Although this year had been good up until seven weeks ago, we are happy to see it end. The new year brings with it new challenges, to say the least, but we are going to go into it with a positive attitude because to do anything else would be pointless.
Mark had a much better day today. He just wore himself out over the previous 36 hours. He did not sleep again last night, and this morning was still agitated, but the medication worked and he was calm through his physical and occupational therapy sessions. He was given new "boots" for his legs, which he calls moon boots or UGHs. He then had breakfast and slept, slept, slept (except during lunch and dinner). He got a little agitated around dinner time, but fortunately it didn't last long. We had him up in his wheelchair for a while tonight and with a full tummy and a ride, he fell fast asleep again.
We discussed what happened yesterday with the doctor. He told us that this is common. He explained that the brain is actually rewiring when this happens. It has to go through phases of up and down before it can regulate itself. He told us Mark has progressed so quickly over the last two weeks, that it has been amazing. He said that although it was so difficult to watch, it is actually better than if he were lethargic which would be a sign that the brain wasn't healing as it should. He thinks that the fact that Mark realizes he is keyed up and can't relax is remarkable. This made us feel a lot better. His physical therapy went very well and the doctor was very happy about his progress there too, although we can't see a lot of improvement. His left arm which is the one that had the Botox is being moved slowly, but is already in a much better position.
We wish everyone a wonderful, blessed New Year and again our thanks for all your support.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Unfortunately, today was not as good a day for Mark as yesterday. This was to be expected, but it is difficult nevertheless.
He was extremely agitated all night we were told, and didn't sleep. This continued for the remainder of today. He fidgets, sweats, experiences pain, talks constantly and is just overall restless. Nothing really worked today to calm him down. He did have a visit with a friend who was in the area, and he was better then. It is very difficult to see him like this when his personality is usually so quiet and calm. Hopefully, the medication can be adjusted and these episodes controlled. He finally calmed down after dinner and was quiet when we left him.
We are told this is typical for his type of injury. We have spoken to other parents, and many of the soldiers here are experiencing the same thing in various degrees. The worst thing is that he knows this is happening and cannot control it. That only adds to the frustration.
Tomorrow is the end of this year and hopefully, we will see continued improvement in the next. I guess for every three steps forward, there is one back. We just need to step away and let the experts handle things as they should and be there for the next step. Of course, all these steps seem to be uphill. Hopefully, we will get to the top before long.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Mark had another eventful day. After early PT, he was dressed and up in his "chariot" for breakfast out of his room. It was wonderful. While he was having breakfast his grandparents arrived and he even had a hug and kiss for Grammie. She was delighted.
He was able to be up for quite a longer time before he complained about his butt getting numb! He was also upgraded to "soft" food from pureed and had salmon and mashed potatoes for lunch. After a time in bed, he was bored and wanted to be wheeled around again. We rolled him into the family room they have on the floor and he watched football on the big screen TV. We were able to visit with other families there as well.
Meeting the other families has been very good for us. There are soldiers here who have been shot, stepped on mines, and met with IED blasts. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. These young men are so resilient it is amazing. They are in all stages of recuperation and they are impatient to get back to normal. All are delighted when they can eat real food, which is the first big step.
Mark has mentioned to the therapists and nurses that he knows why he is here. He told them his helicopter went down or that he was in a "hard landing" as they call a crash. He has had some flashbacks, but not when we have been around. The staff here handles it well, as they have dealt with many of these situations. He has some agitation, but that too, is getting better and not as often. His speech improves every day and there is some emotion showing up.
The visits over the last week or so have been amazing. There have been all kinds of groups and individuals with cards and gifts, and all are appreciated. Today the NFL referee team officiating at the Redskins/Cowboys game tomorrow showed up with autographed footballs for all the patients. They were wonderful with these kids. Of course, they only hold second place after the Baltimore Raven cheerleaders who showed up last weekend. Can you guess why?
