PICC line is successfully inserted under ultrasound guidance. Better TPN ordered for Monday night. Dr. Nawaz says white count is 17,000. Says X-rays look better. Respirator placed in passive mode for 5 hours. Dr. Weiner comes in late afternoon and says he will pull the tube. He raises his voice and wags his finger at me as he says “Remember what I told you: On again off again, on again off again, on again off again until you tell us to stop. Has he tried talking to you? Has he opened his eyes?” He waves his arm and walks to the nurse’s desk.

I’m asked to step out and when I return my father is resting comfortably without the tube. PICC line TPN is started at 8:00 pm. I speak with Anita who tells me that in terms of nutrition TPN is as good as stomach feeding – so the nutritional issue has now been addressed.

It is Purim night and I run home to get my father’s Megillah. I read it to him so loudly that the nurses close ICU-7’s sliding glass door.