Dad's Progress 2

Happy New Year! And also a belated-Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc. to all.

Dad is looking very happy lately. He smiles a lot and tries to interact when we're with him. He isn't speaking much although he tries. The fits of anger don't seem to be as common if they even occur at all.

Laura and I went to see Dad when Laura was in town for Christmas. Laura hadn't been able to make it back for a while and when Dad saw her his eyes began to water. It was touching. Dad had a smile a mile wide. We hung out with Dad for a while that day.

On Christmas Day, Dad came home to spend the day. He had a good time opening presents and having a home-cooked meal. Laura & Linda and their families were in town for the holidays.

Andrew James was baptized on 29 December and we were able to have the ceremony at Dad's place, in the chapel. It was televised on the Home's CCTV network. As of this writing our ratings have yet to be determined. The pictures can be found here: AJL Baptism.

Dad's 73rd birthday is coming up on 12 January and we were supposed to be with him at Mom's house this past Sunday, but we all had some kind of 24-hour flu and we bagged our plans. We'll do it again very soon and I'll have an update at that time.

Dad got to meet Andrew James on Thanksgiving day. Of course, pictures of the momentous event are added in this space. It was fun having Dad home. We enjoyed a great meal and also loved seeing the hated Dallas Cowboys lose! Dad got to sit at the dining room table with us as I had help picking his wheelchair up the steps. It was just like old times.

Just today Mom said that Dad is more alert and happier. He is also moving his right leg, which he really hasn't done much of for a while. This thing has it's ups and downs and hopefully this up will last for a while.

Mom says when she goes to visit sometimes one of the older ladies will be in Dad's room hanging out with him. When Mom goes to take Dad for a stroll the ladies become angry! Recently when Dad's Marine Corp flag came up missing, they found it in one of the ladies' rooms. It's a desk top flag with a holder.

I'll update again real soon and definitely at Christmas. I added a lot pics and a video to the multimedia page.

Look out world, there are two Andrew James Lampe's in the world or at least in our little corner of it. I can't wait to capture the picture of Dad meeting/holding Andrew.

Mom went to see Dad today and physically he looks great. He is sitting back in his chair (his infection/sickness is cleared up so he's out of bed) and looks alert. He looks great but doesn't say much.

When Mom got off the elevator the first thing she heard was Dad giving one of the other residents hell. The older ladies really look after Dad and like to say hello and pat him on the head, etc. He's the youngest, most handsome guy in the place after all. I just hope somehow, someway that Dad takes it all in stride and maybe even that he's in oblivion. That he takes life as it comes but can't remember what happened an hour ago and therefore cannot be sad nor angry about it.

Dad is going to come home for Thanksgiving and that is probably when he and Andrew will have their first meeting.

Mom saw Dad today and said he looked really good. He was alert and happy. I'm excited about Baby Andrew's arrival tomorrow and can't wait to take him up to see Dad soon.

I went and saw Dad on Halloween. He was much better in terms of alertness. He was also pretty angry and agitated. That's the trade-off with the medicine. He's calm but droopy (and manageable) on the meds. Off the meds he's more "with it" but angry. We'll have to work on calming him down a little.

He was on an IV drip due to an infection, which was clearing up. He was in bed when I saw him and I took a few pics to post here.

Dad went to see the neurologist this morning with Mom. The doctor says there doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong with Dad. The shunt in his head is also working fine. The doctor thinks that the medication Dad takes to help him sleep and to also keep him calmed down is practically knocking him out. Dad was very droopy again in the chair today. They are going to back off the medication and find something else.

It's a tough situation in these nursing homes. The staff medicates the residents so they don't raise too much hell (as Dad can do!) but you also don't want your loved one to be knocked out and dazed all the time either. I've been frustrated that Dad is not doing any physical therapy lately. He was down in PT a lot more months ago. We need to figure this medication thing out and then get Dad back to PT.

He doesn't have any reflexes in his legs so it's unlikely he'll ever walk again but we can't let him wither away in that place either.

Dad's been pretty quiet for the past few weeks. Mom is taking him to the neurologist tomorrow morning to see if they can detect anything. Dad sits in his chair in the hallway or in his room and simply stares at down at the floor. Again, he's really been this down only for the past few weeks. Hopefully there is something going on that they can fix or adjust with medicine.

I took my daughters to see Dad today during lunch. He'll crack the slightest smile when one of the kids comes up to him saying, "Grandpa" or when I try to encourage him to sit up in his chair, etc. But what it looks like is that he's kind of withdrawn deeper into himself and his world. He did not raise his head very much today and we had to crouch down to make eye contact.

It was only 2-3 weeks ago that Dad was in the men's group meeting. At that meeting the topic was about mentors. When they got to Dad and asked who was his mentor he said, "Mary." This is Sister Mary Rosalie who took Dad under her wing and encouraged him to enter media and public speaking (back in Pittsburgh in the 40/50's). I'll have to check this story with Mom but basically Sister Rosalie helped Dad get a few early jobs, helped him succeed in school and ultimately enroll at Northwestern University in public speaking.

I went to see Dad just yesterday and we had a nice visit. Today Mom asked Dad about my visit and Dad said, "Oh, that Jim, he's a fun guy!"

Dad has been doing OK lately. Nothing much different be it good or bad. He continues to not remember a whole lot except at certain times and about certain things. I think every time I tell him he has a new grandson named Andrew James Lampe coming in November it's a bit of a surprise. In a weird way there is almost something good about that.

Dad was causing a commotion in the men's group meeting few weeks back. Mom went to the next meeting with Dad to investigate. The guys were talking about WWII and while one of the guys went on and on apparently Dad lost his cool and all but yelled for the guy to shut up! Anyone who knows Dad knows he doesn't put up with too much malarkey. It was funny because the guy stopped talking and nicely (but seriously) asked my Mom, "is he ok?"

Mom brings in the AASHTO Journal for Dad and he catches a name or a face he recognizes.

Dad came home for dinner last night. Mom made meatballs and rice which is one of Dad's (and my) favorites. We watched some old home movies from past holidays and also the video from my wedding in 1999. I picked Dad to be my best man and he made one hell of a toast.

He is doing OK and remains about the same as he's been over the last 6 months or so. He really wants to get up out of his chair and we practiced it a few times. He can't get too far however.

Mom says the whole way home the cab driver was yacking away and finally as they neared the house, Dad let the guy have it! Apparently the guy was really getting on Dad's nerves.

Dad gets mad during some of the group meetings with the other folks on his ward. You see Dad is about the youngest, best looking guy on the floor and the older ladies like to do things for him like get him drinks, etc. For some reason the attention gets Dad edgy. Go figure!

