Big day . . .

Pete is starting to wake up! Marcus and I just came from the hospital where we saw Pete. When I say we saw him, we SAW him, the real him. In deep pain, in a deeply medicated state but the big guy saw us and moved his head, moved his hands, reacted to us. It was miraculous. I'll admit to doubting at times this past week that I would ever have that pleasure again... We were at a wedding when Rachelle called us and we left immediately. Nothing seemed more important to us than seeing him and looking him in the eyes. We were shaking with excitement. There is a long, long road to recovery yet for him but it seems, really seems, that he is on the path to wellness. They are talking about trying to extubate him on Monday or Tuesday if all is well. It was painfully obvious that the breathing tube is annoying him and he was, at times, a bit agitated as he tried to communicate with us between the waves of pain medication. It was hard to witness this but to be able to see him with open eyes and responding... Marcus thinks he even got him to laugh a little but it could have been a broncho-spasm... His vitals are stable without the aid of medicines and the medical staff (including his ultra cool nurse Ever!) seem really positive about his situation. To all you out there far away (or close!) who are reading this, thank you for everything... keep sending your positive waves - they are reaching Pete's shores. Let the healing begin!!