Sunday, May 17

Hello to all! Chance and the boys are headed back home this evening. It was so nice to spend the weekend together. It's hard to believe that this school year is almost over.
Clay had a busy day. The dressing covering the back of his head has come down, and the grafts have adhered nicely. They also took some x-rays of his left hand and the doctors will make a decision this week about the surgery. When we arrived for our 11:00am visit, after our Sunday morning fellowship meeting, Clay was in his wagon. Carson, Cody, and Grandma were outside the ICU doors. His brothers put on their gowns, masks, and caps and were able to visit him outside his room. We pulled his wagon to the end of the hall and his brothers sat beside him for a little while. It was touching to have the boys together again and share this precious time with each other (many feelings in our hearts). Clay was able to say their names when we placed our finger over his trach.
Clay's nurse took him (in his wagon) to the break room and let him pick a drink out of the fridge. She said that his face lit up when he spied some chocolate milk. She let him hold it and sip it while cruising around in his wagon. He was anxious to show us what he was drinking when we arrived. A gentleman from Corinth, TX builds custom-made toy barns. He made one for Clay a few weeks ago and we were not able to put it in his ICU room. We have it at home and Clay's brothers have enjoyed playing with it. Clay will enjoy it too, as soon as he makes it home. A barn was also made for Kermit. We pick it up today and took it to Kermit's nurse. She set it up on a table by Kermit's bed while he was asleep. When he woke up he yelled "Nurse, Nurse look at this!" We thought this was a pretty cute incident to tell about. Kermit's ICU room was empty this evening because he was able to move out of the ICU today. Clay is going to miss his little buddy, but will get to see him again when he is moved from ICU. Hopefully Clay will get to move soon.
Some friends brought Clay a battery-controlled jeep to drive around, when he's feeling good. He was allowed to circle the ICU a few times in it and wanted to park it in his room. This is against regulations, so Chance & I carted this thing all the way back to the parking garage. We were really getting some curious looks from bystanders. We had several visitors today, and it was good to see all. Clay did not sleep much today; so, maybe he will sleep soundly tonight. He is coughing up some thick secretions; but, he only had one episode of emesis (vomiting) today. He's getting better each day. Hope you all have a good night & thanks again.