Update

Hey Ms. Henri--I've got some more progress to report. Justin is upgrading on his traech today. The one he has now has a 'cuff', acts like a balloon in there. The new one will be a "disposeable" traech which can be capped off for him to start speaking. If all goes well with it, he goes next week to another version which weins him completely off the traech. Will lots of praying and good reactions, he may be off the traech completely by 2 weeks from today.

Betty--yes we are getting your comments and appreciate them so much. Robyn and Brooke did drive back to Enterprise yesterday. Got in sometime after 7 AL time, ran into a wreck on Atlanta 85 but didn't put them too late getting in.

Mama Hen--Thank you so much for the information. We will definitely relay the information to all that have asked. In case you wonder, you come up alot as the motivation from Dothan and the "Mama" nurse that made our concerns less by knowing you were watching over our son. And when we express how highly recommended Shepherd was.

Justin fed himself lunch with the help of a few gadgets, well mainly one wrist band and a good nurse to offer up some suggestions (Charlie Brown---he named himself, his name is Charlie-the one we met first day on the floor and couldn't remember what he said his name was, now we can remember because he said "just think of Charlie Brown"-ha). While he seemed frustrated at first and tired, he had just come from 1 1/2 of PT and was hurting bad since he'd had no pain meds in 36 hours, he was determined to finish it himself.

He's in good spirits, upgrading on the traech, losing the catheter and peg line. We see him again after OT, around 3:30 or so but it's possible he may sleep for a while. He said he can't sleep at night for everyone coming in wanting something and can't sleep by day for PT/OT and not wanting to miss company--go figure!!

We'll keep posting and we know that you all will keep praying.