Houston - Day 4

On the Floor:

Busy, busy day! This morning, (after a shot of morphine), the chest tubes were removed and Jimmy was able to take a whole breath for the first time since the surgery. This made him so much more comfortable and much happier! He is able to get up and out of his bed and sit in a recliner to eat all his meals and watch TV.


After the catheder was removed we were really on a roll. Jim got up and had a shower (YES, this hospital has the philosophy that more is better) and got to put on his new PJ's. Then it was "around the block" as we toured the 62 room floor. We took 4 walks today, each time traveling a little further and walking just a bit faster. Each day, we will go further and futher as Jim builds up stamina and continues to exercise those lungs. In 4 months he will be able to bike and ski and he wants to be ready! For now we just need to make it to the top of the recovery poster hanging in the room. (We made great progress today!)


We closed the door to the room today for some privacy and check out the picture we found behind it!

Guy came to the hospital today and went exploring to see what Jim was going through. He was especially intrigued with the breathing machine. Jimmy uses this to clear the fluid out of his lungs and build lung capacity.




Jim had visitors from the Houston office today. His boss, Randy and Jim and Kip came to wish him well and bring him cards and a festive vase of flowers. After they left, Jimmy napped till dinner came. He can eat whatever he wants (fatty foods included) for the next 2 weeks to give him strength and energy to heal. We started out with a McDonald's apple pie and a cookie for decadent snacks :)


We said Goodbye to Laurie and Ted and wished them a safe flight home. We can't express how much it means to us to have them here to help us.

Thank you all for your thoughts, wishes and prayers...we can feel your support and it means the world to Jim and I.