We went from the ICU to the "Bistro" for lunch.  Then, we went back to the ICU.

Dad was much more alert when we came back.  He recognized us when we spoke to him and was responding to our questions with gestures.  We told him that he did a terrifc job.  He feels very uncomfortable with the breathing tube, but that's very normal.  Of course, it's easy for us to tell him that, but he's the one with it in his throat.

The breathing tube is causing him discomfort and he would like it taken out, but he can't come off the ventilator until he's breathing on his own.  The ventilator is assisting him right now.  We stayed for about 15 minutes, but we felt that we may have been exciting him too much as the nurses were trying to do a breathing test to see if they should take the tube out now, or sedate him for 4 more hours and take it out later.  They'd rather do it sooner than later, just better for his future sore throat.

I think they were going to take it out, and when asked if he wanted it he made the praying motion indicating "YES, get this thing out".