Dad is doing pretty well. Not much has changed over the last few weeks. He did have a CAT Scan while Mom was in the hospital and it looked good. It looked good because there was no change from the scan he had a while back. That means the shunt is doing it's job.

It's amazing to speak with Dad on the phone. On the phone you can obviously only rely on one sense so you really use your hearing intently. Dad does fairly well and carrying a quick conversation.

I took the kids to see Dad last weekend and then we had dinner with Grandma. I added some new pictures. We'll be bringing Dad home for a visit soon.

Happy belated Fourth of July to everyone! It's been a pretty busy couple of weeks between work and the holiday.

Mom came home from the hospital on 29 June and is doing great. Just tonight I took the kids up to see her to say hello. We'll all stop by and see Dad this weekend. Carolyn (Laura's daughter from CO) stayed with us the last two weeks and Linda was here (stayed at Mom's) over the last two weeks as well with her kids. Mom is recovering nicely and even taking care of herself, changing her own dressings in the mirror, etc. I guess it's hard for an old nurse to let someone else come in and help ("old" meaning experienced, of course!).

Dad is doing fine. There is simply not much change in him compared to the last couple of months. He seems happy and content when we're there and all the folks on his ward know him and also us when we come to visit. When I go there now I take my kids around to say hello to some of them and the staff are wonderful. Mom and I wonder what the outcome of all this will be. Will Dad be in this state and place for the next 20 years? Longer? All we can do is just keep visiting him, encouraging him and most important, loving him.

Mom had her third surgery yesterday and all is well. She hopes to be coming home in 5-6 days (possibly).

My family and I went to see Dad yesterday for an early Father's Day visit. We spent some time up on his floor and in his room and then headed out into the beautiful sunshine. Dad's home borders a golf course in Rockville, MD and there are some beautiful places to relax on park benches and look out over the course. That's where some of the pictures in this update are shot.

Dad was very pleased when I told him I was having a son and naming him Andrew James. I have a photo of Dad looking at the ultrasound picture. It was a nice visit.

Mom is also doing fine. She has her third surgery tomorrow. Linda is in town with her family for a couple of weeks to help out.

Mom had her second skin graft surgery today and it too went well. She has a lot of healing to do now so she'll have to remain in the hospital for at least another week. There were rumblings that she could possibly go home on Monday but that hope was extinguished today. The risk of infection is too great if she were to go home early.

I haven't seen Dad since the weekend but he was doing alright. My parent's neighbors have been over there to see him and take care of his laundry (it can get lost if the home does it) and for that we are grateful! I have some new pictures below of Dad from last weekend as he ate lunch with his pal Chuck.

I'll have some big news for Dad when I see him this Saturday. We found out that the baby we're expecting in November is a boy! I'm going to name him Andrew James Lampe. Now before Dad gets a big head about this I must admit I'm naming the baby after my brother. You see I had a brother who died a few days after birth who would be in his early 40's now. I'm only 34 so I never even knew about this until I was in my teens. His name was Andrew James Lampe and he was also the older brother to both of my sisters. I decided when Mona was pregnant with Gina (and Mona liked the idea, thankfully) that if we ever had a son I would name him after my brother. I can't wait to tell Dad.

Mom had her first of two skin graft surgeries today. It turns out her burns are more like 3rd degree than 2nd degree. She will have one more surgery in about a week. Mom will probably be in there about 3 weeks. Her blood pressure is back up and she feels OK other than the obvious pain from the surgery and injury. I'll stop in and see her tomorrow afternoon.

Over the weekend Mom lost a battle with a pot of boiling water. She got burned pretty bad on her torso but went to bed thinking it would be OK. When she woke up on Saturday she knew things were not OK and called a neighbor to take her to the emergency room. Mom could not even stand by herself and later her blood pressure registered at 70/40. Overnight the burns "wept" and left her dehydrated. She arrived at Shady Grove Hospital where they decided to transfer Mom to the Burn Center at The Washington Hospital Center in northwest DC. They flew her by Med-Evac chopper because they were concerned about the blood pressure and traffic. This was on Saturday.

I was camping all weekend so I got the news via voicemail from Mom's neighbor as soon as I emerged from the woods and checked messages on Sunday. We went and saw Mom on Sunday night.

Mom is doing pretty well all things considered. She is in a room at The Washington Hospital Center where she could be for 3 weeks. She suffered 2nd degree burns on 14% of her body. They have her on pain medication of course so she's not suffering but she is a little woozy as the blood pressure is still getting back up to normal.

I went to tell Dad today what happened and it's hard to know if he understood. We called the phone in Mom's room and Dad had a chat with her. I programmed one of the speed dial buttons on Dad's phone with Mom's number. After some confusion I decided to program all 6 buttons with her number. We practiced many times and it was fun for everyone, including a bored Mom.

We have some wonderful neighbors who will look after Mom's cat and plants. They will also help out with Dad's laundry every few days or so.

I have a picture of Mom (of course, right?) but have hidden her with some flowers (only way she'd let me post the picture). I also have one of Dad from today as he spoke with Mom.

My new job has kept me busier (as Dad liked to say) than a "one-legged man at an ass-kicking contest." Sorry for the lack of updates.

Things have been relatively quiet over the last month or so. Dad is definitely improving mentally and seems to interact more with others. He is on his way back to where he was before the downturn a few months back. He is not however very active in physical therapy but I'll take the mental improvement for now.

His CAT Scan came back and showed no changes in his brain compared to scan after his accident. So there is no evidence of strokes and his shunt seems to be doing the job.

I went with Mom to see Dad over the weekend and took some new pictures. Also, there is another new update below from 29 April (in case you haven't checked in since before I entered it).

The new job has me pretty busy these days and on the road. Sorry for the lack of updates recently.

Dad is doing better as of a week ago. They lowered some of his medication and he seems to be snapping out of the funk in which he struggled. He is smiling a little more but still isn't speaking like he used to (2-3 months ago). He did finally show some interest in physical therapy the other day and kicked a ball very lightly.

Last week, Dad was actually at hospital for the MRI and a technician caught something at the last minute. Dad has metal in his ear from some ear surgeries years ago. They had to send him back without a scan. Dad was very excited about getting to ride over to the hospital.

We're waiting now for a CAT scan to be scheduled. The whole idea is to see if there are any new abnormalities in Dad's head and if they can be corrected. Of course we're hoping Dad hasn't had a stroke or strokes.

Dad will come home a week from Sunday for Mother's Day and I'll get some good pictures to post here.

