Day 92 - Aug 31, 2008

It is just amazing how much progress Kevin has made in just the last two days. The doctors are impressed and so am I! And get this - we haven't even started rehab at all yet! (it is a holiday weekend) But anyway, Kevin is always aware of what's going on around him now. Always! I have seen no moments where he just stares at the ceiling and his eyes never seem to be confused. He always looks at you when you talk and if you ask him to do something, he usually does it. When we go near him with his eye meds he is now cooperative and immediately rolls his eyes upwards. He is also making all kinds of noises and when you ask a question, it seems like he tries to respond (but you can't understand what the noises he is making mean). So all in all - I think this place is going to be awesome. And I can only guess that the reason he is doing so well here is because the nurses sit and talk to him if we leave the room. He has someone sit in his room the whole time we are not in there and they just tell them all about themselves and their family and whatever else they can think of. And although I loved the hospital and staff in Texas, very few nurses did that. What a difference.

I did get to go see his new room today. He is in a temporary room until all his tests are finished to make sure he is stable enough to progress to the rehab floor. They are saying Tuesday he will be moved, due to the holiday. Anyway, it's small, but it will work. I like the fact that they have flat panel TVs that come down right in front of your face over the bed for the patients to be able to see it if they have vision problems. They are very aware of everything here. I just can't wait to see what happens. They are expecting to remove his trach and possibly his catheter this week and will try to get his feeding tube out asap as well. I can't wait for that! I just can't imagine not eating for 3 months!

Speaking of eating - I made over medium eggs for us tonight! Yep - I cooked!! It was like heaven! And one of the nurses took me to the grocery store (and the cell phone store) today so you had to know that I bought a small chicken and the stuff to make stuffing, mashed potatoes and garlic green beans! It's all on the menu for tomorrow - YAY!!

Now to answer some questions:

Lisa - I did get the red envelope. Thanks! And we can't have mail sent to the place where we are staying so I have to go get a PO box. I will let you know what it is asap. And I will post Kevin's here as well once we get him to his permanent room.

Michelle - his trach has been capped for weeks now, but I learned the other day that nearly 85% of the left side of the brain was destroyed. The speech section is typically located on the left side, which is why he doesn't talk yet. If the brain rewires, he may be able to someday (maybe soon, huh?).

Linda - if it's not too late, Kevin would probably love to be in the calender. You can get my email from work if you still need it.

Jim (173rd) - I am so glad you posted as all my voicemails were deleted when I got a new phone today! I will call you tomorrow (or you can call me if you want).

If I missed anything - please let me know. I am trying to get all caught up, but my inbox is just so huge!

Well, bedtime for me. Have a good night, everyone!