So, how's Fred

AJ recently sent an update on Eric:
______________________________________________________

Mr. Eric is doing really well. Surprisingly well. Remarkably well.
He's out of ICU and in a regular hospital room at Yale. That means
visitors! If any of you are able to visit the boy, I know he'd be
thrilled to see you. And if you can visit around mealtime (9, 12, 6),
you can help feed him. It's a lot fun. He likes it when you make
airplane sounds with the spoon.
He's been off the vent for several days and is breathing like a champ.
His kidneys are working better, and they are starting to make some
noise about stopping the dialysis to see how he does. That would be a
HUGE step. If he's able to get off the dialysis, it opens up a lot of
options as far as doing rehab a lot closer to home.
He still has pneumonia (no visitors with colds, please), but seems to
be responding to antibiotics. They are comfortable with his slow
progress.
He's been working with Occupational Therapy on his left hand. He can't
feel his fingers, but can still lobster claw to pick stuff up. He can
feed himself a little, but it's difficult. They think the nerves will
return in time.
Right hand and toes are still toast, but the doctors want to wait as
long as they can before doing anything. They want to give his body
every chance to recover and leave as much of him intact as possible.
The biggest concern right now are his heels. Apparently, he can walk
around fine with no toes, but not having heels is going to cause a lot
of headaches. There's reconstructive surgery they can do, but it's not
great. Those of you using Jedi healing powers (or prayer, whatever),
please focus on the heels. We need some good voodoo on them feet.
All in all, he's doing great. Not to say he doesn't have a long way to
go, but he's doing as well as can be expected right now. The doctors
keep him very busy poking at him most of the day, but I think it's
safe to say he's starting to climb the walls. Anyone in the vicinity
of New Haven should drop in.
Sue bought him a CD player to help pass the time. I sent him some
books on CD and Sue brought him some music. Many of you have asked me
what to send. Here's your chance. The boy needs tunes. His favorites
are Kiss, AC/DC, Rob Zombie....no, that's me. Sorry. He actually likes
classical and jazz (yawn). Send it to the house and we will arrange
delivery.
I can't thank all of you enough for the cards and letters you've sent
him, and the kind e-mails you've sent me. It's meant a lot to both of
us. So thanks. Way to step up. I didn't know you had it in you.
_____________________________________________________

I am going to head out to see the old man next week. Hopefully I come back with even more good news!