it could be that after a few weeks in one rehab facility that will help him regain basic abilities, we will look into moving him to an acute therapy program to really get him going again.

"Do no be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
-- Philippians 4:6-7