8:00 visit (2-7)

Whoa, if you haven't slept in the ICU waiting room at a public hospital, you are lucky! Never a dull moment. The security guard told me that there are 7,000 people, 38 clinics, and 3 security patrol officers. Does that make a lick of sense? I don't know how the boys have done it for 3 nights!Duaine is responsive and he even told his nurse, Nathan, that his throat was dry. I said, "You could understand that just from him moving his lips?" and he said, "Hey, it's taken years of practice!" I told him to please get all the family secrets while he was at it! They've taken Duaine down to 30% oxygen, so the weening process is progressing. They've been telling us that they can take the tubes out when he's closed up and able to breathe on his own, so we think that maybe it's a good thing that they didn't close him last night and have to leave the tubes in longer (does that make sense?). Then maybe by Thursday he'll be closed and ready to be "untubed."Some of you have asked about how the boys are doing, and actually, they're all doing very well under the circumstances! Jeremy came home to take a shower and play with Megan. Shawn went home last night to play with the kids and to reenergize. Kyle took a break yesterday afternoon. Connie said that she is so grateful for their non-stop care of Dad. It has really helped her be able to rest knowing that they are taking care of him. More as soon as it is available! ~Erica, Kelly, TarynP.S. - We'd like to take credit for some of the wonderfully worded and informative posts lately, but I've got to give credit to my mom, Kathi. She's made us all sound so good!! :) Erica