the smallest words means sooo much!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone it is Sharon, sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Those really close to me know why I don't like to post. So I'm just giving a little update. Dave seems to be responding well to the steriods. He has been moved back to Good Shepherd Ltach, which is a good thing, no longer in ICU. This past week his therapist have started him on a speacking valve for his trach. Dave has been off of his ventilator for of a week. He still has the trach because of his secretions, it allows the respiratory therapist to go in and suction him, which is unpleasent, when he needs it. As inpleasent as this is, Dave does ask to be suctioned at times, so it does give him relief. Imagine having bronchitis all the time, this is how Dave feels right now. The speaking valve allows air to flow around his vocal cords allowing him to produce sound. The first time I told Dave that I love him after they had put this valve on him he responded with 'I love you too', I haven't heard him say that in almost two months. Each day he seems to be willing to try a little more at talking. Dave got so frustrated not being understood that he had stopped trying to comunicate. It is great having Dave try again to talk to us. But to be able to communicate again comes with it downs sides. Dave is now able to let us know when he is not happy or comfortable, but it is still hard to understand him, so it just kills me to know Dave is trying to let me know something I can't figure out. I know sometimes Dave is not comfortable but I can't figure out what is bothering him. Sometimes it is internal, sometimes it is physical. He has admitted to me that he is sad(he says because he misses me) and he is scared(I haven't figured out why yet) but at the same time when I'm there his spirits seem good! Dave needs everyone to continue praying and sending all of their postive energy and thoughts his way! He hasn't given up so no one else can yet either!!!!!!!!!