Post by Kristen Gamauf on Oct 17, 2005 23:31:06 GMT -5
DAY 14 AT EDWIN SHAW
Mike was all smiles today. He seemed even more coherent than he's been. For example, we were telling him about his fall and his hospital stay and the coma and all. Usually he just shrugs and then starts focusing on another activity or conversation. Today, he was very engaged. He was asking questions about it, and remembered me showing him a photo of where he fell yesterday. This indicates that some short term memory is returning. A few days ago, he would immediately forget anything you told him. But more and more we are surprised by comments he makes about something that happened the previous day.
Brio stopped by. He is looking better now that Gammy is getting back into shape. We told Mike that Brian was the one who called 911 and saved Mike's life. We told him that if Brian wouldn't have acted so fast, he would have died.
Mike just smiled and said in a sheepish girly voice as he looked over at Brian, "My HERO!..." Brian and Mike just laughed. We continue to tell him about his hospital stay and all the nurses he's had. He doesn't remember them at all, and thinks it is "so weird." You can tell that he is perplexed by things we tell him. He just gives you a look like, "Woh, I did that?"
Brian asked him if he remembered trying on the girl's high-heel pink shoes on the sidewalk that night of his fall. Mike just chuckled. "I did? I don't remember that..." We said yes, and we have pictures! (The guys were flirting with some chicks and she was complaining her feet hurt her. So Mike "traded" shoes with her. Mind you, hers were about size 6 women's and he wears like, twelves or something.)
Mike remembers a conversation he had with friends the night of his fall. And he remembers most of his stay at Edwin Shaw, but not the ride there. His memories are spotty. Things ring a bell, and with reminders he recognizes some of them as familiar.
Another thing to report is that Mom & Dad moved back to Wadsworth last night. It is just me and Louie. Mom said her return to the school went okay and everyone was very sweet.
I went out today to Pet Smart and bought Louie a new litter box. She is the messiest cat. She digs and digs and throws litter all over. So I got her one with a cover. Only thing is, she doesn't like the dang cover! I also bought her tons of different foods in cans and pouches. She gets ridiculously bored with her food--so finicky! We have to change it every other day or she won't eat it. Also, the water and food have to be fresh. If it has been sitting out, she won't touch it. Man, is my cat spoiled or what!?
I am glad you guys enjoyed looking at the picture of Mike. I am hoping to get one of him walking at therapy tomorrow morning as proof that he is up and around! He is amazing and doesn't even know it. He will soon be much cleaner and groomed in his pictures too. His trache hole is almost healed and he can take a real bath. Also, he told us today that next time he shaves, the goatee will probably be gone. Last time he shaved, he wanted it left on there. We told him about how none of the nurses could quite get in his dimple in his chin when they shaved him, so he always had a dark spot. He smiled, then pulled his bottom lip back so that his chin was taut, knowing that is the proper technique to get the whole chin shaved.
Again, thank you all for following Mike's story. I am really blown away each time I read a new post or see some of Mike's cards. It has kept us going.
What Gary said about my mom is true. For once, we are able to feel like the future is bright again. People ask me how I am doing and I tell them that life is "tolerable" again. I know that we are very blessed to have a happy ending, and so many people don't get that. I was driving in Montrose today, and the thought crossed my mind, "My God, what if Mike hadn't made it?" That happens to me once and awhile, I just get these weird epiphanies at random times.
My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one too young. It seems like an unbearable event to get past. I plan on making decisions in my life strictly based on this experience. I figure if you live like you are gonna die in a few months, then you can't go wrong.
Mike was all smiles today. He seemed even more coherent than he's been. For example, we were telling him about his fall and his hospital stay and the coma and all. Usually he just shrugs and then starts focusing on another activity or conversation. Today, he was very engaged. He was asking questions about it, and remembered me showing him a photo of where he fell yesterday. This indicates that some short term memory is returning. A few days ago, he would immediately forget anything you told him. But more and more we are surprised by comments he makes about something that happened the previous day.
Brio stopped by. He is looking better now that Gammy is getting back into shape. We told Mike that Brian was the one who called 911 and saved Mike's life. We told him that if Brian wouldn't have acted so fast, he would have died.
Mike just smiled and said in a sheepish girly voice as he looked over at Brian, "My HERO!..." Brian and Mike just laughed. We continue to tell him about his hospital stay and all the nurses he's had. He doesn't remember them at all, and thinks it is "so weird." You can tell that he is perplexed by things we tell him. He just gives you a look like, "Woh, I did that?"
Brian asked him if he remembered trying on the girl's high-heel pink shoes on the sidewalk that night of his fall. Mike just chuckled. "I did? I don't remember that..." We said yes, and we have pictures! (The guys were flirting with some chicks and she was complaining her feet hurt her. So Mike "traded" shoes with her. Mind you, hers were about size 6 women's and he wears like, twelves or something.)
Mike remembers a conversation he had with friends the night of his fall. And he remembers most of his stay at Edwin Shaw, but not the ride there. His memories are spotty. Things ring a bell, and with reminders he recognizes some of them as familiar.
Another thing to report is that Mom & Dad moved back to Wadsworth last night. It is just me and Louie. Mom said her return to the school went okay and everyone was very sweet.
I went out today to Pet Smart and bought Louie a new litter box. She is the messiest cat. She digs and digs and throws litter all over. So I got her one with a cover. Only thing is, she doesn't like the dang cover! I also bought her tons of different foods in cans and pouches. She gets ridiculously bored with her food--so finicky! We have to change it every other day or she won't eat it. Also, the water and food have to be fresh. If it has been sitting out, she won't touch it. Man, is my cat spoiled or what!?
I am glad you guys enjoyed looking at the picture of Mike. I am hoping to get one of him walking at therapy tomorrow morning as proof that he is up and around! He is amazing and doesn't even know it. He will soon be much cleaner and groomed in his pictures too. His trache hole is almost healed and he can take a real bath. Also, he told us today that next time he shaves, the goatee will probably be gone. Last time he shaved, he wanted it left on there. We told him about how none of the nurses could quite get in his dimple in his chin when they shaved him, so he always had a dark spot. He smiled, then pulled his bottom lip back so that his chin was taut, knowing that is the proper technique to get the whole chin shaved.
Again, thank you all for following Mike's story. I am really blown away each time I read a new post or see some of Mike's cards. It has kept us going.
What Gary said about my mom is true. For once, we are able to feel like the future is bright again. People ask me how I am doing and I tell them that life is "tolerable" again. I know that we are very blessed to have a happy ending, and so many people don't get that. I was driving in Montrose today, and the thought crossed my mind, "My God, what if Mike hadn't made it?" That happens to me once and awhile, I just get these weird epiphanies at random times.
My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one too young. It seems like an unbearable event to get past. I plan on making decisions in my life strictly based on this experience. I figure if you live like you are gonna die in a few months, then you can't go wrong.