the latest

Monday afternoon Henry had a mini-stroke that set him back some. He was non-responsive and not speaking at all when he woke up from a nap. Margo then called the hospice nurse to ask how to administer his meds that night. When she arrived, she said that Henry had fluid in his lungs and probably wasn't going to make it through the night. 

Jeremy rushed over there around 9:45pm to find Henry having seizures about every 30 minutes. I got there around 11:15 after my folks came to stay at the house with the sleeping kids. By this time, Henry's seizures were 3-5 minutes apart. The hospice nurse suggested we call 911 at that point to stop the seizures. We arrived at the VA emergency room around 1:00am and stayed there until close to 3:30am when he was moved to ICU. 

Henry slept all Tuesday and we were told he was in a semi-coma, vegetative state. He then surprised us all when he woke up on Wednesday, took off his oxygen mask, and held Margo's hand. He has been staying awake most of the day on Thursday, Friday, and today. He still is unable to speak, but he smiles at the mention of the grandkids. 

Today we brought Jack and Ryleigh to visit him (Ryleigh also visited last night). He tried to hold Ryleigh as long as he could...she's such a wiggle worm she made it difficult. Jack gave Pop a gentle hug and told him how he painted at day care this week. (Henry was an artist.)

Henry has managed to eat some food (jello, ice cream, chicken broth, ice tea, juice). He has still proven to be his usual self...strong-willed and trying to get out of bed every once and a while, also sweet while holding Margo's hand often. I'm just glad that my kids could bring a smile to his face today. The staff at the VA Hospice floor are doing a great job keeping him as comfortable as possible and being very accommodating to visitors.