Day 9: Afternoon Update

Wednesday 8 April, 2 pm MST

Mendy just got home from the hospital and called with an update of Daniel's medical progress. Mendy was at the hospital with Daniel all night and now she is at home this afternoon cleaning. How does she keep up that pace? I would be in fetal position in bed by now (this is not Claudia writing by the way).

The new x-ray results have not yet been confirmed by a physician, but it looks like Daniel's pelvis will heal without requiring surgery. Daniel walked 40 feet today -- twice the distance he walked yesterday. Mendy said, "he is no pansy when it comes to pain". The walk made him light headed, but he did it.

The doctor told Daniel, "you got all the way to the bottom, and now you are barely starting up the hill." At least the direction is now UP. The doctor said Daniel is not out of the woods yet, but his prognosis is looking better. He will probably have to keep the drainage tube (for the bile leakage from the liver) in his side for some time.

Daniel still doesn't have an appetite, but he was able to drink some Insure this afternoon. There isn't an official game plan for when T-Bob will be able to leave the hospital, but it could be as soon as Saturday. At the point he is ready to be discharged, the doctors will determine whether he will be transferred to a skilled nursing home or a rehab center. There is even a possibility he may be able to transfer directly home.

Well, that's all we know for now. Mendy took a picture on her cell phone of Daniel taking steps with the help of the physical therapist. As soon as Geoff is able to send the pic in an e-mail, we will post it on the blog for you to see.