Chuck has been off the vent all day. Last night, he rested "on the vent" for a few hours. He's doing much better lung-wise.

He's still feeling kinda crummy. We're on the hunt for a mystery leak...yes, a mystery leak. Tests will be run this next week to discover the source, etc.

I neglected to mention that one of Chuck's wounds has resolved...which means it has healed! Yippee...one down, four to go!

Chuck's back on the vent...this may be very Karate Kid-ish for a few days: Chuck on, Chuck off.

Chuck's off the ventilator! Praise God.

Everything went very well this morning! Chuck's transport to and from Big Baylor was flawless...he was treated like fine china. The P.I.C.C. line was put in successfully, and Chuck is back in business. He feels a bit lethargic though. He's on three different antibiotics to fight his infections. I pray he feels better sooon!

Priceless moment: Chuck does not like "stuff" on his face...no food, no dirt, not even chocolate! It started to rain on our trip back to Baylor Specialty. As the EMTs were getting Chuck out of the ambulance, we were joking about leaving him out in the rain. He asked for them to give him a moment...to leave him in the rain...he wanted to feel it on his face. He looked at me and mouthed, "It's been almost a year...." and smiled as the drops hit his face.

Despite current setbacks, Chuck has been on fire today. He began cracking jokes first thing this morning and has kept it up most of the day. Ahhhh, so refreshing!

Dr. Tate made another trip, in utter awe of Chuck's feeding tube escapades. Apparently Dr. Tate handles hundreds of feeding tubes all over north Texas. Yet, he has been called for Chuck's tube more than all the others combined! That's my man!

It pained Dr. Tate to undo the sutures he did yesterday because he used some heavy duty thread...typically used to repair hernias. Upon pulling out the shiny, new tube, he discovered that it was kinked at the end. Go figure! Everything has been flowing smoothly since 9 this morning. Ahhhh!

Chuck has a staph infection...and one other infection. This could be the reason all of his systems have been freaking out...well that and the lack of nutrition. His P.I.C.C. line will be removed tomorrow as it is the most likely culprit for the staph infection. (The P.I.C.C. is the line used for all of his I.V. fluids). He will go across the street tomorrow morning to get a new line. He is receiving too many I.V. fluids to go with a simple I.V...he blows through them every 2 days or so. A P.I.C.C. line will last for a couple of months...with no painful pokes!

Chuck is still on the ventilator. Hopefully clearing up the infectionS will help with his overall health.

Please keep him in your prayers!

Dang! I spoke too soon. Chuck's feeding tube has been clogging all day long! (this means little to no nutrition). Also, his breathing has been troubled. He is currently on the ventilator for a rest.

Please pray for healing, breathing, feeding.

A way has been found!!!! Bascially, the small feeding tube "drilled" a hole bigger than itself. Thus, the leaking of fluid from around the tube. This is common for someone on a feeding tube for an extended period. So, he got a bigger tube. Dr. Tate says that eventually, the same thing will happen with this bigger tube. Before much longer we will need a garden hose! I told Chuck he'd better start eating so we can get rid of the tube altogether.

Chuck already looks better! He's on the mend once again.

Chuck is sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. He feels lousy...and he so much wants to feel "good"! It just breaks my heart.

He is clearly not getting good nutrition...it just keeps leaking out. We've called for the surgeon again...hoping to find "the way" to stop the flow.

Last night Chuck had to go on the ventilator for a couple of hours. Who knows why...perhaps because he's so weak from poor nutrition?? In any case, he's also been switched back to the speaking valve rather than the red cap. It's been so long since he's taken backward steps!!! It's quite discouraging after his long run of forward motion!

Perhaps I should take a moment to count my blessings? I'm feeling oh so sad...and really want to throw a pity party! Know what...I'll count my blessings later. Perhaps it's time to grieve a little. I'm learning, ain't nothing wrong with feeling blue...it's a God-given emotion.

We're still looking for "the way" that Adora mentioned yesterday. "There's always a way."

