Extubated!!

I don't know if you really care to know the minute-by-ICU minute updates on Patrick, but I thought I'd send a quick midday blip on how PK is progressing. When I arrived this morning, it was very evident that he had improved over night. He had begun to open his eyes and make small gestures when asked. After a few hours of positive improvement, his drs decided he was ready to be extubated. I asked him if he was ready, and he adamantly showed us a thumbs up! I then asked if I could kiss him and he puckered his lips around his breathing and feeding tubes. This, obviously, warned my heart, but also gave the drs a sure signal that he was indeed ready to breathe on his own!

So, he's been extubated, brought up out of his coma, and is now resting with a simple oxygen mask. He's still really drowsy, and not making great efforts to communicate, but all of this is to be expected, given the fact that he has been in a coma since early Sunday morning.

As the team was getting ready to remove his tubes, I could sense the active presence of your fervent prayers and love for us in that room. Several of my requests have been answered, in such a short time, for which I am so glad: he's out of his coma, he's breathing on his own, and the drs are forming some new conclusions as to why he has been deteriorating so quickly! Please continue to pray for their wisdom, and for his complete healing! We have no idea how he is doing neurologically yet, if we'll need to continue chemo, or if there will be any other deficiencies...but I suppose we'll mount each day's hurdle as it presents itself.

I feel like I witnessed a mini-miracle today....and anticipate many more to come over the next few days!

Thanks for faithfully coming alongside of us...