Thursday PM 6:45 - This post is coming to you live from the hospital library. They have internet access available, so I'm taking advantage of the shift change currently taking place in the ICU. Parents have to leave for an hour twice a day while the nurses give report to their replacements, once at 6:45 AM and again same time in the PM. Obviously only the PM report affects us. Heidi has gone home to cover the time from the day sitter to the night sitter, and to hopefully get some rest. We've been fortunate enough to get a room at the Ronald McDonald House just down the street from the hospital. I've never been a great fan of McDonald's food (pancakes and coffee are the exception) but this place is great, and a worthwhile charity if anyone is looking to donate time or $. We got a good night's rest there last night, and looking forward to another one tonight.

Adam's progress is right on schedule. He's still on a ventilator, but is starting to make his own breathing attempts. All of his vital signs are stable. His biggest issue for now is pain management. He's been on morphine for quite a while due to the previous surgeries and procedures, and has now developed a considereable tolerance. There are many other medications, but finding the right ones and the right dose is a full-time job for his nurse. As with the nurses at Woman's Hospital, the Cardiovascular ICU nurses here are top notch. He's had two so far (AM and PM) and both are keepers. It takes a special kind of person to do this job. There is one nurse for one patient, which is a relief to both of us. With one exception, the doctors caring for him in the CVICU are also great.

Tomorrow is another step forward, and we're counting on his continued improvement. With the support we've received from everyone, our confidence is high that he will do well. No promises, but I will do my best to make one post per day as long as he's in CVICU.

I've read all of your emails and comments on the blog, and appreciate each and every one. Check by tomorrow...