Update 7/21

Sunday was a quieter day overall which allowed Thomas to be able to finally get some needed rest.  His fever from the night before continued and was monitored closely throughout the day.

Thomas hit a record high for pain today. This is for 2 reasons:
1) they are slowly cutting back his sedation, making him more aware;
because his body and nerve endings are waking up, and more sensation continues to return, he has a heightened sense of pain.

The lungs continue to improve and regain strength, helping him initiate his own breaths. He was stepped down another level on the ventilator! A small and exciting step toward eventually getting off the ventilator.

In honor of the Lord’s Day, Holy Mass was said in Thomas’ room by a priest friend. Thomas was able to receive a drop of the Precious Blood.  Later in the evening, another priest friend came and anointed Thomas with Holy Water from Lourdes, France and Holy Oil from another shrine at Loos, France.  Relics of Saints were placed on his hands and legs as those in attendance prayed Divine Mercy.

By late evening Thom had been completely taken off sedation, another great milestone!