Day 7

Hi Everyone,

Great news!  He's doing so much better today!  They took the tube out of his nose this morning (which made him so happy).  They're still monitoring his stomach situation, so he's still on food restriction.  He can have a little bit of water if he has to take medicine in pill form, but nothing else by mouth.  He's still catheter-free and has full control of his "bathroom functions."  His spirits are much better, although he's reluctant to say it out loud.  He recognizes that he's doing better, but his measurement of "better" is more like having Arby's and a Coke or running laps around the hospital.  Once he's off food restriction, he'll have to ease back into food - starting with leafy greens, whole grains, etc.  No red meat to start and no citric acid.  Once his stomach starts getting used to solid food, he can start easing back into his crap food like Arby's.  

The doctors are all very pleased with his progress.  His vitals are steady and his strength tests are showing small improvements everyday.  The PT person came by today and did some leg and arm exercises in the bed.  They'll come back this afternoon and try to get him up in a walker for a small lap around the ICU (about 20 feet) and sit up in a chair for about an hour.  A respiratory therapist has come by everyday and made him blow into a machine to test his lung capacity.  With GBS, there is a strong possibility that the disease will affect his lungs/heart.  If that happens, they have to put him on a ventilator.  But he's been doing well on the breathing tests.  They become worried if his tests are 1 liter of air and below.  He's been blowing between 3.1 and 3.8, with only one 2.83 on Sunday.  He had a really hard time on Sunday because his stomach was so bloated/swollen that it was putting an unbelievable amount of pressure on his diaphragm which made it extremely difficult for him to blow hard enough to produce a good score.  But today, he blew a 3.28.  

The doctors have been saying that he will most likely be transferred out of ICU into a private room in the hospital today.  The head doctor will make that determination today after he comes by to see him.  They said they feel very confident that he'll be transferred to a rehab facility by the end of the week.  Great news!  The tough part for him will be to take his time during the PT/OT recovery.  If he pushes himself too hard, then he'll set himself back.  Fast is slow, slow is fast.  He isn't known so much for his patience, so he'll have to be disciplined!  I'm so glad - I believe the worst is behind him!

Thank you all so much for your continued support and well wishes.  It means so much to me (and to him).  It really gives you a new perspective and appreciation for what you have.  This disease could hit anyone at any time with no explanation.  They have not been able to determine the cause, and it's not even a disease so much as a syndrome, or a collection of different symptoms.  

I will continue the updates through Saturday - I fly back to Atlanta on Saturday night.  By then, he should be strong enough for phone calls, emails, etc.  We're trying to convince him to purchase a laptop so he can use it in the rehab facility.  

Thanks again for all your support, thoughts and prayers!!!

~ The Dymond Family