Dad came home on Easter Sunday for a visit. This time I went to the home to get him and ride to-and-from with him in the cab. We also had a progress meeting with about 12 home staff just yesterday.

It seems like Dad has gone downhill somewhat over the last 2 weeks. He is very uninterested in doing any of the physical therapy. He also seems very tired overall. Dad also gets very, very agitated and angry. Anyone who knows my Dad always knew he didn't put up with any crap and would let you know it. The way he's acting is a very magnified version of his former self (in that regard).

In the meeting the staff went over the many medicines Dad is currently taking. They also suggested a few possible reasons why Dad's attitude has changed for the worse lately. One theory is that the shunt that was inserted into Dad's head to ease the pressure from spinal fluid is causing a problem. Maybe it's not draining, etc. The other theory is that Dad might be having a series of small strokes. Of course the former theory is a lot better than the latter.

I'll keep you posted in this space as always. Dad will have as CAT scan soon and then a visit to a neurologist.

My Mom has been tossing around the idea of moving into a condo or something like that so that when Dad leaves the National Lutheran Home he can live in a one-level place. Mom mentioned this to Dad a few times and the other day when Mom was with Dad she felt some papers under his shirt. She pulled them out and they were torn pages and pieces of newspaper from the real estate section of the Washington Post related to apartments and condos. He asked Mom to, "start a folder."

Dad and I were visiting last week and he was talking about his sister Valetta (I hope I have that right). Valetta died many years ago. Thinking Dad was thinking about another time I asked him his age. He said, "42." I asked, "when is your birthday" and he replied, "January 12th." That is the correct date of course. I then asked, "what year" to which he replied, "every year!"

Dad continues to work out in the parachute device that allows him to simulate walking without bearing any weight. He is putting one foot in front of the other. The speech therapist says Dad is improving. She said he is improving more than anyone thought he would.

Dad is coming home for another visit on Tuesday of next week so that will be fun.

Oh yeah, one more thing. I mentioned that I'm changing jobs. Dad pulled out ads from the ITE Journal and other trade publications from the companies I'll be representing in my new position. So he's definitely aware of what we tell him. Mom said he sometimes points to his head and says something like it's not working or he expresses frustration. Lord only knows how frustrating it must be. I think Dad is at least happy in his current world.

I spoke to Dad last night on the phone and the conversation seemed almost normal. I had some big news for him that I'm changing jobs and going back to the traffic/transportation industry. Also that's one reason I've been a little busy lately.

Dad asked me specific questions about where I'll be working, how much is the pay, wishing me congratulations, etc. It was a very normal conversation. Only at the end did he ask, "how's school going?" When he asks a question like that though (for now anyway) you just play along.

They hooked Dad up to some kind of parachute harness and he actually walked for the first time recently. He walked around the entire physical therapy room. The device is supporting his weight but he is moving one foot in front of the other.

He has also been a little angry too. He's more and more aware of where he is and he's even used the word "prison" to my Mom to describe it. All he has to do is get this walking thing down a little more and he can come home. He just can't seem to understand it still why when we leave after visiting him, he's not able to come home with us.

We're bringing Dad home this Sunday (the 27th) so I'll update this space with pictures after the visit.

Dad is doing absolutely awesome! He is really kicking butt in physical therapy, he's eating well and really trying to communicate. He is coming back to us so much that he asks Mom if he should see a psychiatrist because he knows his head isn't all the way right. I shouldn't play this up too much as he still has a long way to go but there seems to be progress.

He is having a great time hanging out on the unit with the other folks on his floor. He seldom stays in his room anymore preferring the company of the octogenarians outside. Yes, Dad is the kid on the unit at 72.

In physical therapy Dad has a big smile on his face. The head therapist (no pun intended!) says Dad has improved quite a bit in the last month. He's doing a great job on the little bike/pedal device.

We brought Dad home again to celebrate his birthday on 15 January (his birthday was 12 January). The link to the pictures is below. Dad hung out in the recliner and we hung out for a while watching football. Then it was time for dinner and Dad to take his rightful place at the head of the table. We had to lift the wheelchair up the stairs to get there. Dad cleared his plate! We then had birthday cake and he loved that too.

It was tough again however when it was time to go. He doesn't understand why he has to go back to the National Lutheran Home. He pleaded with Mom to let him sleep on the couch. We try to tell him that Mom can't take care of him until he can move around by himself better. It was tough!

After being back at the nursing home for a day or two though Dad was back to his happy self.

NOTE: This picture link below will take you to a new multimedia page. I had to start a new one as the original was getting too long. Once at the new photo page, you can go back to the old one using the link at the top

We took some sparkling cider and glasses and had a New Year's Eve toast with Dad.

It's been a fun week. Dad regularly answers the phone in his room (when it's left close to the bed) and you can have a quick chat with him. Not much of it makes sense but it's nice to speak and get Dad's responses. He is wheeling himself all over the place at the nursing home and even tells some of the nice old ladies to "get out of the way!"

The other day Dad stood up for the first time. He had the help of three physical therapists but it was a first. When he sat back down he smiled at Mom and said something like, "I did good, huh?"

We're going to bring Dad home again for a visit on 15 January to celebrate his birthday. His birthday is 12 January.

Dad came home today for the first time in 215 days! It was a 4-hour visit and it was wonderful! The best Christmas present we could ask for. Thank God and thank you for all your prayers, without them this day may not ever have happened.

Dad got to sit in his recliner and watch a little TV. He chatted a little but was also very tired. He slept for a period of time. It was very sad at the end of the visit. Dad did not want to leave and could not understand why he had to go back. It was a tearful moment for us all as we tried to explain to him how he was not yet ready to move back for good. That he must regain some movement of his legs, etc. We told him he was getting close and not to worry. He said something like, "I want to live here."

Merry (belated) Christmas!! We hope everyone enjoyed/is enjoying the holidays! What a great time of the year. I remember back in 1995 Dad and I were on our way out to Pasadena, CA about this time for the Northwestern/USC Rose Bowl. If you're a football fan that has to be location number two (behind Lambeau Field) to witness the greatest game ever invented. OK, enough about football...

We went to see Dad on Christmas Eve and Mom went again with Laura on Christmas Day. I went with Mona and the kids to visit Mona's family in Harrisonburg and Roanoke, VA.

Dad opened his presents and seemed to be having a great time. It was hard to converse with him because we had all the noisy kids in the room so I stayed a few minutes after they left to speak with Dad. We went through a few things and as I left he said, "thanks for the man talk." Funny!

