Update 8/27 10:30am

Things are going very well still. Braden is going through what is called his extubation test right now. What this means is that the breathing machine is turned off and they see how he does without this safety net. He has done all of the breathing except 5 an hour for more than a day now. They think that he will be fine without the machine. Once he wakes up a little more he will be ready to get the tube out. This would be a big milestone like I mentioned before, and get him one step closer to eating and coming home.

Steph and I spent our first night at Ronald McDonald's last night. It is right across the street, and now that we are in, we can stay as long as we need to stay. It is really nice, and they have everything you need there. It is an amazing place and so helpful for people in our position.

We have also agreed to participate in a scientific study that is being conducted here in collaboration with other major medical centers around the country. The researchers are looking at genetic possibilities as well as environmental factors. We will be giving blood that they will extract DNA from for the research. We also filled out a huge questionnaire on our family medical history which is a huge part of what they look at. They have no idea what causes things like this to happen, but maybe we can be a little part of the solution some day.

Thanks,
Rich