This morning I gathered the samples for the water testing without any problems, prepared the ColiPlates with test cultures, and they are currently cooking in the incubator. The results will be ready tomorrow afternoon and I'll post them on the South Channel website as soon as I can. Today turned sunny with a mild breeze and was a humid 29°C (84°F), and it was gorgeous on the bay. I always like to say, “Hot and sweaty, rhymes with machete.”

I just got off the phone with my mom with the report from the hospital. Dad had a pretty good day. He is stable with no fever and his vital signs are good. The dialysis treatment went well and lifted another 3 liters of fluid from the Michelin Man. The doctors treated him with a different antibiotic to fight his secondary infection, and they believe they have it on the run. He opened his unfocused eyes twice while my mom was there, in what was probably somewhat of a reflex response. The first time was when Mom told him I was at the cottage doing his water testing. The second time was when the nurse washed his hair and she and my mom were trying to comb it out so it would “look nice”. He has always said he hates being “messed with” like that. The doctors say sometimes patients remember snippets of things that happen when they are largely unconscious. Only time will tell.

My father and the Topping family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of kindness, caring, blog comments, offers of assistance, and most of all prayers. This is a very difficult time for our family. However, with all of our friends and family at our side, we will get through this. Thank you all for your love and support.