Today we're going to the National Lutheran Home where Dad will ride in a van and actually get to come home for a few hours!! I'll head up there soon to get some good pics and I'll post them here maybe later today.

Dad is doing great. He talks and talks and talks. Still only making sense some of the time but he's getting there. He will answer questions pretty well and even tell you what time it is on the clock. Then he'll go off discussing flying from St. Louis to Indianapolis so he can sign up for the sheet. I'll say, "what sheet?" "Magic man" is his answer. He also told me a few weeks ago he hated being called "junior." We think maybe he was called that in his childhood as he is a junior "Andrew" although technically his middle name differs from his late father's. He is starting to wheel himself down the hall just a little. He went up to the nurse's desk and asked, "have you got any planes coming in tonight?" Over the last few days he's been discussing making forecast and budgets, etc.

Some of this might sound sad but we definitely don't see it that way. The way I look at it is Dad is in a world that keeps him busy. He doesn't seem to be discussing anything painful just flying and stuff like that. His brain could be firing off at 100mph with memories from all over his life for all we know.

Dad has been doing well in physical therapy and even makes faces at the therapist when she's not looking. He carries a decent phone conversation too sometimes answering it himself.

We're going to see Dad tomorrow (Christmas Eve). I'll get some new pictures and post them here and details of how Dad's Christmas goes.

I had the first meaningful conversation with Dad since his accident! His chats aren't long-winded mind you and he drifts off into oblivion every now and then but he is steadily improving. I walked in and he said, "hello." I offered a few salutations to him and he responded. I said, "Dad, I've been waiting to communicate with you for 6 months, this is great!" He said, "I've been trying to communicate too" and we both had tears in our eyes. His voice is still fairly weak but much stronger than it has been. I have a feeling that the last trip to ICU might literally have knocked some sense into him. It could also be that he was heading this way all along but got sidetracked by the pneumonia and dehydration. He is on the feeding tube so he is getting nourishment and liquids.

They are going to begin therapy again, I think today. He has been back up in a chair and will begin eating "pleasure foods" as they call them. This time around we don't mind that he's on the feeding tube because it is keeping his energy up. He can eat but heck, I think we should keep him on the tube for a while longer so he can concentrate on speaking, etc.

I asked him where he was from and he hollered, "Pittsburgh!" I was asking him about Central Catholic High School where I thought he went and he corrected me, "North Catholic." He told me it was an all boy school and when Mom and I asked him when he graduated he said, "1951!"

We got John Wever on the phone to speak with Dad last Friday and Dad seemed to love it. Thanks John! We also called Laura and Linda on Monday and they both spoke with Dad. They would tell him something and Dad would respond, "OK honey."

I showed Dad the family picture book again. The book has pics and the names of the people pictured. Dad was reading the names!!! He wasn't reading from the faces but the names themselves because on one page he read 5 names in the order they're printed on the page.

Dad asked Mom the other day when he can go home! I have to leave town today until Friday but I can't wait to get back up there to chat with him some more!

Dad was doing better today. He opened his eyes every now and then and sometimes for a minute or two. He looks like he's really sleepy and has trouble staying awake. He is not being sedated anymore but his brain is slow to recover from all the recent excitement.

We tried a few things to get a reaction out of him and he actually laughed and smiled. I thought he laughed better than he had in the last month. I'm hoping that he was a little sick, dehydrated, whatever (during the days leading up to this latest trip to ICU) and that's what was keeping him "bummed out." Maybe when he goes back to the National Lutheran Home he'll be feeling better and more willing to work his butt off to recover. He could possibly go back to the home tomorrow. All of the tests on his brain appear normal too, by the way.

John and Meredith Roos (and dog Harris) came by to visit Dad in ICU and then came back to Mom's house for a while where I met them. Thanks for stopping by, it was a pleasure to meet you folks. John was Dad's roommate during flight training in the 50's. They trained at Pensacola as well as Quantico (VA) .

This second trip to ICU has been tough for Mom and the rest of us, no doubt about it. Dad has been through so much and still has the pneumonia in both lungs. He was in decent spirits today (all things considered of course) so that's got us feeling better about him getting through this phase and back to the home where he can continue his road to recovery. Wherever that road may lead.

By the way, there were some wireless network issues to get through but Mom uninstalled the AOL and is working with her new email address exclusively (mmlampern@comcast.net) . Please make a note of it.

Over the last few days he has been unconscious but also heavily sedated. They are keeping him sedated because if he wakes up he'll be pretty uncomfortable. Dad was on a ventilator until today, when they took him off. He is now on a small oxygen machine that aids his breathing, but it does not actually breath for him like the ventilator.

They could not even move Dad until yesterday because his blood pressure was so low. When they did move him his blood pressure would drop to almost zero. I don't know how actually close to zero it got but that's how Mom characterized it to me.

Dad had an EKG today and his heart looks good. He also had a CAT Scan and his brain looks good and so does the shunt. His brain is chronically swollen but it's a result of his injury nearly 6 months ago.

It looks like Dad will be moved to a different ward (out of ICU) soon and then eventually back to the National Lutheran Home.

Very late last night and into the early hours of this morning (12 Nov) Dad was taken to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, MD. He was in respiratory distress. When he got to the hospital he had a temperature of 105°. He was dehydrated and had a high sodium level. He also has pneumonia again.

Later in the morning/afternoon Dad's temperature was down to between 99°-100°. Dad is being sedated so he's been basically asleep throughout last night and today. He's in the Intensive Care Unit and will most likely be there for a few days. Mom wants him to have a CAT scan to check on the shunt they inserted in Dad's head a while back to drain the fluid on his brain (that could be a cause for infection). I'll post news here as soon as we get it.

Also Mom's new email address is mmlampern@comcast.net. She has finally joined the world of high speed internet. I set up a wireless network in Mom and Dad's house so when Dad comes home he'll be able to sit back in his easy chair and surf the net and read all the emails we've saved for him.

First of all, I'm sorry to all concerned with Dad's progress that it's been so long since this space was last updated. Hang on...I have to see where I left off last time.

Dad is now at the National Lutheran Home. It's a wonderful place. It really is. The people are so nice and there are a lot of nice retired folks hanging around. Dad is on the 3rd floor of the Maryland ward. The 3rd floor is where the folks need the most care. As you go down to the 2nd and then 1st floor, people look to be in better shape.

They have a big chapel, a few dining halls, big activity room where there is always something to do or see, a gift shop and general store with prices that resemble the early 90's. There is a barber shop, beauty salon and a lot of room to move around. The setting outside is beautiful and located along a golf course. I love to take Dad out during these last few warm days we've been having and help him get some sunshine.

