Day 13: On the move

Here's Ben in his new digs, in a private hospital room. He made the move out of the ICU today. We all know that Ben loves computers and gadgets, but I don't think he'll miss any of his former medical monitors and beeping screens one bit.

He has an IV (in his left arm) delivering fluids, and still has a catheter. His kidneys are doing better and better. The ports you see in his neck have actually been there a few days; among other things they're for drawing blood without having to poke him again and again.

Ben had just completed dialysis before my visit. We're told this procedure is exhausting. Indeed, Ben seemed a bit glassy eyed and slow. There's a lot going on in that head! Sorting it all out must be a chore. Yet there's intelligence at work. Our conversation was peppered with Ben's political and cultural references, everything from Osama Bin Laden to Batman.

Ben recognizes that each step he's taking is meaningful. He proudly announced that he was able to eat his first hospital meal today, even if he was disappointed that it wasn't vegetarian. (I'm sure he'll be assertive about this!)

I got to hear Ben's cute little chuckle today. I told him how grateful I am he's doing better. "God was watching over me," he said.

He still is, little brother, he still is.

This is a shout-out to Annie: Thank you for your support of Ben and all you've done for him and our family. You've been a bright light to me, especially on July 24 (Day 2) when you gave me a hug and told me to never give up. You gave me an earlier photo of Ben that you'd brought to the hospital, printed with the message, "Believe: Miracles Happen Every Day." That seemed then, too good to be true. But how right you were! Thank you for your faithful optimism.

Jenni

P.S. My daughter (age 6) just sauntered in the room and saw this post with Ben's new picture. "I think the prayers for him to get better must have worked," she said with a big smile. You betcha!