The Gift of Speech

Clark had yet another surgery this morning. They washed him out again and while in there, they found a small hole in his intestines which they simply sewed shut. They have said that Clark wakes easily from anesthesia. He was waving at the doctors during today's surgery and even opened his eyes during the transplant. The surgeons gasped wide-eye at him and said, "What are you doing with your eyes open?" Of course Clark doesn't remember this but that would be pretty crazy.

On the phone with Bjorn (Corn Hole).

The most exciting news of the day is that Clark had the tube removed from his throat. His voice is weak and he talks with great effort but it is a sweet sound. He called Mom and Ryan first thing this morning and each were pleasantly surprised to receive the call. I asked him what his first words were and he said, "Ow, that hurts." Then Dr. Hutson said, "You're all done. Do you want some vodka now?" Clark said he feels like he has a big bugger or blood clot in the back of his throat. This is because he is swollen from the tube. He will not be able to have any food by mouth as long as he's open. He still can't even drink but is allotted two swabs of water every 15 minutes. He watches the clock very closely!

He now has a tube running down his nose into his stomach to decompress it. This tube pumps fluid and gasses out to help keep the stomach empty. While inserting the tube, they found that he has a deviated septum and said he must have broken his nose at some time in his life, although he has no recollection of ever breaking it.

When he was first admitted to the ICU, they tried to get him to eat anything, even Ensure. He turned his nose up at it but drank it anyway knowing that he needed the calories. Ironically, today he said, "You know what I'm craving right now?" (My first guess was Dairy Queen.) "Pink Ensure. I want one right now." He also said that he really wants to play football.

Clark's white blood count is very low. In order to prevent any illness being brought into his room, all visitors have to wear a mask and gloves. They have also asked that visitation be limited to immediate family only until his white blood count comes up. He has so enjoyed every one's visits and we will let you know when you are welcome to come again.Dave, Huxley, and Dylan made yet another 18 hour journey back to Utah from South Dakota. Huxley has been a great babysitter and allowed me to visit Clark more often. While in Clark's room today, we received a text that said, "Crying baby." Only moments later the next text said, "never mind."