Food at last!

Earl has had no intake at all since early Sunday morning. (Five full days) They had brought a cup of apple juice some time this morning before I got here. He had been sipping on it for a while.

He got a lunch tray with clear liquids. He sipped on the broth... looked like chicken broth. Very cautious, guess he's afraid to overdo. Couple of sips of the cranberry juice. Did not try the lemonade. He ate the small cup of "ice milk" or whatever it was. He said it didn't really taste like ice cream.

Pics of Earl look better than he really feels. He still needs help getting in and out of bed. Can't manage lifting his legs. Once he is upright he can stand and move to/from the chair. Is able to stand up from the chair. He is walking the halls with his pole and tubes. Still getting insulin shots a couple of times per day, depending on sugar count.

The IV may go this afternoon. The catheter may come out around 9 p.m. tonight. That will just leave the epidural and the surgical drain in his side. Once he gets unhooked from everything, PT will start him on the steps.

His mind is not clear enough to think about dealing with work questions. At least, anything that requires much thought. It will take him a little while to recover from five hours of surgery.

Overall, he thinks he's doing pretty good. Not trying to set a discharge record (8 days), but hopes to be out of here by the 12 day average, which would be a week from today.

I brought the big card from the church back yesterday for Earl to read again. I knew he didn't really have time to read it all before they took him to surgery. He is so touched by all the good wishes and notes of prayers. Thank you to everyone who signed it and to all those who were in line to sign it. My Dad, Sam Trentham, said there were lots of folks waiting to sign it when Bro. Glenn had to leave to get to the airport. We love all of you.

Nurse just came in (3 p.m.) and said when Earl wakes up from his nap she will take out his epidural.