Jude is doing well today. Last night around 9:30, he was taken off his sedatives and allowed to wake up. The doctors wanted his ventilator tube removed, because it could cause him to contract pneumonia. It took him a while to come to, and it was hard for him to wake up in a hospital. He didn’t like the IVs in his hands (and ripped one of them out), or the oxygen sensor on his toes (he changed his mind when we said it was a cool laser for zapping bugs on the floor). He also has some foam circles stuck to his head that the surgeons will use to guide them – they likened it to GPS – which haven’t bothered him too much.
He didn’t get much sleep last night, having been sedated for more than a day. He has gotten a few naps in though, as has Jessica ans I. Over the course of the day today, he has gotten progressively better as the drugs and the effects of Sunday’s seizure wear off.
This afternoon, we got a rather large delivery of food, some platters of bread, meat & cheeses, fuits, vegetables ,cookies, chips, and other stuff from Kowalski’s – a gift from Dorsey & Whitney. Also in the pile was a bag of gifts for Jude. He was so happy to get it that he said “this is my best birthday ever.”
Tomorrow is the big day. Beginning around 7:00, the hospital staff will begin prepping him for surgery, which is scheduled to begin at 8:30. We expect it to last at least 4-5 hours, maybe longer. It will be a long day for us all!
We’ve gotten a better understanding of The Ronald McDonald house. I never really knew what they do specifically. There is one in the hospital. They provide free meals and food, as well as a place for people to relax. Some of them have bedrooms for family to stay in. They are open to the families of intensive care patients. It is nice to have the option available, regardless of how much we use it.
Once again, a huge thank you to everyone for prayers and support, it has been pretty amazing!