Morning discussions

 This morning I woke up a little early and went down for coffee and like most mornings over the last 6 days the discussion was the recovery and some of the light hearted things that have happened. It occurred to me that sometimes people end up in their hospital due to bad diet and family members are trying to sneak in hamburgers or fries or other unhealthy treats. He were are taking about trying to sneak in healthy food for Brian! 

How do you call the nurse when you can’t move your arms, legs or head? I would have expected ICU nurses to be well versed on this but they didn’t seem to be. As we were leaving the first day the nurse said just press the call button if you need us. We asked the nurse how? He can’t move. They have been checking on him every hour. On day 3 they gave him a large paddle that is somewhat sensitive. He is able to bump it with his arm. I saw the paddle for the first time and started to pick it up to examine it and Brian and Andrew said “Don’t touch that!” I was worried that it was something I touched that would hurt him but they quickly explained what it was. The paddle goes off often and nurses come in now and ask was that an accident or did you need something. It has to be somewhat unusual for a patient to come in with a body not working but the brain fully capable. 

I will add more to this tonight once I hear how he is doing today. 

Specialized Saved Brian

 

There is no doubt in our minds that the Specialized helmet Brian was wearing saved his life. When I was in school in the 1980’s (Hey no math here!) the other children made fun of me because I wore a helmet when I rode my bike. The middle schoolers were mean, nothing has changed, they messed with my bike undid my wheels quick releases etc… the teasing was relentless ”You don’t ride fast enough to need that.” I always wore it every time because I knew better. I was a bike racer they were not. Back then helmets were not worn by any kids or adults unless you were a racer. These kids didn’t know that I lived on Coronado hills and that I obtained speed wobble at perhaps 50-60MPH on my bike before the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Looking back I would have died helmet or not crashing at that speed but I was a kid I knew no better. It was not until the responsibility of kids of my own that my self preservation paranoia would kick in. That part in your mind that goes “not safe, not safe, not safe” when thinking about doing stupid things. 

Brian’s helmet after the crash was cracked all the way through in 7 different places from the impact of his crash. It was bloodied, dented, the colorful plastic cover cracked in many placed shattered in some places it was compressed in others. It picked up grass and dirt from the ditch in which he landed at least 5-8 feet from where he was riding. Brian has red marks that match the foam on the inside on his scalp. Brian does not have mobility in his arms and legs yet, what he does still have is his mind and his life. Although he is not walking yet we believe he will, the surgeon believes he will. His brilliant, logical, analytical mind, his memories of his long life were protected by Specialized and an unbreakable habit of wearing a helmet… every time…. Every. Single. Time. Period. When we walk in the room he knows us, can talk to us, and we can talk to him. This is a gift so when I say Every single time. I mean EVERY SINGLE TIME! Wear it! 

Also  his torso does not have road rash because Brian wore an undershirt … Every time. 

Kudos to Specialized and their life saving helmet. We are forever grateful. 

Healthy Eating and recovery.

 

Brian is making improvement. He is no longer on the IV for pain meds or hydration. The medical team keeps taking out his catheter and putting it back in because he is not going on his own. He is still not able to go number two without suppositories. His face looks like the bruises are fading. 

The cafeteria sent lunch today, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. Brian did not want to eat it. Brian enjoys a very healthy diet. He likes oatmeal, yogurt, nuts, fruits, vegetables, salads, chicken and fish. He does not eat bread, sugar, carbs etc… Jean had to work with the kitchen staff to come up with a plan to get him the diet he needs to fuel his recovery. 

Tracey called Upstate Acute Inpatient Orthopedic Rehabilitation to ask questions about if there is a bed available for Brian. The kind lady on the phone at upstate said they are a 2 week facility but we could have the hospital send the chart and they could see if he would be a candidate. She said he may need Short Term Rehab in stead which is usually 4-6 weeks or skilled nursing. Tony said Skilled Nursing is not very skilled at all so don’t go that route. Upstate said they are close to full now but it comes in waves and there may be a bed there if he is a candidate. 

Brian and Jean were planning on taking the Subaru down to Virginia to Cheyenne this coming weekend so Charles and Andrew had taken the Subaru to the train station this morning so Cheyenne could come in and pick it up. The keys are at the customer service area. Then we figured out the Cheyenne is coming in tomorrow not today. 

Katie wrote a lovely letter to her grandad wishing him to get better soon. Tonia did not “regard” that as a good idea so when I got home I suggested she draw a picture for him and she agreed that would be better. Hopefully Katie and Tonia can go to the hospital this weekend to see Brian. 

Brian has been FaceTiming Courtney to speak to Amari every day and it puts a smile on his face. The first day Amari said “ooohhh Boo boo!” But now she sings songs and dances for Brian.  

Jean snapped a picture of his infectious smile and sent it to me at work today. I had given her trouble last night because she only was able to show me a picture of his hand. 

Tuesday

Brian seemed more discouraged today. He felt he was going backwards in his progress but he is not. 

He did get to video chat with Amari and she cheered him up. Amari is Courtney’s two year old daughter. 

 Brian continues to make slow improvements feeling has come back in his fingers and his right arm made great improvements. He says it is painful in his fingertips. Tracey asked him if it was like when your arm has been asleep for a long time and feeling comes back into your hand and it hurts just before you get the dreaded pins and needles feeling. He agreed that it did seem like that. He had a moment of feeling sorry for himself and said he should have never come to this hospital and Jean said why don’t you just get up and walk out then. That quieted him, can’t argue with that logic. 

They tried to take out the catheter but Brian was not able to use the hood catheter and when they put the internal one back in he filled up the container and the bag. They keep trying but I think it is too soon yet. 

They have said they are leaving the catheter in for now.