Chucks been leaking, leaking, and popping his tube. The tube has been re-sutured (we're in the 20s by now...number of times it has popped). The skin around the tube is a mess...as can only be expected by skin bathed in various "juices". (too far???) We hoping everything will look better and brighter tomorrow...when all the doctors and wound-care personnel are back in full force.

We're thankful to be together! We're thankful he's off the ventilator. We're thankful for Mom and Dad. We're thankful we have all next week to spend with each other.

Chuck's having j-tube issues. But guess what, it is staying put...no popping out! Praise God. However, bile is leaking from the tube and eating away at his skin. Nice. As Adora, another precious nurse/angel, said, "There's always a way." They will find a way to fix this...impossible as it seems. The impossibility comes with the complexity of the situation = the tube popping out and needing sutures, Chuck's GREAT need for the nutrition that comes through the tube, the bile leaking out and creating new wounds...oi. Can't be a simple, cut and dry issue.

Aside from that, Chuck's doing well. We are loving our time together!

Please pray for healing.

The boys looks a little rough around the edges, but BOY it's good to see him! He's not feeling well and his feeding tube is leaking. Looks like a late-night visit from Dr. Tate (bless his heart!)

We look forward to this weekend...just spending time together.

We made it another full week! Yippee...I'm on my way back to Chuck. I'll update once I have a chance to chat with him. Thanks for your continued prayers.

I talked to Chuck on the phone yesterday...aaah, the simple things I formerly took for granted! In his words, he's been "under the weather" this week. Despite this, he's tried sitting up some.

I got a call from wound care, and all looks pretty good. He has a few "trouble spots." Please continue to pray for healing!

Greg completed marathon #5 on Sunday!! Concerning the Seabrook Trail marathon, Greg had this to say, "It was tough. The trails were soft and part of the race it seemed like I was running in sand. My legs fatigued very quickly, but overall it went okay." He has one more to go...Boston.

I did not call to harrass anyone yesterday regarding Chuck. Truly, this is an amazing feat.

Chuck is fully prepared for this next week. He will be on his own, continuing to gain independence. He is armed with a new thirst for connecting to the outside world via the computer. He is also armed with three disks of The Sopranos, Season 1. I can't wait to see how well he does this week! Please continue to pray for healing.

Good day! Matthew came to visit his uncle Chuckie today. That boy is precious! Chuck really lights up around him.

Chuck's having j-tube drama. The thing keeps popping out...usually late at night! His feeding has been turned off for about 24 hours now. The tube has been reinserted, but we are awaiting x-ray confirmation that it is in the proper place.

We are feeling so blessed. Chuck's doing great! We expect to be home within another month or so.

Chuck is taking a well-deserved nap right now. He's been pretty active the last 3 hours (that's like a 16-hour day to you and me). He sat in his chair again today. Even though it was only his second time, he seemed much stronger. Perhaps he was just more sure of himself. Whatever the case, he's doing great!

Wounds have not declined, thank you God. Let's pray everything moves forward. We are making tentative preparations for returning home...to San Antonio!

Chuck is making moves to decrease his pain medication. That's the main change for today. It was a slow day...no physical therapy, no wound care. He's becoming more interested in the internet and other diversions.

Chuck sat in his chair today! He was in it for about 30 minutes. What a wonderful, wonderful milestone. He was exhausted after 5 minutes, but pushed through for another 20 or so. He's amazing!

Wounds are troublesome. It seems he is getting pressure on some of his wounds, so they are getting worse. Waaah. The pressure is coming from the foam wedge that keeps him turned to the side. I cannot explain my despair...even though most of the wounds are doing better. In my mind, the improving wounds don't deserve any consideration because it's the troublesome ones that are keeping him here! I'm not happy with anything short of "Wow, they are all doing great." (Am I hard to please or what???) I'm sure God just shakes his head..."when will she learn?"

As is obvious, I'm on a bit of a roller coaster today. A miraculous event followed by a heartbreaker...oi! I will praise God in the victories and I will praise God in the defeats.

