Keeping my Nose Clean -- Monday 2/6/06

Joseph has been able to eat and drink enough for the last three days to prove he doesn't need the feeding tube up his nose. Dr. Dodds came in this morning and said "I've never had a patient off of the feeding tube before they were off of the ventilator, this is amazing". They removed the tube from his nose and the tape etc. from his face . . . What a relief! While they were at it, they removed the PICC line from his right arm. (this is the semi-permanant direct access to the blood supply for meds etc). One more step forward.

Joseph got in a lot of physical therapy today and still had enough energy to be on the speaking valve all day and breath without the ventilator for 3 hours. He is doing amazingly well and he looks really great too!