Day 73 - Aug 12, 2008

We got a huge shock when we went into Kevin's room today. His head was actually indented by about 2 inches on the top left. The shunt is obviously working, but the docs didn't realize it would work so fast. Now he still has the very large sac of CSF coming out of the side of his head, but it's come down so far that it is no longer swollen at the top. I know it's a good thing, I really do. But I have never seen someone that had part of their skull removed. It's scary to see an indent where your skull should be. And I would hazard a guess that this makes the brain even more susceptible to injury than with the sac of CSF. But it's progress, right? I just have to keep thinking about that. Progress.

And today Kevin was trying to pull himself into a sitting position again. This time he could see the bed rail on the right side so he was using his left arm to try to grab it. He tried numerous times today, but couldn't reach it. He would even grab the plastic sheet and try to pull himself closer, but it was too hard with his right side not moving at all. But - he finally managed to do it tonight! And I, of course, missed it! I was talking to the nurse and not facing him - darnit! But Breezy got to watch it and I think it made her night! Yay for Kevin!

So I am hoping tomorrow maybe we can sit him in the chair again for a half hour or so. Now that his head isn't so heavy, maybe it will work. And maybe if we get him in the chair, we can take him for a ride around the hallway. I think it would do him wonders to get out of that room! Maybe even into the courtyard for a few seconds or so. He can't really be in the sunlight due to his burns, but a minute or two can't hurt. I am probably pushing it, but it would just do us all some good.

That pretty much was all for today so let me get to some questions. Grant, I know you want pics of the parade posted, but I don't have any. Breezy was videotaping it (not taking pictures), but she was crying so hard that it makes you sick to watch it because she couldn't hold still. If anyone else has some pics, we would love to see them. Just let Moe know at the grocery store in EB.

And someone asked about his coma level and speech pathology: His level is still in the 10/11 (or was it 9/10?) range. And SP has not been involved yet - that's one of the steps in Tampa, which is why we really need to get there. This hospital is well equipped for the burn patients and amputees. But they are not equipped to rehab TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients. And to be honest, we are just spinning our wheels here in regards to this. He has no form of rehabilitation to stimulate his brain. But we needed the shunt and the feeding tube before we could go, so hopefully within the next few weeks we can head out.

That's it for questions tonight - at least from the readers. But I have one. Has anyone read the Twilight series? I picked up the first book tonight to read to Kevin, but I am not sure if it's something he would like or even if it's appropriate. It seems to be all the rage right now as the fourth book just came out. Anybody have any input? Is it gruesome? (if so I won't read it as I am a big baby) Or is it a romance? It's about vampires, but it's too hard to get a feel for the book from reading the synopsis. Any input is appreciated.

Oh - and someone mentioned me missing a day. You actually need to go by the title of each post and not by the date it was posted. Sometimes I don't start typing until after midnight and that causes it to show the following day's date. (but hey - we all know that I sometimes can put the wrong date, lol. Hello...2004?)