As we head into the new year, our outlook is much brighter for him. He will need lots of perseverance and tenacity to get back to normal, but he's never been a quitter and we're certainly hoping he won't start now.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Today Mark ate his breakfast and actually liked it. Quite an improvement over the dinner last night. Dinner tonight was better too. They actually forgot the pureed meat, which we suppose was a plus. He had a busy day with some physical and occupational therapy. He likes being in his wheelchair, but complains after a while that his butt gets numb. He was able to visit with some of the therapy dogs, especially a German Shepard named Hank that he remembered from the weekend. When I mentioned there were Burmese Mountain dogs in the hospital, he remembered our friends' dogs Max and Murphy. He really seems to know what he wants and gets frustrated trying to get things across. When the OT tried to get him to write his name, he complained that he couldn't do it because his brain was scrambled and he was mad. He can read his name and spell it just fine. He can carry on conversations, and his speech is already improving even with just a very little speech therapy. It's the physical things that are hard.
Trying to improve that, the doctors today decided, after advising us of the pros and cons, to inject botox into several spots in his left arm. It had become very hard to move due to what they call spasticity. The botox allows them to paralyze the muscle in a better position. It was then put into a special customized splint which will keep it at a better angle. As the botox wears off, it will have saved the muscle in the proper position for the physical therapy. They are using a drug to achieve the same effect in his legs. The PT there is going better than with the left arm. All of this will take time, and we only hope he will be patient enough to get through it all. Mark has always wanted to do everything right the first time and gets miffed when he doesn't. Please keep praying that he cooperates!
The very best thing that happened today occurred tonight. When we were leaving the hospital and saying good night, Mom asked for a good night kiss. And got one! Best kiss she ever had and that didn't make Dad jealous at all!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Today was interesting to say the least. When we got to the hospital this morning, he had removed the naso/gastric tube again. Since they had the swallow study scheduled for the afternoon they left it out. After the last incident, they repositioned the restraint so he couldn't unclip it. Not to be outsmarted by the doctors and nurses, he managed to scoot himself down in the bed until he could reach the tube with his restrained hand and pulled it out. I can only say that it may be best for the nurses that he currently cannot move the other hand. He was much happier without the tube as you can imagine.
As for the swallow test, he passed with an A+ and extra credit points, according to the tech. So they brought him a dish of ice cream which was very happily received. He eventually got a dinner tray with pureed food, and it was less than appetizing as you might imagine. He didn't like much of any of it, but did manage to eat some mashed potatoes and pudding. When we gave him some chicken, he spit it out and asked if we were trying to kill him. He did eat more ice cream and that seemed a good end to a bad meal. When he said he'd had enough, we told him the mashed potatoes weren't so bad and he had done pretty well eating them. His reply was "Yeah, considering the rest."
He did have physical therapy and was up in a wheelchair (with us pushing) for about two hours, which was a record. He finally asked to go back to his room because his butt hurt. He hadn't sat up that long in all these weeks. It's been seven weeks today since the accident. He has come a long way, but has miles to go. We think if he keeps trying as hard as he has the last week, there will be a wonderful outcome.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Mark was in a fidgety, feisty mood today. He gave the physical therapists quite a workout, but they said he did great on everything they wanted him to do. He told us he is bored and frustrated and wanted to come to the hotel. He's tired of the hospital. We explained that he will be going to a rehab center in Tampa, Florida and that would be better. We also told him that if he wanted to stop being bored and frustrated he would have to cooperate and do everything he was told. Then he would be well again and could go back home. He just gave us a dirty look.
Four of his good friends from Strongsville drove the six hours down here last night and spent most of the day with him. They are great young men who are home for Christmas break and were in band with him. They kept him talking most of the afternoon and evening, and were so patient with him, even when we couldn't completely understand what he was saying. He is getting better, but some of his sentences are still garbled. He did have them laughing out loud with some of the things they were talking about. Unfortunately, his face is not really animated like it normally would be. There are facial muscles that have to return through therapy so that he can laugh and smile again. He doesn't seem to have any trouble making the frump face though.
One of the tests they are going to do tomorrow will be a swallow study. The doctors want to see how well he is swallowing so they use a dye and scan when he swallows. If there is not a problem, they can remove the naso/gastric tube and feed him a diet of soft pureed foods and thick liquids. We hope all goes well. He is hell bent on pulling the tube out and has several times. They have to keep his right hand restrained and he even managed to unclip that and get loose. He is determined to get rid of that tube come hell or high water. Keep your fingers crossed that he passes the test!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Today was a busy one. We got to the hospital early and Rich gave Mark a shave! He was getting a little scruffy. We're not sure he actually agreed to stay still for it, but we bribed him with ice chips! Such a pushover for a little frozen water. It's amazing.
