Mike had a relaxing night

10-31-07 @ 9:15/AM – Mike had a relaxing night. He continues to breathe on his own without assistance from the ventilator – his blood pressure, heart rate and Glasgow Coma Scale remain the same. Mike continues to fight a fever as the nurses try to reduce it with the cooling pad and Tylenol. Some of the culture results show that he has a Staff infection in his lungs. Yesterday, new cultures were taken to further investigate the infection. The plan for today is to insert a Pike IV, which gives them better access to his blood stream and to talk about the possibility of inserting a filter in the Vena Cavas to filter off potential blood clots.——————————————-10-30-07 @3:40/PM – Mike is doing well today. He is breathing on his own – his blood pressure and heart rate are stable – fever is still up and down – and they have inserted the feeding tube. They have started him on some antibiotics to fight what appears to be some kind of infection in his lungs

I think the vibe all day long has been very positive.

Wednesday, October 31 – I think the vibe all day long has been very positive. Mike is caressing our hands, holding on tight when you say you’re going to leave and I don’t think any of us care if they say it’s involuntary. We feel it, it means something to us. The curtains were open in Mike’s room, the sun shone on his face and it seemed to warm his color. There was life in the room. You could feel it. You could see a renewed, true sense of hope in each person’s eyes that came to see Mike today. “He moved his thumb over mine”, “did you see the strength in his arms as he held on to my hand?”, “his eyes are moving”, “it seems like he’s opening his right eye”. We are like kids on Christmas morning! And then it happened.

End of the evening, around 11pm – Bobby and I were in the room with him. I had been doing a little physical therapy with his feet and ankles, moving up to arms and hands. Mike had been working his fever all day and was pretty sweaty. So, I went to the sink to wet a towel to wipe him off and decided to lift his eyelids to tell him what I was doing. His eyes looked great so I said “Michael, you see me don’t you? Look at me, Mike. Look at me!” He moved his eye and looked straight in to mine. It was amazing. It was like birth. It was life.

I squealed to Bobby “he looked at me!” We all want to believe and hold on to those little things, but we’ve been told often enough that they probably don’t mean a thing. But I don’t care. I know he is there. I know he heard me. I know he moved his finger and his thumb for me. I’m his mother, I felt him there. I know.

Reality. Place one foot in front of the other and begin the day.

Tuesday, October 30 – Reality. Place one foot in front of the other and begin the day. I don’t want to, I can’t get out of bed. It’s a bad dream. It’s not real. It can’t be real. I want to hear his voice, I want to see him smile. I don’t want this. I have thanked God every day and especially this past year for ALL of life’s blessings. My beautiful children, my loving husband, a succesful career, good health – a wonderful life. Almost knowing that if I wasn’t grateful, didn’t give thanks enough, that it would be taken away. So I question why? I am angry. I want to blame, I want to be angry at those last to see him, to make them responsible. That would give me strength to face the day.

But it wasn’t anger that gave me strength. Today, it was the “Be Like Mike” entry, it was -”the Bible does not lie, “I will not leave you, nor foresake you” entry, it was the “he lives in all of us” entry…it was the very thing I thought I should take a break from that helped me through. It was the most generous, loving gift, it was you. It was all of you.

Your thoughts, your kind words of support, your love for Michael, it was the blog – the outlet for all of us. The place we gather strength. As I continued to read and for the remainder of the day, I regained strength. I carried hope and faith in my pocket, and a prayer in my heart.

Whatever the odds…Mike can do it. So can I.

Osbourn’s Homecoming – Emily is a senior

Saturday, October 27 - Osbourn’s Homecoming – Emily is a senior this year so it was important to make this day as normal as we could for her. I went to the hospital early, left around 11:30 to take Emily to the “let’s get pretty” appointments. Our first appointment was hair and about 15 minutes into it, Bobby calls with the MRI results. I was able to keep it together through the nail appointment but that was it. The release was like a volcano – I hear Emily “Mommy is having a heart attack” as she calls to Bobby for help. I am sorry Emily. I am so sorry. I’m better now. We are all struggling with the dark times of trying to cope with this drastic change in our lives, in Michael’s life. The missing piece is not what happened or why it happened, it’s Michael. What he means to me, what he means to you. Michael is the missing piece in all our lives, so we struggle with how to cope with the pain and the personal loss we feel.

