Saturday, August 17th 11:00 pm Today's highlight was a cheeseburger from Friendlies and a cyclone with M&Ms which Daniel really enjoyed... And he was able to digest it as well! Daniel is now in pre-GAIT as he progresses toward walking. Today he walked about 20 feet (20 steps) with a walker plus some assistance. He feels he is getting stronger and can hold himself up better. Emily Fox sent him a Buffalo head hat which fits nicely over his crash helmet (which he needs to wear everywhere he goes to protect his brain.) He has gotten many compliments as well as comments about it. Today, he played Yahtzee and Dominos with Toni and Aunt Sandi. He was off the oxygen all day today with 97% absorption which is very good. He is still on oxygen at night and is monitored during the day. Betsy Fox will come for a visit in about a week and his great friend from Bard, Emily Richardson is returning from her summer in Alaska. Daniel is very happy about seeing her again.
Sunday, August 18th, 9:30 pm Today Toni called Jim and Daniel was playing the piano in the background! Awesome! He was playing "For your love" by the Yardbirds. Daniel was also able to use the computer including some "Instant messaging" although he gets overwhelmed and tired quickly. He was excited to get a David Bowie 1987 tour t-shirt from his friend Kendra from Bard. He ate well today and enjoyed a walk (wheelchair ride) around outside.
Monday, August 19th, 7:30 pm Aunt Sandi left today but she left lots of goodies. Daniel took a shower today. In physical therapy he walked twenty feet again. They also had him on a hand bike which builds arm strength. Imediately after physical therapy and the hand bike he went to occupational therapy and they had him throw a medicine ball around, also for arm strength. Daniel's in a posture group which I went to when I was visiting him and it feels really good on the back. Daniel's friend Kaman, from Bard, came to visit Daniel today.
Tuesday, August 20, 2002 8:15 pm Daniel walked 22 feet today
(three times!) and was able to navigate much better with the walker (with
some minor assistance). He worked on the handbike again and worked on
transferring in and out of a car. He has strong motivation here since he
needs to develop the endurance so that he can get a pass to go out of the
hospital. He now has his meals, sitting on the edge of the bed or at a table.
Toni took the wheelchair outside for their dinner and then when they returned
to the lobby, Toni practiced what she had learned about transferring him to
the couch. There they sat, side by side with Daniel's arm around his Mom.
The leg machine now works his leg to an 80 degree angle...at a 90 degree
angle, Daniel will be able to sit more comfortably.
He worked with Dee, the Speech therapist and they worked on writing stories.
This is proving to be more difficult (and writing was never a problem for
him) It seems to be much more difficult to write stories now... Betsy is
traveling to see him on Thursday...
Wednesday, August 21st, 10:00 pm Daniel had another good day including walking 30 feet (with a walker). Toni asked him if he wanted to say anything on the web, he said "Tell everyone thank you and I love them for being so good to me". Medically, he is now off oxygen and the feeding tube. He might be able do some physical therapy in the swimming pool before long. Although he is progressing steadily, he still has a long way to go. Toni reports that he seems quite fragile (physically and emotionally.) Recovery from such extensive injuries is a slow process.
Thursday, August 22st, 8 pm Jim called with the report tonight... Daniel is having his pretty typical ups and downs, as is expected in recoveries from brain (and other physical) injuries.) Today, he took 19 pills! The cardio-thoractic surgeon will come to give a consultation next week on Daniel's aorta. While Daniel has made dramatic and rapid improvement, the reality is that often the daily therapies are exhausting and frustrating. Today he had 7 therapy sessions. I asked Jim about the feasibility of him coming home and he said that the reality is that he must be able to tolerate a 5 hour flight out of bed. Right now, his tolerance is 2-3 hours. So step by step, he is progressing...sometimes leaps forward, and sometimes steps back. We both decided that since this will be such a long process, that we will go to Sunday and Wednesday evening updates (unless anything of great significance happens.) Please keep your prayers constant and vigilant...and he really enjoys all the letters and cards you all send.