He has been running a fever on and off and sweats a lot when that happens. The doctor told us that they continue to run cultures to be sure, but there is no infection. It's just that his brain doesn't regulate his temperature properly. He gets very frustrated since he can't wipe his face when this happens. They have an arm restraint on him ever since the "pull out the tubes" incident. It's not tight or anything and he has mobility, but he could do quite a bit of damage to himself if he pulls them out again and no one wants that. Other than that he is doing well. He does have "spacey" moments and moments that are clearer, but all in all his speech is a bit better and he does recognize people quickly.
Speaking of visitors, he knew his Aunt Steff, Uncle Jim and cousins Brian and Chris when they came today. He also had a nice visit with his good friends Mike and Melissa from Strongsville who drove down for the afternoon, will stay overnight and visit again in the morning. He has a strong group of very supportive friends, with more planning to visit during the week. We would like to thank all of them for their unfailing support.
We will give everyone an update again on Wednesday. Until then, may you all have a wonderful Christmas.
All our love, Ann and Rich
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Mark was not as alert and talkative today as he was yesterday. He was running a fever for most of the day, but it finally broke about 7 p.m. He did have his new iPod on and was singing along to Eric Clapton and Floggin' Molly, his two favorites. When we heard him mumbling, we asked what he wanted, and he said "Nothing, I'm singing." He was visited by his Aunt Barby, Uncle Tom and cousins, Matt, Katie and Andrew. He did communicate some while they were there and when we were telling him about Matt's lacrosse team at Colgate University playing Ohio State, he looked at Matt and said "You poor b*stard!" Needless to say that really got a laugh from all of us. He did tell Matt he would root for his team though. Although his speech is not what it was prior to the accident, it gets better every day and there is less garble than there was before. He really has not had a lot of speech therapy yet, so this is a good sign.
The nurses in his unit are wonderful. They are personable and very kind to Mark. They treat him with compassion and dignity, and give him excellent care. It is very comforting to know when we are not there that he is in such good hands. These warriors definitely have a bond that is special to be a witness to.
Ann and Rich
Friday, December 21, 2007
Welcome to our new blog for updates on Mark. This was suggested to us and we thought we would jump into the 21st Century finally and give it a try. Hope all of you find this convenient, and I hope we can get it off to a good start and keep it going. You may wonder why we decided to call it St. Michael's Soldier, so let us explain. St. Michael is the patron saint of aviators, among others. Before every flight, Mark would recite the prayer to St. Michael. Doing that made him feel comfortable. Mark even has a tattoo of St. Michael on his left bicep, which is very important to him.
Mark was moved to a regular room in the neuroscience unit last night. Finally out of ICU after six very long weeks. He is no longer on morphine unless he is in pain, and has actually not asked for any, even after physical therapy. He was allowed today to start having ice chips in very small increments and proceeded to chew them up and swallow them. The speech therapist ordered these for now and when she returns from Christmas leave, she will reassess. She is from Northeast Ohio and is a graduate of Ohio State University. She and Mark had quite a discussion about OSU football and their mutual hatred of Michigan. It was quite funny, and she was able to get him to talk quite a bit when they hit on this mutual love/hate.
He was also very alert today, much more so than the last week. Being off the pain meds has made quite a difference. He had physical therapy as well and was able to be up in a chair for about an hour and a half with his back brace on, after the therapy session.
He was given a number of Christmas gifts from various organizations. He got a new CD which Debbie put into his player, and he started singing the words to one of the songs. He was also given an iPod Shuffle and we immediately loaded it up with music from his computer (his MP3 player is currently minus a cord) and he was plugged in and lovin' it. He had a phone call from his best friend, P.J. and when we gave him the phone, he said "What's up, a*#hole!" This resulted in howls from all of us. P.J. said it made his Christmas. Then tonight we got a phone call from Jessica, and he was able to talk some to her. It was wonderful. When I got on the phone and spoke to her, he said "Hurry up, I want to say good-bye to Jess." It was more than wonderful.
He still has a really long way to go with the physical things, sitting up, using his hands, learning to walk again, just to name a few, but we have every reason to believe he will accomplish all of it.
So, please keep all those wonderful prayers coming Mark's way. Pray for patience for him and us, if you don't mind. And tune into this new station for all the latest updates. We appreciate it.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Ann and Rich