Everyone talks about Michael’s strength…he is strong because of us, all of us. His friends, his family and we are strong because of him. He is the glue that binds us. We’re told that the part of his brain that works to wake him is injured and without healing, he will sleep. Michael may sleep, but I think we MUST continue to believe that safe in the arms of God, he is able to hear us.

Last night leaving the hospital, first song on the radio, Guns and Roses “Patience”

Shed a tear ’cause I’m missing you
I’m still alright to smile
I think about you every day now
…It’ll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience
Said sugar make it slow
And we’ll come together fine
All we need is just a little patience
(inhale) Patience…

Heading to the hospital, REM’s “The Great Beyond”

I’m breaking through
I’m bending spoons
I’m keeping flowers in full bloom
I’m looking for answers from the great beyond

On the IPOD, played for Michael – Matisyahu “Lord Raise Me Up”

Said I been gone for so long where my mind been at
wont you please wake me up wont you please bring me back
daydream fantasy and my mind went to sleep
eyes closed up from you with my heart heavy
so wont you please wake me up and shake me up

I believe that God was speaking to me where he knew I would look. Music. I heard you.

There are times I have no words, other times (like this) I need to share, to reach out to you. Mike’s friends – I love you. From the depth of my heart, I love you. The memories we share make us laugh, make us cry, help us cope. You are a band of brothers – to each other, a brother, to Michael – a brother, to Nathan and Emily – a brother. You embody my son.

Donations

Paypal to your right —->

If you would like to contribute to help defray the cost of Michael’s medical expenses, donations will be accepted and are greatly appreciated.

The Michael Rosner Medical Fund

c/o Synergy One FCU

Attention Mary Rosner

8700 Centreville Road

Manassas, VA 20110

To the outpouring of love and support

Friday, October 26 - To the outpouring of love and support – you will never know how deeply I feel your love for Michael. I read your words, the moments, the memories of your lives with our boy, you speak of that smile and the laughter that wormed it’s way into your heart…your words caress my soul as I sometimes struggle to find strength. Without warning, Michael’s life story has been interrupted right in the midst of creation but with everything I have, I know that story continues and has not ended. For those of us talking to Mike, we don’t know how much or even whether he can hear us, but we believe. In his rock like silence, Nathan gave him music – his eyes danced, his mouth opened…he heard.

Keep talking, keep praying. ” All other ground is sinking sand, on God’s solid rock I stand” HEAR US MICHAEL. FEEL US MICHAEL.

Personal thank you’s to: Mary Catherine, Michelle and Donna – our angel nurse friends from whom we find much strength and comfort. The friends that have brought food, drinks and snacks to make sure we remember to eat. Kendra, for taking the time to make sure Emily’s homecoming dress was fitted, altered and ready for her Senior Homecoming Dance on Saturday. xxoo

To all of you reaching out with love, in prayer and support, I thank you.

Medical Updates

Michael was in a single car accident on I66 at exit 66 at 3:20 AM October 21, 2007. He veered off the road and hit an exit sign, launching him into the air. The front wheels hit the guardrail and caused the vehicle to do a complete flip, landing on the front two wheels, head-on, into a tree. Mike suffered major head trauma and a massive laceration on the right side of his head, resulting in severe brain injury. Due to the many areas of head trauma, his brain is swelling to dangerous levels. To prevent further brain damage from swelling, the Neurosurgeon removed a section of his skull on the left side of his head Sunday. There is a four inch laceration located in the occipital area of the back of his head and an injury in the T1-T4 areas of his back. They report no internal injuries or broken bones.

