Sunday Night

I spoke to Michael's nurse (Mike), at 10:43PM. Mike previously took care of Michael last week and he couldn't believe the improvement! Michael spent the day on the Trach collar with oxygen blowing into the opening in his neck, and is now back on the C-PAP @40% O2 5/5. This will allow him to rest during the evening. Breathing requires a great deal of energy. Mike shaved Michael! He is clean shaven, not even a mustache! I am glad he told me because I wouldn't recognize Michael when I arrive in the morning. I am not sure Michael realizes it is the Omer, it is hard for him to believe that Passover isn't coming up.
The goal for tomorrow morning is to have him up in a chair. This seems like such a small goal, but for Michael it is a giant step on the road to recovery. I brought in a ball to squeeze that Mrs. Mabo (Karen's mom) sent from Florida. Mike said Michael has been using it. He seems resistant to learning ALS (American Sign Language). I brought in a book and have tried to practice signs with him, but his mind is in too much of a fog from the extreme fatigue and high doses of sedative. He has tried to write but is not able to do that yet either. He can shake his head yes, or no, and he shrugs his shoulders (I don't know). When I ask him if he is comfortable or if he wants to be turned, he shrugs his shoulders.