Recovery

While last night was long, he is doing so much better this afternoon! He is finally able to take short naps for about 45 minutes or so, and is starting to comprehend what is going on and have short conversations- he is still on tons of pain meds, but yesterday he still had anesthesia in his system which made him extremely loopy. He is using his pain pump less frequently, so I think everything is going great! The surgeon came by this morning and said he was healing beautifully, so they moved him to the bone marrow floor around lunch. Since his wound is ok, they are focused on managing his pain, and that will determine when he is released.

His counts have already made great progress! His white count went up to 2.4, platelets were 69, and hemoglobin was 9.1!!! These were drawn early this morning and won't be drawn again till midnight.

So, he is doing amazing! He is such a fighter, now more than ever. Some of you have known him for 30+ years, and have been around to witness him defeat illness after illness. I know I wasn't around for the majority of them, but I am willing to bet that the one in 2010 and then the two transplants have been pretty traumatic to say the least. But in the three short years I've known him, he has taught me more about perseverance and strength than anyone I've ever known and will ever know. The way he faces each new obstacle, let alone each day with such optimism, really amazes me, and all the doctors. After we were leaving the consult with the surgeon, she looked at burns and told him how he looked nothing like how she expected him to look based on his medical descriptions on paper. She expected a sick, suffering, hopeless man, and instead saw Burns who was positive, and eager to have the surgery to begin the road to recovery! I am beyond proud of how he has handled not only this surgery, but everything leading up to it. He has been so strong throughout everything, and is truly an inspiration!

Thanks again for all the support! You have no idea how much it means to us!!