Dad speaks a lot. Sometimes very softly and sometimes loud. But 95% of what comes out of his mouth doesn't make much sense. Every now and then you get some real words. Especially when he's mad. He does repeat words sometimes.

On Sunday a priest came into Dad's room to give him communion and Dad made an attempt to cross himself. I brought in the Washington Post and he scanned the entire page before looking at me to turn it for him. I asked him if he was reading the words and he angrily said, "yes!"

He gets a lot of physical and other types of therapy. He still seems to be a long way from actually walking but acts like he wants to get up out of his chair. All of his food comes through his mouth and the feeding tube is being removed this week. He gets to take a car/van ride somewhere this week to have the tube removed and have some tests run.

Mom is doing fine, all things considered. I'll see Dad again on Wednesday and Friday. I convinced Mom to have high speed cable internet access installed in the house. I'll be with her Friday for a little while to help out getting it set up. Her new address will be (something)@comcast.net. Once we get her signed up I'll post her address here.

Take a look at some pictures from the last few weeks. I had to use an old fashioned 35mm camera on Dad's first day at the new place so once I get them developed I'll scan them in here.

Mom and Dad celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary this Saturday, 13 November. They were married at Glenview Naval Air Station in Chicago in 1960 where Mom was a Navy nurse and Dad was a Marine pilot.

Today Mom and I visited The National Lutheran Home (www.nlha.com) in Rockville. Dad will be transferred there in about a week. The new facility is much closer to Mom and Dad's house which is also in Rockville. It will take Mom just a few minutes to get there now and she won't have to battle The Beltway.

I saw Dad on the 13th. Mom was under the weather so I went in to attend a "care meeting" where Dad's progress is discussed. Dad is making good strides. About 70% of the nourishment Dad receives is via his own mouth. He is only on the feeding tube at night usually to keep up his caloric intake. Dad went into this ordeal weighing about 245lbs. (conservative estimate but who am I to talk?) He now weighs 213lbs. No one is too concerned because he is supposed to be about 185lbs. for his height. Who the heck do they write that chart for anyway??

I hung out with Dad for a while and wheeled him around the home. It was the first time I had seen Dad dressed in something other than his hospital gown. Take a look at the pictures (Click here for new pictures), he looks great!

Dad is still talking quite a bit but not making much sense. He even got agitated at me after I was pushing (asking questions, etc.) him a little. I asked, "I'll bet you'd like to punch me in the mouth?" He made a fist and scowled a little. It wasn't as nasty as it sounds but there will be times (especially after a traumatic brain injury) when Dad may not be his old self. He might just be downright nasty as happens with a lot of TBI patients. We have to be prepared for anything.

We'll probably move Dad to the new place a week from tomorrow. He'll be on the 3rd floor in the Virginia ward. This is the "Heavy Physical Care Unit" where patients needing the most care reside. The goal is to slowly get Dad to the 2nd floor, then the 1st floor, then home. The place has a huge cafeteria, gift shop, big chapel, rustic surroundings, etc. It's a really nice, comfortable place.

Thank God Mom and Dad did some good planning regarding investments, etc. Medicare is up on the 17th and we're now footing the entire bill from here on out. I'm not writing this to draw sympathy. I'm writing this to give my opinion that if you're getting up in the years, long term disability insurance is not a bad idea. Now Dad had a freak accident so it's a little different. Mom now has LTD insurance in case something happens to her. Just a thought.

"I'm going to the office!" That's what Dad told one of the nurses as he tried to maneuver himself out of bed yesterday. As a result Dad got a new bed today. One that sits lower to the ground so if he does decide to put his feet over the side he has a higher probability of success.

Mom said Dad did a lot of talking yesterday. And his voice is louder too. He doesn't make very much sense most of the time but he is talking a lot. They put the phone on Dad's bed yesterday and when Mom called he answered the phone, "Andrew J. Lampe." It's just amazing how Dad continues to improve.

I went to see Dad on Saturday, 2 October and took him outside. We had a great time. I also watched him eat real food! Dad has a great guy taking care of him named Martin. Martin is from a small country in Western Africa and was a doctor before coming to the US. He's taken a nursing job because he must go through most of the medical training all over again. Click here to see pictures of Martin feeding Dad and also pictures of Dad outside.

My Mom & Dad's neighbors, The Schaefer's (hope I'm spelling that right!) and their son Cameron stopped by as did the Reads (Linda's in-laws from Ohio). We really appreciate the visitors and so does Dad!

I brought in a print version of the website and Dad seemed to be going through it. Before leaving I was asking Dad some questions. I then asked him to show me how to salute. He did as you'll see in the pictures. I asked without gesturing so he obviously understood me.

I'll be back to see Dad on Saturday along with my daughters, Gina and Allison and our dog Bud. Also Linda is coming to town again for the weekend.

It keeps getting better! Today Dad ate a full lunch! He ate chicken, lima beans, corn and bread. He shoved a whole piece of bread in his mouth, then seem to forget what to do next...but he was hungry!

It gets better. On Sunday, Mom took Dad outside for the first time since his fall. He went into the courtyard of the Manor Care facility. He looked around and pointed at things. He started talking but it was hard to understand him. Mom put his hat on his head and they hung out there for a while. Now we'll be taking Dad out all the time.

His chest x-ray came back and for the first time since June it was completely clear.

Dad ate on his own today for the first time in 120 days!! He ate a cracker and some fruit cocktail. He even used the spoon himself for a couple of bites and then chugged a cup of juice. It must have been good! They had to remind him to chew and swallow at times and it was slow, but it's a beginning.

I'm back on the road for a week (have to leave Saturday!) but I'll keep tabs through Mom and update this space if anything happens.

Dad decided last night he needed a change of pace. He took out his trach tube and they had to send him back to Suburban hospital. Mom got the call about 1:30am and she went there to be with him. As it turns out, they decided that Dad was well enough to not need the trach tube anymore so they left it out. Dad is back at the nursing home resting comfortably.

Mom went to see him today and said his color looks better and he is speaking a little louder. Without the trach tube of course all his air is coming back up through his mouth so we knew he would be louder once the trach was removed. He was tired today but smiled a lot and told Mom he loved her.

We're excited because this is another step towards getting him home. Dad may be transferred to the National Lutheran Home near Rockville and closer to Mom, by the way. We've been working on this for a while and it may finally happen in October. It'll be a lot closer for Mom and she won't have to battle the Beltway to go see him. Hopefully by then or soon thereafter, Dad will come home.

