I just wanted to thank Edgar for posting the pictures and to let everyone know that me having crossed eyes was just a joke and not my normal appearance now, the broken front tooth however is not a joke and something that I need to have fixed at some point. That's all for now.
Liam
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
After Liam posted his looooooooong post (which I read all the way through), we all went out to support our local pub. May 14th was the release of Bob's Brown Ale from the Georgetown Brewery. Every year, the brewery makes a limited quantity of Bob's and gives all the profit to the Ronald McDonald House in memory of Manny's friend Bob (who passed away from cancer). This event happens every year and we all go and drink and feel better about ourselves for getting drunk for a good cause - but this year was different. This year May 14th had a different flavor to it. May 14th, 2009 was the day that Liam drank his first beer (whole beer) since February! It is so great to see Liam doing so well - the docs told him no booze for a whole year, but then loosened up due to his quick progress. I snapped a few picture for you all to enjoy (as much as you can enjoy looking at pictures of mediocre looking men).
Brown Beer is Good.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Liam's first post
I’m sorry for the delay in adding to this posting. Things have been pretty hectic since coming home. I have been meaning to write on this blog since then but have only recently felt that I had the energy and skill required. I have started to use this blog as a personal journal and this is my latest entry. It has been very beneficial for me to write down all my thoughts, so this posting is more for me than any of you. So I apologize in advance for the length of this posting, feel free to not read as much as you like, I will only hold it against you for a little while because if you tell me that you have only read half of it, chances are that I will forget pretty quickly.
I’ll start with how things are going. Things seem to be progressing well although I’ve had some small setbacks along the way. Recently I have been getting an odd feeling in my left hand. It feels like pins and needles as if I have been sitting on my hand and there is no blood getting to it. The thinking from all of my medical people is that my shoulder is not working properly and that the ball part of my arm is not quite fitting properly into the socket part of my shoulder. This could be pinching a blood line or possibly a nerve. The thought is that this should go away by itself over time. The interesting thing is that my therapists have told me that this feeling can actually be a good sign in some cases. Apparently, when you have lost feeling in a limb this can be the first sensation that you get as things are getting better, so it could be a good sign. The only problem is that I never lost any feeling in my left hand so the doctors don’t really know what is going on. I guess this is part of what my doctors have been telling me, that there is no “normal” brain injury, everyone is different. This is why the doctors have never been able to tell me any odds that I have about anything, because every brain and brain injury recovery is different. It can be a little frustrating because when I ask when I will be able to go back to work or be normal they have no good answer and always say something like “Let’s wait and see how it goes.”
I had a recent development with my math skills. About a week and a half ago I took a very simple math test with no calculator allowed in my occupational therapy. When I first looked at the problem I had no idea how to progress and was just guessing and checking. Eventually my therapist came to talk me through it. However, even though I knew how to do it, I still really messed up and got the problems wrong. I think some of this can be explained by simple math errors, everyone does that every now and then. This had me pretty down and concerned as so much of my life revolves around being able to be good with numbers. The good news is that last week in occupational therapy I had the same exam and this time I got everything right. I felt very relieved with this. It just goes to show that ups and downs are to be expected and how quickly they can happen.
Another recent incident was that I had a small fall. I was bending down pretty low and I lost my balance. I let myself fall over because I have always heard that people usually hurt their limbs when trying to stop themselves from falling. Also, I was only a couple of inches off the ground and my bum was falling on to a padded carpet so I only feel a couple of inches and didn’t hit my head on anything. I didn’t tell Erika immediately because I didn’t want her to worry. I figured that she has done enough worrying over the last couple of months. I did tell my doctor and he said, “I will tell you what I tall all my patients and that is that adults don’t fall over.” I beg to differ, Erika is quite clumsy.
Recently my physical therapist told me that I could start pushing myself harder by doing some pretty demanding exercises. Until now all my physical therapy has been designed around me regaining my balance. Now that my balance appears to be getting back on track I can now focus on regaining my strength. It is pretty cool, for the first time I feel that I am doing exercises similar to ones that I would have done before the injury, complete with the leg burn.
I have learned recently of some interesting mental problems that I am facing. When I first started outpatient therapy I must have been asked a dozen times by different doctors if I felt any depression or anger. I kept telling them no but began to worry that maybe I should start feeling depressed. I felt no anger or depression before starting out patient therapy then inexplicably I had two separate instances of just felling really down and one weird instance of feeling angry. It was really odd, I woke one morning feeling fine then when I got in the shower I suddenly got very angry. I don’t really know what I was angry about, just angry at the world and maybe partly angry about my predicament. But then I went downstairs and started talking to a couple of friends who were here and as quickly as the anger materialized, it disappeared. Just having friends around to talk to relieved the situation. Apparently, sudden mood changes are something that is very common for brain injury patients.
Another interesting mental development is my current lack of judgment when talking to people. The way it was described to me is that everyone has a filter that helps them determine if something is appropriate to say at a given time. Apparently my filter is in need of some work right now so I may say inappropriate things sometimes. I feel that I have become pretty aware of this problem so, with a little concentration and thought I am able to avoid too many problems. One of my therapists told me that she also felt that I am a pretty self-aware person, given my injury. She said that being self-aware with moderate brain injury is better than not being self-aware with a mild brain injury as far as long term development and growth is concerned. That was very encouraging to hear.
Another interesting development that I have had and that is common to many brain injury patients is a change in impulsivity. Apparently I am now much more likely to impulsively change the conversation when talking to someone leaving them confused and me looking odd. I have not been conscious of this so far but have made a mental commitment to look out for this in the future. I have been told by my occupational therapist that playing video games is good for me because I use both hands at once while thinking about something else. So I was just keeping up with doctor’s orders when I was playing video games with Joel one day when all of a sudden I put down my controller, got up and started vacuuming without saying a word to Joel. Joel asked me what I was doing and I rather curtly said, “Vacuuming, obviously.” We didn’t know at the time that this was a symptom of the brain injury but he was able to recognize that it seemed odd even though I didn’t. My speech therapist recently asked me if I had noticed any signs of impulsivity. When I told her this story she just laughed at me for being such an avid vacuumer. By the way, a “speech therapist” is the new politically correct term for a mental or psychological doctor.
I would like to thank everyone for posting messages on this blog. I know what a great job everyone did on my blog but I will thank you all to stop telling me what a good job you think Joel did on his postings, it is hard enough to keep his ego in check as it is. So far, I have told him that only one person has mentioned his postings, I want him to be able to fit through the door with his big ego, after all, I need him to take me to outpatient therapy still. This may seem a little rude to Joel but I want him to know that I am the same person I have always been, so I have to get in a little jab at him.
Now that I have given you a little update I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. I have no doubt that everyone, even those who have just thought about me helped saved my life. I am absolutely convinced that even in my darkest hour my brain on some level was able to recognize all the good friends that I had around and wanted to get better in order to give me more opportunities to talk to all of these good people. At one point a nurse told Erika about the things I needed in order to get better. She told Erika that I was young, healthy, had never been a smoker, and most importantly that I had a good support system. She said that these are the things that every patient who gets better has.
I would like to take some time to mention that I in no way hold soccer(football for those outside the U.S.) responsible for my injury. It is my hope that everyone learns to love it as much as I do. It would be easy to blame soccer for my injury but soccer has taught me so much that has helped me in my recovery. Soccer has taught me how to be positive, how to work hard in the face of adversity and how to break through seemingly impossible barriers. Not even mentioning all the good people it has allowed me to make friends of. Soccer is the perfect analogy for life in so many ways. You can get better at it by working hard and learning. No matter how good you are, there are times that you need some help from your teammates and I am lucky enough to have some of the best around. Even though it may seem tough and you may be losing, there is always something to be learned. When you get fouled, even if it is not fair, you need to get back up and keep playing.
Go Chelsea!
On a final note, I have decided to use this injury as an opportunity to learn and grow.
I look at it as though there was pre-injury Liam who is now replaced with post-injury Liam. Post-injury Liam is committed to trying how to learn how to be a better person, just for Jonah who expressed some sadness when he asked how I was doing and was told that it looked like I was going to be the same person. His response was, “Oh, so he’s not going to get any better?” Well Jonah, this is for you and from now on shut your trap.
One thing that I have learned so far is that there are always positive occurrences even in negative developments. Some of the good that I have taken comes from a story that my Dad told me. He said that when he was in the hospital he had met a medical team member who was having a bit of a crisis of conscience and was unsure if she wanted to stay in the medical profession. She told my Dad that after seeing my case and the positive way it turned out and how many friends were pulling for me that she had decided to stay and become a doctor. I just thought it was very cool that even though I was unable to talk I was able to help someone with a life decision.
Another positive development is that I feel as though I have had a midlife crisis (although I doubt that 29 is the middle of my life) and can now see the world in a more clear light. In our society it is so easy to become wrapped up in really inconsequential things. I feel very lucky to be reminded that the character of one’s life cannot be judged by possessions but instead by the company one keeps.
Another one of the positive developments was to be reminded of all of my great friendships, including being reminded of the high school friends that still think of me. It is too easy to forget how fortunate I am to have known such a high caliber of people but from now on I promise to do my best not to forget that. This leads me to one of the things about myself that I would like to change and that is not to take any of the people in my life for granted.
Since I am trying to change things in my life, I thought of one last thing you could do for me is try to use my injury as an opportunity to change something in your life that you have always wanted to and to let me know.
And finally the best positive development is that I am going to get to learn how to ride a motorcycle again. Most people don’t even learn the thrill of a motorcycle once but I get that thrill twice in my life. I had ordered a new seat before I got injured but it just arrived last week. Joel helped me put it on the bike and I am so excited to try it out.
I wish the best to everyone reading this and thanks again.
All the best,
Liam
I’ll start with how things are going. Things seem to be progressing well although I’ve had some small setbacks along the way. Recently I have been getting an odd feeling in my left hand. It feels like pins and needles as if I have been sitting on my hand and there is no blood getting to it. The thinking from all of my medical people is that my shoulder is not working properly and that the ball part of my arm is not quite fitting properly into the socket part of my shoulder. This could be pinching a blood line or possibly a nerve. The thought is that this should go away by itself over time. The interesting thing is that my therapists have told me that this feeling can actually be a good sign in some cases. Apparently, when you have lost feeling in a limb this can be the first sensation that you get as things are getting better, so it could be a good sign. The only problem is that I never lost any feeling in my left hand so the doctors don’t really know what is going on. I guess this is part of what my doctors have been telling me, that there is no “normal” brain injury, everyone is different. This is why the doctors have never been able to tell me any odds that I have about anything, because every brain and brain injury recovery is different. It can be a little frustrating because when I ask when I will be able to go back to work or be normal they have no good answer and always say something like “Let’s wait and see how it goes.”
I had a recent development with my math skills. About a week and a half ago I took a very simple math test with no calculator allowed in my occupational therapy. When I first looked at the problem I had no idea how to progress and was just guessing and checking. Eventually my therapist came to talk me through it. However, even though I knew how to do it, I still really messed up and got the problems wrong. I think some of this can be explained by simple math errors, everyone does that every now and then. This had me pretty down and concerned as so much of my life revolves around being able to be good with numbers. The good news is that last week in occupational therapy I had the same exam and this time I got everything right. I felt very relieved with this. It just goes to show that ups and downs are to be expected and how quickly they can happen.
Another recent incident was that I had a small fall. I was bending down pretty low and I lost my balance. I let myself fall over because I have always heard that people usually hurt their limbs when trying to stop themselves from falling. Also, I was only a couple of inches off the ground and my bum was falling on to a padded carpet so I only feel a couple of inches and didn’t hit my head on anything. I didn’t tell Erika immediately because I didn’t want her to worry. I figured that she has done enough worrying over the last couple of months. I did tell my doctor and he said, “I will tell you what I tall all my patients and that is that adults don’t fall over.” I beg to differ, Erika is quite clumsy.
Recently my physical therapist told me that I could start pushing myself harder by doing some pretty demanding exercises. Until now all my physical therapy has been designed around me regaining my balance. Now that my balance appears to be getting back on track I can now focus on regaining my strength. It is pretty cool, for the first time I feel that I am doing exercises similar to ones that I would have done before the injury, complete with the leg burn.
I have learned recently of some interesting mental problems that I am facing. When I first started outpatient therapy I must have been asked a dozen times by different doctors if I felt any depression or anger. I kept telling them no but began to worry that maybe I should start feeling depressed. I felt no anger or depression before starting out patient therapy then inexplicably I had two separate instances of just felling really down and one weird instance of feeling angry. It was really odd, I woke one morning feeling fine then when I got in the shower I suddenly got very angry. I don’t really know what I was angry about, just angry at the world and maybe partly angry about my predicament. But then I went downstairs and started talking to a couple of friends who were here and as quickly as the anger materialized, it disappeared. Just having friends around to talk to relieved the situation. Apparently, sudden mood changes are something that is very common for brain injury patients.
Another interesting mental development is my current lack of judgment when talking to people. The way it was described to me is that everyone has a filter that helps them determine if something is appropriate to say at a given time. Apparently my filter is in need of some work right now so I may say inappropriate things sometimes. I feel that I have become pretty aware of this problem so, with a little concentration and thought I am able to avoid too many problems. One of my therapists told me that she also felt that I am a pretty self-aware person, given my injury. She said that being self-aware with moderate brain injury is better than not being self-aware with a mild brain injury as far as long term development and growth is concerned. That was very encouraging to hear.
