I just spoke to him and he seems to be in better spirits at least. I asked "How's my boy?" and he said "Trying to hold it together" but his voice was shaky and I could tell that he was holding back tears. He said he's never felt so helpless and vulnerable.

While we were talking, his dr. called and my son asked if he has Inclusion Body Myositis and the dr. said "No, yours came on too fast. It's viral". This was a relief to both of us. He did tell my son to increase the amount of Prednisone that he's taking, though, and not to decrease it daily as previously instructed since he hasn't seen much progress. He said to keep taking 60 mg. a day until he sees a noticeable improvement. He also told him that if he didn't feel better by tomorrow to go back to the ER or the walk -in clinic, that he would probably be seen more quickly at the walk in clinic. And the dr. will refill his Prednisone as necessary.

His voice was, as I mentioned, shaky, in part, I think, due to his emotional state. But over all, he sounded stronger, although he says he still can't cough like he needs to; he doesn't have enough strength. His abdomen isn't as tight as it was and he still says that he has no pain or soreness, just weakness and partial paralysis. The dr. assured him that this would improve w/time and my son is trying hard to believe that. He wants so badly to get back to work and exercise again. His appetite at least is ok and he doesn't have problems w/breathing and the dr. made a point of asking him that.

His girlfriend came over and spent her day off w/him, brought him dinner, gave him a little massage and just did her Florence Nightingale routine and he really appreciated it. He said that she's the only one who can calm him down. His friends keep calling and checking on him, even his manager offered to help and, since his girlfriend has to work today, one of his other female friends who just moved to LA is going to watch the Superbowl w/him. They probably both need the company.

So. If he doesn't feel better tomorrow, he is going to go to the walk- in clinic. I'll update you as I hear more. Again, friends, thank you so much for your inquiries, concern and, most of all, your prayers. I know that they're working for him, albeit not as quickly as we both would like to see but even a little improvement is better than none at all.