dawn's Update 7/18/08

I made Joye take the night off so this is dawn posting Andrew's update. He had a good day today which is a great thing since he had a rough couple of days. When we got over to his room, Andrew was already weaning and was in the physical therapy gym. He was working on his driver's license. I know Joye explained a little about his wheelchair, but I'm going to get into it a little more. She has already told you Andrew drives it by a "sip and puff" method. I watched Andrew do this. To get the chair going, Andrew has to blow a strong "puff" to make it go. But to turn right, he has to then do a soft "puff." To turn left, it is a soft "sip." To go back it is a strong "sip." To stop it is two strong "puffs." He did really good today and we took a trip through the hallways. The straw that he uses to do this is VERY sensitive, so if he puffs or sips too hard when he is trying to turn, it does fast sharp turns. But he is really trying to work on getting this just right. After lunch he then had physical therapy. He did develop a headache later in the afternoon, but his nurse gave him something for it. He was weaning when we left, which at that time he was up to 8.5 hours. If he didn't get too tired, he had the option to go to 18 hours. So today was a good day.
I also want touch a little more about Craig Hospital. The staff at this hospital is GREAT. Joye has already said that the staff really loves working with Andrew. Yesterday when we got to the hospital, one of the techs really enthusiastically told Joye that she was Andrew's tech for the night. Then today, each person that worked with Andrew has that same attitude. Of course he joked around with each one. The staff is also really good to Joye. If either of them have a question or want to know something, the staff really will explain and follow through with things. This really is the perfect place for Andrew.
I also got to joke around with Andrew today. We have had this long battle over many years over who looks better for their age. Andrew and I are basically the same age. He is three months older than I am. I got to spend my birthday today with Joye and Andrew. So when he and I were discussing, arguing, teasing, who looks better for our age, Joye shut us both up by saying she did. Andrew and I both knew that this was true, so that ended that. :-) Of course she IS 4 years younger than us, but still, discussion over.
God is really watching over Andrew. He is also watching over Joye. Please continue to pray for Andrew's strength. Also to keep Joye strong. She is truly an amazing wife and friend. So as Joye would end this, Good Night and God Bless. dawn