First, thanks to everyone for the love and support. I appreciate it, and boy, do I need it.  So it's a goodness.

Today was more good than not.  As one of the nurses says, with Mark, it's two steps forward, one step back.  I want six steps forward.  Tonight, Bob the nurse is on. The same nurse as was on the night of his surgery. And so we come full circle. When Bob said he saw Mark 5 days ago, I thought Mark's eyes were going to pop out.

The best of good news, Mark was awake and aware and himself today.  Tired, and drugged, but him. That was HUGE.

On the not-so-great, he failed the breathing test. Bob said I should expect failure tomorrow as well. He explained that it's been five days since Mark's lungs have worked. They are weak. It would be great if it works, and they will give him time, but don't be surprised if he can't. The trick is slow and steady, and it's OK. The breathing tests help build strength. If he fails in the morning, they may do another in the afternoon, which again helps build the strength back. Oy.

Mark is bugged by the tube in this throat, and who can blame him? His back hurts. It bothered him sometimes before being flat on his back for five days, it's really beginning to bug him now. Those two things bug him more than his incision, except when he coughs.

They moved the tubes monitoring and dripping and doing all the stuff from his jugular to his sub-clavical vein. And explained to us both (as they are legally required to do) all the things that could go wrong. I'll spare you. I nearly melted down in the room. My sister took me firmly by the arm and we found a nice place that served wine not far from the hospital. It went fine. We both survived. I HATE THIS.  

Marks temp is still up and they  wonder if there might be a bacterial infection in the old jugular input. Seem reasonable. In a few days, they'll know. I thought that was so stupid. In a few days? A lot could happen in a few days. But that's the rate bacteria grows in a dish. Ah well.

Right now, the goal is stable. Sleep so he's lightly sedated, which he was eager for by 8:00pm. And, as always, I pray the phone doesn't ring and take my ambien and zonegren.