If yesterday was about finding his voice, today was about using his strength. Jake has spent the day checking things off his goal list and proving that he is more than ready for the road ahead.

Jake is no longer just walking, he’s exploring. He headed back up to the rehab floor for a shower and decided to walk the entirety of the 12th floor while he was there!

Later in the day, he made his way to the garden where he tackled stairs for the first time. He absolutely knocked it out of the park. Seeing him navigate stairs is a massive milestone as we begin to look forward to what life at home will look like.

The vocal cord procedure from yesterday is already paying huge off. Not only is his voice sounding better, but his ability to swallow has significantly improved. Today, under the guidance of Speech Therapy, Jake was able to eat some fruit by mouth! This was a victory that he has been begging for. We are now eagerly awaiting his formal swallow study, which is scheduled for early next week after his heart cath.

On a slightly less “fun” note, his NG tube clogged again today and had to be replaced. This time, it was Mom who got the honor. While we hate that he has to endure the discomfort of the tube, the silver lining is that with this successful placement, we are now completely finished with our caregiver training. We are fully equipped to handle Jake’s needs, which is one more box checked for our eventual discharge.

Jake’s oxygen saturations are back up today after running a little low yesterday (likely a lingering effect of the procedure and sedation). He is breathing well, moving strong, and his spirit is willing. We are heading into the weekend with a lot of gratitude and a lot of hope for what next week holds.

For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 56:13