Posted by bobby on Nov 5, 2007 in
Medical Updates 11-5-07 @2:45/PM – Mike is having a responsive day. He has offered several smiles, eye openings, hand, arms and leg movements. The doctors requested animal assisted care for Mike and depending on availability, a dog will be brought in a couple times a week or as often as once a day. A German Shepard visited today. She got on the bed & laid on Mike’s legs. The trainer then placed Mike’s 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 Mike’s 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.
Posted by bobby on Nov 4, 2007 in
Medical Updates 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.
Posted by bobby on Nov 4, 2007 in
Medical Updates 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.
Posted by rae on Nov 4, 2007 in
Mom's Corner Sunday, November 4 – The question – “when will you be able to tell me that Michael will survive this, not just “no one can predict the future…it just takes time”? The nurse answers “you have never known or have been able to predict the future. Did you ever truly know that he would be ok? Any of us could walk out that door and in the blink of an eye, life as we knew it, would be changed forever. Just rest tonight as you have prior to the accident, believing that he will survive, believing that everything will be ok.”
Great words…it makes sense. BUT, are you kidding???? The reason for years of sleepless nights – THIS, what Michael is going through now, has always been my fear! That this beautiful, charming, quick witted, driven, intelligent, loving, endearing, passionate man – child – friend – son’s life would be cut short. Call it Mother’s intuition, who knows. I was always afraid for Michael. It was a fear that he didn’t understand how valuable he was to all of us, for what Michael stood to lose.
So, Michael…wake up. Open your eyes and look at me. I want to see you smile, hear you laugh. I want to hear your plans for the future, see the excitement in your eyes. Speak to me, I want to hear your voice. Michael, wake up. There is so much more to do…
To love, and to be loved deeply. To know the kind of love that settles deep in your heart, that stops the search. To marry, to have children, to find success in life. To travel, to go skydiving, to walk on the beaches of Fiji…to be at peace, to be whole.
I won’t believe that the last time we laughed, the last time we talked was the last time. It can’t be…there’s so much more to do.
Posted by bobby on Nov 3, 2007 in
Medical Updates 11-3-07 – No changes – Mike is healing peacefully.
Posted by bobby on Nov 2, 2007 in
Important News November 20 – Mike was moved to Mt.Vernon Rehab Center at the INOVA Mt. Vernon Hospital in Alexandria.
For those visiting, we ask that you not ask Mike to “parrot” or “perform” (asking him to move a finger, a thumb or anything else). He has a long way to go, a tremendous amount of healing and it is vitally important that we respect his condition.
All friends and family are encouraged to visit the hospital and show your support. Your presence, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. We’ll keep you updated as Mike’s condition improves and look forward to seeing all of you.
If you have any questions, please contact Nate @703.994.9969 or Bobby @703.409.5579.
Posted by bobby on Nov 2, 2007 in
Medical Updates 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.
Posted by bobby on Nov 2, 2007 in
Important News November 20 – Mike was moved to Mt.Vernon Rehab Center at the INOVA Mt. Vernon Hospital in Alexandria.
For those visiting, we ask that you not ask Mike to “parrot” or “perform” (asking him to move a finger, a thumb or anything else). He has a long way to go, a tremendous amount of healing and it is vitally important that we respect his condition.
All friends and family are encouraged to visit the hospital and show your support. Your presence, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. We’ll keep you updated as Mike’s condition improves and look forward to seeing all of you.
If you have any questions, please contact Nate @703.994.9969 or Bobby @703.409.5579.
Posted by bobby on Nov 1, 2007 in
Medical Updates 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 3rd Floor IMC, Room 17 Bed 1.
Posted by rae on Nov 1, 2007 in
Mom's Corner Thursday, November 1 – A heartfelt thank you to friends, family and co-workers for the beautiful cards, the continued love and support and the overwhelming generosity of your time, delicious food, shared tears and laughter. A blessing.