Pre-Holiday Post

I ran late and didn't get yesterday's update posted so here it is:

Dear Friends: -- Today was Paul's birthday and what a great day it was!!! I'm so thankful that we can celebrate another birthday with him! We took him cards and balloons but truthfully it was US that received the best gift!! God continues to restore Paul's body. He squeezed Tabby's hand today :-) . He also made a random "pulling" action with his left arm. This is important because as I said the other night it indicates activity in the upper portion of the brain. I believe that he is right at the surface and waiting for just the right moment to awaken! This morning the staff doctors were wanting to move Paul to the Intermediate Care Unit but his neurosurgeon stopped that. I was actually relieved because as good as he is doing I don't believe that he is ready to have any less monitoring. It is encouraging that they believe he is doing that well. As always, I ask that you keep praying, but I'd also like you to remember the families that are in the ICU with us. Please remember especially Rolando's family as he passed away today and Mark's family as he passed last night. -- Love, Lynne

Today's Update:

Dear Friends: -- Today was a pretty quiet day. Paul continues in his coma but he is still moving his arms & legs. His nurse told Carl that they are waiting for him to show signs of using his arm to reach across his chest area. I guess that takes more controlled effort. Carl told her he was moving his legs and feet so she took a pen and did a reflex test on his foot and he pulled it away from her. She was very pleased to see that. The doctor had him scheduled for the surgery on his foot today but the schedule was overbooked and they took him off the schedule. They may try again tomorrow. I wasn’t sorry since I think it can’t hurt to wait another day and give him a chance to get a little stronger. We are now also fighting an infection in his spinal fluid but the nurse said that is very common and wasn’t too worried about it. They will treat his with more antibiotics. It looks like he is just taking longer than we had hoped to wake up but we are still very hopeful that it will be soon. Thanks for your love and concern. -- Love, Lynne & Carl

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The Holidays approach and much to do. Starting with adding another hole to the belt (closer to the end). Checked the snack closet and made sure it was well stocked. Made sure there were a few good DVDs in case the football games turned into routs. Checked the slippers to make sure they were in good condition and capable of keeping my feet warm since some idiot weather man predicted snow flurries tonight. Fluffed the pillows in case a need to check the eyelids for holes was needed. Last night did a few tests of the scratch and spit routine making sure I had a good working technique. Man was I tired after all these preparations .. good thing the recliner was handy.

#2 son flies in tonight, so the fun and full house begins. Truthfully we are excited to see him and can't wait to hear more of his acronym filled stories.