Dad was kind of sleepy today. With Tropical Strom Ivan rolling through the area it's rather humid and that may sort of suck the energy out of Dad.

I brought in the video from Aunt Helen's memorial service in Sinton, TX. Linda and I made the trip down there last week and I returned Sunday. I took a lot of pictures and recorded the service for Dad.

There was some big news a few days ago. Dad passed the swallow test!!! That means that the therapist gave Dad some yogurt but also some dye and had him swallow some of it. The test is to see whether or not it comes out through the trach tube or if Dad actually swallows it. He did!! This is just one step closer to Dad leaning how to eat again.

I was showing Dad some photos on my laptop and he was trying to advance the picture but clicking the buttons. He was also having some fun trying to write on an index card (see photo link below).

The other day Dad also used his feet to move his chair across the room a few feet. He leaned down and picked up a bag that my Mom brought in. He fumbled with the zipper and successfully opened the bag and began rooting around in it! These are all small victories.

He is still not talking much, if at all, and is still kind of in his own world. He does smile on command sometimes and definitely knows what we're saying (also, sometimes).

Little by little Dad is coming back to us. In fact, it's hard to know if he's more "with it" than his body will allow him to demonstrate. Dad is still confined to a bed/chair and is still in isolation because of the MRSA. He's battled a couple of infections over the 3-4 weeks or so which have interfered with any serious plan to remove his trach and get him mobile. He is just finishing up some antibiotics now and we're hopeful that soon, finally, Dad will be able to sit in a wheel chair and cruise down the hall out to the fresh air. His first fresh air in over 100 days.

The speech therapist comes in to work with Dad and we speak with him when we're there. Mom goes to see Dad everyday. Today Mom had to give Dad the news that his sister, (Aunt) Helen Maxwell of Sinton, TX passed away over the weekend. Helen lived alone in her beloved TX with a few friends to look out for her. Dad helped take care of Helen (from afar) and visited her when he could. Helen took care of Dad when he was young. Dad cried when Mom gave him the news and said very quietly, "no, Helen."

Over the last few weeks we've been working with Dad to teach him to begin the process of getting up out of a chair. He is doing great at leaning forward as if he is about to get up. This is crude but vintage Andy Lampe...a couple of weeks ago Dad leaned forward, looked at the bathroom and said, "I have to take a dump!" You must remember Dad is still speaking very quietly and only making sense about 15% of the time. Anything that he says that brings out who he is we relish.

Our whole family was in this past weekend. Laura brought her family from Denver and Linda from Akron. Dad may have been a bit overwhelmed but probably loved seeing everyone. Linda's husband Bob was playing catch with Dad with a small ball and Dad was actually throwing it back to him (overhand). Then he (Dad) got angry when he wanted to quit and Bob wanted to keep going. Again, any emotion from Dad is great!

No big update for today. I did however find an email Dad sent out last November and thought you'd like to read it:

Relatives, longtime, and some short-time friends:

Mona and Andrew made it to a 43 year anniversary yesterday, that began November 13, 1960. At least 3 addressees were at the wedding, and some with their, including a Goddaughter of mine. I t was a joy to have them at the wedding and that they are this list today.

If the next 43 can be as great as the first 43, this old Andrew, grew to be a decent guy. It was, and is, all due to Mona being so great, understanding, gentle, caring, loving, religious, and believing, etc., etc., etc.

I hope I can figure out on the computer how to send you two photos taken last evening. Two, because I could not figure out how to make the remote, timed photo taken, so we could both be on the same photo. I will next time.

If you ever want to see what is happening in our family, go to www.Lampes.org . You will see Jim Lampe's family web site. He includes a section on the rest of us, including Mona and Andy on a trip to Russia last May.

Here are the pictures Dad included in that email. Please click to see them full size

It's easy for time to slip away! Dad's health is fine and they are slowly weaning him off the oxygen machine. They also will take a culture tomorrow to see if the MRSA is gone or at least to a point where Dad doesn't have to be isolated anymore. When that is the case then Dad can hit the wheelchair and go outside in the sun for the first time in 85 days! We think the ability to move around and have all that new visual/auditory stimulation will catalyze the next phases of his recovery.

His voice is getting better but still very quiet. He moves his lips a lot and we're still not sure if he trying to speak or just rambling. I've wallpapered the room next to his bed with 8x10 photos printed from my computer at home. They are pictures of Dad and also family members. I also made a book with about 24 pictures (8x10s) and printed the names of the faces on each picture so Dad can see the name and the face together. Also the speech therapist can use the book with Dad. Dad looks often at the book and at the pictures on the wall. I also bought one of those wall maps of the world and put that in his room (click here for new pictures).

Dad is responding to what we say, sometimes. The other day Mom asked Dad if he wanted to grab a cup of water she held and take a drink. Dad replied, "I don't care to." I have that on tape. I've begun to get a little more tough with Dad by making him speak louder when he talks, etc. I asked him, "Dad, speak up! Aren't you a sesquipedalian?" He angrily said, "I think so!"

Update- Mom just called to say that she brought in the Washington Post for Dad today and he is looking at it. His eyes wander around the page and Mom said, "are you reading it?" Dad replied, "I'm reading it a lot more than you!" That's an old joke that Dad used to say Mom didn't read the paper enough. We think he's just looking at the pictures but who knows, maybe he is reading!

Today I took my whole gang up to see their Grandpa! It was the first time they had seen him since Dad's accident, 72 days ago. He was happy to see everyone and Mom said she could tell he was really satisfied and content by our visit. We even took Bud, our small Bichon Frise dog. Dad loves Bud, a sentiment Bud reciprocates anytime his tongue gets near Dad's face.

There were some interesting moments today. When we were about to leave Dad asked me where I was staying tonight! That was pretty wild. Then when I told Dad I would see him tomorrow he asked, "what time?" You need to understand that these seemingly normal questions demonstrate that he hears, understands and can think through a response to questions. There were plenty of times when he rambled. Now he may actually be telling us something but if he is we just can't understand him most of the time. We have to turn off his oxygen machine (which we can do in short spurts) and listen real close. We'll hear bits and pieces.

Dad was interested in a old picture of his dear friends Ray Barnhart and Les Lamm at the dedication of the Turner-Fairbank Research Center in VA back in 1983. Dad attended the ceremony and it was featured in this month's FHWA magazine (I believe it was in a story on Reagan and his funding of the center).

Dad's health seems to be good. I updated the photo page (click here for today's pictures) and you'll notice we're not wearing masks. The nurses say the MRSA might be at a point soon (maybe a week or so) where Dad will be allowed to leave his room and take a wheelchair ride down the hall to the beautiful courtyard. That will be incredible!

