Just spoke with Paul Sr., and it just keeps gettin' better all the time...

Paul was visited by the surgeons and pain management folks tonight..less pain felt, apparently more generalized in area.. very good signs.

The drainage bottle at Paul's side is removed... they say his internal organs are "clear"... no sign of infection.. the purpose of the bottle was to collect fluids from the wound cavity, and they have ceased flowing...CT scan shows NO hint of infection. Paul will keep the ol' colostomy bag for probably a few weeks, consume only very light foods, mainly fluids. I'll bet he's as hungry as a wolverine....

The neurologists are very pleased with his recovery status... wiggling of toes, rotation of the ankles, muscle twitching in the most affected leg, and amazing strength while assisted to a STANDING position getting to and from bed and chair!

The kicker is that there is already discussion of moving Paul to Madigan at Fort Lewis, or even better, to Fort Riley, which would be a real blessing for the Family...only about 5 hours' drive from Springfield, MO... and possibly as soon as early next week!!!

All the news the past few days has been positive, for both Paul and Damon. Paul Sr. hopes to visit the good LT again tomorrow, and is hearing better news all the time. With Damon's transition thru the step-down unit from SICU, I wouldn't be surprised if the young SGT gets a new roomie!

PARTY TIME!!!

I'm runnin' out of exclamations of Joy here...

SGT Schmitz, Paul Sr., Vivian, Stacie, Mattie and the Family (about 1.5 dozen present now) send all their thanks for the prayers!

Further updates as soon as available...

Lumpy