Sunday Special!

Today really seems like a special day because John is sooooo much better, alert and talking, and actually able to stay awake for more than a minute!
This is my first time to post to this blog. Kalie and Jerry were great to think of communicating in this way to all of you wonderful family members, friends, and dear ones who have been so supportive. They have been doing all the posting so far. Kalie flew back to Adam, Montana and Savanna yesterday morning, and Jerry and Kelley just left to drive home to Bend. Kraig, Leslie and McKenzie (Brendan went home with friends last night) are still here for a few hours, and then will head to Hood River to start their week.
John's nurse greeted us this morning, saying, "You're not going to believe it! We have a new man here today!" Edel, the sweet Irish nurse, is our favorite and has been incredibly wonderful with John. John was sitting up in bed working on the breathing apparatus which is so important to keep his lungs cleared. He still sounds a little like the Godfather with his raspy voice, but it has also become much stronger....more than a whisper. He doesn't remember much of the last three days because he was so out of it with the double anesthesia from the two surgeries and then the narcotic drugs he was given. Finally, the doctor who is covering for Dr. Tsen this weekend, made the decision to stop all the heavy drugs for pain as he felt John's system was ultra sensitive to those drugs, and they were keeping him from waking up. So, through the night, he only had tylenol or a low dose of Vicodan if his pain was intolerable. That really made the difference. I can't tell you what a relief it is to have him back and awake! His biggest complaint is that the night was sooo long and boring. I'll take that as a good sign...that he is bored.
Challenges today are to get him to eat, do his breathing exercises, sit up and move around a little more, and continue to keep good vitals. Our friend, Dave Davis, offered to bring John anything to eat that would tempt his taste buds. John said that would be a Jamba Juice Berry Protein Workout with Soy. (John is figuring out how to get a workout, one way or another....you know how he is). So, the Daver as we call him, is bringing one from a Jamba Juice clear over by Lloyd Center (the closest one he could find on line) all the way back to Good Sam! What a friend!!!
Speaking of friends, my dear friends Brada and Tom Bailey have made their downtown condo available to us during this time. It has been much appreciated as Kalie and I could sleep, shower, etc there these last few days. Actually, last night was my first night in their bed as I had been staying at the hospital on the waiting room couches since the surgery. I just wanted to stay close by. Also, our friend, Betsy McKillop, flew home from Kansas City, where her Mom and other extended family live, and came from the airport to join me and the kids for dinner. My friend from childhood, Kathi Marcus, daughters Debi, and Kimi and her husband Steve have been with us for awhile every day. We refer to them as our Sun River family because of the ten+ years we all spent time at Sun River when the kids were little. Old friends...dear friends.
Now I could go on and on about the support and care we have experienced from all of you. The
power of your prayers for John and us is immeasurable. Your kind expressions of love through e-mails, blog responses, and calls have been holding us up and getting us through. Thank you so much. You just can't know how much it has meant.
I'll try to do a good job like my kids in keeping up this blog for awhile more, and promise to not make it so long in the future. I'm just kind of overflowing with gratitude right now. Love, Karen
P.S. I goofed right out of the chute and sent the posting after just typing the title...oops, I'm just a beginner at this.