First, let me say I'm sorry I have not been on in the last week.  It's been very hectic.  I miss you good folks.

Next, let me thank everyone for all your kind words, thoughts, and prayers.  It really helps.

At my last post I thought things might be looking up for my wife.  At that time I was wrong.  She got worse.  Three days ago she had a seizure.  As the doctor said, "We could still lose her".

Day before yesterday she could move her left arm and hand, and move her left toes.  First time in almost a week.  She became alert enough to understand what was being said, some of the time. 

Yesterday she seemed to be a bit more responsive.  The did another MRI on her, and found that although it's only a tiny amount, the brain infection pockets and brain swelling both have slightly reduced.  This is the first truly good news in over a month.  REALLY REALLY GOOD NEWS!   It means the antibiotic is starting to win.  The corner has been turned.  Unless something else goes wrong, she will get better.

Tomorrow they are going to remove the feeding tube from here nose and throat, and install one through her side directly to the stomach.  This should make her much more comfortable, and make it easier to communicate.

I can't possibly describe how much all of that helps not only her, but all of us.  There is a very long haul ahead.  There is probably some degree of brain damage.  It won't be possible to tell how much until the infection is cleared up.  It many not be enough to affect anything.  It may be more, but although brain tissue does not heal, it may make new nerve connections, and she could have all normal functions and activities.  It could be somewhat less.  Time will tell.

And it will be time.  The best guess is she will go from ICU to a step down ICU, then to a regular room, then to a nursing facility, then home.  The best that will happen is predicting sometime in September or October before she can come home.  It will likely be later than that, perhaps by a few more months.  They tell me it will be year before she is equal to what she was before this started.

And when she does get home we have a 30th dinner to go out and enjoy.  For the first time in weeks, I feel sure it will happen.  I can wait.

My oldest daughter (26) is a High School English teacher, and her and her hubby live 1 1/2 hours south of us.  She is taking classes at Akron U for her Master's Degree, so she is driving up here for class on Monday.  Then she stays with dear old dad and her sis until she is done with class Friday, then drives to her home.  One week of this down, 4 more to go.  It helps her and us both to have her here.

In the next few days, I will catch up here on C3VR.  I may miss a few days here and there after that, but will always catch up.  It's my extended family here, and you good people mean something to me.  Thank you one and all.    Tonight I am going to take Megan to see Herbie.  We can use a chuckle after (during) all of this.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Hank51, Captn Bill, Norsky, and I could never forget StingRay Jim.  He is a rock.  Thanks guys.

Talk to you guys tomorrow.

Ken

Ken,

 We miss you here and hope everything turns out for the best. It's fantastic to hear she's doing better. Tell her she's not allowed to scare us anymore that way.

 From the personal/selfish side, you probably have forgotten more about these cars then most of us will ever know. You pass on more than your share of wisdom and advice. Your wisdom and wit are missed when you aren't here.... but ....your family comes first. It took 22 years in the military and many mistakes to make me realize that. Go take care of your family!  We'll bungle along here and we promise we'll still be here when you get back and we won't be mad at you for being gone.  Of course we all love it when you pop in.

You stand by us anytime we need you and we'll stand by you now that you need us. Let us know if we can help.

 Take Care and all the best.  You're all in my prayers.

 Jim

Sounds like things are looking up. 

While I will admit that even I that do many things automotive everyday, I still am amazed by your knowledge and miss your input and knowledgem but seriously Ken; the least of your worries is c3vr.  You have other things to worry about then us.

Your extended family will always be here though the good and bad times.  Just let us know how we can help.

praise God, we all have to at times remember what the valley looks like in order to really enjoy the beauty of your mountains.

Ken you have been in the valley and now you are looking at your mountain.