Saturday

A little backslide yesterday. Steve aspirated some food Thursday night, had a coughing fit and developed a fever. They moved to ICU at 5am to stabilize him and run some additional tests. They were successful and subsequently planned to move him back to the rehab hospital yesterday evening. He slept most of the day and didn’t have anything to eat through his tube, so hopefully today they will ease him back into eating semi-solid foods that he enjoyed prior to yesterday’s event.

When I departed Friday evening, all indications were that Steve was back to his previous “ready to get working” rehab self.  Saturday continued - this morning, Steve is back in his comfortable rehab room 304. Given that there’s limited staffing on the weekends, they will keep him back on a feed tube until Monday when they can run a new set of X-ray swallow testing to ensure that liquid and food are continuing to go through his stoma and into his stomach, and not inadvertently passing into his windpipe back into his lungs. His lungs sound clear again today, but they have started him on antibiotics just to be on the safe side.

As usual, Steve remains extremely positive today despite his (hopefully) temporary break from solid foods and a good cup of coffee in the morning. Today is a light day activity - wise with only brief occupational and speech therapies this morning and an abbreviated physical therapy this afternoon. As usual, there are no activities planned for Sunday so for those interested in a quiet visit, Sundays are a good day to join Steve. Prior to yesterday’s brief setback, Steve has continued his A++ recovery pace, exceeding all expectations of the many therapist and other staff members assigned to preparing Steve for his return to Boise with all of his friends and family that love him.

In the meantime, his popularity among staff here is just what you would expect from anyone who spends time around Steve and his magnetic personality. Three of his rehab therapists made a special trip over to the ICU yesterday just to make sure Steve was OK and encourage his quick return. The progress Steve has made since I first walked into his hospital room here on September 23 is nothing less than remarkable, which is reiterated by absolutely every hospital employee that works with him. His positive attitude and daily drive to fully recover is an example of resilience that we can all learn from. I have no doubt that this has been amplified by all of the wonderful friends and family that have spent time with him here and shared their love and support through the many letters and emails he receives on a daily basis. Steve thanks you for your support, so raise a glass for Steve at Sunday’s smokejumper/bluegrass cider event!

Warm regards, 

Paul Bannister