Paul's Update - 01/25/06

Dear Friends:

Paul had a little better day today. He slept most of the early part of the day but when the therapist came to work with him he seemed more cooperative. He did some sitting up, no standing since the doctor doesn't want him bearing weight on the left foot. He worked with some small balls in his left hand. He took them from the therapist and gave one of them to dad. One he played with a little and then flicked it from his fingers across the floor. The interesting thing is that one of them he actually held onto and tried to put it in his right hand. He had trouble with it but he at least tried. The speech therapist also tried to have Paul pop some bubble wrap, he didn't do that but when the therapist popped them he blinked with both eyes every time he HEARD a pop!! This tells us he hears at least some! This evening he was more awake. It almost seems like he has his days and nights mixed up. He seemed pretty alert. It is difficult to determine if or how much he sees yet but when Bobby was sitting in front of him he actually tracked Bob's finger in front of his eyes. He seems to do this randomly but the fact that he does it is pretty exciting. It appears that he is touching his right hand and his left leg with his left hand more and more. It is almost as if he is trying to figure out some "sensory" things. Earlier today the doctor had ordered a chest X-ray to make sure there is not evidence of pneumonia. The results came back this evening and the conclusion is that he has lots of congestion but no pneumonia ... Praise God!! Friday will be the date for the next CT. I hope that shows improvement in the fluid levels in the brain. Since Paul seems more like he was a few days ago, I believe that the procedure that was done Monday has done the trick! Have a great day!!

Love, Lynne & Carl