And then I will get the word whether or not I can lose this shoulder immobilizer/sling that has been part of me for four weeks...

Oh, how I hope!

To be continued.

From his wife:

A Christopher Green update:


Chris has now been talking with the special piece that goes into his trach, so he is NOT on the respirator! Just some oxygen. (I call it the talking stick). This means he is either using his diaphragm or muscles in his lungs have stepped up. He sounds like Chris!

When he is too tired or it's harder to breathe, he goes back on the respirator. This is so exciting! Who would have thought this earlier?

It's a poetry magazine/anthology out of England.

Fatigued

eyes rimmed red
gritty sand down the throat
shallow breaths
muscle ache–
in my lower back
nothing looks
normal
the walls are skewed
pictures rattle
inside their bent

frames

the music is off-key


©2014 MLC


Concentration

Clearly waiting no distractions

no

diversion




I see nothing else

My mind is focused


There is silence

calm alertness


Till I have my arms around you

yet

again.



© 2014 MLC

From his wife:

Another Christopher Green update:

On Tuesday I received a call from Chris and he asked, " How does my voice sound?" Before, he was speaking on the exhaled breath. He is now on a portable respirator and can speak anytime! He has also sang! (He has his guitar) Last night he was transfered to J55, an ICU, for evaluation. He was moved to the J building because that is where the lung transplant team is most of the time. Ironically, it is where he was for about a month and a half after his transplant. Then, he will probably be transfering to a step-down unit there on the 5th floor. Unfortunately, he had a bad stomach ache last night and still does today. I'm going to see him very soon and will say hello for all of you!

I want to also thank everyone for their prayers and positive thoughts. This has been a week of miracles!

Another Christopher Green addendum:

He has been eating!* Also, the doctors actually told him that in the future, he very well could be going home! What did I tell you? A week of miracles!


*mechanical soft diet, and thickened liquids

And the news is good!

The surgery went well--no surprises, no problems. My rotator cuff is good.

I've had no real pain. No infections post-op, either.

He gave me copies of the pictures he took while he had the camera in there! Pretty neat.

I see him in 3 weeks, and then the formal PT will start. In the meantime, I can shower and wash my hair!

He wants me to do some very simple exercises with that left arm in the meantime.

I want to thank all of you for your good vibes as I pass through this latest medical adventure!