thursday afternoon, february 21

today is a better day for dad's mind and spirit! woo hoo!

he's much more aware and alert. he's "coming to" finally. his confusion is waning, and he's already asking for some books and his cell phone. wonders never cease! (we're keeping the cell phone hostage for quite awhile longer, though)! the amazing thing is that he's YET to even mention wanting a cigarette - which is VERY interesting! obviously, he can't ever smoke again, but for someone who's had the habit for 40 some odd years, it's shocking that it hasn't come up yet, but when it does, let's just say i hope i'm not in the room! ha!

he's been eating some jello and had some juice, so that's his first "real food" in two and a half weeks. the poor thing has lost somewhere around 35-40 pounds (the dialysis pulled off about 35 pounds of fluid alone). they're going to continue doing some breathing treatments for his lungs because they still have some fluid in them.

the other good news is that he might be changing rooms today (or tomorrow), so he won't be in the CCU anymore. i'm not certain if he'll be in the ICU or if they'll put him on a regular floor. they still want him to have minimal stimulation because he was so overloaded with confusion and agitation when he awoke a few days ago, so we're taking it slowly. i didn't go up to the hospital yesterday or today because they still want it to be just him and mom for a few days, but he did tell me i need to try to sneak my baby into his room when he has some new digs. ha!

so it seems everything else is snapping into place except for those kidneys! they didn't do dialysis today. i believe they'll just be doing it every other day from here on out. keep your prayers focused on the kidneys! everyone knows how important this is...we do not want dad to have to be on dialysis much longer!

i said, "dad, you are in big trouble! you scared us more than you know!" he said in his low, joking, sassy voice, "bay-beh, i apologize." it's so great to be able to hear him tease again (although, i don't know if his nurses agree)!

God has been so good to answer all of our prayers with the outcomes pleasing to dad's healing. everytime we have asked for a specific thing, it has happened. so we have faith that if we keep asking for healing for his kidneys, that this one big specific prayer that has yet to receive an answer will receive one favorable to dad in time.