7/3/09 -- 9:30 a.m. - Update from Brent

Dad's condition is pretty-much the same this morning as it was yesterday. He responded to us when Trish and I arrived this morning and also responded to basic requests from the doctor (thumbs up, stuck his tongue out, etc.) He tries to open his eyes when spoken to and will respond to basic requests. Very encouraging!

He is still on the anti-viral meds and will be for the next couple of weeks. The doctor said that the pneumonia he had a few days ago was relatively minor and is no longer an issue. Also, he is breathing "mostly" on his own. The ventilator will breathe for him if he doesn't, but mostly it just helps him once he takes a breath on his own. The key is that Dad has to be able to clear his own airway (cough) before they can remove the ventilator. He can't do that yet.

The hospital staff is continuing the physical therapy they started yesterday, so Dad is getting some exercise. All in all, any progress is good. It's now just a matter of giving Dad time to heal.