Chuck is in pretty good spirits this evening. He even got on the computer for a while.

All is holding steady. I'm looking forward to seeing his wounds this next go-around. I just know the vac will do great things!

Not much to report...which is good news!

Chuck is happily settled in his new room. He's in 204 now. This side of the hallway seems much quieter.

Apparently this has been a very busy day. Chuck's been asleep since I got here at 5:00. Well, for the most part: we've talked a little and he's had a few visitors.

Wound care is trying the wound vac on a couple of Chuck's wounds. This is excellent progress. The wounds they are vac-ing have sloughed off the dead portion. All that remains is beautiful, beefy, red tissue. And now to close them!

Lots of advances occuring today: vent settings titrated down; moving to a new room; discussion of removing the P.I.C.C. line. Chuck will be moved to room 204 later today. Hopefully he will be much more comfortable. He'll certainly have more peace, quiet, and privacy!

I'll give an update once I check on him later today. By the time I get there, he should be in his new room. Blessedly, Stacie will be there for the move.

I got a reminder today that if one tends to be "mentally lazy," Chuck will take full advantage! Blessedly, some things never change. As noted earlier, he is allowed clear liquids. However, carbonated beverages is off limits. Today, he tested me with the ol' "the doctor said I can have clear liquids and Sprite is clear." Good try!

Chuck is doing really well. He's been eating jello and drinking juices throughout the day, with no vomiting. The trapeze is back and ready for action. Also, Chuck's vent settings were turned down. This means weaning has begun once more. Next step should involve therapy to strengthen his body.

Chuck has been advanced to "clear liquids." Now to me, this would mean...uh, water. But no; it means anything you can read a newspaper through, oddly enough. So far he's had jello. We're going to see how many things we can water down to "read-newspaper-through-it" consistency.

I've waited all day for this post...out of consideration for our beloved Stacie and Letty. Didn't want to let the cat out of the bag before the cat arrived. Chuck's birthday is June 9. Well, the girls just delivered the gift of all gifts...a new iPod with ALL of this past season's Battle Star Galacticas loaded and ready to play. Chuck is elated! It has some other cool stuff too, but who are we kidding? It's all about Battle Star Galactica episodes.

So, if you're wondering what to get Chuck for his birthday, itunes gift certificates are the way to go!

And just like that, the offer of soda and sicles has been rescinded! Apparently G.I. doc trumps pulmonologist on this matter. Alas, sodas are just around the corner!

We're still in the unit until a room opens for Chuck.

Tod and Ross spent the morning with Chuck. Apparently all three had a good time. Chuck's even been looking through the comics that Tod brought. Not too shabby!

Chuck's having some pain issues today. Aside from that, he's doing beautifully. The doctor believes he is ready to be moved out of "the unit," as they call it. Please pray for a quiet roommate!

Chuck's been approved for soda and popsicles.

It's been a lovely day! Chuck's tube feedings have been bumped up a bit higher. Hopefully, he'll be able to eat next week! Thank you for the prayers. Once again, Chuck has made a miraculous recovery, praise God.

He is so "with it," I no longer worry about him being alone while I'm at work. Now, if he wants or needs something, he can ask!

Apparently the nurses at Lifecare think Chuck has a harem. One of them commented to me, "Everyone that comes to see him is so good looking!" How classic! Thanks to all you gorgeous people who come to visit Chuck.

Chuck is steadily moving forward. Each day, I see more of "him." So glad he's back! He gets to have water and ice now. His tube feedings have been started, and the TPN has been removed. Next step, getting to drink soda and eat!

Short note of progress: Chuck's pain has been managed! He's happy with his level of pain overall AND he's alert! Praise God for Dr. Pacl.

Chuck's tube feeding is being hooked up as I type this. This is a wonderful step forward. Ahh, the things I take for granted. He'll get another abdominal x-ray at noon. After that, he may be allowed to have water! Again, ridiculous the things I take for granted.

I am trying to remember we are right where we are supposed to be. I'm also trying to release my control, let God take the burden. I heard this yesterday and had to laugh, "When I turned my life over to God, I took it out of the hands of an idiot." Humbling, but oh so true!

Chuck is looking really good. Several of the nurses and aides have commented on how he looks like a new man!

