Grandpa Ottley: Update 6

Good news today! Grandpa has had the breathing tube removed. Last night watching him have to struggle with the tube was very disheartening. He has built up a lot of fluid in his lungs so they have wanted to keep it in until he had gotten stronger. The nurse told me he demonstrated his strength by kicking him in the head the other night. Last night I saw him wear himself out sitting up in a chair trying to take the breathing tube out and take off his restraints. I kept thinking he was analyzing the problem as a mechanic and find a way to untie himself. Now that the tube is out, he can talk and communicate better. He is not able to have any water yet until his throat has had some time to heal. The nurse felt that as soon as the breathing tube was out he will recover much quicker and move out of the ICU soon. We hope that is true. He will be able to have more visitors once he is out of the ICU. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts during this time.