Update 8/1/11 @ 1:20PM

Today has been a great day! They have decreased Alan's oxygen to 60% and he has been able to maintain his saturation levels in the 90s. They have also turned down the air pressure on Alan's respirator (the PEEP or positive end-expiratory pressure is now at 12). They also have not needed to give him any blood, which is good too. When talking with the Intensivists this morning they said that they have seen small improvements with Alan. They mention the fact that he is still here with us which is a good sign and that there must be a greater power helping him get better apart from what they have been doing at the hospital. They also said that they are 80% certain that he does have Wegener's. He is getting another plasmapheresis treatment today and tomorrow they will be able to run another diagnostic test to see if these treatments are helping. They are going to take him off of the paralytic medication as well. Overall, the outlook today has been very positive, although he will probably remain in the hospital for months and in the ICU for weeks.