Updates 28 - 22

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

#28, April 8, 2009
Andrea was able to feed Sean his supper tonight. He's progressed to the point where he can have pretty much anything he wants; in fact, the aide told us that he'd picked out his meal this evening. Somehow he got salmon and asparagus on the plate, and he didn't really care for them. He's a lot more alert today. We think that the doctors have been adjusting his medications to help him be more in tune with his surroundings. His speech is improving as he regains control of his tongue and lips. The therapists are also happy with his progress.
Posted by Paul Andrea at 7:46 PM 0 comments
Monday, April 6, 2009

#27 Update April 6th
Sean is doing better, he seems to be processing a lot. Some of the answers to questions are coming a lot faster. Granted these are yes or no answers but that is a huge step. He is very tired lately so we are hoping that is due to processing more and his brain healing more. He told us 1 + 1=2; there are neat windows of light that some signals are there, working and we are hoping/believing with more to come.He is not as combative, mainly he wants to do things on his own so he can come home. He told us yesterday that they won't let him come home. We were able to help him understand that he will be able to come home as soon as he is capable we promised. He had to promise that he would let them help him get better so that it could happen faster. A "I promise, you promise" exchange and he understood and repeated "I promise, you promise" back. He has gained back some of his weight loss so that is good.The biggest thing that has upset him lately is he now understands it is April and he has been in hospitals since January. Bless his heart!
Posted by Paul Andrea at 8:22 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 5, 2009

#26, April 5, 2009
We went up today to see Sean, and he was sitting up on his bed, with his feet on the floor. Andrea brought along some tapioca, which had too many "pearls" for him to be comfortable with. We explained the best that we could that he needs to be able to do more things for himself before he can come home. Tomorrow will be a chance to meet with his therapists to set some weekly goals for him. It's our hope that if he understands that he needs to do more than walk and swallow before he can leave, he'll be more cooperative with the therapists and staff. Thank you all for keeping us and Sean in your prayers.
Posted by Paul Andrea at 6:07 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 2, 2009

#25 Update April 2nd
Sean is improving but is extremely frustrated as he has had to relearn the basics of life. They are trying new medications to help with the movement he has that is like but not Parkinson's disease. The new medication made him combative and so they stopped it and will try something else. He has another urinary tract infection as well. April Fool's day was a blustery winter snow storm for us but seeing him and being able to calm him made the trip all worthwhile. Thank you again for your warm thoughts and prayers; it is making all the difference.
Posted by Paul Andrea at 2:38 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 30, 2009

#24 Update March 30th
Today was an unusual day for Sean as we were there to see him about noon. I fed him some pistachio pudding that Paulette had made and he really enjoyed it. We haven't seen him so frustrated for a long time; he was running a bit of a fever and not letting the nurse take his blood pressure. My sister Mary Lou and niece Anne got to visit for about 5 minutes as he was having a challenge and unable to explain what was upsetting him. He had 3 good therapy sessions today and walked a lot. The therapists are mainly there to steady him. They took him down the hall to the elevator, then had him walk around the first floor gym and back again, which is a pretty long walk.
Posted by Paul Andrea at 6:22 PM 0 comments
Friday, March 27, 2009

#23 Update March 27th
After the blizzard from yesterday it was a treat to see Sean this afternoon. He was talking and walked a lot today. He graduated to chopped up pieces about 1/2 inch in size of chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and applesauce. He can also suck out of a straw. I stayed to feed him and it was delightful to share the time and meal with him. He was hungry and has eaten 100 % of all of his meals today. His nurse asked him what branch of the service he was in Navy, Army or Air Force and he answered Air Force. He is making small but noticeable steps forward. He will always be one of our best achievements in life no matter what. Between him and Delaney, she "talks" more but we understand more of Sean's words; someday soon hopefully they'll be even.
Posted by Paul Andrea at 8:56 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 26, 2009

#22 Update March 26th
Sean is relearning how to take food! He had some "nectar" yesterday without incident. Not a sirloin, but we all have to start somewhere, I guess.We met other caregivers of brain-injured people in a support group yesterday, and we feel humbled by what these people have gone through after traumatic brain injuries--falls & auto accidents in the crowd we were with. If we didn't process that this is a marathon, the experiences we heard last night brought that home. The doctors tell us that the first six months or so will bring the greatest healing and learning; due to the coma that Sean was in, that six-month clock really didn't start until he arrived at Spaulding. Thanks again for the prayer groups that you all have added Sean's name to, and thank you again for the individual prayers and positive thoughts directed our way.Due to a springtime blizzard here in Colorado, we aren't going up tonight, and we might stay home tomorrow as well. Saturday is forecast to be bright and sunny, though. We call the hospital to see how his day is, and what new things he is doing. All the best to everyone.