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.