Good idea, Mama Z. I’ll bring him a baggie of cereal this morning. I already brought him a little bit of salad the other night (hence, the Italian dressing comment).
Odd: he told me last night that the Lorazepam/Ativan helps him relax and sleep but that Xanax does absolutely bupkis. They’re both benzos … 
If all the drugs worked for everyone, there’d be only 12 drugs on the market. 
Happy dance hasn’t stopped. His progress is happening so fast now, you probably do need to take the chainsaw to your inlaw’s attic this weekend. HURRAY!!!
must bump flatlined.
I’m so upbeat now, I’m looking for good news every day. But I do know there will be setbacks. Let’s make them only minor ones, okay?
Oh, you want MORE good news?
Okay! 
He spent the entire day yesterday off the vent. He did well … so well, in fact, that they didn’t re-vent him and he spent the whole night last night off the vent. I knew that was what they planned, but didn’t post that last night because, frankly, I didn’t want to jinx anything. Saw him this morning and he was doing great! Said he got a decent night’s sleep finally because he was breathing on his own rhythm instead of what the machine “wants,” and was nibbling on an omelet when I came in.
The plan is to not hook him back up until/unless he has breathing difficulties, his stats go down, or he otherwise is in distress. If he can go three full days (and nights) without needing any oxygen, they’re gonna just wheel the vent on outta his room. In addition, if (if!) he keeps progressing like this, he’s likely to be out of acute care and into in-patient physical therapy rehab by around Thanksgiving.
His recovery is snowballing. Really, it’s amazing how much stronger he seems each day. In addition, word is spreading through the ICU that their favorite patient (and one they ALL got to care for, b/c he was there so damn long) is getting better, so while I was there this morning a pair of ICU nurses came by to see for themselves. They were both so amazed at how much better he’s doing, and to finally hear the voice of a patient they’d been caring for all those weeks.
Protip: hospital food kinda sucks. But breakfast there seems to be reliably edible. So, if you wind up in the hospital, eat your breakfast - it’s the most important (and tastiest) meal of the day!
Fantastic news. Simply wonderful!
So pleased for you both!
Yay, yay, yay! I’ve been following the story, just had to check in with joy!
(Clearly you didn’t experience the pancakes I got after my appendectomy. Glad his omelet was good-ish though!)
Wow, I can’t believe it! For a long time every time I opened this thread I’d scroll down, very slowly, afraid of what I was going to read.
I’m so happy for you!
Every time I open the Dope, this is the first thread I look for, and I’m so thrilled at the progression he’s making. It really makes me happy, for a person I’ll never meet.
StG
this is indeed the finestkind of news!! i’m so happy for the both of you.
now that he is breathing easier, i’ll bet you are breathing easier as well. a big whew! after holding your breath for so long.
please add me to the list of people who would love to send a card or 2.
Too many woohoos, can’t get them all out!
Woohooo!
That is awesome news. (Hooray too!)
This is the part that brought tears to my eyes! I can imagine how many people they lose and never hear their voices; your husband’s a miracle to them!
Continued recovery to your Other Shoe!
I’ll warn him about pancakes. We can just make a batch once he’s home. He’ll be in charge of measuring and mixing, as he’s the precise one.
For a long time, I felt the same way each time I walked into the hospital: “Oh, what now?”
Yeaaaahhh, that part was difficult, seeing the, ah, *turnover * rate of the ICU and knowing - just by glancing sidelong at them as they were lying there when I walked past their rooms - that there was no way in hell most of them were getting better. I had a stark realization one night: "OH! :smack: That’s why they have such strict visiting hours here - so they have private time to wheel out the … ah, let’s not go there … "
Whatever. Happier times now. Happier times. And seeing trained medical professionals saying “Wow! You’re doing so much better!” with big wide eyes and happy grins confirms to my little brain that it’s not just me, it’s not just wishful thinking. He IS doing better.
This is such good news. I’m happy for you both.
What he said.
This is such wonderful news! You have said that TOS is stubborn, and that is going to really help now. Go dude!!!
BTW, when he’s back to 100%, maybe consider going to the ICU so they can see him. I’d guess that would make them pretty happy/proud.
More happy dances 
bumping flatlined from last
I’ve been lurking on this thread and am happy for the continued progress! :):)
She.
StG
I’m so happy to hear this!!! I’ve been following along and I needed a little good news today!
Yaa for progress. Thanks for the good news.