Another interesting development that I have had and that is common to many brain injury patients is a change in impulsivity. Apparently I am now much more likely to impulsively change the conversation when talking to someone leaving them confused and me looking odd. I have not been conscious of this so far but have made a mental commitment to look out for this in the future. I have been told by my occupational therapist that playing video games is good for me because I use both hands at once while thinking about something else. So I was just keeping up with doctor’s orders when I was playing video games with Joel one day when all of a sudden I put down my controller, got up and started vacuuming without saying a word to Joel. Joel asked me what I was doing and I rather curtly said, “Vacuuming, obviously.” We didn’t know at the time that this was a symptom of the brain injury but he was able to recognize that it seemed odd even though I didn’t. My speech therapist recently asked me if I had noticed any signs of impulsivity. When I told her this story she just laughed at me for being such an avid vacuumer. By the way, a “speech therapist” is the new politically correct term for a mental or psychological doctor.
I would like to thank everyone for posting messages on this blog. I know what a great job everyone did on my blog but I will thank you all to stop telling me what a good job you think Joel did on his postings, it is hard enough to keep his ego in check as it is. So far, I have told him that only one person has mentioned his postings, I want him to be able to fit through the door with his big ego, after all, I need him to take me to outpatient therapy still. This may seem a little rude to Joel but I want him to know that I am the same person I have always been, so I have to get in a little jab at him.
Now that I have given you a little update I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. I have no doubt that everyone, even those who have just thought about me helped saved my life. I am absolutely convinced that even in my darkest hour my brain on some level was able to recognize all the good friends that I had around and wanted to get better in order to give me more opportunities to talk to all of these good people. At one point a nurse told Erika about the things I needed in order to get better. She told Erika that I was young, healthy, had never been a smoker, and most importantly that I had a good support system. She said that these are the things that every patient who gets better has.
I would like to take some time to mention that I in no way hold soccer(football for those outside the U.S.) responsible for my injury. It is my hope that everyone learns to love it as much as I do. It would be easy to blame soccer for my injury but soccer has taught me so much that has helped me in my recovery. Soccer has taught me how to be positive, how to work hard in the face of adversity and how to break through seemingly impossible barriers. Not even mentioning all the good people it has allowed me to make friends of. Soccer is the perfect analogy for life in so many ways. You can get better at it by working hard and learning. No matter how good you are, there are times that you need some help from your teammates and I am lucky enough to have some of the best around. Even though it may seem tough and you may be losing, there is always something to be learned. When you get fouled, even if it is not fair, you need to get back up and keep playing.
Go Chelsea!
On a final note, I have decided to use this injury as an opportunity to learn and grow.
I look at it as though there was pre-injury Liam who is now replaced with post-injury Liam. Post-injury Liam is committed to trying how to learn how to be a better person, just for Jonah who expressed some sadness when he asked how I was doing and was told that it looked like I was going to be the same person. His response was, “Oh, so he’s not going to get any better?” Well Jonah, this is for you and from now on shut your trap.
One thing that I have learned so far is that there are always positive occurrences even in negative developments. Some of the good that I have taken comes from a story that my Dad told me. He said that when he was in the hospital he had met a medical team member who was having a bit of a crisis of conscience and was unsure if she wanted to stay in the medical profession. She told my Dad that after seeing my case and the positive way it turned out and how many friends were pulling for me that she had decided to stay and become a doctor. I just thought it was very cool that even though I was unable to talk I was able to help someone with a life decision.
Another positive development is that I feel as though I have had a midlife crisis (although I doubt that 29 is the middle of my life) and can now see the world in a more clear light. In our society it is so easy to become wrapped up in really inconsequential things. I feel very lucky to be reminded that the character of one’s life cannot be judged by possessions but instead by the company one keeps.
Another one of the positive developments was to be reminded of all of my great friendships, including being reminded of the high school friends that still think of me. It is too easy to forget how fortunate I am to have known such a high caliber of people but from now on I promise to do my best not to forget that. This leads me to one of the things about myself that I would like to change and that is not to take any of the people in my life for granted.
Since I am trying to change things in my life, I thought of one last thing you could do for me is try to use my injury as an opportunity to change something in your life that you have always wanted to and to let me know.
And finally the best positive development is that I am going to get to learn how to ride a motorcycle again. Most people don’t even learn the thrill of a motorcycle once but I get that thrill twice in my life. I had ordered a new seat before I got injured but it just arrived last week. Joel helped me put it on the bike and I am so excited to try it out.
I wish the best to everyone reading this and thanks again.
All the best,
Liam
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
HE IS HOME!!!!!
Just a quick note - he came home this evening, a day early, so I got to bring him home and watch a movie on the couch with him! I love it, and we are both so happy that he is home. Out patient therapy will not start for a couple of weeks, so visitor are welcome, and help him with his therapy when you are here! He also has his cell phone back, so you can try to call him, but he may not always be up to talking alot, so please respect that and make calls short, unless he wants to keep talking :) I am out of here for the next couple days, but will post more info later. Thanks dad for installing railings for Liam, thanks Marylyn and Sue for cleaning the house, and thanks Mom for taking care of the dogs:)
Time Travel
I'm sure we can all forgive Erika for getting the date wrong on her last post. She has a lot going on after all. Liam is going home tomorrow, MARCH 26th and not on 2/26/09. If we had access to time travel, I'm sure we would not use it to get Liam discharged from the hospital on 2/26/09, but instead we'd get Doc Brown and Marty McFly to let us borrow the DeLorean and take Liam back to he morning of 2/22/09 and have him sleep past his alarm and piss off the entire team by skipping the game. Writing this post made me realize that I need to go visit Liam at home next week and watch Back to the Future with him, who's with me?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DISCHARGE DATE: 2/26/09!!!!!
Liam's coming home Thursday evening!!!! I can't wait, but I'm also bummed because I will be in New Haven visiting Yale.... I am going to miss the big event, the day I have been waiting for. But, I am still so glad he is coming home. Not as glad is he is though;) He can't wait to sit on the couch, sleep in our bed, just relax and not be in the hospital. This does mean I have to clean the house in the next couple nights. For those of you who don't know, Liam is OCD when it comes to cleaning and organizing. Kiea and I aren't quite as good at those things, and the house is not up to his standards right now. For once, I will be excited about the cleaning because it is for him to come home to.
Luckily, Scotty and Sandy will arrive on Friday. Sandy stays through Monday, and Scotty through the 5th. Joel will be around to stay with Liam also while I am gone. Kiea will of course be here in the evenings since she lives here:) Ashley will also get moved in so she can be around to help out. We have so many amazing friends helping all of us out, thanks to everyone!! Once he is home we can start having visitors here also.
He will be doing out patient therapy, we don't have a schedule yet, but it will be a combination of speech, occupational, and physical therapies. He will most likely go in 3 days a week for a number of hours. It will take them a couple weeks to get him into the schedule. In the mean time, they will give him all kinds of exercises (physical and mental) to work on at home and we all need me make sure he does them. So, when you come to visit, come hang out, but also work with him on some of his stuff. Playing easy games is great to, UNO, cards, anything you want to try with him.
Okay, I need a nap. I got a bad cold after Kristen's wedding on Saturday. Yeah Kristen!! It was awesome, thanks to Matt, Joel, Rene, and Dave for staying with Liam so I could be in the wedding without feeling bad. By the way, Liam is fully with it now, and still agrees to marry me :)
Luckily, Scotty and Sandy will arrive on Friday. Sandy stays through Monday, and Scotty through the 5th. Joel will be around to stay with Liam also while I am gone. Kiea will of course be here in the evenings since she lives here:) Ashley will also get moved in so she can be around to help out. We have so many amazing friends helping all of us out, thanks to everyone!! Once he is home we can start having visitors here also.
He will be doing out patient therapy, we don't have a schedule yet, but it will be a combination of speech, occupational, and physical therapies. He will most likely go in 3 days a week for a number of hours. It will take them a couple weeks to get him into the schedule. In the mean time, they will give him all kinds of exercises (physical and mental) to work on at home and we all need me make sure he does them. So, when you come to visit, come hang out, but also work with him on some of his stuff. Playing easy games is great to, UNO, cards, anything you want to try with him.
Okay, I need a nap. I got a bad cold after Kristen's wedding on Saturday. Yeah Kristen!! It was awesome, thanks to Matt, Joel, Rene, and Dave for staying with Liam so I could be in the wedding without feeling bad. By the way, Liam is fully with it now, and still agrees to marry me :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Day 27
Mat here, posting for the first time. It's 11:49, Liam crashed about 20 minutes ago, and it's my turn to stay the night. Liam says he gets a little scared to wake up in the middle of the night with nobody around, but really he wants someone here because it's the only way he's allowed to not have the bed belt locking him down all night. Erika will take her first full day away from the hospital tomorrow because she'll have Cristin's wedding activities - congrats, Cristin, and well done, Erika, you deserve the break.
Liam starts OT at 9:45am. This morning his therapist decided it might be a good idea to have him walk down to the cafeteria, get a sense for crowds, and if he did well there, he may be granted a "day out" on Sunday to go watch Magic play in the final (I'll tell you now: he did awesome, and he gets to go to the match on Sunday). So he put on his gait belt - Liam, notice there's a "t" sound on the end of that? - brushed his teeth, and we started our stroll down to the cafeteria. We got to the top of the flight of stairs, moved him over to the right rail so he could use his stronger arm, but I'm not sure he relied it on all that much! He was striding down the steps, just under normal pace, and it surprised us all that he didn't have to do the little kid-style of stepping both feet onto each step. The therapist asked, "Wow, are you sure you're okay to take a full step each time?" Liam's response: "Apparently I am." Nice one. Full flight of stairs: check. After that he weaved the breakfast crowd, Erika holding onto the belt but not aiding, and Liam commented on only one guy in the whole cafeteria, the guy wearing the motorcycle shirt. "Check out the Harley guy." He's warming up to the idea of me exercising the Buell until he can ride again, then made a joke about strapping the "gait" belt around both of us and sitting on back while I rode.
I took off to work, but Erika said in the early afternoon they (therapist included) took Liam for a walk outside. He read a map, walked them a few blocks away to Boren, read the map again, and walked them all the way back to the hospital. He also wrote in his journal - right handed still because he doesn't have the dexterity in the left hand/arm yet. Let's just say I could read "Liam and Erika," but he's got nothing on my 5 year-old niece...yet. I'm sure his writing will progress right along with everything else and be back to normal in no time.
The evening hours saw some usual suspects (Frank, Erika, Joel, Dave from AZ, Ashley and the Mooses). Liam is pretty chuffed to have all his friends come by, so if you've wanted to stop in but aren't sure about when/how, call someone who is sure and come along for the ride. He'd love to have another target around to poke fun at for a little while. Everything considered, things are great. He still thinks I put him in my truck, snuck him out of here for a drive across the bridge at Vantage, and then brought him back, but he's come to just believe me when I tell him it never happened. Time to crash out now. We can't say enough thanks to all of you for all of your support, cards, prayers, emails, pictures and visits - it's all going to help get our boy get out of here and home just that much sooner.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
sleepover
Were having a sleepover tonight. Liam asked me to spend the night so I got a sleeping chair - it turns into a bed, it's what I slept in when I was staying with him in the ICU. Were getting ready to go to sleep right now. He had another great day. His dad, Frank, has been here since last Thursday so he has been spending alot of time with Liam during the day so I have started going back to work part time. Liam is itching to go home, and everyday they tell us it could be sooner. This morning they said maybe before I got to Baltimore (April 2-4th)!!!! Scotty will be staying with us that week which works out perfectly, and Ashley is planning on moving back in with us to help take care of Liam when he is out of the Hospital. Liam hasn't given me any food suggestions yet, he just wants to go home and then have people bring stuff. But, feel free to bring stuff, or to call and see if he wants lunch or dinner if you are coming by. He is reading all his emails and cards now, so keep sending them. And thanks to Gracie and Henry for their cute emails!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
major improvements
Hi everyone,
Liam is going amazing, in case you couldn't guess from the post below. He typed some comments onto the blog with his dad earlier. I copied and pasted them into a post to make sure eveyone would see them. And yes, he is cleared to eat whatever he likes, so, everyone can feel free to bring him food and snacks if they want. I will take Allison's advice (Joel's wonderful mom) and have Liam post a list about what he wants to eat on the blog so people will know what they can bring. Just so all of you don't get any ideas becuase it's St. Patricks day, no beer for a year. No alcohol for a year actually. It sucks, but he is accpeting of it. Also, no driving for at least 6 months, then they have to decided if they want to clear him and then he has to get licensed again. No motorcycles for a year (that he is not very excited about). No soccer, skiing, tennis, ect for a year. Nothing that could cause injury to the head. And when he is cleared to do these things again he will always have to wear a helmet. So, start looking for some fun ones....
Now that he is a rehab patient there is a weekly meeting with all the therapists, doctors, nurses, and us to discuss goals and answer questions. We just had the meeting at 2pm today, and everything sounds great. They are not setting a discharge date at this time, but they are guessing it will be sooner then the predicted 4-5 weeks. Probably early to mid April, so soon!! I told them not until after I get back from visiting the schools of course ;) The main goals are to get him to a point where he can get in and out of bed, get ready for the day, and move around the house safely and without assistance. Someone would need to be around just to make sure he is okay, but he wouldn't need any help. They also mentioned that they want to make sure he can prepare a simple meal. I said, good luck, he never cooks and I have been trying to get him to make me dinner for 8 years... They will also be working with him to improve his reading, writing, and problem solving. And eventually get him back to work, but we have no idea how long that will be at this point. Thanks to everyone at AON by the way for being so supportive, understanding, and just helping out with everything we have needed!
After he is released from the hospital ( I can't believe I am writing that!!!!) he may get rehab with out walls - where they come to our home so it's still pretty intensive. This is for when he still needs intensive rehab, but doesn't need to be an inpatient anymore. Then he would transition to outpatient rehab.
On a funny note, he is going to get Botox today or tomorrow!! It's for his left arm to help relax the muscles (release the tone) and it's a standard treatment, but he and I are very entertained by the idea. It lasts about 2-3 months and then he may have to have it done again.
