Day 47 - One More to Go

Daniel's surgery (9th and final we hope) has moved to tomorrow - Monday. I realize these posts have begun to take a less exciting tone as it's become more and more routine with his recovery progressing nicely. In some way that suggests he's doing everything that's expected of him - no serious steps back, mostly forward. Right now he's off all IVs, with only his feeding tube during the night to top him off. During the day he's eating "real" food. Chewing - what a concept! Daniel is also exceptionally thirsty during the day.

Final surgery while in ICU: We're excited for tomorrow to come. If the schedule holds he will be the 2nd in line for surgery with Dr. Wa. which means he may begin around noon and hopefully be out by 4pm. This surgery will graft his final area (his back and neck) that's been covered up to now with Allograft. Some of his back was unburned or has healed and will be used as the donor for the other burned areas of his back. If they need other skin they'll grab it from his calf which has already been harvested once for his arms or upper chest.

All the previously grafted skin (three prior surgeries) is healing nicely and have had no significant infections. If this trend continues he'll be out of ICU and into a rehab/recovery that much sooner. Still though it's likely that he will remain in his current bed in ICU for a bit longer (maybe a week or so) to ensure this final graft and his donor skin all heal to a point where intensive care is behind us.

Today with Jamie's help we sat Daniel up into his chair where he hung out for over an hour, then we walked him around the burn floor. Due to some obstructions in the back straight-a-way we took an even longer route out into the carpeted hallway (offroad dude) outside the burn ICU down and back in through the main entrance to ICU. Dan's right foot was tip-toeing at first, but towards the end he flattened out his stride and hauled it back to his room. Here's a pic of Dawn, Dan and Jamie in the final stretch.

After a cool down period Dawn helped Daniel with his breakfast (though by now it was lunchtime). He had already eaten yogurt in the morning and now ate sausage links and toast with jelly along with some apple juice.

Wound care is this afternoon and maybe some Facetime with sister Amanda who lives across the state in GJ.

I've been wondering lately what Daniel thinks about all "this" now that he seems more aware of his surroundings. If I can find his voice I'll try to write something soon, but for now like my son I'll remain silent.