from Arlene

Leah, Abigail, and Arlene were with Bill this afternoon (Friday). Bill was alert and able to interact by nodding and shaking his head. Abigail found Bill's ipod at his house earlier in the day and played some Bob Dylan and rock in the afternoon, switching to Mahler in the early evening. Leah left around 4, just in time for Friday traffic. He liked hearing the music, but it was not enough to override the tremendous pain and anxiety he is apparently feeling. His left hand fingertips are like balloons, completely gray, almost unrecognizable.  It is so difficult to see him try to communicate.  He was finally given pain medication; the hesitation to administer it is because too much medication results in delay of removal of the breathing tube.  But it was just too much for him to bear. 

His kidney function still needs to improve; the cardiologist said breathing and kidneys need to stabilize before they start dealing with the heart problem - a leaky aortic valve. It has been a difficult day. Abigail has been holding his hand for hours. It comforts him.