April 28th 8:45 pm

***This is from the October 06 Talladega race. We know that the race was yesterday but with Neil feeling bad we just didn't get a chance to post a picture! See part of the track in the background!! Sunday's race was only the 2nd race Neil and his dad have missed in Talladega in 10 years.

Hello to all, As you know weekends are slow in the hospital and Neil did not feel good. Last night he ran a temp and was nauseated . Now for all the good news and it is amazing. He started off feeling better this morning. The orthopedist came by and said Neil's leg was doing great and the x-rays looked great. He said he was going to get Neil a splint and the leg would be weight bearing. He also said physical therapy would be here and would get Neil in a chair. The doctor then came by. He changed Neil's trach to a 4 which is the last step to removing the trach. He had respiratory therapy cap the trach so Neil has been breathing on his own all day with a little assist with a nasal cannula with some oxygen. The doctor ordered the feeding tube and the catheter be removed which was done. My goodness, aren't these blessings? Neil was up in a chair for about 3 hours. This was the first time Neil has been out of bed since February 26. He said was wonderful, but was tiring. Neil asked the doctor when he might be going to Health South and the doctor said he was ready for Neil to go, but it was up to the orthopedist. I guess you can imagine Neil is ready to talk to him. This has been a banner day. Neil is aware he has some real work ahead of him and is ready to begin. We have loved today and look forward to tomorrow. (Because Neil felt better today, I ran home to get things I needed, such as summer clothes. HA. It has been a long time and was a good trip. However, I was ready to get back to see all this progress. Again, I told Neil I would leave any time if he was going to do all these good things.) Please pray for Neil's lungs, leg and his breathing on his own.

More good news. Nelson left today to go to UAB. We are so pleased for Nelson and his family. Your prayers helped get him to Birmingham. I have not heard from John or Daisy today but hope to hear from them tomorrow. Also, we will check on Sue. Now listen to this, Shannon is breathing on a trach collar and may be moved to a room tonight or early tomorrow. She responds some and her family is thrilled. Please pray for the full recovery of Sue, Shannon, John, Daisy, Nelson and our other friends here. My goodness, we are all so blessed with your prayers and support. Please continue to surround Vicki and her family with your love. Also, let's keep the Andress family in our prayers.