Unremarkable is good

Steve and I met with his pulmonologist this morning to review results from multiple tests. They all came back unremarkable -- they found nothing physiologically wrong with his lungs or heart. Wonderful news!

The sleep study indicated that he needs more sleep. He fell asleep before they even turned out the lights, which apparently is unusual. And he dreamed 28 percent of the time. Normal is 20-25 percent.

Dr. L recommends that Steve get at least seven and a half hours of sleep each night. He sleeps closer to six and a half hours now. He can't sleep any later than he does now, so he'll need to go to bed earlier and turn off the TV or close his book quicker.

Dr. L also wants Steve to continue his exercise routine. Yesterday he started walking on a treadmill. (Jim and Betty loaned us theirs. Uncle Jim and friendly neighbor Ron carried it into the house.) Compared with the exercise bike, there is more risk with the treadmill -- Steve's not exactly steady on his feet. He's also tried a water aerobics class for people with physical limitations at our city's athletic center.

The doctor couldn't give us an answer on Steve's low pulse oxygen level but also doesn't seem concerned about it being in the mid-90s, instead of at 100 percent.

Life at home has been messy and loud. Yesterday Katie closed the drain on her bathroom sink, turned on the water and left the room for about 20 minutes. When I discovered the incident, the bathroom, hallway, linen closet and part of her room were flooded. I used every towel in the house (plus a few borrowed from the Smith collection) to soak up the water. Liz helped me dissemble and move all the contents of Katie's bookshelves into the dining room so we could access the wet carpet. Layne rented and delivered a carpet-drying fan, which has been loudly blowing and drying for the past 24 hours.

Life is never dull!