Update

Mike continues to maintain his current levels of Vent support and daytime breathing on his own with some oxgen added through his trach.  He has been able to decrease the amount of added oxygen in the past two days and still be able to m aintain his minumum of 90% saturation so that is an improvement.   Yesterday, thanks to Amanda, Mike had 8 people come to visit him in a group.  They got there about 4:30 and stayed until 8PM when his Mom came to visit.  They went  out and got hjim a steak and cheese which he devoured.  He was SO happy to see everyone.  I really was probably his best day in a long long time.

Mike had an upset stomach this morning so he didn't eat his breakfast and his back was really bothering him so his nurse was going to see if she could get him a little extra pain meds.  Otrherwise he ws doing well.

I went to University Medical Center, U of Maryland Medical School in Baltimore yesterday and it was "OK"  I seems as if the care would be close to the same and Johns Hopkins but I beleive the Wound Care at JHU is much better.  With Mike's pressure ulcer having regressed from all of the thime he had been in bed, this is one of the three major medical needs he has and will need treatment for. The weaning rate for Vent Weaning is higher than the national average, but less than JMU's nearly 100% rate. Also, the hospital itlself is very hard to get to. Of course this would be the last consideration after the medical things, but is still important because Mike's mental putlook is very important to getting better and being isolated  is something we would like to avoid if possible.  You need to navigate through the inner city if Baltimore to get to the hospital and the areas you need to travel through are not the safest in the city.  It really isnt near the major highways where you can jump on and off.

I am going to see Specialty Hospital Of Washington located on Capitol Hill in DC.  A very posh area in town for those of you who know the city.  We'll see how it goes there.

There is not definate time for his transfer, but I suspect if his health remains at least at the level it is now, once Mike makes his decision on where he wants to go, it will move fast.

I will be sure to let everyone know a soon as there is a plan in place for a move.

Red.