4/27-28 Status Report

Jake had another good day. Every time a child visitor comes (and we had several today), he wants to go in his wheelchair and give them a tour of his hospital highlights. The tour includes the physical therapy room, the play room (with a dedicated Pokemon machine), the two children's gift shops, and the garden. Thankfully, he doesn't remember enough of the ICU to include it on the itinerary. His classmates seem to enjoy pushing his wheelchair around, and they haven't run anybody over - yet.

His eating is good, but we aren't supposed to start the mostly-carbs nutrition plan until after we get the blood pressure and blood sugar in check. This is difficult, because the tour is filled with snack opportunities, and the visiting kids all want snacks at each stop. We do what we can to avoid the Candyman scene from Willy Wonka (the original Anthony Newley one, not the creepy new one).

We think he expelled a small amount of urine this afternoon, but we're trying not to get ahead of ourselves. He had an ultrasound today, which shows that there's very little blood left in his bladder. There's some urine in the bladder, but we don't know if it's fresh or vintage.

The current plan is to be discharged either Tuesday or Wednesday. He probably won't be walking by then, but we'll take him wherever he needs to go for outpatient physical and occupational therapy. We've started the process of moving the vast quantities of stuff out of the hospital room and back to the house. It's the march of the stuffed animals. We're just starting to buy some of the necessaries we now need for the house (blood pressure equipment, professional thermometers, disposable supplies, flavored rum, etc.). Jen's parents have been unbelievably helpful in organizing our evacuation.

As many of you know, our house has been under construction (for a complete renovation) during the last six months. The interior spaces may be finished just in time for our return. The arcade was finished several months ago, but Jen had mentioned that she'd also like the rest of the house to be completed. Frankly, I hadn't noticed.

My limited contribution to all this is to inject humor. Today's Family Guy quote:

Peter Griffin [to Brian after the living room and kitchen burn down]: What the hell did you do?
Brian Griffin: Me? Who the hell buys a novelty fire extinguisher?!
Peter Griffin: I'll tell you who: Someone who cares enough about physical comedy to put his whole family at serious risk.