Needing rest and relief...

Dad was feeling kind of tired and weak when we saw him this afternoon, as he'd had a sleepless night due to some pain and discomfort. He looked a little brighter when we popped in to see him this again evening, but he fell asleep shortly after this photo was taken. (That's my Mum, my brother, Graham, and my niece, Kasey, by the way.) Now that he's breathing on his own, talking through the passy-muir valve, and sitting up in a chair now and then, he gets tired quickly, and we're being careful not to tire him out.
Dad's appetite is continuing to pick up (he had soup and juice today, as well as his current favourites of yogurt and ice cream) but a special powder needs to be added to his food and drink to make them a thicker consistency, so that he doesn't swallow too fast and choke on it.
Despite Dad's tiredness and some ongoing discomfort, the medical staff had some good news for us today: blood tests show that his kidney function has improved slightly, and surgeons said this morning that his external wound is beginning to look a little better. We continue to pray for the healing of the internal infection that caused this life-threatening illness in the first place.