I do have to clarify something I wrote the other day. Dad indeed was sitting on the edge of the bed but it was for about 20 seconds, not minutes. Well, we have something to shoot for!

We got back from vacation and then I had to go back out on the road for a business trip. Greetings from Logan airport, by the way. I'll get back home tonight and will see Dad tomorrow. I'll also try to not go more than 5-10 days between updates for all you avid Andy Lampe fans.

It's been kind of slow and quiet since I last wrote in this space. Dad is doing some new things like sitting on the edge of the bed with his feet on the floor for 20 minutes at a time. He talks a lot but you can only pick up certain words. Some things he says makes sense and other times he seems to sort of mumble. It's hard to know if he's rambling on or if he knows exactly what he's saying.

He apologized to Mom just yesterday by saying, "I apologize." Mom thinks he was saying sorry for getting myself into this mess. It's hard to say.

The therapy continues and soon they will test Dad to see if he is swallowing properly. Once he can swallow he can have some water and then learn to eat again. I know he'll love that! The feeding tube has to be a little boring by this point.

Greetings from high atop Breckenridge, CO. Mom and Dad were supposed to be here with us for part of the time.

I check in with Mom daily. She says there continues to be quiet, somewhat bad days and awesome days. Yesterday, Dad looked like the Pope or a king in his chair. People would walk by the door and say, "hello Andy." Someone asked Dad how he was doing and Mom said he replied, "fantastic!" Dad is already popular!

The therapists are working with him everyday. The other day, before we left for CO, Dad was catching a balloon floated to him from across the room. He followed it with his eyes then positioned his hands to not only catch it but to prepare for it to bounce off his chest, then catch it. They also have him sitting on the edge of his bed now.

Mom brought Jenny the cat in to see Dad the other day. Click here to see pictures on the other page. There was a bit of excitement when Jenny discovered a way to get into the wall and behind the tub for the adjacent bathroom. You have to see the pics! She finally came out about an hour later.

"Hi" and "Are you driving?" These were the first words uttered by Dad to me in about 50 days! Yes, Dad spoke today!!! The doc inserted a plug into Dad's trach today called a PMV (Passy-Muir Valve). It's a device that basically plugs the trach tube hole so patients can actually makes sounds and attempt to speak. Most patients, according to the doc, can only tolerate the PMV for 2-3 minutes at a time. Today, Dad had it in for 2-3 hours and pretty much tried to speak the entire time! He has a lot to say!

The nurse asked Dad if he was a football player. He said, "no." They asked him if he could move his arms/legs and he responded, "yes ma'am!"

I'm traveling this week so I called into the rehab center to speak with Dad this morning via cell phone. While speaking to me his voice was very weak and hard to understand. However, when he said, "yes ma'am" later in the morning, Mom said he was very clear, just quiet. Mom was telling Dad some of the news since his accident and again mentioned that Ronald Reagan died. He said, "that's too bad."

Dad seemed upbeat, happy and positive! His throat began to hurt and he was pointing to it after a few hours with the PMV. His vocal cords were working overtime so he was pretty tired after the whole thing.

As you might imagine, we're very excited and thankful to God for these improvements. It's incredible to be able to communicate with Dad again!

I'll get to see him Sunday and Monday, then my family goes on vacation for a week in CO. I'll update this space from the Rockies should anything happen. By the way, up until today, things had been pretty quiet...literally!

I walked into the Manor Care facility today and asked the lady in the lobby where Andy Lampe's room was. She had to think for a minute but then said, "oh, he's in room 32." I walked through the lobby with its almost mountain lodge look (stone walls, etc.) and took the elevator to the second floor. Dad's room was the last one down the hallway, on the right. When I went in he was staring at the TV. He was watching golf and the picture was terrible. I said hello and he immediately looked at me and I could tell he knew who I was and I could see he was glad to see me. After saying hello, I was able to talk one of the nurses into finding me some rabbit ears for Dad's TV. The picture improved considerably and so did my opinion of dad's new home.

It's a nursing home/rehab facility so it's not the Hilton, but it's a good place. The people are nice, the place is nice and Dad is in a private room with a TV with good reception. Beginning Monday, Dad won't have time to watch TV anyway because the rehabilitation begins. Dad also has a big picture window which looks out onto Jones Mill Rd. and a residential neighborhood. He's going to be fine. By the way, if you're in the area, please stop by to say hello!

Dad was very alert today. He kept moving his finger towards his face to itch his nose and also to look at the oxygen/pulse monitor on his index finger. He is moving both arms and hands which is great. His temperature is down as well. There were a couple of great moments today. One time I mentioned to Dad that he was really losing weight and getting skinny and he beamed. It was a great big smile! The other time I told him he had about 350 emails in his in box on his PC and he also gave me a big smile. After all, your self worth these days is measured in the number of emails you receive daily! (just kidding!)

Dad is hard of hearing but I've decided I'm going to start speaking to him in more normal tones and also make a point to not speak to him as I do to my 2-year-old. There's a good chance he's in there saying to himself, "why are these people talking to me like I'm an idiot?"

Overall we're happy with the new place and very positive about Dad. He's on his way back to us!

Oh yeah- I have some new pictures and a video from Mom I'll post on a new page. I'll make a completely new page for the latest videos and pics and will link it here soon.

In fact, here's the link (Click here). From now on, it will be available as you enter this site and at the top of this page.

Dad left Suburban Hospital today after a stay of 43 days. Today he takes a big step towards learning how to live with his new brain and adapt to life. I say it that way because I've read where TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) patients never heal from their injuries. The brain is not like skin or even the liver where after an injury it grows back or heals. After the bleeding is controlled and pressure relieved, Dad will be left with an injured brain. What happens next is that Dad and his brain will figure out some alternate connections to get things moving again. The working parts of Dad's brain will have to compensate for the deficits in other parts. Thus begins the next phase of his recovery.

Here is a great explanation of this process I found on a website authored by the father of a TBI patient in Bloomsburg, PA. The father's name is John Bressler and his website is: http://www.braininjury-homebased-rehab.net.

Dad will now get the rehabilitation he desperately needs and will really begin learn how to work with his new brain. He will have to relearn a lot of things and learn to do things differently than before. Dad was moved to a rehab facility in Chevy Chase, MD right off the Beltway & Connecticut Avenue. Mom and Linda went to see him today in his new home (for the time being) and say that Dad seemed happy to be moving. He looked around a lot today and wondered where he was and what to make of the place. There were a few bumps in the road. The TV in Dad's room is broken and there is no cable TV in his wing of the facility. The choice was between getting a private room or cable and Mom voted on the private room, for now. We'll get things worked out however.

