Good Progress

After shopping for school clothes and getting Tonto's group ready to head back to SD, I spent the afternoon at the hospital. Clark is doing so well. The pressure in his brain is coming down. They aren't using as many blood products as expected. He is not as swollen as we anticipated either. In fact, his neck was very swelled yesterday and noticeably reduced already today. He does still have swelling in his hands and feet but again, this is to be expected. They talked about bringing Clark awake today but decided to wait until possibly Monday. With all the tubes etc, it is better that he rest peacefully so not to disturb the wires etc he harbors everywhere. Several family members visited Clark today and we all agreed that his color is even better. They did insert a feeding tube thru Clark’s nose and into his stomach so he can start getting nutrition today.

I still have not had a chance to talk with Cate about the actual surgery because she ended up going into emergency surgery yesterday, then we were gone by time she was done. All reports coming from the staff in Surgical ICU are very positive. I was told by the nurse that Clark has the largest incision he has ever seen. This was due to the difficulty they encountered in getting the last vessel attached that we waited so long for on Wednesday night. So far this unique attachment is doing well.

Poke-a-hontas and his group went to Clark’s apartment to tidy it up and get any dirty laundry for Kristin and me to wash. He won’t be going home to his place because he will need constant care for awhile. He will be living at Kristin’s.

Huxley jumped in with Tonto to get home and ready for school. That leaves me alone for the trip back to South Dakota but I just might like that “alone” time. Looks like it will be several days before I can plan to go back home. I won’t leave until Clark is out of the hospital. Team Poke-a-hontas will leave for SD some time tomorrow. My sister Loy drove my car to Utah for me so I’d have my own transportation. Her son Blake got a load of freight to haul to Utah, so Loy and her daughter Mindee hopped in the semi and also headed home to SD this afternoon.

Kristin and I will be sooo excited for the progress reports we will soon begin to send. I can’t wait to see those brown eyes open and for him to begin talking. We will be reporting soon.