_________________________UPDATES________________

11-11-07@ 9:30 PM – A better day. No fever, less traffic and lots of rest seemed to make a big difference. The only medication given to Mike today was a pain med. A minor procedure to reduce the size of Mike’s trach caused a little pain and an increase in coughing but otherwise a restful day. The further reduction in trach size will encourage Mike to use mouth and nose 100% for breathing. We could already notice an increase in mouth breathing. It almost seemed like he was gasping for air but the nurse explained his efforts will become less labored as he adjusts to the new size. 11-11-07 @7:30/AM – Mike has been working hard for his Physical Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Speech Therapist, nurses and doctors. Although he has performed well, there is still no consistency to commands. He remains in a coma with some swelling on the brain. Mike’s physical heath is strong and stable but through the night spiked a 102.5 temperature. They stopped all sedation medication Friday night and will now give it to him as needed. Without the sedation meds, visitors and nurses observed a return of some storming yesterday afternoon and by evening the storming was quite strong. A decision was made to administer sedation medication to calm him down.

There may have been too many visitors and too much stimulation during that first 24-hour period without meds. The nursing staff reminded us of the importance of only two visitors in at a time, to speak calmly and slowly, not to have too much physical contact and to allow time for rest between visits.
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11-8-07 @9:00/PM – Mike’s heart monitor and catheter were removed today as his physical health continues to improve. During his physical therapy session, the Physical Therapist opened Mike’s hand and told Mike to catch the ball that she was about to drop and he did. She then asked him to release it and he did. They sat Mike on the edge of the bed for a few minutes and then stood him straight up to allow his feet and legs to bear the weight of his body. These are all great steps in the right direction.
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11-7-07 @9:30/PM – First full day in the new unit, a busy day for Mike. His Physical Therapists, Speech Pathologist and Pet Therapists were in to observe and work with him. The speech pathologist requested a smaller trach tube for Mike – that procedure was done midday. If I remember correctly, this helps to promote more breathing from his nose and mouth. We noticed after the change that Mike was able to open his mouth more frequently, rubbing his tongue over his teeth and moving with speech like movements. Mike’s vital signs are stable and he continues to move around and open his eyes but without consistency to commands. Mike is still in a coma but as one of the Therapists described to us, brain healing is like working through a 3-story building. He is currently in the basement healing his way to the third floor. It appears that Mike can hear us, sometimes sees us and is able to make some associations.

Emily was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and is doing better but she is still very weak.
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11-7-07 @11:30/AM – Mike had a great day yesterday. He continues to smile, opening his eyes, move his hand, arms and legs but without consistent responses to commands. Mike was moved out of the Neuro ICU to the Neuro Observation unit. In combination with this move, they are restricting sedation meds to one nighttime dose and Adderal in the morning to stimulate awakeness. This is another step in the right direction. All of his vital signs have remained stable.

On a second note, Emily, his little sister, was hospitalized at Prince William yesterday afternoon for what appears to be a kidney, bladder and urinary infection. She is doing fine now and we hope to have her home by this afternoon.

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11-5-07 @2:45/PM – Mike is having a responsive day. He has offered several smiles, eye openings, hand, arms and leg movements. Mikes doctors requested animal assisted care. Depending on availability, a dog will be brought in anywhere from a couple times a week to once a day. Today it was the German Shepard. She got on the bed & laid on mikes legs. The trainer then placed Mikes hand on the dog and asked Mike to pet her. Mike responded 2 out of 3 times. She was hoping for 3 out of 3 but said with this being Mikes first time, she said it was actually more than she expected. Mike’s blood pressure, heart rate, fever and breathing on his own remain the same.

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11-4-07 @4:34/PM – A more active afternoon…Mike responds with intention. His Mother was leaning very close to his face so her voice went straight to his ear. She kissed him on the cheek and said she would just keep kissing him until he woke up. Mike moved his head toward her voice and seemed to pucker his lips. His sister Emily ran her nails on the under side of his feet and Mike reacted, twitching his feet and moving his legs. With a new hand sized ball to squeeze, his Father watched as Mike raised his arm while gripping the ball with his fingers. AND…the Redskins won.

