Preparing for the return home was filled with anxious anticipation of what would be. As each therapist prepared us for the likelihood of setbacks after going home, I spent every moment possible with Mike and tried to become one with the therapeutic environment. Observing the interaction between therapist and patient, asking questions, taking notes, not wanting to be the reason for the slightest regression in cognitive ability. There is a fine line between knowing that too much assistance could unravel weeks of progress and wanting to help erase the memory of his care in the hands of strangers.

I guess we may be a little stubborn in not wanting to listen or believe the prognosis issued by the health care professionals. If we had listened or believed the first doctors, Mike would not be with us or have been able to achieve the milestones in recovery we have been honored to witness. From day one, we believed in miracles, we believed in the power of prayer, we believed that God would deliver and we believe today that Michael will be healed. So have we seen setbacks? No, we’ve seen nothing but progress.

Physically - During the last days at the hospital, Michael would climb steps two feet on each step and due to fatigue, no more than two trips a day . He is now stepping with one foot on each step and amazing himself with his new found strength, climbing up and down four to five times a day. With the amazing spring-like weather the last few days, we’ve been taking in fresh oxygen to the brain while enjoying the back screened porch, sitting on the front porch and we’ve been able to take walks down the sidewalk. Our first walk on Monday was down three mailboxes, yesterday we walked four houses down and back. A little winded but picking his feet up as we strengthened his gait. On Monday, Mike had huge gains as he rolled to his stomach and did push-ups on the bed. He learned that it was ok to be on both knees as he worked on balance with twisting and stretching in that position. Michael had only been on his stomach once and never on both knees since October 21. This was huge for him.

Memory - Still struggling with short term memory but his brain is finding new ways to make and recover that information. Although there are no significant gains since his return home, Mike has been able to retain at least one, sometimes two new memories of the day. While in the hospital, there were times that the memory of visitors or events from five minutes earlier were never made. The event/visitor must reach and make a sensory picture in his brain. With plenty of rest, new rehabilitation techniques, and the comforting security of home, Mike should be able to remember more of each day as each day passes. While I tried to recall something to tell Bobby from earlier in the day, Mike teased me saying “I guess I’m not the only one that has a short term memory problem.” When Mike is tired, nervous or anxious he will rub his head where the skull flap incision is. Yesterday, I jokingly told him that everytime I saw him rub that new hair off, I was going to poke him in the finger and say the word “poke” to help him remember. He was able to retain the queue throughout the day.

Initiation- becoming a little easier to speak or show his needs. As we passed the refrigerator, he opened the door so I asked him if he meant to open the door or if it was just a distraction. He said “no, I want a snack” and grabbed an apple. He will sometimes let you know if he is tired or if there’s too much noise. He is making clear decisions when given choices for food or drink. He will stand up and although he knows he shouldn’t yet, he impulsively tries to walk by himself.

Overall - He is sleeping well, eating well, not complaining, always pushing himself to do better and continues to have that Mike Rosner “go get ‘em” attitude. The cognitive deficits require that Mike have 24 hour supervision with constant reminders of what is factual. When asked, it is usually July 20th and he’s either 18 or 23. Nathan can be 18 or 21 and Emily is usually 12. He may currently live in Arlington, Manassas or Blacksburg and he may have gone to school to be an HVAC tech, or he may get it right and have a degree in Information Technology. He is usually employed at On-Site which was his place of employment a few years ago. Given a few prompts, he will usually get it right the second time but then again, you might get rapid fire random guesses that aren’t even close to the truth. The brain tries to shoot out the answer right or wrong. Impulsivity is not our friend.

The recovery thus far is nothing short of miraculous. The window of opportunity for recovering from traumatic brain injury is about a year. Interestingly enough, the most significant rehabilitation happens in the first few months after coming home. We are confident there will be many changes for Michael within the next year but today, he is still a danger to himself, still confused about many things and still unable to complete a meal without prompting to pick up the next bite. With a 2 year minimum rehabilitation prognosis, the real struggle will begin when the insurance runs out after 10 weeks of out-patient therapy. Thank you to so many lending your time searching for qualifying programs and those so generously donating financially to the cause. We’ll find a way to continue Mike’s journey back to life - we continue to believe, we know that God has a plan and the vision we project is nothing less than a full recovery. He’ll show us the way.

My days are full (to say the least) and a bit overwhelming at times but as I have said before, if I expect Michael to give it everything he has and more, I will do the same. I find myself apologizing and feeling like I should be able to juggle this journey with Mike and the life I had before. The truth is, I can’t. No apologies. (except to that beautiful, loving daughter of mine that I forgot to pick up at school yesterday. I am sorry, Emily.)