Today's report:

• Wounds are healing.
• Chuck seems to be fighting off an infection, but docs are unsure if it is in the lungs or the back.
• Chuck's trying to figure out how to breathe ... he's been on the trach collar (off the ventilator) once today. He gets nervous about 15 minutes in, then he starts to breathe quickly. It's almost impossible for him to slow his breathing once he goes fast. No one (docs nor Chuck) is sure how Chuck's new body works ... as far as breathing is concerned. Therefore, it is up to Chuck to figure out how to breathe slowly. His dad is off to Best Buy to get a distractor for Chuck.
• Tomorrow Dr. Taylor will remove the excess fluid surrounding Chuck's left lung. This is done "bedside" and takes about 15-20 minutes. He inserts a needle between Chuck's ribs and pulls out the fluid.
• Tomorrow Chuck is being assessed for a feeding tube via the gut. He needs food in his stomach. He has been on intravaneous food for about a week now, which is at the TOP of Dr. Taylor "worst forms of nutrition" list. Chuck does not want the tube down the nose! Thus, Dr. Taylor is considering the "peg."