Paul's Update - 03/16/06

Dear Friends:

Today was our family meeting. God is always good and has answered our prayers yet again! The meeting was mostly positive. The doctor that Dad spoke to the other day had a taped message that was pretty "factual" but described the injury to Paul's brain and what typical effects are with these kinds of injuries. She felt he would have trouble with talking (if he ever talks), difficulty doing problem solving or decision making, control with his body which would impede his walking or using his hands, possibly even his vision. Her outlook was that it would be probably years of recovery. The PT, OT and Speech therapists had a slightly more optimistic look at things although they also believe that Paul has a VERY long road of recovery ahead. The case manager and the attending physician were also there. The doctor described the whole thing as a "family injury". His spin is that we are now in the "management" phase of his injury as opposed to the "intervention" phase that we were in at Fairfax Hospital. All agreed that Paul will need lots of help and encouragement for a very long time. The case manager talked about the kinds of support, financial aid and medical supplies that would be available to Paul now that he will be covered by Medicaid. It appears that we will probably be taking him home around March 29th (as long as Medicaid will OK him staying until then). After he comes home he will be eligible for "home care" help until he is able to do outpatient therapy. Prior to going home the hospital staff will work to instruct us on caring for his needs & medications. As for Paul's day ... we got to the hospital around 8:30 and found the OT working with Paul in the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. She said that when she came in the room this morning he smiled at her and was ready to help her getting started. He helped with putting his shirt on and was ready to get out of bed. While she was working with him the nurse came in and gave his medicines to him. It took about 20 minutes for the meds to begin to "zap" him. After that he was exhausted. At 9 am the physical therapist came in and got him into the wheelchair to go downstairs for PT. She got him up to walk with the walker. She had a helper today and it was a good thing because Paul wasn't able to help much. He couldn't even hold his head up. He was able to take several steps with some assistance but it was not his best workout. The family meeting was at 11am so Paul had some rest time while we were gone. The Speech therapist today was a substitute since the regular girl was off today. She was able to get Paul to open his mouth and she worked to stimulate his mouth and tongue. She gave him a cherry popsicle and worked to get him to stick his tongue out of his mouth to lick it. She tried several times unsuccessfully but finally he DID IT!! She worked to get him to lick the popsicle TEN times!!! She promised him a lollipop tomorrow!! Paul slept most of the day but tonight he was moving a lot and he was able to get BOTH of his hands almost to his chin at the same time!! He has mastered getting the right hand there but he works much harder with the left hand. Tomorrow the doctor will adjust the time that the medicine will be administered. Maybe that will enable him to get through therapy before he is exhausted!! Saturday will be a big "work day". It looks like we have some family & friends coming to help. The ramp going to the basement door will be installed & the bathroom will be getting a new tub (there currently isn't one there). We are so thankful for the willingness of people to come and help!

Have a great day, Lynne & Carl