Mark is looking better this morning. His fever is down. Martha, his nurse, washed him last night and that really helped him feel better. I say this just knowing my husband. He would hate being in this condition, and messy as well.  Love you Martha!

His heart is better, more regular, and a better rate this morning. High 90s instead of 100s. His blood pressure is also improved, and they have been able to lower his blood pressure medication a tiny bit. He'a still on a ton of medications, but being able to have, and keep, the blood pressure meds a tiny bit lower is a baby step in the right direction.

They have switched around his pain medication and his sedation some. He was getting too light, and they can'thave him fidgeting or coughing, or really doing anything at all while his chest is still open. I asked Martha if she thought there was a chance they'd close it today, and sh was not hopeful. Too much fluid, and he's still critical.

So more waiting, tears, and prayers. And that's the first of the morning news.

Mark continues to make incremental progress. While I am still extremely anxious, and will be as long as his chest is open, his heart remains stable and blood pressure is stable. They need to remove about 35lbs of fluid from his body (through urination) before they can close his chest.  His nurse, when I was there earlier this evening, said he was doing as expected. When I went up just now, Sean-the-nurse said he's doing better than expected, and I could see the results in his hands. His wristband is a little loose for the first time. This was pretty exciting.

Austin went home and got his iPod player, and while we couldn't find Mark's iPod, we got mine. Fortunately, some of our musical tastes overlap, and it is playing our joint collection of classical and classical guitar music. We both love to write to classical guitar. I think that may help.

It is difficult for me to leave the hospital for more than a walk around the block.  I feel tethered.  The invisible cord wraps along the corridors from his room to me, and I can only get so far away before I feel an overwhelming rush of anxiety, and have to get back.  The same with time. I can only bear to be gone for about two hours, and then I feel too anxious.  I have to go back in and see him and hold his hand.

One hour away is too frustrating because nothing good has happened within an hour, but if I give it two, maybe I can see progress.

The on call doc gave me a prescription for ambien. Hopefully that will let me sleep tonight, and tomorrow, it's more of the same, except I hope, hope, hope, we can see the chest get closed.