Chuck's breathing is going well. However, today's been a "sick" day. He's been sleeping a lot...no wheelchair. Perhaps tomorrow?

Chuck is feeling really good today. He looks incredibly strong, and is able to maneuver more easily in bed.

The wound vac did not produce the results we had hoped. On the positive side, the wound has less depth. However, the suction was too much for Chuck's fragile skin, and a new wound was created. Blessedly, no more hardware was exposed. All of his other wounds look excellent.

On the PLUS side, Chuck has been cleared for wheelchair sitting!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has wanted this for months and months. Please pray it goes well. I'm sure it will be hard at first, and that he will struggle. But this is a MAJOR step forward.

God has been so gentle...so faithful.

Chuck and I had a wonderful Saturday. He slept and I watched movies...pretty much like at home! The vac is vac-ing and we expect to see exciting things tomorrow. Please pray the vac works wonders on his wound.

This morning Chuck was changed from the speaking valve to a red cap. He is still getting oxygen via the nose. This is another milestone!

Last night was a GREAT getaway for me. My cousin, Kam, threw an 80th birthday party for my great-aunt Dorothy (Kam's grandma.) I watch Kam closely as one day I hope to be as gracious and lovely a hostess as she. Dorothy is the picture of health and beauty...I hope I am as fit at 80! Of course, the food was divine...thank you, Terri. Can that girl cook!!! Not only can she cook...but she always prepares special dishes just for me (I have an annoying food allergy). After dinner Terri always insists that I make a plate "for Chuck." I happily oblige, knowing that he eats very little. Ha, ha, ha, most of Chuck's plate is MINE!

It was sooo good to see folks from Spearman! I miss my hometown.

Be blessed.

I'm back! Chuck looks great. His skin is healthy enough to try the wound vac again. (For a while, there was so much dead skin that needed to slough off with so little healthy skin to replace it that the wound vac could have caused damage and exposed more hardware). Please pray that the wound vac works well, that Chuck's wound improves.

We've made it! Our first full work-week apart. Whew. I go home (to Chuck) tonight...can't wait to see Chuck!

Dr. Bray called yesterday with nothing but good news. Chuck's infection has cleared and his wounds are doing well. However, he's still suffering with occasional bouts of nausea.

Sounds like Chuck is doing great! I don't really have any details...but who needs em? He's doing great and feeling less nauseous.

Chuck and I both survived day one just fine. I hear from his parents that Chuck is feeling much better than he did on Sunday. He's still not 100% though. Please pray for a good day for him.

The report on the wounds was all positive...moving in the right direction.

While Chuck is improving daily, he feels pretty lousy today. Please pray for comfort...from the blahs.

Let's see, all is well. It's been a full week of vent-free living. While he still struggles with daily bouts of nausea, his nutrition is great. This means wonderful things for his wounds.

I leave tonight for my first full work week. Oi. Naturally, I'm torn. Being actively involved with my co-workers will be wonderful. Being away from Chuck will be torment. The nurses have already given me permission...call us, call us! Boy, they have no idea. They won't have a moment's peace! Seriously, I am grateful for the loving concern the staff here has for me and Chuck. They know how crazy I am about leaving Chuck, and how crazy Chuck is about me being gone.

Please pray for health, healing, and comfort!

Some of Chuck's wounds are amazingly improved, while others are marginally improved. The protein in his blood is almost at a normal level...the closer to normal, the better his wounds will knit.

Chuck's still off the ventilator, praise God!

Now that we're in a private room, we can have sleepovers again. While the sleep is not great, I get to stay in bed MUCH later than normal. I think Chuck rests easier, too, knowing that I can jump up in the middle of the night and get him a soda. (For those of you who don't know me well, this would NEVER happen...I'm out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow and it takes a BRAVE soul to dare disturb my sleep!)

Chuck sat up for 15 minutes today. He's improving daily! All else is well, praise God. I talked to a care coordinator today for eventual home-health care. My head is swimming with information. Oi, oi, oi. My coordinator is VERY helpful and I am MOST grateful for her. Who knew I'd have someone walk me through this crazy thing??