"As good as he can possibly be doing"

We just finished listening in on Shane's doctors discussing him during their rounds. If you remember nothing else from this post, remember this: the doctors are saying that Shane is healing from his situation as fast as anyone can. We've still got a long road ahead, but that news is a breath of fresh air today.

With the infection identified and a more focus treatment applied, the mysterious puzzle of his condition has been almost completely put together. That said, priority #1 for him now is his airway. He still doesn't have satisfactory space around his breathing tube (called a "leak"—sounds bad, but it's good), which they need to see before they can remove the tube. Shane is pretty swollen all over (his body is holding onto excess fluid), which includes his internal tissues. Their concern is if they remove the tube, will his airway swell up more and restrict his breathing? To answer that, Kylee and I just continue the mantra "we're in no hurry."

For now, the goal is to continue to ween Shane off the support meds and equipment so he can smoothly transition to functioning on his own strength. Today the docs will try to get Shane breathing through the tube completely on his own, only giving him a little bit of pressure support from the ventilator at night. Additionally, they are going to switch from versed to choralhydrate to control his sedation (the choral doesn't weigh as heavy on his respiratory system and they want to move him away from possible versed dependence).

The need for a CT scan has almost completely evaporated, but he may need to receive formula through a tube to supply him with actual sustenance (right now, he's only on various IV fluids). The feeding tube, however, is contingent upon how long the breathing tube stays in—if it'll be in for a couple more days, he'll need the feeding tube—if not, he won't.

At this point "time is the best tincture" (as his nurse stated in a very old-timey way). More wait-and-see. Shaney's biggest struggle right now is the tough task of coughing all the junk out of his lungs. It's a rough process, but it needs to happen. He continues to play with his "get well" balloons, tugging at the string and watching them dance briefly before he falls back into an induced sleep.

Thanks to each and every one of you for the continued emails, texts, comments and visits. Please know that it means a TON to us and we are leaning hard on the support. Here are a couple pics of Shaney with Kylee and me...also one of him opening his eyes (he looks like he's uncomfortable, which he is, but he's mostly struggling to open his eyes).