Progress Report: Saturday, Sept. 23

Truman is getting better. His blood count, specifically his CRP (C-reactive protein) count appears that the antibiotics are working and lessening the infection. There is still is no word on what the infection was, and I doubt we will ever now. Dr. Khattak said that about 10 percent of bacteria simply do not grow on the cultures. His vital signs all look great, and he is more active and starting to act more like his normal, feisty self. He was very lethargic for several days, so it's good to see him opening his eyes and responding to us again.

Nurse Bev said earlier today that if his blood gases continue to look good today that he might graduate back to the conventional ventilator today. He's been on room air for a couple of days, and his settings keep getting lower on the vent.

Feeds were started back on Friday. He's back to 6 CCs at each feeding, or 1 1/2 ounces per day. He's handling those really well.

He continues to gain weight. He is at 2 lbs, 6.5 ounces. However, some of that is fluid retention. Between the extra fluid he's been given to fight the infection and the fluid retention caused by the infection and the antibiotics, he looks like the stay-puff marshmallow man right now. He has no chin. Even his ears are puffy. Dr. Khattak and Nurse Lisa said that will probably decrease over the next week or so once he's off the antibiotics. I think he finishes those on Monday.

--Kara