Day 11 - June 11, 2008

I just hung up the phone with my Mom and Dad. I honestly can't imagine being in their shoes. Kevin lived with them for a few months when he was having some trouble adjusting to high school, and between my parents and my brother and sisters - we have always been there for each other. My family has been tremendous through all of this. It has been especially hard that my Mom hasn't been able to come down yet. Although I do need her here, she was in the middle of moving and just couldn't come - I totally understand that (and Kev would too!). I also have to say that my dad is a man's man. I can't say that I have ever really seen him cry, but I am pretty darn sure that I heard a few sniffles this past week when I would just break down or give some bad news. To my mom and dad - I love you both so much. And to all the people reading this - call your parents now and tell them you love them too. And if y'all haven't learned it yet - give your kids a huge hug!

As for Kev - today has mostly been a good day. I think I mentioned yesterday that there was a communication breakdown, but I began to rectify that this morning. I did meet with the doctor and we talked for about a half hour. Kevin is in a coma, but I will happily tell you that he started swinging again today when anyone would try to move anything or open his eyes. He hasn't done any of this for days, so I was ecstatic to see this.

I also learned today that he now has an infection in his blood. So let's see...we have a respiratory infection, a spinal fluid infection, an infection in his blood and a fungus. This is all on top of all the other things wrong with him.

BUT - on a great note - 97% of Kev's skin grafts 'took'! We still have a few areas that need taken care of because they can't roll him over onto his belly to do the back area, but if 97% of the original grafts were a success - we are rockin'!!

As for the fungus - I did learn today that it was a non-invasive fungus. Meaning it wasn't eating away at good flesh - it was just on top of his graft. I am told this is a good thing.

Also on a fantastic note - Kev mostly breathed on his own today. He was on the C-pap respirator meaning that he mostly took all of his own breaths and if for some reason he didn't - the ventilator would kick in. At this point we do not plan to remove the ventilator because he still needs more surgeries, but it's a darn good thing for him to be breathing on his own.

I gotta tell you all though...I didn't really understand the C-Pap thing and earlier today he had the hiccups. I can't even begin to explain the fear that I felt when he started jerking off the bed every few seconds.

As for the scariest point of the day? Kev's chest didn't move for about 30 seconds this afternoon and I honestly thought he died. Truly. I ran out of his room with my face white as a ghost thinking I just lost my son and I was just screaming for help. Of course there were no beeps from the machines so the nurse took her time coming in to me. It really was stupid of me to not realize what was going on, but I just have never been medically inclined (although I do believe that is about to change). To be honest, now I am quite embarrassed that I was so dumb, but I thought the respirator quit on us. I mean...hey...machines can just stop and we all know it, right? Right.

Ok, gonna wrap this up for the night. I am sure you have all gathered that this has been a good day. We can only hope tomorrow will be as well.