1:15 pm - Day 25
Today was as busy as I thought it would be and then some!
I was remembering the list the doctor brought with him the first night to remember all the things that happened to Paul. All the broken bones, comatose, head injury, torn lung, cut on spleen. And today, we are checking things off !! Way to go Paul!
He has remained off the ventilator, they have taken off another monitor that we called his ET light (red light on his finger) that monitored his oxygen. He has only the trach and if he does as well as he did today, it may be taken out in as little as 3 days.
The speech therapist was here first thing this morning because she didn't want to be last on the list of getting some work out of Paul. She put a vocal tube on his trach so he could talk. She asked him how many brothers he had, and he showed her 3 fingers. She asked him to state their names. Very faintly we heard Jon, Jim and Michael. I was so excited I could hardly stand it. She asked him if his head hurt, he said no, she asked if his arms or legs were hurting, he said no, she asked him if his lungs hurt, he said yes. He had been coughing a lot as she had set him up to talk, so he was very sore. His voice is faint, but it could be heard. He followed a number of her commands, but towards the end, didn't really want to cooperate. Then the occupational therapist took her turn. She got Paul to use a wash cloth and asked him to wash himself. He used it on his chest and his hand and arm! This showed he understood what she was telling him. She worked on his left arm and upper arm a lot today. She was able to get him to push up and down - although he is still very weak on the left side. He was also able to help push himself back up in the wheelchair, as he kept sliding down. There was good response on his right side, but the left leg was not utilized very well in the pushing effort. Also, I noticed he is still not moving the left side of his face. I will take that off the doctor's list and put it on God's, along with his eyesight. They are still adding antibiotics and salve to the left eye, which is still stitched closed for protection. The swelling on the side of his face from the surgery is not as bad, and his eye seems to be setting further back in as they had hoped it would do.
After we got him back into bed, he slept for an hour very deeply. He was awake when Matt Velkor came by to visit. I gave Paul a small football and asked if he could throw it to Matt. He did it 3 times and that was the end of that game. Not sure if he lost interest, or focus.
And I have saved the best for last.
PAUL WILL BE GOING TO SHEPERD SPINAL / BRAIN CENTER BY THURSDAY!!! They are going to start feeding him soft food (pudding) tomorrow to continue his swallowing therapy, and get him further along and ready for his transfer. Also, the catheter has been removed to help him gain control of his bladder/muscles. This may take up to 3 days. Like I said, we are making great progress checking things off that list made by the doctor on day one.
He is now listening to his favorite music, Dream Theatre, and his heart rate went down to 111 from 120. Life is good for Paul today.
May God bless you all with a more perfect love for Jesus, as was the love of our beloved Mother in Heaven, Virgin Mary.
Peace in Jesus Christ,
Jon and Rebecca Fidero
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22 comments:
Mr. and Mrs. Fidero,
It's so good to read about the progress Paul has made in such a short amount of time. It's amazing really. Thank you so much for opening up to all of us so we can follow Paul on his road to recovery.
Paul,
You need to know that there are a lot of people praying for you. Your strength has inspired your family, your friends, and even strangers. You have come so far since the first night and you need to keep working hard so you can get back on the stage. Get well soon!!! Rock on!!!
-c.moore-
AWESOME NEWS!! I'm so happy for Paul and all of his progress. I can't wait until he is at Sheperd so I can vist a little more often (if that's ok, of course) :)
Keep up the good work Paul and don't get discouraged!! And know that I am thinking about you often!!
With love, Erica C.
Dear Sweet Paullette,
Looks like you will be coming back to work soon!- wanted to let you know you can bring Abby with you, there is plently of room in Richards office!
See ya, love ya, bye
Rebecca,
I sob with joy today that Paul has been accepted by Shepherd! I also share all of your joy at the "little" things Paul does that are huge. I was such a poor judge of my son's, David, progress because as the Mom, I always saw him as perfect. I thought, "why are the therapists asking him to do such simple things?". But I'm glad they did,as they obviously know what they are doing.
This morning I put chocolate in my 23 year-old perfectly fine by the grace of God son's size 14 shoes for St. Nicks day. You can do that next year.
About the dogs . . . I became a volunteer at Canine Assitants in order to "give back" after my son's healing. They breed and train Goldens and Labs to assist people with disabilities other than blindness but also to do Animal Assisted Therapy, as Paul had. I would love to bring one of the dogs by. You can email me at evanina@bellsouth.net if you'd like me to. I don't know what God's plan is here, but I sure am glad to be a part of it!