Seeing him in rehab is just amazing. He is walking on his own to the gym and back, walking on treadmills, using a recumbent bike ect. He really knows what's going on and his memory is so much better. He is much more awake, less groggy, and very talkative. He can hold normal conversation about anything he would have before the injury. Liam is on his way back to us!!
It's still going to be a long process, but I am just so great full for how fast he is improving, how far he has come, and that he is still Liam (I was so scared his personality might have changed because that is very common with head injuries.) He is excited and read to come home, and I can't wait to have him there. We will have to see if we need to make any modifications to the house when he is closer to coming home. Having him home would be just amazing.
On the note of things getting back to normal slowly, I am starting to go back to work. I went in to meet with my boss (Beth is awesome and so supportive by the way! Thanks Beth!!). I am going to start back part time tomorrow and do as many hours as I can while still being here for Liam, and not killing myself. It will be nice to get back to work and have some normalcy. I am thinking maybe a scooter to get around and not have to pay for parking - paying for parking is so expensive...or maybe BRI can let me park there for free for a couple months, just until he is better? I'm going to talk to them about it when I am back.
Anyway, visitors are welcome in the evenings and weekend. He has a very intense therapy schedule see below:
9:45 - 10:30am Occupational Therapy
10:30 - 11:15am Speech Pathology
11:15-12:00pm Physical Therapy
lunch and nap
1:00 - 1:30pm Recreational Therapy
1:45-2:30pm Speech Pathology
3:15-4:00pm Occupational Therapy
crazy long day...but he is doing it all. I am sure when he gets back from OT at 4 today he will need a nap. I am sure he will nap everyday from 4 until dinner. So, after work and around dinner, and after dinner are good visit times. His Saturday schedule is less intense and changes, I can post it on Fridays so people can know when to visit. And, on Sunday's there is no therapy, so visitors all day please!
Erika
Liam is going amazing, in case you couldn't guess from the post below. He typed some comments onto the blog with his dad earlier. I copied and pasted them into a post to make sure eveyone would see them. And yes, he is cleared to eat whatever he likes, so, everyone can feel free to bring him food and snacks if they want. I will take Allison's advice (Joel's wonderful mom) and have Liam post a list about what he wants to eat on the blog so people will know what they can bring. Just so all of you don't get any ideas becuase it's St. Patricks day, no beer for a year. No alcohol for a year actually. It sucks, but he is accpeting of it. Also, no driving for at least 6 months, then they have to decided if they want to clear him and then he has to get licensed again. No motorcycles for a year (that he is not very excited about). No soccer, skiing, tennis, ect for a year. Nothing that could cause injury to the head. And when he is cleared to do these things again he will always have to wear a helmet. So, start looking for some fun ones....
Now that he is a rehab patient there is a weekly meeting with all the therapists, doctors, nurses, and us to discuss goals and answer questions. We just had the meeting at 2pm today, and everything sounds great. They are not setting a discharge date at this time, but they are guessing it will be sooner then the predicted 4-5 weeks. Probably early to mid April, so soon!! I told them not until after I get back from visiting the schools of course ;) The main goals are to get him to a point where he can get in and out of bed, get ready for the day, and move around the house safely and without assistance. Someone would need to be around just to make sure he is okay, but he wouldn't need any help. They also mentioned that they want to make sure he can prepare a simple meal. I said, good luck, he never cooks and I have been trying to get him to make me dinner for 8 years... They will also be working with him to improve his reading, writing, and problem solving. And eventually get him back to work, but we have no idea how long that will be at this point. Thanks to everyone at AON by the way for being so supportive, understanding, and just helping out with everything we have needed!
After he is released from the hospital ( I can't believe I am writing that!!!!) he may get rehab with out walls - where they come to our home so it's still pretty intensive. This is for when he still needs intensive rehab, but doesn't need to be an inpatient anymore. Then he would transition to outpatient rehab.
On a funny note, he is going to get Botox today or tomorrow!! It's for his left arm to help relax the muscles (release the tone) and it's a standard treatment, but he and I are very entertained by the idea. It lasts about 2-3 months and then he may have to have it done again.
Seeing him in rehab is just amazing. He is walking on his own to the gym and back, walking on treadmills, using a recumbent bike ect. He really knows what's going on and his memory is so much better. He is much more awake, less groggy, and very talkative. He can hold normal conversation about anything he would have before the injury. Liam is on his way back to us!!
It's still going to be a long process, but I am just so great full for how fast he is improving, how far he has come, and that he is still Liam (I was so scared his personality might have changed because that is very common with head injuries.) He is excited and read to come home, and I can't wait to have him there. We will have to see if we need to make any modifications to the house when he is closer to coming home. Having him home would be just amazing.
On the note of things getting back to normal slowly, I am starting to go back to work. I went in to meet with my boss (Beth is awesome and so supportive by the way! Thanks Beth!!). I am going to start back part time tomorrow and do as many hours as I can while still being here for Liam, and not killing myself. It will be nice to get back to work and have some normalcy. I am thinking maybe a scooter to get around and not have to pay for parking - paying for parking is so expensive...or maybe BRI can let me park there for free for a couple months, just until he is better? I'm going to talk to them about it when I am back.
Anyway, visitors are welcome in the evenings and weekend. He has a very intense therapy schedule see below:
9:45 - 10:30am Occupational Therapy
10:30 - 11:15am Speech Pathology
11:15-12:00pm Physical Therapy
lunch and nap
1:00 - 1:30pm Recreational Therapy
1:45-2:30pm Speech Pathology
3:15-4:00pm Occupational Therapy
crazy long day...but he is doing it all. I am sure when he gets back from OT at 4 today he will need a nap. I am sure he will nap everyday from 4 until dinner. So, after work and around dinner, and after dinner are good visit times. His Saturday schedule is less intense and changes, I can post it on Fridays so people can know when to visit. And, on Sunday's there is no therapy, so visitors all day please!
Erika
Friday, March 13, 2009
Rehab baby!!
Changes for today:
1) Liam moved next door to 461
A private room, because he is now officially a rehab patient, and no longer a neuro patient!! Today he met with the doctors that will be taking care of him and they evaluated him. Tomorrow he will meet with the each of the therapists for his initial evaluations and they will start planning everything they are going to do with him. It's going to be a long day, so not a great day for visitor, but he might like to see people come by to encourage him. I think they aren't going to want us around much at the beginning. His biggest problem is staying focused, and having others in the room makes it much worse. I was talking to his doctors, and they may have us leave alot during the first parts of therapy so they can get more out of him.
Tomorrow he has :
8:30-9:30am physical therapy
9:30-10:30am occupational therapy
10:45-11:15am theraputic recreation
1:00-2:00pm speech pathology
2) Next week starting on Monday he will have a set schedule for each of these therapies, we will find out that schedule on Monday. It's going to be a struggle to keep him awake and functioning for all of this time.
3) Liam had his second shower today, I helped him of course :) He loved sitting on the stool under the hot water. We were in there for so long the nurses came to check to make sure everything was okay. Any of you that have every lived with Liam know he loves 30-40 minute hot showers. And when the nurses told him that there would be a weekly meeting with the nurses, doctors, therapists, and family to plan and that he would need to tell them what his goals were he said "longer showers, but they are going to say shorter showers."
4)His cast came off today. He did keep it, and they might use it as a splint still. They might put another straighter one on tomorrow after the evaluations. We will have to wait and see.
5) He has been feeding him self for all his meals, and cleaning his plate completely.
6) His diet has been changed to semi solids, so soft stuff like pasta and fish are now on the menu! This will start with breakfast tomorrow, and he is excited about it. They also mentioned that we can bring in food and there is a fridge and microwave here.
He really wants to go home, but isn't ready yet. I did find out that there is some paperwork I can do to allow me to bring the dogs into his room! I am very excited about that and so is Liam. He keeps asking to see the dogs again, he misses them a lot.
Lastly, I am going to need some coverage because I need to go out of town twice to visit Yale (March 26-28) and John Hopkins (April 2-4). If you are available to spend some time with Liam on those days please let me know so we can get a schedule set up. Thanks!!
1) Liam moved next door to 461
A private room, because he is now officially a rehab patient, and no longer a neuro patient!! Today he met with the doctors that will be taking care of him and they evaluated him. Tomorrow he will meet with the each of the therapists for his initial evaluations and they will start planning everything they are going to do with him. It's going to be a long day, so not a great day for visitor, but he might like to see people come by to encourage him. I think they aren't going to want us around much at the beginning. His biggest problem is staying focused, and having others in the room makes it much worse. I was talking to his doctors, and they may have us leave alot during the first parts of therapy so they can get more out of him.
Tomorrow he has :
8:30-9:30am physical therapy
9:30-10:30am occupational therapy
10:45-11:15am theraputic recreation
1:00-2:00pm speech pathology
2) Next week starting on Monday he will have a set schedule for each of these therapies, we will find out that schedule on Monday. It's going to be a struggle to keep him awake and functioning for all of this time.
3) Liam had his second shower today, I helped him of course :) He loved sitting on the stool under the hot water. We were in there for so long the nurses came to check to make sure everything was okay. Any of you that have every lived with Liam know he loves 30-40 minute hot showers. And when the nurses told him that there would be a weekly meeting with the nurses, doctors, therapists, and family to plan and that he would need to tell them what his goals were he said "longer showers, but they are going to say shorter showers."
4)His cast came off today. He did keep it, and they might use it as a splint still. They might put another straighter one on tomorrow after the evaluations. We will have to wait and see.
5) He has been feeding him self for all his meals, and cleaning his plate completely.
6) His diet has been changed to semi solids, so soft stuff like pasta and fish are now on the menu! This will start with breakfast tomorrow, and he is excited about it. They also mentioned that we can bring in food and there is a fridge and microwave here.
He really wants to go home, but isn't ready yet. I did find out that there is some paperwork I can do to allow me to bring the dogs into his room! I am very excited about that and so is Liam. He keeps asking to see the dogs again, he misses them a lot.
Lastly, I am going to need some coverage because I need to go out of town twice to visit Yale (March 26-28) and John Hopkins (April 2-4). If you are available to spend some time with Liam on those days please let me know so we can get a schedule set up. Thanks!!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Day in The Life: Week 3
Hi Everyone,
I'm here at the hospital, and Liam has been relatively with-it for the past couple of hours, but seems to be winding down now. Mat was here this morning, then Erika and Ashley, so I thought I'd try and piece together what they told me to give everyone an idea of what today was like.
So far it seems to be one of his better days, and that roller coaster is still trending gently upwards.
Mat said that Liam was fairly awake and chatty this morning. By chatty, he was speaking every once in a while, and is still sometimes difficult to hear and understand. He speaks like someone who is sleep-talking. Alot of whispers and mumbles. The good news is, if you ask him to speak clearer, he can usually whisper louder and mumble less.
Anyway, Mat was with him this morning, and Mat got him in his wheelchair and took him outside to meet Erika and and the dogs. Erika says he had fun seeing the dogs and being outside in the sun.
He was up a while more and was falling asleep when I got in at around 12:30. He slept pretty well until about 2:00 when the physical therapist came around. They did some walking exercises. With her holding him, he is somewhat able to walk. He takes very small steps and cannot balance on his own at all. He loses concentration and will start to fall, and the left leg is still pretty weak. She also had him sit and try to move his left arm more, which he was able to do.
When she was working with him, his former boss, also named Joel, came by for a visit. When the PT finished up, we got him in his chair and took him to the 4th floor skybridge for the view. He really enjoyed seeing Joel, and had one of the best conversations I've heard him have so far. He was answering questions, asking relevant questions, and making relevant comments. Not that topics moved much beyond the basics, or we stayed on one topic for more than a minute or so, but it was still great to see.
After Joel left, he got back in bed, but pretty soon after his speech therapist came by. Liam performed well for her. He knew his name, the date, and his birthday. He even knew his age, which was giving him alot of trouble two days ago. He stumbled on the President, saying the current president was "HW," but later, on his own, said Barack. I asked where Obama went to college and he pointed at himself and said "Oxy," and then said, "I got better grades than him." Basically, he was able to answer almost all the questions asked, and was able to read for her.
She asked him to name all the animals he could in a minute. He started well, saying, "Hippo," and then "Zebra." After that, he got distracted, and said "Joel," and "monster." He said another non-animal that I don't remember, and then repeated Hippo and Zebra several times. She told him each time to say a different animal, but he couldn't. Finally, he said "Blue Jay," and "rooster."
She took off, and we watched some of the UW-Stanford basketball game. He was able to read the score for me, but didn't really keep his eyes on the game. He sat up and was able to feed himself, and looked at some pictures we have on the wall. He saw pictures of himself during Spring Break our senior year. A bunch of us had a great time on Lake Powell, and he looked at those pics and said, "we really need to do that again soon." It's something we always talk about, so it was good to hear. He got back in bed, and has now been sleeping for another half hour or so.
When awake, he usually still keeps his eyes closed, but will open them if he is talking. The tests the therapists did were interesting. I think they showed how far he has come, and how far he still has to go. If he is drowsy, he sometimes doesn't know where he is, or thinks he is someplace totally different (he was in Mexico the other day.) He sometimes forgets his age, or says things that don't make sense. But when he is doing well, it is great to see.
Erika, Ashley, Kiea, and Chris Moose are all here now, and Liam is stirring a bit, so I'll end this here. We'll be sure to let you guys know how therapy goes in the next couple of days.
I'm here at the hospital, and Liam has been relatively with-it for the past couple of hours, but seems to be winding down now. Mat was here this morning, then Erika and Ashley, so I thought I'd try and piece together what they told me to give everyone an idea of what today was like.
So far it seems to be one of his better days, and that roller coaster is still trending gently upwards.