Dad was pretty tired yesterday and his temperature was back up. He watched the fireworks last night on TV.

Today, Mom said Dad looked the best she'd seen him so far! He was up in the chair for about 6 hours and looked a lot better than the last time he was in the chair. Dad has been completely off the ventilator for about a week now so that seems to be history. His temperature was down today so hopefully the pneumonia is on its way out.

Mom brought in one of her "heavy hand" weights that you use while walking. It weighs about a pound and today Dad was moving it from his right hand to his left hand, and back again. He is favoring his left side as he completes the transfer, mostly with his right hand. He moved his right hand over to his left arm and seemed to be trying to take off the blood pressure cuff. Mom thinks he knows the left arm isn't working too well right now.

Dad was studying all of the pictures we put in his room. Mom took Dad's "USMC Retired" hat and put it on. She then put it on Dad, he took it off and looked at it for a while. Mom also took a flashlight and aimed it at the orange workzone cone on Dad's shelf. She held it up to her eye and told Dad that this was the way to test the retro-reflectivity of the material on the cone. Mom said that Dad appeared to almost/try to laugh (it's an old joke from Dad's days with 3M in the Traffic Controls Materials division). Mom also mentioned some things John Wever wrote in a recent email and he laughed again. It's not a full laugh but he's doing something with his mouth and his expression let's you know that's what he's doing.

Dad sure seems to be trying to talk more. Mom asked Dad if he remembered falling down the steps at home and he shook his head. Mom has the feeling that Dad is interested in why he is there by the way he looks around the room, studies his own hospital gown, etc.

Dad looked great today! I had to put on all the stuff in the doorway (mask, gown & gloves) and he seemed to be looking in my direction as if waiting for me to enter. I pulled my mask away and said, "Hi!" I gave him a smile and Dad gave me a big smile back. It was awesome!

He looks around the room at things that get his attention. He shakes/nods his head in response to questions maybe about 15% of the time. I held up 5 fingers and said, "Dad, can you count my fingers?" His expression changed and I asked, "Dad, is that a dumb question?" He nodded yes very quickly! When he nods he nods in small, fast movements but they are very deliberate. He shakes his head the same way but I guess we don't ask too many negative questions.

I briefed him on Brando, the Fed raising rates, Saddam Hussein, the upcoming election, humanitarian efforts in Sudan, my quick trip through Pittsburgh yesterday (sorry Sam & Roz for not looking you up), etc. I also told him that there were a lot of people praying for him and pulling for him. I told him he was absolutely not alone and would never be alone in his struggle. I promised him we would fight together! At that moment he, very suddenly, smiled and it lit up the room. It's absolutely incredible to be able to communicate with him. I haven't actually seen Dad in a week so I'm a little excited by the progress!

Mom brought in a small stress ball that my company gave away at one of our tradeshows. He squeezes it. I asked him to drop it in my hand and he did. I also asked him to catch it; I dropped it on his belly and he caught it as it rolled into his hand. It wasn't quite Lynn Swan against the Rams but we're working on it. He moves his hand up to his face a lot too and pointed to his mouth. I asked him, "are you hungry?" He nodded yes very quickly. I told him that as soon as he can chew he'd get to eat whatever he wanted. Unfortunately for his taste buds, the liquid diet continues.

It's so hard to say what the heck is going on in his head. He's in there and he's fighting. I can't wait to fight with him!

I'll have to get a picture of the smile and post it on the picture page. I have some pics but I'm out of time. Mom is here to watch the kids as Mona and I celebrate our 5th anniversary today! Yes, for those of you late to this site, I married a Mona!

The day could be drawing very near that Dad leaves the hospital for a rehabilitation facility. The doc told Mom that Dad is doing well but we are probably in for a long haul. At some point I'll scale back the updates to a few per week with breaking news as necessary.

Mom walked into to Dad's room this morning and he was laying on his side with his foot/leg sticking out of one side of the bed (keeps him cool while sleeping). It's funny because this is how Dad sleeps normally so it's just another one of those little things you see to indicate that he's in there. He also keeps pulling the T-bar out of his trach tube. The T-bar provides Dad oxygen but it's not a big concern that he's pulling it out. Dad has been off the ventilator for 72 hours and maintains his level of alertness. He gave Mom a few more smiles today.

Dad continued to watch the Reagan funeral tapes I made for him. Mom would make comments about the beautiful and reverent ceremonies and Dad would nod in agreement. Dad smiled at Mom at one point when she was adjusting his trach. Mom is a nurse so the staff lets her do certain things to help out and apparently Dad got a kick out of it today.

I get back to town on Friday and I can't wait to see him. I'll post some updated photos back on the original page this weekend. I'll write a note here when I do so you know they've been posted.

Dad has been off the ventilator and remains alert and "awake." Mom said he kissed her hand again today. He is glued to the VCR video tapes of Reagan's funeral. I taped the entire week of events from C-SPAN and Fox News so Dad could watch the events as we all did. Mom says she saw so many emotions on his face (happy, sad, perplexed, etc.).

Dad also seems to be more aware of his surroundings. He looks over at the windows, back to the hallway, up at the family pictures on the shelf, then back to the TV.

Dad was off the ventilator all day today and at the same time seemed to be nearly just as alert as he was yesterday. A good sign that he's handling being off the vent better is evidenced in his heart rate, which was not elevated. He didn't do anything spectacular (like kiss Mom's hand) but was definitely aware of Mom and was glued to the news on the TV.

Mom went to see Dad today. She just called and said, "he looked great! So alert, so awake." Dad has been back on the ventilator which gives him more strength.

When Mom walked in the room, she bent down and gave Dad a kiss as she does everyday. Today Dad grabbed her hand and pulled it to his lips, puckered up and kissed it!!! Mom said she lost it right there in the room.

Dad was really there today. Mom mentioned something to him about calling so-and-so to let them know about Dad and he shook his head no, very deliberately. As if to say, "don't bother them." But regardless of the context it was a deliberate response to Mom's question. Dad also kept reaching up to examine the ventilator tube in his trach. Mom doesn't think he'll pull it out rather he just thought it was interesting. Dad was totally into the TV today as well.

I have to head out of town in the morning and will stop in on Dad. If he is still off the ventilator, he should be just as alert. It's odd now liking him on the ventilator so we can get more out of him. Soon, of course, we'd like to have him off the vent and be "with it."