Update from Kathy re:Tom - MONDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2008 02:04 PM, CST

[Guest guest]

Wonderful news today. The transplant dept. doctor just left, and he said that Tom is progressing very well. They are monitoring his liver enzymes with each of his blood tests, and they are steadily going down. That's great news! It means that the new liver is functioning well. The other good thing is that he is showing no signs of any bleeding. Bleeding is often a complication after a liver transplant. He still has a lot of drainage, but that is a good thing because it means all of the fluid retention he had in his abdomen for the last several months is coming off of him. They are pulling a lot of the tubes out of him today, and they're going to start him on clear liquids. He has a very proactive nurse named Tim today who is really helping Tom move forward in his recovery. What a blessing he is. Although Tom is still in a room in ICU he was technically moved to 'step down' yesterday because he is doing so well.

Tom has been able to sit in a chair for a couple of hours today. That is a good step forward for him. Sitting in a chair should help with his back pain.Larry is also doing well according to the transplant doc. I'm going to go see him in a few minutes.

Thanks for all your continued prayers...they really seem to be working.

To send a message to Tom and Kathy goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/thomasbutler