Mat said that Liam was fairly awake and chatty this morning. By chatty, he was speaking every once in a while, and is still sometimes difficult to hear and understand. He speaks like someone who is sleep-talking. Alot of whispers and mumbles. The good news is, if you ask him to speak clearer, he can usually whisper louder and mumble less.
Anyway, Mat was with him this morning, and Mat got him in his wheelchair and took him outside to meet Erika and and the dogs. Erika says he had fun seeing the dogs and being outside in the sun.
He was up a while more and was falling asleep when I got in at around 12:30. He slept pretty well until about 2:00 when the physical therapist came around. They did some walking exercises. With her holding him, he is somewhat able to walk. He takes very small steps and cannot balance on his own at all. He loses concentration and will start to fall, and the left leg is still pretty weak. She also had him sit and try to move his left arm more, which he was able to do.
When she was working with him, his former boss, also named Joel, came by for a visit. When the PT finished up, we got him in his chair and took him to the 4th floor skybridge for the view. He really enjoyed seeing Joel, and had one of the best conversations I've heard him have so far. He was answering questions, asking relevant questions, and making relevant comments. Not that topics moved much beyond the basics, or we stayed on one topic for more than a minute or so, but it was still great to see.
After Joel left, he got back in bed, but pretty soon after his speech therapist came by. Liam performed well for her. He knew his name, the date, and his birthday. He even knew his age, which was giving him alot of trouble two days ago. He stumbled on the President, saying the current president was "HW," but later, on his own, said Barack. I asked where Obama went to college and he pointed at himself and said "Oxy," and then said, "I got better grades than him." Basically, he was able to answer almost all the questions asked, and was able to read for her.
She asked him to name all the animals he could in a minute. He started well, saying, "Hippo," and then "Zebra." After that, he got distracted, and said "Joel," and "monster." He said another non-animal that I don't remember, and then repeated Hippo and Zebra several times. She told him each time to say a different animal, but he couldn't. Finally, he said "Blue Jay," and "rooster."
She took off, and we watched some of the UW-Stanford basketball game. He was able to read the score for me, but didn't really keep his eyes on the game. He sat up and was able to feed himself, and looked at some pictures we have on the wall. He saw pictures of himself during Spring Break our senior year. A bunch of us had a great time on Lake Powell, and he looked at those pics and said, "we really need to do that again soon." It's something we always talk about, so it was good to hear. He got back in bed, and has now been sleeping for another half hour or so.
When awake, he usually still keeps his eyes closed, but will open them if he is talking. The tests the therapists did were interesting. I think they showed how far he has come, and how far he still has to go. If he is drowsy, he sometimes doesn't know where he is, or thinks he is someplace totally different (he was in Mexico the other day.) He sometimes forgets his age, or says things that don't make sense. But when he is doing well, it is great to see.
Erika, Ashley, Kiea, and Chris Moose are all here now, and Liam is stirring a bit, so I'll end this here. We'll be sure to let you guys know how therapy goes in the next couple of days.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
New room, new floor! (460)
Hey Everyone,
First of all, Liam has finally moved to the 4th floor, the rehab floor. The is a half-step up for him. He is not considered ready for rehab, but they needed the bed-space in his old unit, so moved him even though they won't start the intense rehab yet. This is good, because they expect him to be ready for that rehab soon. He is now in room 460.
First of all, Liam has finally moved to the 4th floor, the rehab floor. The is a half-step up for him. He is not considered ready for rehab, but they needed the bed-space in his old unit, so moved him even though they won't start the intense rehab yet. This is good, because they expect him to be ready for that rehab soon. He is now in room 460.
Another good day
It's been a good day all around. Liam's white counts have come down a bit more. The catheter is out, and he has used the bathroom a number of times (with the nurses helping him walk back and forth and keeping him from falling in the bathroom). I know he is going to kill me for talking about that when he reads this.... He is talking a lot more, and is much easier to understand, except when he is tired. He was speaking a lot of French today - he took this in school and college. Of course I am only fluent in English and German, I don't speak any French, so I don't know what he was talking about. He also kept insisting that we ask other people if we were in the right place when we were pushing him through the hospital. I am curious to see what he is like tomorrow. More good news, he is moving upstairs to the rehab floor tomorrow!!! They got pre-authorization today so he is set to move sometime tomorrow. Once he moves I will post a room update for people who want to come visit. I bought a new I-Phone today also, and the dog is fine! Good night :)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
End of the weekend
It's Sunday night, time for a blog entry....
Things are still going well. As expected everything is not perfect, but still trending upward. Liam does have a STAPH infection in his blood, so if you are sick, please don't visit right now, his immune system isn't at it's best. He's been on oral antibiotics since last week when they noticed his white cell count was going upward. When they figure out it was staph yesterday morning they started him on an IV antibiotic as well. However, yesterday afternoon I noticed he was developing what appeared to be a drug rash and notified the doctors. I was right, and they stopped the IV antibiotics, but the oral ones will continue. It takes five days for the blood culture results that tell us what type of staph this is and what antibiotics it will be sensitive to. When those result are back the doctors can decide if he needs different antibiotics. He's been sleeping a lot today - could be due to the infection - could be because of his busy day yesterday.
Yes, a busy day! Since the physical therapists taught me how to transfer him on Friday I was able to get him out of bed and we took him for a ride around the hospital in a special chair. They in the afternoon I got him up again and with help from the nurse on one side and me on the other he walked out of his room and about 30 feet down the hall before he got tierd. They we strapped him into a wheel chair and took him for another ride around the hospital. Each time he was very tired and took a nap afterwards. But it was amazing to see him walking down the hall!
His speaking is getting a bit clearer. Whole phrases are understandable, and he is definitely expressing what he is thinking. Maybe not always the most appropriate things (I can't repeat some of these things here but, he did tell his mom "you look pregnant and I look normal") but he is able to express what he wants to. His voice is still very quiet, and when he is tired it is almost impossible to understand him.
He has been eating well, about 2 complete meals a day, which is more then I could eat of the horrible hospital food. He is still on a pureed food diet - this includes pureed meat and veggies. The part that I thin is worst is that they then reform to food with molds to look like the real thing. The turkey is shaped into slices of turkey breast, the corn is pressed into a mold that looks this corn on the cob, and the peas into a mold that looks like a pile of peas. Well, they don't really look like the real thing, but they are trying to. I think it just makes it that much worse.
I thought I would also tell you all about my adventurous afternoon, it's frustrating and funny.... it started with me really wanting to get our dogs back from my parents. I have been missing them, Kiea has too, and I need to cuddling. Plus, I like getting outside with them. I asked my dad to bring them back on the ferry and agreed to meet him at the ferry terminal so he could get right back on the ferry. I was tired so Kiea drove me. When my dad came off the terminal i shoved my iphone (which i love) into the pocket of my sweatshirt jacket and grabbed Alfie from him. In his rush he had forgotten Alfies collar and had to carry him the whole time. We ran to the car and tossed the dogs in the car as well as the food, bowls, and treats. My dad ran back to the ferry and Kiea and I drove home while I cuddled with the dogs. When I went to get out of the car I realized I couldn't find my iphone.... We searched the car and tried calling it with Kiea's phone - it went straight to voice mail....not a good sign. I had an instant bad feeling that I had dropped it and it had been run over by a car. Kiea and I drove back to the where she had parked the car under the Viaduct, and there, in a pot hole in the parking spot was my iphone :( Kiea had backed over it when we had pulled out of the spot (not in anyway here fault). I grabbed it and looked at it, the screen was shattered into a million pieces, the only reason it hadn't fallen apart was becasue I have a screen protector, and it was holding the screen together. I think having been in a pothole must have kept the phone from getting all the pressure of the car because amazingly enough the phone turned on when I pushed the power button. Unbelievable! It still works, but the screen is destroyed. And you can't get insurance on iphones, this means tomorrow I have to go talk to apple and see if I have any options other then paying for a new one. This couldn't have happened at a worse time, right? I mean I use my phone all day everyday now, and I don't exactly want to spend the money to get another one. I could buy a cheap replacement of some other type, but I love my iphone and really need it's funciontality. I'll have to think about what to do tomorrow. The funny part is, I have broken or lost 3 phones in the last year and a half. Liam bought me the iphone on my last birthday, and the card said "make sure you don't break this one." If I told him he would say "your fired." Expensive to replace, and it was from him :( To make it better, we get home and Alfie, being Alfie, has gotten into my purse and pulled everything out of it. He destroyed the shipping envelopes for my netflix movies, but I can get new ones. The real problem is he ate a half a bag of Cadbury chocolate easter eggs that I love, and an entire sleeve of Thin Mint girl scout cookies. This is the third time he has eaten a large amount of chocolate. We figured he should be fine, since he has done this before and had no problems. But I am getting a bit worried right now, this evening his breathing has gotten labored and his heart rate seems faster then usual, ad he seems lethargic. I hope I don't have to take him to the emergency vet, that's the last thing I need, more stress about a sick loved on (not that he is on the same level as Liam) and more medical bills.... So, that was my probably to be very expensive evening.
More tomorrow.
Erika
Things are still going well. As expected everything is not perfect, but still trending upward. Liam does have a STAPH infection in his blood, so if you are sick, please don't visit right now, his immune system isn't at it's best. He's been on oral antibiotics since last week when they noticed his white cell count was going upward. When they figure out it was staph yesterday morning they started him on an IV antibiotic as well. However, yesterday afternoon I noticed he was developing what appeared to be a drug rash and notified the doctors. I was right, and they stopped the IV antibiotics, but the oral ones will continue. It takes five days for the blood culture results that tell us what type of staph this is and what antibiotics it will be sensitive to. When those result are back the doctors can decide if he needs different antibiotics. He's been sleeping a lot today - could be due to the infection - could be because of his busy day yesterday.
Yes, a busy day! Since the physical therapists taught me how to transfer him on Friday I was able to get him out of bed and we took him for a ride around the hospital in a special chair. They in the afternoon I got him up again and with help from the nurse on one side and me on the other he walked out of his room and about 30 feet down the hall before he got tierd. They we strapped him into a wheel chair and took him for another ride around the hospital. Each time he was very tired and took a nap afterwards. But it was amazing to see him walking down the hall!
His speaking is getting a bit clearer. Whole phrases are understandable, and he is definitely expressing what he is thinking. Maybe not always the most appropriate things (I can't repeat some of these things here but, he did tell his mom "you look pregnant and I look normal") but he is able to express what he wants to. His voice is still very quiet, and when he is tired it is almost impossible to understand him.
He has been eating well, about 2 complete meals a day, which is more then I could eat of the horrible hospital food. He is still on a pureed food diet - this includes pureed meat and veggies. The part that I thin is worst is that they then reform to food with molds to look like the real thing. The turkey is shaped into slices of turkey breast, the corn is pressed into a mold that looks this corn on the cob, and the peas into a mold that looks like a pile of peas. Well, they don't really look like the real thing, but they are trying to. I think it just makes it that much worse.
I thought I would also tell you all about my adventurous afternoon, it's frustrating and funny.... it started with me really wanting to get our dogs back from my parents. I have been missing them, Kiea has too, and I need to cuddling. Plus, I like getting outside with them. I asked my dad to bring them back on the ferry and agreed to meet him at the ferry terminal so he could get right back on the ferry. I was tired so Kiea drove me. When my dad came off the terminal i shoved my iphone (which i love) into the pocket of my sweatshirt jacket and grabbed Alfie from him. In his rush he had forgotten Alfies collar and had to carry him the whole time. We ran to the car and tossed the dogs in the car as well as the food, bowls, and treats. My dad ran back to the ferry and Kiea and I drove home while I cuddled with the dogs. When I went to get out of the car I realized I couldn't find my iphone.... We searched the car and tried calling it with Kiea's phone - it went straight to voice mail....not a good sign. I had an instant bad feeling that I had dropped it and it had been run over by a car. Kiea and I drove back to the where she had parked the car under the Viaduct, and there, in a pot hole in the parking spot was my iphone :( Kiea had backed over it when we had pulled out of the spot (not in anyway here fault). I grabbed it and looked at it, the screen was shattered into a million pieces, the only reason it hadn't fallen apart was becasue I have a screen protector, and it was holding the screen together. I think having been in a pothole must have kept the phone from getting all the pressure of the car because amazingly enough the phone turned on when I pushed the power button. Unbelievable! It still works, but the screen is destroyed. And you can't get insurance on iphones, this means tomorrow I have to go talk to apple and see if I have any options other then paying for a new one. This couldn't have happened at a worse time, right? I mean I use my phone all day everyday now, and I don't exactly want to spend the money to get another one. I could buy a cheap replacement of some other type, but I love my iphone and really need it's funciontality. I'll have to think about what to do tomorrow. The funny part is, I have broken or lost 3 phones in the last year and a half. Liam bought me the iphone on my last birthday, and the card said "make sure you don't break this one." If I told him he would say "your fired." Expensive to replace, and it was from him :( To make it better, we get home and Alfie, being Alfie, has gotten into my purse and pulled everything out of it. He destroyed the shipping envelopes for my netflix movies, but I can get new ones. The real problem is he ate a half a bag of Cadbury chocolate easter eggs that I love, and an entire sleeve of Thin Mint girl scout cookies. This is the third time he has eaten a large amount of chocolate. We figured he should be fine, since he has done this before and had no problems. But I am getting a bit worried right now, this evening his breathing has gotten labored and his heart rate seems faster then usual, ad he seems lethargic. I hope I don't have to take him to the emergency vet, that's the last thing I need, more stress about a sick loved on (not that he is on the same level as Liam) and more medical bills.... So, that was my probably to be very expensive evening.
More tomorrow.
Erika
Friday, March 6, 2009
And he moved again.....
Room 376 bed one, and it sucks. It's a shared room, he is two feet from the door, his space is about 7 feet by 12 feet. Tiny, and the next bed is about 4 feet away with a curtain in between them. No privacy. Also no storage space in this one. As much as Joel and I want to complain about moving him so much and not doing a good job with it, we kinda want to wait in the hopes that they move him again. Frustrating. If anyone knows any high-ups at Harborview, put in some good words for us so we get a better spot ;)
Physical therapy just taught me this afternoon how to get him standing, transfer him to a special chair, and get him back to bed. It was really exciting and he had a whole crowd watching: Joel, Rebecca, Ashley, Marcus, Scott, my mom and dad, and of course me:) Now the room is so tiny I don't know if I will have enough space to get him out of bed. When he is awake I want to get him in the chair and take him for a walk. He has asked to see Alfie and Tootsie (our dogs) so one of these days we will take him outside and have my parents meet us with the dogs.
He's having a sleepy day. I think he is tired from all the hard work the last couple days. We were able to do therapy, but he's just sleeping all day. It's to be expected that he has up and down days, nothing to worry about. But, it does keep him from being able to move to the rehab floor. No rush, one day at a time. Thanks everyone for the food, the well wishes, the company, and the communications. He loves the emails that I read to him. Sorry I haven't been getting a chance to write back to everyone yet, he's been keeping me busy:)
Physical therapy just taught me this afternoon how to get him standing, transfer him to a special chair, and get him back to bed. It was really exciting and he had a whole crowd watching: Joel, Rebecca, Ashley, Marcus, Scott, my mom and dad, and of course me:) Now the room is so tiny I don't know if I will have enough space to get him out of bed. When he is awake I want to get him in the chair and take him for a walk. He has asked to see Alfie and Tootsie (our dogs) so one of these days we will take him outside and have my parents meet us with the dogs.
He's having a sleepy day. I think he is tired from all the hard work the last couple days. We were able to do therapy, but he's just sleeping all day. It's to be expected that he has up and down days, nothing to worry about. But, it does keep him from being able to move to the rehab floor. No rush, one day at a time. Thanks everyone for the food, the well wishes, the company, and the communications. He loves the emails that I read to him. Sorry I haven't been getting a chance to write back to everyone yet, he's been keeping me busy:)
Another room change - downgrade this time
Good Morning,
Liam has been moved again, just a couple doors down to 272, bed 2. He is in a shared room again, I think they moved him becuase they needed a single room for a patient on contact isolation. The woman in his old room is on contact isolation, so they don't want any other patients around her so they don't get whatever she has, and she doesn't get anything else from them or their families. The frustrating part is that they didn't move all of his stuff, I eventually got them to bring everything out of the closest, my blankets, snacks, magazines and books. But, they hadn't removed everything from the walls, and that stuff can't be moved because of the new patients state. It sucks because he lost some of the drawings that James and Marcus kids drew and some of his cards. He lost his private room and his awesome view of the harbor and park, which sucks. But his new room is okay. The other patient was getting dressed and walked out of the room to go home just as I came in. I don't know when they will bring someone else in.
Yesterday was another long, but great day. He spent time with all three therapists (speech, occupational, and physical) and was very successful. He (with help of course) stood up a couple times, shuffled around the room a bit, and even did a little dancing for us all by himself! Someone had made a comment about Liam being a great dancer and he smiled and started shaking his hips and moving his arms dancing, it was very cute and fun to watch. He loved it, and so did all of us. He was also able to put on pants and socks yesterday with just the tinniest bit of help from the occupational therapist - the biggest thing hindrance for him is not being able to use his left arm. If he had use of his left arm he wouldn't need help with these things.
They also started him on some broad spectrum antibiotics last night since his white counts have been high. They can't find a source or infection, but they want to try to knock down whatever is causing the rise in white cells. So far they have dropped a tiny bit, but not much. They just keep checking and trying to figure it out.
He loves visitors, and definitely recognizes everyone and love to interact. So keep coming to see him. He also really likes the cards and pictures, so keep those coming also.
Liam has been moved again, just a couple doors down to 272, bed 2. He is in a shared room again, I think they moved him becuase they needed a single room for a patient on contact isolation. The woman in his old room is on contact isolation, so they don't want any other patients around her so they don't get whatever she has, and she doesn't get anything else from them or their families. The frustrating part is that they didn't move all of his stuff, I eventually got them to bring everything out of the closest, my blankets, snacks, magazines and books. But, they hadn't removed everything from the walls, and that stuff can't be moved because of the new patients state. It sucks because he lost some of the drawings that James and Marcus kids drew and some of his cards. He lost his private room and his awesome view of the harbor and park, which sucks. But his new room is okay. The other patient was getting dressed and walked out of the room to go home just as I came in. I don't know when they will bring someone else in.
Yesterday was another long, but great day. He spent time with all three therapists (speech, occupational, and physical) and was very successful. He (with help of course) stood up a couple times, shuffled around the room a bit, and even did a little dancing for us all by himself! Someone had made a comment about Liam being a great dancer and he smiled and started shaking his hips and moving his arms dancing, it was very cute and fun to watch. He loved it, and so did all of us. He was also able to put on pants and socks yesterday with just the tinniest bit of help from the occupational therapist - the biggest thing hindrance for him is not being able to use his left arm. If he had use of his left arm he wouldn't need help with these things.
They also started him on some broad spectrum antibiotics last night since his white counts have been high. They can't find a source or infection, but they want to try to knock down whatever is causing the rise in white cells. So far they have dropped a tiny bit, but not much. They just keep checking and trying to figure it out.
He loves visitors, and definitely recognizes everyone and love to interact. So keep coming to see him. He also really likes the cards and pictures, so keep those coming also.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
You can email Liam!
Hey Folks,
I just wanted to drop a quick note that you can email Liam through Harborview's hospital website. You simply fill out a form and hospital volunteers will print them out and come read them to Liam.
Here is the link:
http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Facilities/Harborview/ClinicsAndServices/emailGifts.htm
His current room is 369.
I just got here, and he is asleep. Erika said that he had about an hour of physical therapy this morning, and they again had him standing for a while! His left arm, however, is still weak.
Keep up the positive thoughts, and Liam will keep working on getting better.
I just wanted to drop a quick note that you can email Liam through Harborview's hospital website. You simply fill out a form and hospital volunteers will print them out and come read them to Liam.
Here is the link:
http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Facilities/Harborview/ClinicsAndServices/emailGifts.htm
His current room is 369.
I just got here, and he is asleep. Erika said that he had about an hour of physical therapy this morning, and they again had him standing for a while! His left arm, however, is still weak.
Keep up the positive thoughts, and Liam will keep working on getting better.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Getting better = exhausting for everyone else
Hi everyone,
I tried to write a post earlier today, but Liam has been so awake and active that it demands all my attention. I got here are 11:30 this morning, Marylyn came in early so I could sleep in. At about noon he started waking up and demanding water. He is very thirsty, but not allowed water. He spent the next almost 2 hours sucking on this sponge on a stick that he is allowed to use to wet his mouth, pulling himself into sitting positions, and having us help him sit up. At one point when Marylyn was struggling to help lift his weaker left side while I was lifting his right said he pointed at her and said "fired." He fired here from helping because she wasn't doing a good job ;) It was rather funny. Then he sniffed her and looked at her and very pointedly said "stinky." Apparently, he doesn't like the smell of her perfume. The feeding tube clogged this morning, so they had to remove it. Marylyn and I fought with the nurses not to put it back in until the speech therapist could come as she thought Liam might be able to swallow and eat and not need the tube. We finally convinced the nurses to wait after a lot of arguing, Marylyn was very vocal about Liams needs, it was great.
The Neuro doctor came by to check on him and cautioned us again that this is going to be a long process, but that if Liam keeps improving as much as he has that he should be able to move up to the rehab floor in a weeks or so and not have to go to an outside facility. Alot depends on how much time he is awake and how much he can participate in therapy, as I have mentioned before.
The speech therapist was able to come by while he was awake around 1:30pm. She introduced her self and started with some questions. "I know this is your mom, but who is that at the end of the bed?" (pointing at me) and Liam says "I'm not stupid, that's Erika." When asked what year it is he said "I'm not stupid, 2009." Very entertaining, the smart alec side of him is alive and well.
I do need to mention that when I say that he said something he is not talking normally at point. His voice is very quiet, and he is hard to understand, we get about half of what he is saying. Somethings are very clear, like when he asked for pink lemonade, ice cream, and when he called Joel a "wussy pussy" (sorry Joel) but other things are unintelligible and we just can't figure out what he wants. This is very frustrating for everyone involved.
Back to speech therapist. She asked him to stick out his tounge for her, he did, and the he proceeded to screw up his face and really stick out his tounge in a nasty face and put his thumb to his nose and wiggled his pinky finger at her. She did a couple other things and then went through a swallowing test with him. First she gave him a spoonful of crushed ice and water which he gulped and chewed. Then she let him drink out of a straw, eat some juice the consistency of honey, eat some apple sauce, and finally eat some canned peaches. He did really well, however, he has a delay in his swallowing. Get something in his mouth, and there is a pause before he swallows. What this means is that he can only have things that are a honey consistency or thicker. The worry is that since he isn't swallowing right away anything thinner, like water, could run down his throat into his lungs before he swallows. When you swallow your body blocks off your airway so that food or water don't end up in your lungs. He may not be able to do this, so he can't have anything to liquid, but he is on a liquid diet. When the therapist used the word diet he got very annoyed and was quite adamant that he did not want to be on a diet, we had to explain that it was just a term for allowing him to have food, that he was very excited about.
He drifted off to sleep about the time his mom left (around 2:30) but they physical therapy showed up and woke him up to get him sitting up, and standing!!! He needed a lot of assistance, but he did stand! He does seem to be having some problems with his left arm. The nurse was trying to put in a IV and trying to unbend his arm with a lot of force and he kept saying it hurt and wouldn't unbend it. Then the rest of the afternoon he didn't want to use the arm. He would pick his left arm up with his right hand and move it and place it somewhere, I am thinking that he may have landed on his shoulder during the accident because the ICU nurses thought his shoulder was hurting him, and now I think it got re-aggravated by the nurse trying to unbend his arm. Well have to keep an eye on it.
He asked for Joel a couple of times this morning so I called Joel and had him come by this afternoon. Liam was very interactive with Joel, trying to role the soccer ball back and forth on his arms, tossing the soccer ball to Joel, and trying to head but the ball, which we quickly put a stop to. We don't need anymore trauma to his head right now. He also kept throwing his wet washcloth at Joel. He figured out how to work the bed controls and the TV remote and used those a lot. Joel and I had quite the afternoon trying to keep him in bed. He really wants to get up and was constantly trying. Throwing his legs over the side, reaching for the end of the bed, turning onto his stomach, trying to get on his hands and knees. He's quite acrobatic. The nurses finally fed him so pudding with hydrocodone and tylenol and he fell asleep at 6:30pm.
On one hand, it's absolutley amazing and wonderful having him up and so interactive all day, but on the other hand its completly exhausting. As Kiea put it, it's like having a kid. He either can't, or isn't allowed, to do things on his own so you have to do everything for him and he needs attention all the time. I am enjoying a bit of solitude in his room while he sleeps, and then just now went for a chest x-ray. Hopefully his lungs are clear and he didn't aspirate any food so he can keep eating and not need a feeding tube again. I think that's it for now. The hydrocodone just knocks him out completly, so he will most likely sleep until tomorrow sometime. It'll be interesting to see if he is more awake tomorrow, or less because he is tired from today. All in all, it was a great exhausting day! Thanks to everyone for everything:)
I tried to write a post earlier today, but Liam has been so awake and active that it demands all my attention. I got here are 11:30 this morning, Marylyn came in early so I could sleep in. At about noon he started waking up and demanding water. He is very thirsty, but not allowed water. He spent the next almost 2 hours sucking on this sponge on a stick that he is allowed to use to wet his mouth, pulling himself into sitting positions, and having us help him sit up. At one point when Marylyn was struggling to help lift his weaker left side while I was lifting his right said he pointed at her and said "fired." He fired here from helping because she wasn't doing a good job ;) It was rather funny. Then he sniffed her and looked at her and very pointedly said "stinky." Apparently, he doesn't like the smell of her perfume. The feeding tube clogged this morning, so they had to remove it. Marylyn and I fought with the nurses not to put it back in until the speech therapist could come as she thought Liam might be able to swallow and eat and not need the tube. We finally convinced the nurses to wait after a lot of arguing, Marylyn was very vocal about Liams needs, it was great.
The Neuro doctor came by to check on him and cautioned us again that this is going to be a long process, but that if Liam keeps improving as much as he has that he should be able to move up to the rehab floor in a weeks or so and not have to go to an outside facility. Alot depends on how much time he is awake and how much he can participate in therapy, as I have mentioned before.
The speech therapist was able to come by while he was awake around 1:30pm. She introduced her self and started with some questions. "I know this is your mom, but who is that at the end of the bed?" (pointing at me) and Liam says "I'm not stupid, that's Erika." When asked what year it is he said "I'm not stupid, 2009." Very entertaining, the smart alec side of him is alive and well.
I do need to mention that when I say that he said something he is not talking normally at point. His voice is very quiet, and he is hard to understand, we get about half of what he is saying. Somethings are very clear, like when he asked for pink lemonade, ice cream, and when he called Joel a "wussy pussy" (sorry Joel) but other things are unintelligible and we just can't figure out what he wants. This is very frustrating for everyone involved.
Back to speech therapist. She asked him to stick out his tounge for her, he did, and the he proceeded to screw up his face and really stick out his tounge in a nasty face and put his thumb to his nose and wiggled his pinky finger at her. She did a couple other things and then went through a swallowing test with him. First she gave him a spoonful of crushed ice and water which he gulped and chewed. Then she let him drink out of a straw, eat some juice the consistency of honey, eat some apple sauce, and finally eat some canned peaches. He did really well, however, he has a delay in his swallowing. Get something in his mouth, and there is a pause before he swallows. What this means is that he can only have things that are a honey consistency or thicker. The worry is that since he isn't swallowing right away anything thinner, like water, could run down his throat into his lungs before he swallows. When you swallow your body blocks off your airway so that food or water don't end up in your lungs. He may not be able to do this, so he can't have anything to liquid, but he is on a liquid diet. When the therapist used the word diet he got very annoyed and was quite adamant that he did not want to be on a diet, we had to explain that it was just a term for allowing him to have food, that he was very excited about.
