Boot Camp

I cannot help but be amazed and filled with awe at God's love for His children as I wake each new day of our family's new life. I have often wondered how people worked their way through sorrowful and sometimes very tragic circumstances. I would always thank God for not letting it happen to my family, because I could not in my wildest imagination picture me getting through it. And I was right. I could not have done this.........alone. I was terrified of anything like this happening because I had such a small concept of what God's love could do. He has shown our family that He truly is everywhere - in every person created and in the beauty of our world. We read what everyone is entering on this site, and are so assured that God is with each and everyone of us. This is not just for our family - it is for everyone to see that God is calling us all to a new life. In God's name, all is possible. Need some proof? Well then, here's some more proof that your prayers are being answered.

I stand corrected !!!! Paul did not take a week to get off the ventilator - he was taken off yesterday at 10:30 am. And the fun began. His heart rate had been up over 145 and they decided to see if he could go it alone. His heart rate is down to around 125-130 and by day's end, that is where it remained. So, they got him up and sat him on the side of the bed. He held his back very straight on his own, and they helped him hold his head up to strengthen the neck muscles. He has a soft neck collar on, which helped keep his head from dropping low once he could not hold his head up. The physical therapist had him bring out his right leg to where her foot was, then bring it back. She asked him to bring out his left leg, which he could not seem to do. She said she would let him lay back down if he could bring his left foot out. Paul did not have the strength to do that, but had the cognitive ability to solve the problem. He used his right foot to push his left foot forward! The therapist got a good laugh out of that and gave him points for problem solving, which was a better deal than strength in the left foot. It was another moment of triumph where I kept saying thank you God, thank you God! I cannot believe the joy I have been given in all of this. This very scenario was what I once considered to be a mother's nightmare..............having to watch your child try to come back from a debilitating injury. Yet I was filled with utter joy. My previous pain is being matched with my present joy. Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord.

The speech therapist came in after they got Paul into his wheelchair. She told Paul that since he was doing so well, she would block the trach tube and let him breathe through his mouth. He didn't open his mouth, but breathed through his nose. He did not have to work any harder to do this. He was breathing on his own and not showing signs of distress. Then he was asked to try to say something. He did not seem to be interested in this. They will try again today, only they are going to work on his swallowing ability, and will bring an instrument that will allow Paul to speak and be heard. I can hardly wait - hope Paul is sharing this thought too! The therapist was not sure he was understanding what she was asking, so she had him distinguish between a shirt and a sock, and then a ball and a stuffed bear. To those who know about the bear...........it is Paul's from when he was a young child. BeBe is once again close by Paul's side. (He recognized the bear right away when we brought it in.) Paul was able to do all that she asked, and also used his fingers to show he understood her as she counted. She asked him to show her the number of fingers for each number she said. Then she asked what came after 4, he showed her 5 fingers. This lets her know he is understanding her and what she is asking so that today she can work harder to get him to use his vocal chords. These are all steps to the removal of the trach at some point down the road. Not sure when, and can't give an estimate, as it is up to Paul's ability to follow commands and attain a level of independence. Also it will depend on Paul's attitude - and he has shown some real attitude after repeated drills and requests. He'd never make it in the Army.
But I will help him understand the term 'the sooner, the better'. No pressure here Paul, just a bunch of people waiting to hear you speak! He was up for about 4 hours total, and was asked to do a lot of things. He was beat when they laid him back down.

Last week they brought some dogs in for therapy for the patients. They brought in a Pug for Paul to pet, but he wouldn't even look at the dog and closed his eye. The issue is - Paul loves his Golden Retriever Abby, and he likes a black lab that he saw everyday downtown while he was living in the dorms at GSU - he has never shown any interest in small dogs. He is extremely partial to bigger dogs, most especially goldens and labs. I noticed that they had a golden retriever out at the nurses station, so I asked them to bring that dog in. 'Misty' put her head on the bed and her paw and Paul immediately started to pet her and he even fed her a biscuit. We were told that we could bring in Abby for Paul, we just had to make an appointment and work out the logistics since she will need to be brought in through the fire escape. So that is something we will work out for Paul.

We went to visit Paul after dinner, and he was very tired. It was a big day and all the activity during the day should help him cycle back to sleeping at night.

Today, I am going to see if they can put his chair by his window so he can look at something other than the doorway to his room. I will try to find the time to update this in the afternoon - but each day is very hard to predict, as I don't know when the therapists will come.

So, here we are at day 25 and only 2 tubes left to get rid of, after getting rid of 6! Praise God and thanksgiving to all of you!
Love,
Jon and Rebecca Fidero