11-4-07 @2:50/PM – Mike is having a quiet day. We are seeing very few responses but hold on to those baby steps that we have seen over the last several days. He remains stable with no set backs – his blood pressure is 119/54, heart rate is between 96 and 110, temperature is 98.6 to 101.3 and the Glasgow Coma Scale remains at a 5.
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11-3-07 – No changes – Mike is healing peacefully.
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11-2-07 @4:30 PM – Mike is having a quiet day. His heart rate, blood pressure, breathing on his own, and fever appear to be stable. They continue to treat him for a staff infection in his lungs with antibiotics. The morning nurse was able to get Mike to move his hand and finger on command but not with any consistency. We were able to get several smiles out of him as well. The Physical Therapists was in today and was able to work his legs and arms. They also removed all the staples from his head.
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11-1-07 @10:00/PM – Mike had a pretty active day today. They completed the blood clot filter procedure and he was moved from Trauma ICU, to his new room on the 3^rd floor IMC. His heart rate, blood pressure, breathing on his own, and fever appear to be stable. They continue to treat him for a staff infection in his lungs with antibiotics. We saw eye and hand movements tonight but with the busy day he had, there were no real responses to verbal commands. —————————————————-
11-1-07 @9:00/AM – Today is a GREAT day. Mike responded to some commands, they asked him to show them his thumb and two fingers and he did. He also tried to open one eye. His heart rate, blood pressure, breathing on his own and fever are the same as yesterday. They continue to treat him for a staff infection with antibiotics. He is on his way now to do the blood clot filter procedure. He will then be moved from the Trauma ICU to the 3^rd Floor IMC, Room 17 Bed 1.
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10-31-07 @ 9:15/AM – Mike had a relaxing night. He continues to breathe on his own without assistance from the ventilator – his blood pressure, heart rate and Glasgow Coma Scale remain the same. Mike continues to fight a fever as the nurses try to reduce it with the cooling pad and Tylenol. Some of the culture results show that he has a Staff infection in his lungs. Yesterday, new cultures were taken to further investigate the infection. The plan for today is to insert a Pike IV, which gives them better access to his blood stream and to talk about the possibility of inserting a filter in the Vena Cavas to filter off potential blood clots.
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10-30-07 @3:40/PM – Mike is doing well today. He is breathing on his own – his blood pressure and heart rate are stable – fever is still up and down – and they have inserted the feeding tube. They have started him on some antibiotics to fight what appears to be some kind of infection in his lungs.
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Moms Daily 1

Monday, November 12 – It is therapeutic. These words help us cope. A heartfelt thanks to all of you that have expressed your love and support for Michael and our family. The personal responses I have received from the postings on “Mom’s Daily” are unbelievable. Those that know me well, know that I am a very private person, not one to share life’s intimate details but your encouragement is the reason I continue to open that window to the inside.

weluvmike.com is for Michael and his recovery but as the days pass, I think we are all realizing that that this blog is healing us too. I am inspired by your stories and your love for Mike. Thank you for sharing. Thank you Jimmy.

Monday, October 22 - We’ll take this day. A day that finds Michael responding at times to physical stimulation, pupils responding to light, an ICP (Intracranial Pressure) under 10 and by the end of the day breathing over the ventilator. If you’re reading this, you know Michael. He is a strong, willful young man that LIVES life. He doesn’t sit back and watch it happen, he participates. He LAUGHS – oh, does he laugh. You hear it right? I’m sure you heard it just then. He LOVES. He loves you guys. You and your love for him have been such an incredible support for me these last couple of days. I couldn’t do this without you.

9 Lives – there can be no doubt.

Today is Nathan’s 24th birthday

Thursday, October 25 - Today is Nathan’s 24th birthday. A day that would normally find the family gathering to celebrate. So, we did what we do. We celebrated Nathan’s birth and celebrated that the brother he loves so deeply, was still with us. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Cor 13:4-7

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said

Wednesday, October 24 “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou