[Ponte Alto] Latest Update on Sir Michael Saint-Sever

[Max Nelson]

Lucky number seven.  Michael was successfully weaned off the  
ventilator this morning around 10 AM--or more accurately, the staff  
got tired of his shenanigans and yanked it.  He took it well and is  
breathing all on his lonesome without difficulty.  There's still some  
discomfort--back, chest, and throat are sore for separate but obvious  
reasons--but he should be much more comfortable by tomorrow.

He's not back to his old communicative self yet since moderm meds have  
the habit of holing up in the body's tissues and take time to purge.   
Within hours, though, he was making good eye contact, responding to  
basic instructions, and asking for things he wanted (took some  
lipreading since his voice isn't back yet).

One of his first requests?  Sample exchange:
"I want to get up."
"No, Mike, getting up happens later; now is the time for sitting down."
"I want to get up."
"Look, you're not getting up."
"I want to get up."
"Hey . . . stop that.  You're not supposed to be lifting things with  
your arms (like, say, your whole body)."
"Why?"
"It's bad.  Just stop it, okay?"
"I want to get up."

Actually, I've been at parties in Los Angeles in the early 90s where  
Mike's conversations were nearly identical to this, so I take is a  
particularly good sign.

Needless to say Barb et al couldn't be happier.  Hospital staff  
expects him to be more or less drug free and right in the head  
tomorrow (we'll assume they mean "more right in the head", as they  
really don't know what passes for Norm in Michael).  They'll get him  
on the phone with Morgan and Maddie as soon as possible (couldn't  
today because his voice isn't back yet).  We also hope to capitalize  
on his newly returned reasoning capacity to impress upon him the  
undesirability of lifting things with his arms (like, say, his whole  
body).

Clearly word has gotten around about Michael's turn for the better and  
they greatly appreciate the influx of calls and messages today (though  
friends should try to do Barb et al a solid by *not* calling, so that  
they can focus their energies on Michael and what they have to get  
done out there).

Nonetheless, they confer apologies for not getting back to people  
individually--they're sure you understand how focused they've been on  
Michael--but rest assured that each and every message has had a  
positive impact.  Michael will also see them, as soon as he's able.

They are extremely thankful to everyone for the great and ongoing  
support

In service and love,

Baron Max Von Halstern
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