He drifted off to sleep about the time his mom left (around 2:30) but they physical therapy showed up and woke him up to get him sitting up, and standing!!! He needed a lot of assistance, but he did stand! He does seem to be having some problems with his left arm. The nurse was trying to put in a IV and trying to unbend his arm with a lot of force and he kept saying it hurt and wouldn't unbend it. Then the rest of the afternoon he didn't want to use the arm. He would pick his left arm up with his right hand and move it and place it somewhere, I am thinking that he may have landed on his shoulder during the accident because the ICU nurses thought his shoulder was hurting him, and now I think it got re-aggravated by the nurse trying to unbend his arm. Well have to keep an eye on it.
He asked for Joel a couple of times this morning so I called Joel and had him come by this afternoon. Liam was very interactive with Joel, trying to role the soccer ball back and forth on his arms, tossing the soccer ball to Joel, and trying to head but the ball, which we quickly put a stop to. We don't need anymore trauma to his head right now. He also kept throwing his wet washcloth at Joel. He figured out how to work the bed controls and the TV remote and used those a lot. Joel and I had quite the afternoon trying to keep him in bed. He really wants to get up and was constantly trying. Throwing his legs over the side, reaching for the end of the bed, turning onto his stomach, trying to get on his hands and knees. He's quite acrobatic. The nurses finally fed him so pudding with hydrocodone and tylenol and he fell asleep at 6:30pm.
On one hand, it's absolutley amazing and wonderful having him up and so interactive all day, but on the other hand its completly exhausting. As Kiea put it, it's like having a kid. He either can't, or isn't allowed, to do things on his own so you have to do everything for him and he needs attention all the time. I am enjoying a bit of solitude in his room while he sleeps, and then just now went for a chest x-ray. Hopefully his lungs are clear and he didn't aspirate any food so he can keep eating and not need a feeding tube again. I think that's it for now. The hydrocodone just knocks him out completly, so he will most likely sleep until tomorrow sometime. It'll be interesting to see if he is more awake tomorrow, or less because he is tired from today. All in all, it was a great exhausting day! Thanks to everyone for everything:)
New room assignment
Just so everyone knows, Liam moved to room 369 this morning. It's a private room just a couple feet from where he was, and his roommate Clint is going home!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Long Road
Hi Again Everyone,
Liam is doing great. By all accounts, he is doing better than the doctors expected, and his improvements are very encouraging.
So, with the relatively dramatic change in his condition in the last couple of days, I thought I would give a summary of where the little bugger is at (yes Liam, I'm ending the sentence with a preposition).
Liam is doing great. By all accounts, he is doing better than the doctors expected, and his improvements are very encouraging.
So, with the relatively dramatic change in his condition in the last couple of days, I thought I would give a summary of where the little bugger is at (yes Liam, I'm ending the sentence with a preposition).
- He is still mostly asleep. Yesterday was his most active day yet, and he was up for maybe 2.5 hours out of 24.
- Of those 2.5 hours, he was only really responding well and interactive for about 1.5 hours.
- He still has trouble breathing well and controlling his airway. A respiratory therapist visits him 4x a day.
- Most of his movements when he is awake are very slow and deliberate. He moves his left side but his right is much stronger.
- He has feeling on his left side (which is an improvement!), but less than his right. Tyler touched his left toe, and asked Liam if he felt it, and he showed us the thumb-forefinger sign for "a little bit." When Ty touched his right toe and asked the same thing, he nodded a definitive "yes."
- He seemed to attempt to talk last night (this is great!), but what escaped his mouth were a series of whispered mumbles that nobody could understand. It is frustrating, you know he is there, and wants to communicate, but can't.
- He still has a tube that goes into his nose for feeding. When awake, this bugs him. It must feel like the biggest booger ever.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Long, but great day
I am completely exhausted, but very happy. This evening Liam woke up again for about an hour and half while Joel, Kiea, Casey, Tyler, Marcus, Beth, and I were there. He's being his old self, it's pretty awesome. I know if will still be up and down, but it was cool to see. There are a million details but, I am to tired to think or write. I just want to let everyone know that he is doing well, and is now in room 373 (3rd floor, west hospital). He is in a shared room with a guy named Clint and his wife's name is Heather. That's all I can do right now. More when I am less exhausted, although that might not happen anytime soon since he has been awake and needing attention.
Awake Again!
After a pretty quiet day yesterday, and another quiet morning, Liam's been up for about half an hour now and has been interacting a ton!
The nurses had him up in the cardiac chair, and his eyes gradually opened and he started slowly looking around. He was nodding yes or no to questions, and started pointing at the bulletin board at the cards people have sent in. I asked him if he wanted to check them out and he nodded yes. I showed him a picture of Dave Burke, Jonah, and himself during a spring break trip in college (they were dressed like make-shift pirates) and he cracked a smile looking at it. He also smiled when a hot assistant nurse turned around and I gave him a knowing nod, thumbs up, and cheesy grin. He knew what was going on. Another funny thing he did...I was reading cards to him, and asked him if the girl that wrote it was hot. He shook his hand, the universal sign for so-so.
I pointed to cards and pictures on the wall, and he shook his head yes or no if he wanted me to take them down and show them to him and read them. So, keep sending those cards, because he was definitely interested in them, and I read him all the ones that we have here.
Erika came in, and he gave her a one-armed hug. The nurse asked him to say his name, and he moaned an ET like "Liiiiaaaammm."
Other things he did:
Another step forward!
Joel
The nurses had him up in the cardiac chair, and his eyes gradually opened and he started slowly looking around. He was nodding yes or no to questions, and started pointing at the bulletin board at the cards people have sent in. I asked him if he wanted to check them out and he nodded yes. I showed him a picture of Dave Burke, Jonah, and himself during a spring break trip in college (they were dressed like make-shift pirates) and he cracked a smile looking at it. He also smiled when a hot assistant nurse turned around and I gave him a knowing nod, thumbs up, and cheesy grin. He knew what was going on. Another funny thing he did...I was reading cards to him, and asked him if the girl that wrote it was hot. He shook his hand, the universal sign for so-so.
I pointed to cards and pictures on the wall, and he shook his head yes or no if he wanted me to take them down and show them to him and read them. So, keep sending those cards, because he was definitely interested in them, and I read him all the ones that we have here.
Erika came in, and he gave her a one-armed hug. The nurse asked him to say his name, and he moaned an ET like "Liiiiaaaammm."
Other things he did:
- ask for water, with the universal drinking sign (he can't have it yet)
- wiped his own mouth and nose
- blew his nose
- gave me a high five when I told him I was getting a new bike tomorrow (unasked for)
- shook his head "no" when we asked if it was okay if Mat road his Buell
- made a fist for a fist-bump
Another step forward!
Joel
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Ocupational therapy
Just had a first visit with an occupational therapist (OT). He's not awake enough today to participate in therapy, but she did an evaluation and moved his joints to test range of motion. He's a little stiff but he his joints move well. Someone will come back tomorrow, and hopefully he will be more awake and be able to participate in the movements. The OT today told me if he wakes up latter I can start doing some stuff with him. That's it for now, he's still just sleeping.
Morning Update
Good Morning. After such an exciting day yesterday he seems pretty tired today. He's been sleeping almost the whole time I've been around with just a couple minutes of waking up. His nurse this morning said he still needs to be suctioned almost every hour, so no chance of him moving upstairs yet. I might have already mentioned this, but they don't have the "nurse power" upstairs to suction him so he stays here. We'll have to wait and see how the rest of the day goes.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A smile for Brian and a wedding by Frank date TBA
About a month ago Liam help Brian Lindgren - a family friend and the father of Liam's friend John move - loading and emptying the U-haul truck. When Brian left from visiting today he said to Liam"You'll have to help me unload another U-haul soon" and Liam cracked a smile!
Frank Hogenhout (another family friend and Mark or Hoagies father) was here today and he told me that he is ordained to do weddings now. I told Liam, while he was standing here, that when Liam is a little better Frank in going to come back and marry us and Liam nodded his head yes. So, I guess were engaged now;) not quite the proposal I wanted...but I'll take it :)
Frank Hogenhout (another family friend and Mark or Hoagies father) was here today and he told me that he is ordained to do weddings now. I told Liam, while he was standing here, that when Liam is a little better Frank in going to come back and marry us and Liam nodded his head yes. So, I guess were engaged now;) not quite the proposal I wanted...but I'll take it :)
He's awake!!
He's awake and knows what's going on. He nods yes and no to tell me what he wants. He points at things to let me know what he needs. For example, he was pointing away from him and I was able to figure out that he was wanted the blanket off because he was hot. I then asked if he wanted a fan on him and he nodded yes. I asked him earlier if he knew who I was an he nodded yes and nodded that he knew I was Erika. I had to ask to make sure he wasn't just being nice:) He just "asked" me to turn on the TV and now he is back asleep. At least now I know he is still normal in there, first thing is he's hot and he wants to watch TV :) Now that's my Liam:) He's still got a long way to go, but he's doing so much better. James was here earlier and Liam was giving him a couple big thumbs up. James left a couple soccer balls and some permanant markers and paint pens. Next time you stop by, please sign the soccer balls for him. This was Chris Michael's idea from what James said and I love it. My blogs are going to be short, cause he keeps waking up all the time and I want to only pay attention to him when he is awake, but I just want all of you to know how great he is doing. I guess no more haging out in the waiting room, we have to hang out in his room now that he is awake more!
Holding Patterns
It is 9am on Saturday and it's just me here. It is very quiet in the ICU this morning - quite peaceful. This is the first time I've stayed the night here and to be honest with you, I had a great night - it was just what Joel, Mat and I needed. We are all here day in and day out - eating, praying, living, excited about wiggled toes and upward thumbs, and worried about our friend. It seems as though we are all living our regular lives in between trips to Harborview or between our 'Liam updates.' To a certain extent, our lives are in a holding pattern and frankly, it is quite difficult to think about anything else these days. Joel and I had a talk the other night about the state of life and of our friends and we came up with the most cliche thing we could have possibly come up with (but it is certainly true). Liam wants us to live our lives and not live in these holding patterns. He knows we're here, he really does, but he wants Erika to go home an sleep (which she's doing), Joel to buy a motorcycle, Katie to nail her interview, etc. Taking this into consideration, Joel, Mat and I walked to a bar for a beer last night. It was a break from the norm and we all felt a bit weird about going to a bar, but it was just what the 3 of needed. It was a nice release to sit outside the confines of the ICU and talk about everything that is going on. We laughed, we cried, and we even drank something made up that we called a 'Manny bomb.' Ask mat about this, he can explain. We blew off steam, recharged, and had a little bit of a group therapy session.
The ICU waiting area was quite alive when we got back, everyone was awake and chatting about the days highs and lows. We caught up with everyone, but then marched into Liam's room to tell him all about our night. He was happy to see us and hear about it. He was quite responsive and aware of us.
**Ok, here is the Liam update as of this morning (the reason you all read this blog)**
He had a quiet night and a good morning. Mat just woke me up before leaving with some great news. He spent about a half hour with Liam this morning and said that he half opened his eyes (about as much as my hung over eyes would open - according to Mat). Mat said that through his half open eyes he tried looking at him and focusing but then closed his eyes and didn't open them again. After Mat left I went in to see Liam and when he woke up he opened his eyes and looked at me! I was asking him questions and he was nodding yes or no to answer me. This is so exciting. I asked him if he could see me, and he shook his head yes. I asked him if he was comfortable and he shook his head yes. The nurse had turned on CNN because she said he indicated he wanted to hear the news. I asked him about the tv and if it was too loud and he pointed at the tv and then he pointed down. I asked him if he wanted me to turn the volume down and he nodded yes!! He is very responsive and the nurse said he is coming along much faster than they thought he would! I asked him if he felt tired and he said yes, so I let him rest and am heading home now to get some rest of my own.
Today we are back to the holding pattern. We eat, we pray, we live, we get excited about open eyes and nodding, and we worry about our friend. This will be a long road and we don't want to burn out after the first mile. As long as we all take care of ourselves, support each other, and try to regain some of the normalcy of everyday life, we'll be here and ready for anything that comes our way. Mornings like today go a long way in reassuring us that Liam is fighting through this like a champion.
The ICU waiting area was quite alive when we got back, everyone was awake and chatting about the days highs and lows. We caught up with everyone, but then marched into Liam's room to tell him all about our night. He was happy to see us and hear about it. He was quite responsive and aware of us.
**Ok, here is the Liam update as of this morning (the reason you all read this blog)**
He had a quiet night and a good morning. Mat just woke me up before leaving with some great news. He spent about a half hour with Liam this morning and said that he half opened his eyes (about as much as my hung over eyes would open - according to Mat). Mat said that through his half open eyes he tried looking at him and focusing but then closed his eyes and didn't open them again. After Mat left I went in to see Liam and when he woke up he opened his eyes and looked at me! I was asking him questions and he was nodding yes or no to answer me. This is so exciting. I asked him if he could see me, and he shook his head yes. I asked him if he was comfortable and he shook his head yes. The nurse had turned on CNN because she said he indicated he wanted to hear the news. I asked him about the tv and if it was too loud and he pointed at the tv and then he pointed down. I asked him if he wanted me to turn the volume down and he nodded yes!! He is very responsive and the nurse said he is coming along much faster than they thought he would! I asked him if he felt tired and he said yes, so I let him rest and am heading home now to get some rest of my own.