Kathy Evanina
Praise be to God for such miraculous recovering! Paul, I am SO proud of you!!! I wish I could have been there to hear your voice, but I know I will hear it soon enough. God willing, I will be getting back up there really soon to see you and (hopefully) hear you! Keep on working hard to recover, and do whatever they tell you to do, no matter how stupid or insignificant the request may seem! I know you're feeling weak right now, but in your weakness, God is strong, so offer yourself and your pain up for Him to use as He pleases! Soon you will get to move to the Shepard rehabilitation center, and you will be doing much more interesting things than you are doing right now, but first you have to show the nurses that you are able to do all the small things they ask of you. I love you, my darling, and I will visit as soon as I can!
In Christ,
Geneva
Rebecca, thank you so much for the great news, little steps we call miracles are building blocks to Paul's recovery. We at DTSi love to read the blog at every opportunity. During this time I feel a tremendous sense of closeness of the Lord. I believe others around me feel it too! It started the night Joe and I heard the terrible news on that Monday night while we were in Savannah, and has not let up since. We of the Family of DTSi have been hit by tragedy for a third time over the weekend, I sincerely believe that what Paul and Taylor went through to survive, and the tremendous outpouring of love and prayer that our little family had seen for them, is helping us get through now. So as we continue to pray for Paul's recovery, and rejoice at the miracles along the way, let us remember to pray for each other. Don't forget that Paul will take possesion of this computer when the time is right, complete with Garage Band for his music. As I said my loss is his gain, it will not be hard to give up one of my toys (as Paul puts it). And as the "Anonymous said" You can let Abby have my office when you return if she needs it.
Gotta run so............. with much love in Christ, our Risen Lord.......have a good night!!!
Richard
No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to His Angels God has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
(Psalm 91: 10-12)
All things are possible through Christ. We're all praying for "Team Fidero" -- Paul, your family,friends, the doctors and nurses and everyone that will continue this miracle and healing.
DEAR PAUL,
I DON'T KNOW THIS YOUNG WOMAN NAMED GENEVA, BUT I CAN TELL FROM THE NOTES THAT SHE IS A VERY SPECIAL GIRL. SHE LOVES THE LORD, AND SHE LOVES YOU.
DEAR GENEVA,
THANKS FOR BEING THERE FOR PAUL, I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR YOU ALSO, AND I KNOW YOU WERE DEVASTATED BY PAUL'S ACCIDENT.
THROUGH YOUR NOTES I CAN TELL THAT PAUL IS LUCKY TO HAVE YOU, AND WE WILL KEEP YOU ALSO IN OUR PRAYERS TOO.GOD IS USING YOU. GOD BLESS YOU.
I think Mel Gibson must direct your movie one day, Paul, recounting this incredible recovery and the incredible faith of your parents and family! Keep up the great work! I remember when my eldest was a preemie in the NICU and fighting his vent, among other medical interventions. They told me that his "attitude" was always a good sign. I know your parents can appreciate this!
What an amazing, inspiring, strong, faithful family. What a blessing to have you all share this journey with all of us. Your suffering must be saving so many souls, not only those in purgatory but those yet here on earth!!
I have never met you or your family, but know that my family of 7 remembers you daily in our prayers. You have made this an Advent we will never forget! God Bless!!
Paul! You never cease to amaze me! I'm so proud of your accomplishments everyday! We (Brad and I) have a really great picture we will be emailing your parents as soon as I get home to scan it! It's back in 10th grade, homecoming...you had looong hair!! Not a day goes by that you don't cross our minds and we pray for you and your wonderful family and girlfriend everyday! Thank you all for sharing this story with us all. It has forever changed our lives. God bless you all!!
Pablo,
Therapy sucks. Been there, done that, got the scar. Welcome to the "Wanna See My Scar?" Club for Men.
You are hereby nominated and highly recommended for membership with all rights, privileges and honors as thereto appertain. The vote was unanimous - you're in, bro! Your cigar is being held by a trustworthy member until you are able to strike a match on your own.
All that therapy is going to be a lesson in small steps. It's going to be a character builder. But I know you, Paul, and you are more than equal to the task. Anyone who can teach a guitar new notes like you do is no stranger to hard work.
Much like our Catholic faith, you must take the little steps to achieve the larger goal. (Nice segue, eh?)
There are no shortcuts, just faith in God (and your therapist) that He has already walked the path before you and prepared the way. He already knows what you need to get you through each step and has provided the means to accomplish the task.
When you are bored with the repetetive, silly, endless,(OK, painful) exercises, look for God in those moments and call on Him for strength, patience and understanding. Those gifts are yours for the asking in the measure you need. But you must ask in faith.
