I made it to the hospital at 8:30 a.m. only to find out that the nuero team had been in at 6 a.m. Sigh. So I sat w/ my Dad for awhile, read to him and told him about the Red Sox Game last night and how the tooth fairy ALMOST forgot to leave money for my son (I saw his tooth "box" sitting on the counter as I walked out the door and ran upstairs to put the money under his pillow---if any of you still believe in the tooth fairy and I ruined it for you---I'm sorry) and other small talk. He was moving his right side quite a bit while I talked w/ him.
The Nuerosurgeon did make his way to the waiting room where he spoke w/ us (my mom, my sister and I). The results from the EEG and the other neurological tests done last Friday looked good. The side of the brain w/out the bleed responds as it should while, obviously, the side w/ the bleed is weaker. That could be due to the swelling. Only time will tell. The ICP variance is due to the drain. When they clamp it off his pressure goes up--so he is not ready for that to come out yet. He said he is still critical as long as he has that swelling and the drain. It could still go either way. He said his movements are spontaneous and he doesn't follow commands. However, he did follow commands later in the day. The nurse would say "Kraig, move your toes" and he would. He's been very active today. Still not awake........but I'd say this is more progress and another step forward.
God is good!
Today marks 2 weeks that my father has been away from us. To say we miss him is an understatement.
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This is great news! God is good. One day at a time....Love you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Kraig's still making little steps of progress in his daily battle back to you all Beez...You will get to see his blue eyes again, I just know it...Love you
ReplyDeleteSo glad I remembered this blog. I haven't checked in a couple days. Perfect way to get all caught up - and that picture is priceless. Glad to hear there are some positives moments to keep you moving forward. In sharing your experience with some of my friends, I have heard lots of hopeful stories. I am praying yours is another incredible one to add to the growing list of miraculous ones I have heard. Prayers with you as always.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you did get to talk to the neurosurgeons. Sounds like a pretty good day. God is good. Prayers and time is what your dad needs. ((((hugs)))) xoxo
ReplyDeletetears of happiness in my eyes..
ReplyDelete<3
wish to kiss on his cheek..soft whisper to his ear.. *you will be fine and back on your feet.. you have so much loves from your lovely marvellous family stars to support you and count me in too kay*. ;-)
ari
It was such an emotional day...I think that I spend so much time at the hospital because I can't stand to be at home with all this emptiness. The silence is deafening. I miss him so. His smile...his snoring...his love of life. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice. My heart is just broken when I go to bed at night..and when I awake in the morning...knowing he's not here with me. His kitties miss him so...tonite..when I came in..they looked around the corner as if to say did you bring dad too? Loved seeing him move his toes today...when his nurse asked him to move his toe for his bride..and he did..happy tears~ Hanging on to every little positive thing. I want him to wake up..but I know he's healing...and it's probably too early. Hoping for more good days...want to see him getting stronger. I will never give up hoping that he'll return to us. Lucas said tonight that we were a strong bunch of ladies.(you and Heather and me and Jill)and he has the utmost respect for us.Funny...I don't feel so strong. God is good...and another day of thanksgiving. I continue to pray....love this blog and reading everyone's comments. Hope that he has a peaceful and restful night.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I don't know if it will help, but, when you go to bed at night, take something of Kraig's to lay next to you in bed. A piece of clothing that has his scent, a favorite book, besides his Bible which is with him right now, something that makes him happy and when you look over right before drifting off to sleep, or when you reach out in the middle of the night, or when you wake in the morning, you can feel and see "him". I did that when my husband passed and did it for many, many months. Even though it was still sad to have only a "momento" of him, it still helped me to be able to touch something tangible. If you have an videos, play them. Listen to his voice, look at his smile and look into his eyes. This is going to pass, my sweet friend. He is making progress even though it seems like teeny tiny baby steps. They have to be small. We take little steps before being able to fully walk and his body is healing itself and using those baby steps will allow him to take the big steps soon. This is a challenge but one that you, Kraig, the kids and grandkids can face and win. I love you and am praying so hard for you all. Hugs to you, sweetie. xox
ReplyDeleteJan
Hello from your cousin Debbie in Michigan! I know we aren't in touch much, but I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you... I am so sorry that you are having to go through this very difficult time. From what I can see from way over here in Michigan is that your love and faith are strong.. Thank you Lisa for writing this bloq in such a beautiful way. And Sherry, I send lots of love and hugs especially for you... you know how I've felt about you since we first met... Remember, how I wanted to be just like you?!! I still do! You and Kraig have raised a beautiful family and have much to be proud of. I spoke to Aunt Geri the other day and she said she would tell him I am thinking of him and sending my prayers.. Will you tell him again for me please? XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteP.S. That is such a wonderful picture! I remember being at your house a couple years ago celebrating his birthday... It was a wonderful day getting to see all of you!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he's in there and fighting to get out, and he will. We are all sending our thoughts and prayers every day to all of you.
ReplyDeletePeggy V
Oh Lisa..he is taking baby steps...making sure he comes back strong and healthy....he will make it through, he is a fighter!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour mom's words are so touching...she will have her love back soon.. I just know it!
I love the picture...so beautiful...
As a Respiratory Therapist who specilaized in ICU and ER work, I want to relate one case to you that hopefully you will find encouraging.
ReplyDeleteWe had a teenage boy come in who had been left in a closed up van at school during the last few days of school. With temps in the 100's outside, who know what they were inside. Him and his buddies had been drinking on campus and he passed out and they left him there. He comes in with a brain stem infract and severe heat stroke. Very bad case. We weren't giving him much hope for survival. He was placed on a vent., balloon pump and many other gadgets. My job to monitor his vent. and lungs every two hours or more if needed. As I was doing my rounds in his room, I would talk to him, telling him who I was first off, rub his arm, change the TV channel to more teenage boy friendly and watch TV with him. He was in a coma. No breathing on his own, no movement, nothing. This routine went on for days, weeks, turned into a couple of months. He would always get the same things from me with I did my work. I joked around with him about girls, school, etc. with my one sided conversations. I really didn't give much hope for him ever surviving. I never let him know that though. The neuro docs finally did a EEG (they normally do three EEGs before committing to the diganosis of brain dead),results not good. More time goes by. He finally gets off the balloon pump, and starts taking some breaths on his own as the swelling does down. He's still in a coma. I go on vacation, gone a week. Walked into the ICU first day back, much to my surprise, he was sitting in a chair, looking around, still on the vent., but breathing on his own. I walked in his room and said HI and he immediatley writes on his pad of paper, *Hi Michele. I recognized your voice. Thanks for being my friend*. I almost lost it. And I wasn't new to this line of work either. I gave him a big hug and he continued to improve and after some rehab went home like nothing had happened.
I wanted to tell you this story because, Kraig is in there. He may not follow commands right now, but he's in there. His EEG sounds promising. He's mending. Like this kid, it may take a while, but then one day, you guys are going to see a huge change. I just know it. Never give up hope. Watch TV with him. Talk about your day. All the things you would normally do at home. He's in there. Listening. Never let anyone tell you he's not. Hope this helps.
Still sending prayers and love.
Michele (lizardgal)
Sherry--Sending hugs and prayers to the family. Michele's story had to help so much--give you more hope when yours might need a boost.
ReplyDeleteThinking about you lots, sweet friend.
Prayers and love coming as along as you need them.
Lynne