He is still going without food and water. Seems really crazy, huh? He is getting nourishment through IV, but Chuck is soooo thirsty. In the morning the G.I. doctor will take another x-ray to see if his gut is ready for use. The x-ray from today looks "better." Alas, it does not look better enough!

Thanks to Stacie, Letty, Corine, Shea, and Nicky for taking care of Chuck these past for days. XXXOOO

Tid bits from "my sources:" Several people have reported that Chuck is very much Chuck. What a relief! I've heard reports of people going to visit and having beautiful moments with him. My sister, Shea, went to see Chuck last night and pray with him. She said he was very sweet and squeezed her hand really tight. She also told me that a friend of hers, Dave, went and prayed with Chuck earlier in the day. When Dave said, "Amen" and looked up, Chuck's eyes were filled with tears. God must really be working on his spirit.

Thanks so much for sharing your stories with me!

Chuck is doing remarkably well. He is more "himself" than he has been since we've been back in San Antonio!

Chuck is still in the ICU. He'll remain there until he can maintain stability for 24 hours with no help from cardiac drugs (to keep his heart rate down).

I stopped by to check on Chuck this morning. He looks MUCH better. He's alert and somewhat comfortable. He's not in pain, which is a huge blessing after chest compressions, etc!

Chuck had a couple more "episodes" this evening. His heart did not stop, but he was not able to breath well on the vent. He kept throwing mucus plugs. When they took Chuck off the vent and bagged him, he breathed easier. Christe and Shea sent me home around 6:45 while they stayed to make sure Chuck stabilized.

The decision was made to try a new trache. This one is larger in diameter with a longer shaft. Thus far, it has worked beautifully.

First of all, Chuck is okay. He is stable. His heart stopped again early this morning. They performed CPR and brought him back to the land of the living, praise God. He had another mucus plug. Finally, I asked THE question, "So, what is the connection between a mucus plug and his heart stopping??" The two do not seem connected to me. The nurse kindly explained that when the organs do not receive oxygen (due to a plug), they stop working. Aha!

He has been moved to the ICU within the Lifecare unit. He's now in room 215. The nurses did such a great job with him and with me. Upon seeing him, I freaked out a bit...you know, crying uncontrollably and demanding the everyone around me DO SOMETHING! (As if these people do not have enough to worry about...they have crazy wife to deal with.) After throwing around insults about everyone lacking compassion and crying my eyes out, I calmed down. I cannot tell you how many people I've had to apologize to in this hospital! My most common utterance these days is, "I'm so sorry. My behavior was inappropriate. I should not have taken my anger out on you." Oi.

Here's a freaky little tidbit: Chuck has a seizure everytime I touch him. The nurse says this is a common reaction to a brain that has been deprived of oxygen. (Yeah, sure it is.) It will pass. In the meantime, hands off!

Recently I was advised to reconcile myself to God (as I had stopped trusting him). He has been a great comforter today. Yes, I do believe he is in control and is holding Chuck in the palm of his hand. Yes, I do believe he is loving and is taking tender care of the two of us.

God has sent so many people take care of me today: Christie, Tod, Mom and Dad, Shea. My friend, Laura, is incredibly sick and every time she wakes from her delirium, she asks, "How is Chuck?" Ross calls to check in...how sweet is that?

Shea reminded me that this is a precious time and to embrace it. It is a precious, precious time between me and Chuck. She also shared this verse with me: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

Chuck had a pretty rough day yesterday. He has been throwing up bile for about two weeks now. Finally, I think we know why. He has been on a medicine called reglan all year long. At some point in the transition from hospital to hosital, he was taken off. I had no idea...assuming...you know. Lo and behold, reglan back to the rescue. I hope this will make a huge difference in how Chuck feels.

For now, his tube feedings have stopped and he is getting nourishment by TPN (through the vein). He has lost about 15 pounds since arriving back in San Antonio. What up with that??? Apparently he has not been taking advantage of the EXCELLENT Mexican food here that flows like mannah from heaven.

Chuck's pretty much himself today, thank you God.

I want to thank all of you who have been feeding me these past few weeks. I'm ready to take over now. I've been charged with taking time out to take care of myself rather than rushing from work to hospital. Baby steps!