Keep on climbing

For those of you who are climbing the Sabino Canyon hill with us, the NG went back in last night after being pulled at lunch and causing a recurrent flair up of the ileus. Dad chose to put it back in to relieve his abdominal pain which was a wise choice and allowed him to get a good night sleep.
Today a wonderful intern replaced the dobhoff (the tube for feeding the intestine bypassing the stomach) with delicacy and care. We are hoping that it passes the pylorus (the part between the stomach and the intestine) so that they can start small feeds in hope of stimulating the gut. Dad has had more movement in his intestine, but still has a lot coming out of the NG so we aren't near feeding yet...we are still climbing that hill.
As for his spirit. His sense of humor is coming back full force and his drive to push himself is renewed which is nice for us to not have to be the bad guys. His lung is doing great and he responds well to the lopressor for his atrial fibrillation so we hope to wean off the other heart medication too.
Today, we are pushing for him to be able to take a shower, but have to wait for the big boss to make that decision. Next week all this should be behind us, but today is another day of slow steps up that awful hill.