Dear Friends of Denny,

Dad has had a good week at the Kentfield facility. Mom says he is visibly stronger after a week there. His lungs are very clear, and they are even talking about taking out the trach tube on Monday. As I mentioned in the previous update, they gave him a dye test to check his swallowing last week, but he didn't do well. After a week of speech therapy, they gave him another, and he was able to swallow some applesauce. They have decided that it might help the healing of his throat muscles if they remove the trach tube, but leave in a "button" that will keep the hole open just in case. The other exciting thing about the button is that he can talk with it because it allows air to move through the vocal cords.

He's been keeping up on his physical therapy and getting up into his wheelchair eveyday. In fact, they've even let Mom take him out for a spin on the running path behind the hospital. They have enjoyed walking down to the town of Ross. His occupational therapy is moving along as well. He was able to clearly write out his full name (Dennis Richard Michael Cahill!) for the therapist. He has been enjoying daughter Christine's company, and this weekend, son Kevin came to visit as well. 

We're very happy with his progress. The only downside is that according to Medicare rules he has recovered from the condition that brought him to Kentfield (the pneumonia), and they have to release him. (Medicare is an imperfect system, but on the whole, we are happy to have it). We are hoping that they won't release him for a few days, but in the meantime, we are looking at facilities. Because he may not have a trach, our options are wider.

Thanks again for keeping Dad in your thoughts.