Today we are back to the holding pattern. We eat, we pray, we live, we get excited about open eyes and nodding, and we worry about our friend. This will be a long road and we don't want to burn out after the first mile. As long as we all take care of ourselves, support each other, and try to regain some of the normalcy of everyday life, we'll be here and ready for anything that comes our way. Mornings like today go a long way in reassuring us that Liam is fighting through this like a champion.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Visiting
For eveyone that has been wanting to come by that I haven't gotten back to, please feel free to stop by over the weekend. I will be here most of the time and would love the company.
Missing Liam
He's looking okay, basically the same. Still improving just a little bit at a time, but not too much new to report. He's responding better to commands then before, faster response and stronger on the left. He's moving so much with his right hand that the continuout movement is causing some chafing on his legs where his arm is rubbing so he has to wear what looks like a boxing glove and a thick sleeve to keep him from making it worse.
As I mentioned beore, he is not sedated anymore, but his brain is injured, so while he is concious, he is not awake. I don't really know how to explain it, becuase I don't fully understand it. He's aware on some level as he can respond to commands and stimulous. But, his brain needs more time to recover, it's just not ready to be awake. Sorry, I don't understand it better then that.
I had a chance to talk with a rehab doctor today. It sound like they are going to start sending some rehab people to work with him tomorrow. Just very basic, moving his joints and range of montion. It's a start. The doctor told me there are two paths re can take from here. If he imporves fast, has enough endurance, and can remember things he learned the day before then he can move to the 4th floor here and have intense therapy - 3 hours a day - 1 hour each of physicial, occupational, and speech - depending of course on what his needs are. This would last about 3 to 4 weeks and then he would hopefully come home. If he isn't ready for this, they he will be transfered to a rehab facilty where he will still get therapy, but not as intense, one hour a day or every other day. They can't make this decsion until he is more awake and they can see what level of therapy he can tolerate.
One of the main reasons he is still in ICU has to do with his breahting. He is still producing large amounts of secretions and has to be suctioned regularly. Until he can clear his airway himself and keep his oxygen saturation high enough he needs to stay in the ICU.
I had a much needed break today thanks to Chris and Lindsey and Kiea took the day off and took care of me and the house. It's really hard to leave here, leaving Liam. I just want to crawl in to bed with him and hold him and make it all better. But I can't, i can't fix it, and that is just so hard to accept. I miss him alot. I mean he's here physically which I am so thankful for, but I miss him. I miss his attitiude, I miss his jokes, I miss talking with him. He's my best friend, and eveything feels empty and wierd. Plus, I let my parents take the dogs which make life easier on me, but the house feels empty. I think what scares me the most is not knowing if he will be Liam when he wakes up, or if his personality will have changed.
As I mentioned beore, he is not sedated anymore, but his brain is injured, so while he is concious, he is not awake. I don't really know how to explain it, becuase I don't fully understand it. He's aware on some level as he can respond to commands and stimulous. But, his brain needs more time to recover, it's just not ready to be awake. Sorry, I don't understand it better then that.
I had a chance to talk with a rehab doctor today. It sound like they are going to start sending some rehab people to work with him tomorrow. Just very basic, moving his joints and range of montion. It's a start. The doctor told me there are two paths re can take from here. If he imporves fast, has enough endurance, and can remember things he learned the day before then he can move to the 4th floor here and have intense therapy - 3 hours a day - 1 hour each of physicial, occupational, and speech - depending of course on what his needs are. This would last about 3 to 4 weeks and then he would hopefully come home. If he isn't ready for this, they he will be transfered to a rehab facilty where he will still get therapy, but not as intense, one hour a day or every other day. They can't make this decsion until he is more awake and they can see what level of therapy he can tolerate.
One of the main reasons he is still in ICU has to do with his breahting. He is still producing large amounts of secretions and has to be suctioned regularly. Until he can clear his airway himself and keep his oxygen saturation high enough he needs to stay in the ICU.
I had a much needed break today thanks to Chris and Lindsey and Kiea took the day off and took care of me and the house. It's really hard to leave here, leaving Liam. I just want to crawl in to bed with him and hold him and make it all better. But I can't, i can't fix it, and that is just so hard to accept. I miss him alot. I mean he's here physically which I am so thankful for, but I miss him. I miss his attitiude, I miss his jokes, I miss talking with him. He's my best friend, and eveything feels empty and wierd. Plus, I let my parents take the dogs which make life easier on me, but the house feels empty. I think what scares me the most is not knowing if he will be Liam when he wakes up, or if his personality will have changed.
Living in the ICU Waiting Room
Good Morning Everyone,
Liam had a quiet night. He is still getting agitated and his breathing problems remain, but he's stable. And that's good. He's having problems controlling his airway, and the nurses need to suction fluids from his throat every couple of hours. Christine, his nurse the last couple of nights, said that this was the main problem keeping him in the ICU. So, keep up that coughing Liam!
Life here is oddly comforting. Harborview Hospital, West Wing, 2nd Floor, Neuro ICU Waiting Room. When Seattle got all that snow in December, Liam mentioned to me that the snow reaffirmed his faith in humanity. He said that, in more difficult times, when peoples cars were stuck and they couldn't get around, they helped each other. Neighbors shoveled neighbors driveways, and strangers talked on the street. Liam loved it, and he especially will appreciate this waiting room.
It could be a horrible place. Families and individuals in limbo, waiting for some improvement in loved ones wrecked with strokes, aneurysms, and traumatic injuries. Every couple of days, a new family arrives. Tears, stress, and fear bleeding out of their faces. But the people pull together.
When we first arrived, we avoided the others. Our own emotions too raw to hear any other stories of pain from our ICU neighbors. They gave us the space that we needed. Everyone understands. But as time passed, everyone here pulls together.
It could be a horrible place, but it's not. Across from where we have set up camp, Randy and his family wait for their grandmother, who suffered a massive stroke Sunday night. All day every day, kids, cousins, and grandkids stop by to share a laugh, a story, or a complaint about one of the other cousins. But the love they all share sets the tone for the room. Next to us is Jim. Jim's wife had an aneurysm 2 weeks ago. He's been here ever since, only going outside for a drink or a cigarette. Once or twice a week, his sister brings a huge home-cooked dinner which he shares with everyone in the room. I haven't caught her name, but another woman is here with her father, a former logging truck driver from Hoquiam, who suffered a stroke as well. He cusses at the nurses and even tried to drag his half-paralyzed body from the bed last night. She is encouraged.
We've all bonded in this place. Good news for one patient is good news for all the families. We all laugh and share stories, and complain together about the surly security guard who told us to be quiet after 10. They never even dim the lights here, so time passes like in a Vegas casino, and it is often much quieter at 12 noon than 12 midnight. But with our laughter and false indignation over trifling complaints, we can help each other forget, if just for a second, why we are all here.
Of course, it's not perfect. Randy flipped out a bit at his family yesterday, and they sent him home to finally get some rest in a real bed. Every once in a while, you look up from your computer, book, puzzle or conversation, and a neighbor is quietly shedding a tear, feeling the fear and stress. Life is real, amplified in this open living room of a house. It's a community, and people care for each other. Like the snowstorm, Liam will appreciate it.
Chris Moose is coming in about an hour to keep an eye on Liam and make sure Erika is taking care of herself. Kelly, Liam's nurse when he got here on Sunday, just stopped by to say hi and see how he is doing. She's encouraged that he's responding to commands. It's nice to know that this isn't just a job for them and that they really care. I've been hugely impressed with the staff here. That's all for now. We'll keep you guys all updated on his improvements.
Liam had a quiet night. He is still getting agitated and his breathing problems remain, but he's stable. And that's good. He's having problems controlling his airway, and the nurses need to suction fluids from his throat every couple of hours. Christine, his nurse the last couple of nights, said that this was the main problem keeping him in the ICU. So, keep up that coughing Liam!
Life here is oddly comforting. Harborview Hospital, West Wing, 2nd Floor, Neuro ICU Waiting Room. When Seattle got all that snow in December, Liam mentioned to me that the snow reaffirmed his faith in humanity. He said that, in more difficult times, when peoples cars were stuck and they couldn't get around, they helped each other. Neighbors shoveled neighbors driveways, and strangers talked on the street. Liam loved it, and he especially will appreciate this waiting room.
It could be a horrible place. Families and individuals in limbo, waiting for some improvement in loved ones wrecked with strokes, aneurysms, and traumatic injuries. Every couple of days, a new family arrives. Tears, stress, and fear bleeding out of their faces. But the people pull together.
When we first arrived, we avoided the others. Our own emotions too raw to hear any other stories of pain from our ICU neighbors. They gave us the space that we needed. Everyone understands. But as time passed, everyone here pulls together.
It could be a horrible place, but it's not. Across from where we have set up camp, Randy and his family wait for their grandmother, who suffered a massive stroke Sunday night. All day every day, kids, cousins, and grandkids stop by to share a laugh, a story, or a complaint about one of the other cousins. But the love they all share sets the tone for the room. Next to us is Jim. Jim's wife had an aneurysm 2 weeks ago. He's been here ever since, only going outside for a drink or a cigarette. Once or twice a week, his sister brings a huge home-cooked dinner which he shares with everyone in the room. I haven't caught her name, but another woman is here with her father, a former logging truck driver from Hoquiam, who suffered a stroke as well. He cusses at the nurses and even tried to drag his half-paralyzed body from the bed last night. She is encouraged.
We've all bonded in this place. Good news for one patient is good news for all the families. We all laugh and share stories, and complain together about the surly security guard who told us to be quiet after 10. They never even dim the lights here, so time passes like in a Vegas casino, and it is often much quieter at 12 noon than 12 midnight. But with our laughter and false indignation over trifling complaints, we can help each other forget, if just for a second, why we are all here.
Of course, it's not perfect. Randy flipped out a bit at his family yesterday, and they sent him home to finally get some rest in a real bed. Every once in a while, you look up from your computer, book, puzzle or conversation, and a neighbor is quietly shedding a tear, feeling the fear and stress. Life is real, amplified in this open living room of a house. It's a community, and people care for each other. Like the snowstorm, Liam will appreciate it.
Chris Moose is coming in about an hour to keep an eye on Liam and make sure Erika is taking care of herself. Kelly, Liam's nurse when he got here on Sunday, just stopped by to say hi and see how he is doing. She's encouraged that he's responding to commands. It's nice to know that this isn't just a job for them and that they really care. I've been hugely impressed with the staff here. That's all for now. We'll keep you guys all updated on his improvements.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sitting in a "chair"
I don't really know what it is called, some hospital version or a chair where it can go flat and into a chair position. That's what Liam has been sitting in the last couple hours. They lay it flat, put on of those plastic body boards between it and the bed and lift/slide him over on to it. Then they put it in an upright postion and lower his legs so they are at 90 degrees. They put him back to bed a while ago. Marcus came to visit today and went in and said "hey buddy, i hear you give high fives now" and up came Liams hand! He even did thumbs up with his left hand today, once at 4pm. Not the other times, but at least once is better then not at all. He's still breathing no his own and the only medication he is on is haloperidol - a anti-psychotic - to help keep him calm. Basically, he's still getting better:)
Visiting Liam and google calender
Hi Everyone,
First of all, I wanted to say that anyone is welcome to come visit Liam at Harborview anytime (call ahead if after 8 pm, hospital security gets grumpier the later it gets). We've set up camp in the waiting room for the 2nd floor West Hospital, right next to the Neuro wing. For Erika or whoever is at the hospital, it is often a welcome sight to see visitors who also care for Liam.
To help manage this, I've set up a google calender to help Erika keep tabs on when people will be with Liam at the hospital. This doesn't mean you can't just drop by for a quick visit (please do!), and you don't have to add your visit to the calender, but this should make it easier for Erika to decide when she should be there and when she can rest.
I've set it up so that the calender, titled Liam's Watch, is visible to the public. However, to be able to edit the calender and add yourself in, you need to be added. To do this, you need a google calender account. See the steps below to sign up for an account, and then email me that you want to be added, and I'll add you so you can view and edit the calender.
Once you are added, simply create an event, titled with your name, and the dates and times corresponding to your visit. Make sure you add it to Liam's Watch calender and not your own.
Thanks for everyone's help on this. Right now there is almost always someone at the hospital with Liam. Whoever that is always appreciates a visit and if there is a day you can be there, add it to the calender!
Here are the instructions for signing up for google calender:
First of all, I wanted to say that anyone is welcome to come visit Liam at Harborview anytime (call ahead if after 8 pm, hospital security gets grumpier the later it gets). We've set up camp in the waiting room for the 2nd floor West Hospital, right next to the Neuro wing. For Erika or whoever is at the hospital, it is often a welcome sight to see visitors who also care for Liam.
To help manage this, I've set up a google calender to help Erika keep tabs on when people will be with Liam at the hospital. This doesn't mean you can't just drop by for a quick visit (please do!), and you don't have to add your visit to the calender, but this should make it easier for Erika to decide when she should be there and when she can rest.
I've set it up so that the calender, titled Liam's Watch, is visible to the public. However, to be able to edit the calender and add yourself in, you need to be added. To do this, you need a google calender account. See the steps below to sign up for an account, and then email me that you want to be added, and I'll add you so you can view and edit the calender.
Once you are added, simply create an event, titled with your name, and the dates and times corresponding to your visit. Make sure you add it to Liam's Watch calender and not your own.
Thanks for everyone's help on this. Right now there is almost always someone at the hospital with Liam. Whoever that is always appreciates a visit and if there is a day you can be there, add it to the calender!
Here are the instructions for signing up for google calender:
- Go to www.google.com, and click the "more" button on the top toolbar. From the drop-down, select "calender."
- Click the button to "create an account."
