An Update as of 9/11/12

Friends,

We are getting settled in to our news digs at the University of Virginia Medical System. Bob's in room 6188 in the Neurology ICU. We are feeling very good about the whole medical team here. They are working very hard to understand Bob's condition, and there seems to be strong consensus as to the course of treatment.

Last evening Bob began the second level of treatment for his condition. He received the two medications that will suppress his immune system, and he was able to tolerate them well. For one of these medications, he will repeat the dose once a week for four weeks. The other one he will receive once a month for four to six months. It has become clear that this will be a long recovery process.

In light of that, this morning Bob had a trach and a feeding tube put in. This was hard news to take at first, but we now are feeling good about it because he will be more comfortable than on the vent.

Bob continues to be heavily sedated to try to control the seizures and let his brain rest and recover.

As his bedside team, there is not so much we can do at this point, except to place ourselves in his line of sight when his eyes are open, and talk to him in reassuring tones. We are being diligent with hand washing to guard against infection. Bob has been laying in a hospital bed for 12 days, and is quite swollen due to the steroids, so I am also asking my team to help me get him moving his limbs and joints at least three times a day.

One more piece of good news is that we think we have located a very nice two bedroom condo that is within walking distance of the hospital to rent. Jay Perry is my hero of the day for tracking that down.

We are being sustained by your continued love and prayers. Thank you for that. We are likely to need them for some time to come.

Megan