9:30 pm Update

Today was supposed to be a pretty eventful day for Paul, but turned out to be more uneventful.

His IVC Filter was supposed to be removed at 5:00pm, but as they were preparing to do this they found a blood clot in the filter. This is actually good....the filter is doing it's job. The filter will remain in him for a few more weeks until the blood clot is gone. They will then attempt to remove the filter again. As I understand it, the filter can remain in him for approx. 2-3 months, but they like to remove them as soon as possible. Once the filter is removed, the coumadin (oral meds) should prevent any other blood clots from forming. He was finally able to eat his first meal of the day around 6:30 pm once he got back to his room.

The pins in his left foot were not removed today as originally planned. The surgeon that is supposed to do this surgery is on vacation this week. We are not really sure why we are just finding this out today. It sounds like the pins will be removed next week when the surgeon returns.

9:30 pm Update

Paul is still working real hard every day at rehab. His ribs were really hurting him today. He thinks it is because the Occupational Therapist worked him so hard yesterday. Sounds like he even had to work on Easter!

The IVC Filter was not removed today as originally planned. No worries, it should happen in the next day or two. As I understand it, they have to make sure there are no clots, take him off of the coumadin and let the blood thicken up a bit before they can remove the filter.

As of this afternoon, the doctor's were still planning on taking his pins out of his left foot tomorrow, but as we are learning everything is always subject to change. Once the pins are out of his foot, he should be able to put a small amount of weight on that foot.

Kathi said he had a lot of visitors tonight. One visitor was Dan from 21 Central who brought him a T-Bone steak for Dinner.

Will update tomorrow and let you know if any of the procedures happened and how they went.

7:00 pm Update

Day 4 of rehab for Paul and he "wants the hell out of this place." He is tired of being sick and really tired of hospitals. He thought he might have the day off from rehab since it was Saturday, but he was not so lucky. He continues to be really tired from Physical Therapy, but is still working hard!

On Monday they are going to remove the IVC Filter they put in to prevent blood clots. He currently has no blood clots and the Coumadin he is taking should prevent any from happening.

Tuesay they are hoping to remove the pins from his left foot.

He is still loving all of the visitors that have been stopping by to see him.

10:00 pm Update

Day 3 of rehab for Paul and all is going well. He is working very hard. He shaved off half of his mustache and beard today and then his new electric shaver that Kathi bought him ran out of juice. Hopefully tomorrow he can finish the other half.

He continues to improve every day and we are all amazed at how great he looks considering what he has gone through. He is still really enjoying visits from friends and family. This is great medicine.

Thanks for all of the continued support from everyone!

9:30 pm Update

Day 2 of rehab for Paul today. He sat up and had breakfast this morning. He also got dressed today for the first time in over a month.

They did an ekg today and results showed his heart is back to normal rhythm. Great news!

Tomorrow morning they have plans to help him shower and shave his 70's porn mustache off. He also has requested a ranch burger for lunch.....appetite is definitely back!

He has absolutely loved and really appreciates all of his family and friends that have stopped by the hospital.

9:00 pm Update

Paul had his first full day of rehab today at Evergreen Hospital. I think he did a total of 2 hours of occupational therapy and physical therapy combined. He will usually do a total of 3 hours combined, but since this was his first day and he had a few visitors they went a little easy on him.

Visitors are now welcome after 4:30pm. This will let him get all of his therapy done during the day without being too tired from visitors.

His spirits are high and there is no place like home.

9:50 pm Update

Paul arrived safely to Evergreen Hospital around 4:30 pm today. He has his own private room in acute rehab.

He looks great and is very excited to be back home.

Paul and Kathi are looking forward to seeing all of their family and friends soon!