- Once you've created and verified your account with google, email me (joelmatsuo@gmail.com) with your email address and that you want to be added to the calender. Once I add you, you can edit the calender to add your visits.
- To add a visit, click "create event," and add your name as the title of the event. Add the times according to your planned schedule, and make sure you add the event to Liam's Watch if you have other google calenders.
- That's all, we should all be able to see when you plan on being there!
Sorry for the late posting
First, the MRI results:
1. there actually isn't very much axon shearing, they were expecting to see more, and this is good.
2. He has some injury to the mid brain - this is called the reticular activity system and controls wakefulness - what this means to Liam's recovery we don't know.
3. the MRI doesn't show everything, there is an unknown amount of microscopic injury throughout his brain that we can't see.
4. there is nothing on the MRI to explain why his left side is weaker - there could maybe be some injury to his motor fibers, but we don't know.
Okay, that is the MRI summary, now let me tell you how he is doing clinically. He's doing really well. He is recovering faster then to doctors expected based on his state when he arrived on the hospital. As I mentioned they did extubate him yesterday and he has been breathing on his own since then. He has been going back and forth in the level of supplemental oxygen that he requires. This has alot to do with teh fact that he is experiencing alot of what they call sympathetic storming. This is basically an uncontrolled state of stress. The syptoms he exhibites include agitation, a drop in blood oxygenation, increases in temperature and heart rate. The episodes don't last very long, and so far he always gets back to a restful state with in 5 or so minutes. Today during neurological exams he has been able to give a thumbs up on comand and raised a couple fingers when asked (all on his right hand - his left moves but is not responding to commands.). He also wiggled all his toes when asked and gave Matty semi high-five when Matty asked him to. He seems to recognize when I am there. When he is awake and I hold his hand or start talking in the room it's like he is trying to get my attention. He starts moving around, turning towards me, open one eye half way, looking in my direction and trying to lift himself up. I could be reading more into it then there is, but it seems like he knows I am around at least on some level.
He may still have to be intubated again, it all depends on his being able to get enough oxygen. His breathing is still very shallow and he is requiring a lot of supplemental oxygen at times. But, for those of you who know what this means, his last blood gas looked good. If not, look it up:) that is your assignment:)
So, as for his prognosis:
We still don't know a lot. When it comes to adult brains and injury regeneration is not possible. What recovery from this type of injury requires is a rewiring of the brain. The hope is that because of the plasticity of the brain healthy parts of the brain can compensate for the damaged parts. We won't know what deficits Liam will have until he is more awake, it's not something they can tell from a scan. For now we focus on the fact that he is recovering faster then expected, doing better then expected, and is moving in the right direction. I think it was Joel who came up with the perfect description for what his recovery will look like "an upward trending roller coaster." There will be ups and down, but what were are looking for is a general upward trend, and so far that is what we are seeing. The surgeon explained to me yesterday that it's very important not to get hung up on his minute to minute changes. I have been following every little change and that has been very stressful. He explained that the important thing is the overall trend and that setbacks are normal.
Thanks for waiting for this post, I was so exhausted yesterday,and by the time we finally talked to the doctor I was not functioning well - Tyler and Kiea forced me to go home and Tyler prescribed some ambien, so I actually got 8 1/2 hours of much needed sleep. It's hard leaving him here, I feel like I am abandoning him, even though know I am doing the right thing since I can't take care of him if I am exhausted or sick. I just want to tell everyone who has been hanging on here or sleeping here thanks. Being alone is hard, and having someone else helps distract me. Also, I can't tell you how much easier it is to leave and get a nap or a shower if I know someone who cares about Liam is sitting here just in case. When one of you is here, I feel like it's okay to get a way for a couple of hours and take care of me. Thanks.
1. there actually isn't very much axon shearing, they were expecting to see more, and this is good.
2. He has some injury to the mid brain - this is called the reticular activity system and controls wakefulness - what this means to Liam's recovery we don't know.
3. the MRI doesn't show everything, there is an unknown amount of microscopic injury throughout his brain that we can't see.
4. there is nothing on the MRI to explain why his left side is weaker - there could maybe be some injury to his motor fibers, but we don't know.
Okay, that is the MRI summary, now let me tell you how he is doing clinically. He's doing really well. He is recovering faster then to doctors expected based on his state when he arrived on the hospital. As I mentioned they did extubate him yesterday and he has been breathing on his own since then. He has been going back and forth in the level of supplemental oxygen that he requires. This has alot to do with teh fact that he is experiencing alot of what they call sympathetic storming. This is basically an uncontrolled state of stress. The syptoms he exhibites include agitation, a drop in blood oxygenation, increases in temperature and heart rate. The episodes don't last very long, and so far he always gets back to a restful state with in 5 or so minutes. Today during neurological exams he has been able to give a thumbs up on comand and raised a couple fingers when asked (all on his right hand - his left moves but is not responding to commands.). He also wiggled all his toes when asked and gave Matty semi high-five when Matty asked him to. He seems to recognize when I am there. When he is awake and I hold his hand or start talking in the room it's like he is trying to get my attention. He starts moving around, turning towards me, open one eye half way, looking in my direction and trying to lift himself up. I could be reading more into it then there is, but it seems like he knows I am around at least on some level.
He may still have to be intubated again, it all depends on his being able to get enough oxygen. His breathing is still very shallow and he is requiring a lot of supplemental oxygen at times. But, for those of you who know what this means, his last blood gas looked good. If not, look it up:) that is your assignment:)
So, as for his prognosis:
We still don't know a lot. When it comes to adult brains and injury regeneration is not possible. What recovery from this type of injury requires is a rewiring of the brain. The hope is that because of the plasticity of the brain healthy parts of the brain can compensate for the damaged parts. We won't know what deficits Liam will have until he is more awake, it's not something they can tell from a scan. For now we focus on the fact that he is recovering faster then expected, doing better then expected, and is moving in the right direction. I think it was Joel who came up with the perfect description for what his recovery will look like "an upward trending roller coaster." There will be ups and down, but what were are looking for is a general upward trend, and so far that is what we are seeing. The surgeon explained to me yesterday that it's very important not to get hung up on his minute to minute changes. I have been following every little change and that has been very stressful. He explained that the important thing is the overall trend and that setbacks are normal.
Thanks for waiting for this post, I was so exhausted yesterday,and by the time we finally talked to the doctor I was not functioning well - Tyler and Kiea forced me to go home and Tyler prescribed some ambien, so I actually got 8 1/2 hours of much needed sleep. It's hard leaving him here, I feel like I am abandoning him, even though know I am doing the right thing since I can't take care of him if I am exhausted or sick. I just want to tell everyone who has been hanging on here or sleeping here thanks. Being alone is hard, and having someone else helps distract me. Also, I can't tell you how much easier it is to leave and get a nap or a shower if I know someone who cares about Liam is sitting here just in case. When one of you is here, I feel like it's okay to get a way for a couple of hours and take care of me. Thanks.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
breathing on his own!!! (but with the ventilator still in)
Like the title says, he is breathing on his own! The ventilator is still in, but it's off right now and he is breathing well and looks very peaceful. Also, his left arm has been trying to reach for the ventilator tube, his left leg has been bending and lifting of the bed, these are big improvements in hsi movement. He also opened an eye part way earlier. It's so exciting to see him breathing by himself. I know it's still going to be a long road, and it's not like he's going to wake up all of the sudden, but the little improvements are just so reassuring!! I'll let you all know the results of the trial and if they are going to extubate him.
Oh by the way, I got accepted to John Hopkins yesterday to the Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology!!!!! I don't know if I will be able to start in July, but just getting is great news, which I need right now. Maybe next year :)
Oh by the way, I got accepted to John Hopkins yesterday to the Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology!!!!! I don't know if I will be able to start in July, but just getting is great news, which I need right now. Maybe next year :)
End of Day 3
Good Morning! As I mentioned the sensor is out and everyone can see the sharp haircut they gave him in the ER when they put the thing in :) He had the MRI last night about 1am. They will have a family conference with us later today to discuss the results. They are planning to do an SBT today. From what I understand that basically means they set the ventilator so that the breathing is up to him and then check to see what his respiratory rate is, see if he takes deep enough breaths and other things. If it's good, then they will extubate him, if it's not then well try again tomorrow. Just the idea that they are considering it is very positive.
They had the sedative off completely this morning, and he moves a lot, but isn't really awake. I want to make sure you all understands that even once he is extubated and not sedated he is not going to just wake up all of the sudden. It's still going to take a bunch of time and it will occur slowly. They will be looking for some responses first like holding up fingers ect. He has crossed his legs attempting to get comfortable which is a good sign.
Tonights nurse had a good idea, for anyone that isn't able to be here, if you want I can put you on speaker phone and you can talk to Liam. He can't respond of course, but if you want to talk to him so he can hear your voice it's an option.
I will post more later when we have heard about the MRI results. Just remember, it's going to be a long process......
They had the sedative off completely this morning, and he moves a lot, but isn't really awake. I want to make sure you all understands that even once he is extubated and not sedated he is not going to just wake up all of the sudden. It's still going to take a bunch of time and it will occur slowly. They will be looking for some responses first like holding up fingers ect. He has crossed his legs attempting to get comfortable which is a good sign.
Tonights nurse had a good idea, for anyone that isn't able to be here, if you want I can put you on speaker phone and you can talk to Liam. He can't respond of course, but if you want to talk to him so he can hear your voice it's an option.
I will post more later when we have heard about the MRI results. Just remember, it's going to be a long process......
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
How it happened and where we are now
Disclaimer: I wasn't there, but this is what all the guys have told me: Liam was playing at his Sunday morning men's leauge game (2/22/09) and went up for a header. He and the guy from the other team both missed the ball, but cracked skulls. Liam was unconscious before he hit the ground (when he hit his head again, and broke a tooth). He stayed unconscious and the medics were called. They had to intubate him on the field and his breathing wasn't normal and then brought him to the emergency room.
His CT scan showed that his brain was swelling so they put a a tiny sensor through his skull to measure the pressure continuously where the impact was. It looks scary - put the piece in his skull is only the thickness of a pin. He also has a small amount of bleeding in his brain stem, probably from the force of his head jerking back and forth during the impact. He has diffuse axonal injury - basically his brain rubbed against his rought skull and against it self - it's scraped up like when you scrape you knee. After he was stable they moved him to the Neuro ICU. He has been there ever since. He is on a ventilator and he is heavily sedated, which go hand-in-hand. He needs to be sedated to keep his brain calm and not aggravate the swelling. If he's sedated he needs the ventilator to keep his breathing normal because when he is sedated it affects his breathing. They did a a dopler something or another ultrasound of his head the first morning and the swelling had actually gone done a tiny bit, which is awesome. It doesnt' mean it can't still get worse, but it's a good sign. They do a CT scan every night about 4am. Tonight they will remove the sensor because his pressure has been very stable! That's a really good thing. They will also do the first MRI. They wait till a couple days in so that they damage has spread to it's fullest extent so they can get a real picture of what's going on. The doctors said the MRI results won't change how they are treating him, but it will let us see what kind of tissue damage has occured, how extensive it is and what kind of bleeding there is. So, the summary is, he is stable. We will hopefully know more tomorrow. Hopefully he will keep improving and they will be able to wean him off the sedation and ventilator in the next couple of days. Granted, we don't know what's to come, but everything is encouraging right now.
Thanks so much to everyone for everything. I don't know where to start, but you all know who you are and what you have done. The support is amazing and thanks for taking care of everything so I don't have to. Sorry to everyone that I haven't been able to call back and that I haven't talked to personally. I know you understand:) We will all post things on here to that you can all just check this so I don't worry that someone hasn't heard the updates. I'll try to post after morning rounds, and who ever else is here will post also.
Erika
His CT scan showed that his brain was swelling so they put a a tiny sensor through his skull to measure the pressure continuously where the impact was. It looks scary - put the piece in his skull is only the thickness of a pin. He also has a small amount of bleeding in his brain stem, probably from the force of his head jerking back and forth during the impact. He has diffuse axonal injury - basically his brain rubbed against his rought skull and against it self - it's scraped up like when you scrape you knee. After he was stable they moved him to the Neuro ICU. He has been there ever since. He is on a ventilator and he is heavily sedated, which go hand-in-hand. He needs to be sedated to keep his brain calm and not aggravate the swelling. If he's sedated he needs the ventilator to keep his breathing normal because when he is sedated it affects his breathing. They did a a dopler something or another ultrasound of his head the first morning and the swelling had actually gone done a tiny bit, which is awesome. It doesnt' mean it can't still get worse, but it's a good sign. They do a CT scan every night about 4am. Tonight they will remove the sensor because his pressure has been very stable! That's a really good thing. They will also do the first MRI. They wait till a couple days in so that they damage has spread to it's fullest extent so they can get a real picture of what's going on. The doctors said the MRI results won't change how they are treating him, but it will let us see what kind of tissue damage has occured, how extensive it is and what kind of bleeding there is. So, the summary is, he is stable. We will hopefully know more tomorrow. Hopefully he will keep improving and they will be able to wean him off the sedation and ventilator in the next couple of days. Granted, we don't know what's to come, but everything is encouraging right now.
Thanks so much to everyone for everything. I don't know where to start, but you all know who you are and what you have done. The support is amazing and thanks for taking care of everything so I don't have to. Sorry to everyone that I haven't been able to call back and that I haven't talked to personally. I know you understand:) We will all post things on here to that you can all just check this so I don't worry that someone hasn't heard the updates. I'll try to post after morning rounds, and who ever else is here will post also.
Erika
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I just passed the eating test! Dad and Mum are getting me Governor's Beef. I'm back and things are getting better every day. Thank you everyone for your support.
Love,
Liam
Liam dictated the comment above. Now he's typed this one with his right hand.
It’s a wonderful day.
I’ve received good news that I’m allowed to eat WHATEVER I LIKE.
Thank you.
Liam