Breathe.....

   Take a second to calmly sit here at your computer, take in a deep breath, releasing slowly while you close your eyes and relax.  Amazing isn't it? It seems like we expend very little effort. Over the last few days I have watched Kirk struggle with this simple act that we do thousands of times a day without any thought. Again, I am reminded about the simplest things in our life that we take for granted.

   It's day four. Really? Has it only been 4 days since the accident? A fast check of the calendar assures me that it is, in fact, the fourth day.  Kirk continues to dazzle and amaze those caring for him at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center with his "can do" attitude, his lighthearted sense of humor and the continual stream of well-wishers.  It seems that Kirk actually has several more brothers than Mom and Dad are aware of as many of his friends have stated to the staff that they are "family" so they can go in.  This thought is more true than they know.  You all are our family and have supported us in ways I may never be able to explain.

   Kirk had a bit of a rough night last night.  His nurse could tell he had a lot of fluid in his lungs and quickly went to work to fix this.  She propped him up on one side, pillows behind his back to keep him there, for thirty minutes.  She would then roll him to the other side and do the same thing.  Back and forth. Back and fourth.  She was able to get 270 ml of fluid out of his lungs and his breathing became easier.

   He still has the chest tube, this is where all of that fluid is draining out of his body, and it will likely stay for another day or two.  They do not want to remove it until the amount of liquid coming out in a 24 hour period is less than 100 ml. I find myself checking that tube often. Is the color getting lighter? How much has come out today.  When I left this hospital today he had already drained 150 ml.

   Kirk is using a Diaphragm Strengthening Unit to help increase his lung capacity.  They had deflated his left lung in the surgery to be able to get to his spine and well as detached his diaphragm.  Kirk uses this unit several times each hour, measuring the strength of his breath. He gets a little frustrated if he can't get it up to his goal of 1500.  He is diligent. Focused.

   He made a few laps around the nurses desk again.  Dr. Gardner told him to slow down on one lap.  Others have called him the Ninja Turtle (the girls will get a kick out of that!).  I told the nurse I thought he looked like a super hero! She said we must come up with a name for him, some kind of superhero name.  His friend Jake Ervin has already called him SuperFly and it does have a nice ring;)  Let me know what your suggestions are.  The therapists even took him out on "The Veranda".  He seemed rejuvenated and said, "It feels so good to be outside!"  I must admit that late this afternoon I was outside in the heat and thought about how stinking hot it was. I have so much to learn. So much to look past. So much to stop complaining about.

   The enormity of our adventure has started to hit.  I am scattered, tearful, thankful, positive and negative, questioning, planning and planning again.  I have tried to go to work the last two days, comfortable in knowing that he is very good hands.  Dani and Bryn have taken turns sitting with him throughout the day, what would I ever do without these two girls? I panic every time they call and answer the phone with, "Is everything okay?"  Of course it is! What am I thinking? It is all going to be okay!

   I am not really a big Oprah fan....now, don't any of you get your panties in a knot....I agree she has done some amazing things, but so have you!  Anyhow, she said something once that really applies to my life, our adventure....

  
    I'll take it.  I'll just step back and breathe.