As many of you know, Alex had vocal cord surgery in early September…a relatively simple procedure that went well. During his 24-hour observation his nurse gave him his medicine mixed in chocolate pudding THOUGH SHE WAS TOLD THAT ALEX SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH. He aspirated and developed pneumonia. Since that time and due to errors on the part of the medical staff, he’s had aspiration pneumonia three times and bacterial pneumonia twice.

I moved him to a VA Hospital here in St. Louis two weeks ago and he is SLOWLY improving. Currently, he has, again, had a trach placed and is on a vent. Yesterday the doctor started the process of weaning him off the vent…the length of time it will take depends on how well Alex tolerates it.

He will be moved to a long-term care facility sometime next week which is closer to our home and within miles of where I work…this will certainly help as I try to balance caring for my darling husband, managing our home and trying to keep my job! Their goal will be to wean him off the vent, remove the trach when he no longer needs it, get him off oxygen and, hopefully, remove his feeding tube since HIS goal is to eventually eat a good steak, baked potato and sea bass.

Through all of this I have seen my husband almost lose his life 7 times. At the same time, I have witnessed a man who has more courage and strength than I ever will-he’s fought and continues to fight to stay alive.

With the trach in place, he is unable to speak, but you know Alex and his facial expressions. You’ll find a smile on his face throughout the day and he, somehow, manages to make everyone love him and want to take care of him! He is amazing!

This past Wednesday his first thought after being woken up from sedation for 5 days was that a dear friend of his was having a birthday on Friday and he wanted to send him an E-card…?! I can’t remember my name most of the time.

Anyway, I know our great friend, George Flew, has been keeping some of you up-to-date, but I wanted to get a message out myself to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, gifts and, most of all, love that you have given to Alex and I these past few years. It truly means more than we can ever say. Hope you had a joyous, peaceful and loving Christmas and that 2015 brings you everything you want and need in your lives. Hope to see some of you in the new year.

Love,

Linda Beaton (and, of course, ALEX!)