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