Click . . Click . . . Click . . . Click . . .

Do you hear it? As of today, we are on an uphill climb in this roller coaster were on. It's slow and steady but we'll take it. Clark enjoyed a special visit from Jimmy Cooper, here all the way from South Dakota. Clark's labs dropped by half today, which is good. The doctors were extremely pleased and relieved to see this. His fever has also come down, and he is breathing with little assistance. He is scheduled for surgery at 7:20AM to be cleaned, drain more fluid, and bring the muscles a little closer together. Clark weighs 200 lbs right now with all the extra fluid and the wound pack, which is 30 pounds more than his usual weight.

They hope to remove the breathing tube tomorrow if Clark can pass a few tests. I know that Clark will love being able to talk again. He asked if he could eat or drink once the tube is out, "like a popsicle or orange juice". The nurse said he can have ice chips to start, then move on to clear liquids, then food as tolerated. The feeding tube will stay in place because even if he can eat a little, it won't be as much nutrition as he needs.

Clark's mind is obviously very sharp and active. He has an alphabet pad that he can type on. He is very precise with his spelling and accuracy. Even if we understand what he's saying, he has to complete the word or thought. I think this may be because he wants to prove to us that he knows what he's talking about. He expressed that he's worried about where he will stay when he leaves the hospital and doesn't want to be a burden on anyone. He thought he might stay with me for one week. Ha! Then he asked about his dogs, knowing that the puppies will need their shots soon and that Vicious is coming into heat. He wants to make sure she's separated and wants to have Bentley neutered. From his many hours of watching TV, he learned that Dairy Queen is having a fundraiser tomorrow to benefit children in the hospital. We'll be there!

Clark gave us permission to take pictures yesterday but the nurse said that because he's on anesthesia, it's not valid consent. Today, the floor nurse observed this conversation and said that Clark didn't need to sign anything because she could see he was giving his verbal consent. Pictures are rolling again! Too bad we missed the bolt.

Here you can see that his head is shaved where
they inserted the bolt. Also, where the many, many tubes
were in his neck. Glad to see those gone!

This is the fluid that is being pumped
from his opening through the wound vac.

This drawing is on the marker board in Clark's room.
It shows the "fancy" way the surgeons had to attach the liver.
The nurse said that all the doctors and nurses
who come in the room look at it and say, "WOW"!