MONDAY---8/10

This was not your "blue" Monday.

THE TRAECH IS GONE!!!!! He skipped the button and they took the 'plug' part out. He's bandaged and has no traech. Day nurse Erica said she's been here 12 years and has only seen two other patients go from plug to nothing skipping the button part (yippee).

Of course, I think Justin is not the typical patient. Even Doc seemed a bit curious when Justin told him the electric thingee they use on his arm that is suppose to make his wrist go downward makes his wrist go upward and extends his fingers out. Doc said he would get with his OT Jenn and see what was up with that. Makes me a bit curious what Doc thinks for him to be wanting to ask Jenn what's that all about.

He did come back with a UTI yet they said it is a "bug" they can't identify so they have to wait for the culture to come back in order to determine what antibiotic or what form of treatment to put him on. Go figure, another one of those 'unusual' situations. Only Justin could keep everyone hopping over what's different about this fella??!!!

Medical conference basically said same thing we've been told--Doc asked what the other doctors and hospital told him. Explained the same thing about a complete injury versus an incomplete. Told Justin he would love nothing better than to see him walk out of here; advised Shepherd has to treat what they have now and if he doesn't need that training in 6 weeks, we can through out the window what we've been taught so far.

Doc is good for Justin--he's a jokester, prankster, upbeat kind of guy. Tells the medical like it is then says "hey, if that's what you believe, show me".

He said PT worked him (or he worked himself, wanted to push and see what he could do). OT had a temp today but he said that workout was a good one too. Between the two, they wore him out. TR forgot about him but Justin now has to be responsible for getting himself to the appropriate place at the appropriate time (ha)--he can leave his room without tracking devices going off hunting him down (lol). This is a good thing since he will have some extra company coming in Tuesday then again this weekend.

We managed to get his fingernails a bit more manicured and he said he felt like he was getting some sensation back in his left hand through all of his fingers. His spasms still get the best of him sometimes but he's doing super working through them.

Pulminary was impressed with him saying they typically like to see 1.5 and Justin gave them a 1.72 first night here. Justin said he felt like he could give them a 2.0 today and actually managed to give a 2.3---that's when they said, "yep, we'll skip the button and completely remove the traech".

He was in good spirits. Worked out hard, ate good and glad to be able to get out of his room.

I'm probably leaving out so much and will update again. Has been a busy, productive, good day.

Thank you all for continuing to pray, encourage and support.

Aunt Carol--we forgot to let him know about the fried corn bread. He said he's not big on bread but loves him some fried cornbread. I promised him if you did some more we would make sure he got it the night it got here (you asked what he wanted).

Ms. Lue--love you guys too! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

DE Sis said things went good for Ken---prayers again answered.

Ms. Henri---can't thank you enough!! Look forward to seeing you all soon, even though it will be busy, busy business---being home will be nice (though leaving him alone here will be hard).

To all of you, love you guys and appreciate you all!!