Update Phil May 3rd

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Well.......I visited our friend today. Actually, and as I told him, he looks better than I expected! I think he called me a witch. No; he didn't say the "B" word....that's not Phil.

Anyway; he was sitting in the chair; and just finished lunch. (I brought him e'one's get well wishes....Shawna was gonna read them to him. (Initially the family enjoyed them out in the lounge area while I visited);

I also talked with Shawna again later this afternoon. Bless her heart....she, and some of her family members have been at the hospital 24/7.; and in a step down unit there's no such thing as a cot or recliner. They've been crashing in the family lounge. Not too comfy I'll tell ya.

From what I've gathered.....Phil had a "spontaneous pneumothorax (sp?)....happened when he was exercising a bit I believe. Anyway; his lung's about 90% re-inflated....the tube is still in (siphoning off air). I think they're waiting for a stable 24 hours before he'll be moved from the unit. It's my understanding at this point that he may be in for a few weeks.

He's NOT out of the woods at this point.

He had a severe anxiety attack the other day....not good when you consider the position he's in and with an FEV 1 of 10%......at least that's where it was 2 + years ago.

While visiting we were talking about breathing. (Remember he pushes breathing properly and says Exhale Dammit!) He told me he figures he'd have been dead some time ago if he hadn't been practising breathing etc. and it has made a difference with his latest crisis when he originally ran into problems.

I told him I would remind folks.

And; that's the news. His B'Day is Sunday ...if you'd like you can post something in the Thoughts & prayers section www.copd-international.com/Loving-Thoughts/ please do. Or even add something new. I know it'll go a long way right now.

So...........EXHALE DAMMIT! ........Jackie NS

[cheryl]

Thanks for the update Jackie. Sounds like Phil is improving every day. Tell him we're thinking of him and sending lots of prayers to him and his family.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I will Cheryl. There's also a little something I told him I'd pass along to e'one which I'll do in a seperate post.