Feb 2 - It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.....

This morning was awful. I have never seen Dave so low. We have been through a lot! He was not crying. He was not moaning. He was just slumped over and deathly still and quiet. He said some things that really shook me up. The humor was gone, heck... it felt like the light was fading. We went down together to the X-ray department and stayed there for a few hours. They put contrast down the (NG) tube (so he wouldn't have to drink the nasty stuff) and then using an X-Ray machine tracked it's progress looking for blockages of any kind in the small intestine. At one point the surgeon caught up with us there, and said that if this scan showed a blockage, the surgery would be tonight! After over 3? hours they brought him to his room for over 2 hours, then brought him back for the final check with X-Ray to make sure the contrast made it to the large intestine (the Large intestine they have looked at backwards and forwards these last few days, so if they made it there, he was in the clear - no surgery!!). The radiologist told us that it made it through with no sign of any problems anywhere. We got back to the room. The Coast Guard Chaplin came in at that point and did an amazing job of telling funny anecdotal stories and breathed some life and fresh air into the room. Dave had trouble talking from the tube, and I had been tapped beyond my abilities to give any more. I was worried that it would take hours to get the tube out ("Sorry, can't do it until the doctor signs this and he just launched in the space shuttle, gotta go, another patient needs me." type fear) The nurse came in quickly and removed effectively that Nasty Gross (NG) Tube that went up his nose down into his stomach. The sun was setting casting a glow on the buildings as we could see from his room on the 11th floor for miles. (Wisconsin is very flat!) But it felt like, to us, that the sun was rising!!! What an awesome relief!!! Within moments Dave seemed to spring to life!!!! I really want to just spend the night calling everyone and sharing the good news. But... in my gut, ....I know it is time to sleep a long deep sleep. (8:30 pm to 6:30 am ought to do the trick!) There may still be a few days in the hospital ahead - I think they have to have his system up and running right before they can release him. Chicken stock and jello will probably be his diet for a bit! If you are local, visit his room. Patient Tower - 11th floor - 131. As of 8 am, call my cell if you want... no fear of bothering me! (if you are one of the few with the phone number to his room, go ahead and call it tomorrow) I will pick Liam up from school and take him in to see Daddy around 2:45.. We are so excited! Thank you all so much for all of your support. It has been amazing!!!! The folks here were right on top of pitching in to help. And many folks were wonderful over the phone just letting me vent! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!