Quick update

Hi all -
I just want to let you know that the Doctors decided to take a conservative approach to feeding. They have turned off the stomach suction and hooked up the tube feed and are giving him 50 cc's an hour for 4 hours. That will put 200 cc's in his system. Then at 7 o'clock (here) they will stop the feed and suck out his stomach. that way they will know if any of the food is passing through the pesky pyloris. If they get 100 cc's or less, then they will may just continue to give Rick nourishment this way - waiting for the pyloris to return to normal function.

A lot of you are writing to ask how I am doing and I appreciate your concern. I have learned something about myself throughout this process. Primarily I have learned that I am a cryer. Anything goes wrong, I have to shed a few tears and then I am ok to move on. I don't think I was always like this, but maybe I have been...It's just that my life has been so good that I haven't needed to cry much.

I have also learned that I love to learn and I keep finding this process so interesting. It is terrible, horrible, evil, cruel - but at the same time, interesting. I now am on a close and personal basis with Rick's pyloris. I am visualizing normal function. I don't care how essential it is - phlegm is definitely disgusting! Rick is lucky because he has no problem bringing the phelgm up out of his lung. Most of the other patients have to have a procedure to suck the mucus out of their lungs - but Rick has had no problem with that. I also have discovered that I am an optimist. I always wake up thinking today will be a good one.....even though many days have tested my resolve.

Thank you for all the good wishes. We need and appreciate the support. One more thing - Rick's doctor, David Sugarbaker was on the front page of the Boston Herald today and his 14 year old patient will be on the news tonight. Her name is Brianna Ranzino. Google the story - it's very interesting.

Sue