Day 7 - December 28, 2012

Throughout the day today, they have kept Dad pretty calm and sedated.  Today was the day of his scheduled Tracheostomy and they will also place a feeding tube line into his stomach.  I think we were all hopeful that with the Trach in place, and the tubes for the vent and feeding tube out of his mouth, he will be more comfortable and less agitated.   Up to this point, they have caused him a lot of discomfort and he has been gagging whenever he feels them.  He hasn't purposefully moved up to grab them yet, but I think if he could he would.  Both of these procedures are in an effort to get Dad more comfortable so that he can wake up with less agitation and focus on healing his mind.  I keep reminding myself that the go in easily, but they can also come out easily as he makes progress towards recovery.  I am hoping he needs these for only a short time as support.

His surgery was at 3pm and lasted for about an hour.  After the surgery, he needs to be completely and totally still for 24 hours.  They doctor has him on a healthy dose of propofal and we sat with him quietly, but now is just a time to wait.  We are very anxious and excited to try to wake him up again tomorrow. 

Oh, and we have officially become the family that has taken over the waiting room.  Generally, Mom, Tom and Amber come in first thing in the morning with a suitcase of snacks.  Then there has consistently been Uncle Tim, Aunt Deb, Uncle Dave, Aunt Judy, Aunt Denise, Aubrey, Nate and I.  Grandma McEldowney, Aunt Linda and Uncle Dick come up each day.  Whitney, Kyle and Codi have been here almost constantly.  There have also been various other family and lots and lots of friends that stop in and out throughout the day.  Our core group comes daily with our crockpots full of dinner, our pillows and blankets for naps, our books and laptops and tablets and phones and device chargers and have staked claim to one half of the waiting room.