Day 6

The most beautiful day yet of the new year.  Bright sunshine, at noon it was in the high fifties.  The morning visit was typical, got the lab updates, vitals looked the same.  Steve was again in good spirits.  I went outside while waiting for the 1:30 visit.
The thing about hospitals is that they are full of needy people.  Patients need care, family and friends need updates and encouragement,  the staff needs time to perform duties, everyone needs patience and respect.   
Terri arrived for the 1:30pm visit, and Steve was again congenial.  We chatted through our 20 minutes (Terri kept the clock for me) and I did a few muscle manipulations for Steve.
Terri and I left to eat and get our cars washed.  At the 4:30 visit, Steve asked us to bring some new DVD's.  Off we go to Barnes and Noble.
As we left B&N, I received a phone call from one of Steve's doctors, Dr. Young, who is the pulmonologist and critical care guy.  Of the five or so doctors hovering over Steve, Dr. Young has been the most encouraging (after the initial ER guy who squatted on the floor to talk to us).  Dr. Young said that he wanted to upgrade Steve from a liquid diet to a pureed one, but since Steve needed to be spoon fed, would I be willing to come to the hospital to feed Steve.  Of course!
At 8:30pm, we bustled in with new DVD's and Steve had a turkey sandwich on wheat beside him on the table.  The nurse, Anoushka (ah- NOOSH- kah), came in to announce that Steve was now officially back on solid food as long as he had no problems swallowing.  Steve ate the whole thing, sans crusts.  We discussed feeding times, Cream of Wheat/pablum, vanilla yogurt (that exchange between the Anoushka and Steve was most entertaining), the loud 'talking' of the patient next door, Auburn fans/Alabama fans/agnostics... It was the best visit ever!
Steve also said that his physical therapy was being bumped up to the next level.  He was now going to be pushed to sit, to stand and to feed himself.
Can I get an AMEN and HALLELUJAH!