Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Today was swim day! Mark had his first pool therapy and evaluation. The therapist felt he would benefit greatly from the pool therapy and resistance so he is now scheduled for two days a week!
They put him in the water with a lift and at first he was hesitant because he thought he had to hold on just with this arms. When he realized the lift had hooks that held his legs for balance he was all for it. One, two, three and he was out of the wheelchair and in the water. It's a very warm pool, about 95 degrees, and he was held by the therapist. His PT was also in the pool this time, but won't be hereafter. They had him floating and stretching and using his arms and shoulders like he hadn't before. It was wonderful. Eventually, he will use a belt to keep him afloat and weights in his hands and on his ankles. He really liked this a lot. When he got back upstairs to his room, he told the nurse he had "back paddled" two laps!

Earlier this morning, Mark had a dentist appointment and they fixed the teeth that were chipped in the accident. They look wonderful and his beautiful smile is even more so. Fortunately, there was not too much damage to his teeth, but they are making him a bite guard to wear at night.

There was another remarkable event on our floor as well today. One of the Marines who had suffered a stroke after being shot in Iraq spoke for the first time today. He has been making noises and he has been responding nicely to questions without actually answering for the last several weeks, but today he actually started talking. It was very exciting for everyone and the staff, other parents, and wives were all crying. When Mark went into his room to talk to him, he said "Hey JT I hear you're talking!" JT (who we believe is blind) said "Hey Mark." It was great. His mom and I have been doing things together with the boys and it was nice that he knew who Mark was.

As wonderful as it was, there is a bittersweet side to the joy. Four other young men on our floor are not out of their comas and have not spoken. Two have been in semi-comas for over a year and their beautiful young wives were torn at the news. Even though they were happy for John and his family, this news was hard for them when there has been so little change for their husbands. Please keep all the young men of Tampa Poly Trauma in your prayers. They are an amazing group who have been through so much.