Update 7/22: The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

First a note from Thom's father, Dr. Peters:

It is common place for Catholics to remark how often the readings of the day speak, nay sometimes shout, at us. Things we’ve heard or read a hundred times take on new insights based on our circumstances. Today, Mary M found the tomb empty, heard a man talking to her, “But she did not recognize that it was the Lord.” It hits me. Mary went looking for a dead Jesus, found a live One, but being caught up in her own shock and grief, she didn’t even recognize Him standing right there! Soooooo typical of us. Me, anyway. 

God did not cause Thom’s injury, He didn’t even want it, but He knew it would happen and, in the midst of our shock and grief, He’s standing right in front of us. I asked for the grace to see Him better. 

So I turn the cell phone back on after Mass, and Ang [Mrs. Peters] texts me that Thom is in a wheel chair! Okay, so maybe Jesus isn’t standing right there, but He sure is sitting with Thom right now.

Yes! Thomas was in a wheelchair today! The day nurse (her name is Becky, and she is wonderful) mentioned that Thomas could be put in a wheelchair today, and that it would probably be good for him. So, around 1 pm, they came in, wrapped his legs in gauze and circulation stockings, and lifted him into a wheelchair. He sat in it for an hour and a half. Besides allowing him to change positions, it also helps muscle recovery in his neck, back, shoulders and legs. He got pretty tired afterwards, and slept through much of the afternoon.

He continues without sedation, and his pain is under better control today thanks to a change in his medications. He was able to move his pointer finger slightly: another little victory! And he's been making jokes!

Otherwise it has been a quiet day. He asked to watch a movie (half an episode of Doc. Martin). Mrs. Peters took a mini-pilgrimage around Baltimore, and brought back more medals and lots of prayers. The window ledge in the hospital room is half bookshelf and half shrine.

We have seen slight improvement in his lungs. This is the biggest goal right now! The morning doctor, making her rounds with the Fellows, said that if he is on the ventilator for another 10 days, they will have to insert a tracheostomy. But he continues to improve and so much can change in those ten days. Mrs. Z has started a novena for his lungs -- please join us in those prayers!  (Besides getting off the ventilator and removing the breathing tube, it would also mean that he can talk, instead of literally spelling out every thing he wants to say.)