Do this and in time you will be done with all the "No Pain No Gain" practitioners and then you will have another gift of God: Wisdom. True wisdom puts mere expereince in perspective. God likes perspective in His faithful. He can use that. God never bestows a gift without a plan.
He will call you in time to see the pain and suffering of others through the eyes of your own suffering. Those who have endured suffering in the name of God are able to see into the very heart of suffering in others. And you really will 'feel their pain'. And that's a good thing. It's a blessed thing. By the abundant grace of God, you will have an understanding beyond mere knowledge. It will enable you to pay forward the gifts God gave you when you offered your own suffering to Him in faith and penance. You will be able to use your wisdom-born-of-pain to alleviate the suffering of others, in whatever measure God wills.
That is how you honor God's gifts: pay them forward. Let others see God in your actions and you will bring souls to God. And then your own suffering will have context in a way you can't imagine right now.
To paraphrase, "To whom much is given, much will be asked." If those words scare you, then you don't yet understand. But take the small steps now, in faith, and God will teach you the truly joyous meaning of those words. He will teach you how to pay His gifts forward.
Wisdom. Some people call it 'hindsight'. Those are the people who didn't learn anything; they just had the experience. Ask God for wisdom and He will teach you in ways that will amaze you.
Peace, Love & Wisdom, (oh yeah - and a big ice pack)..
uj
Paul, each day we continue to check out this website and to learn of your extraordinary gains! You've encouraged us to think about family and the holiday season in a very different and positive way! May all the blessings of life be with you as you progress each and every day. All our best, Dave/Karen & Ryan Carlson
Dear Paul,
Since day one of this hard journey of yours one thing that came to mind and has stayed with me was a book "Great Lion of God" about another Paul who was chosen by Him to suffer and then rise up to fulfill a great destiny. He was stubborn, sometimes easily agitated, then other times gentle and humble, but mostly a man of enormous, unstoppable will and strength. It seems you have been appropriately named. No one knows what plans He has for you, but it appears you too have been chosen to become a Lion in this journey called life.
Stay strong!
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Fidero,
I just wanted to let you know that I have a group of women friends that have been praying for you and your son, Paul. And, we all believe that God is still in the mircale working business, through his most precious son, Jesus Christ! It is so refreshing to read about a family such as yours, you truly understand and give ALL the glory to God! The Bible says in Psalm 34:8: "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" You both and the rest of your family and friends are truly blessed; and I am thanking Jesus for showing his power to those who believe! May the Lord continue to bless you beyond what you can ever imagine; and give you the strength to live every day depending on Him. Philippians 4:13 (My favorite scripture)-- "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
Annette Howe
Dear Neighbors,
I am so excited to hear the news about Shepherd Spinal. I'll bet Paul's recovery REALLY hits warp speed now.
I realize now why you built that wonderful deck on the back of your house....just imagine the "Welcome Home Paul" party that will happen one day soon. Good grief...I'd better start the potato salad!
Please hug Paul for Ron and me. I am so thrilled to hear how wonderfully he is progressing.
Love to all of you,
Connie Aylor
PRAISE GOD - PRAISE GOD - PRAISE GOD! I think I've said enough!
It is wonderful to hear that Paul is doing so well. When Mass was offered on Sunday, Fr. Paddy said Paul's name and I felt an overwhelming sense of thanks for all that God has done for him. Stay strong, Paul! To the Fideros: thank you for helping me to see that God's hand is in everything.
Paul
Good going Paul!The progress you have made is amazing.Keep up the good work!
MR.and Mrs. Fidero
Paul is blessed to have such parents as you. I'm sure it was amazing to hear Paul speak again.Thanks for posting this wonderful news!
I am so happy to hear all the good news and the progress. It is amazing how the little things can be such big things!!!!!! Thank God for all miracles! We are praying for all of you!! You will make it Paul!
"His power is made perfect in our weakness."
Saint Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:9
I read this quote this morning and thought, once again, about Paul and all your family. May God continue to give you strength, so that His glory may be made manifest to all.
Paul's accident, your family's faith, this miracle of Paul's healing, have made us more in awe of God's power, His mercy, His compassion.
Our prayer life has become richer because of your trial. Thank you for offering your suffering to the Lord; it has born great fruit.
chris baran
Mrs. Fidero,
While in Texas over Thanksgiving weekend, I lit a candle and prayed for Paul at the National Shrine of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan.
This is the prayer associated with Our Lady of San Juan:
"O most Holy and Immaculate Virgin of San Juan, be our faithful companion on our life's journey. Help us to come closer to your Son, Jesus, that we may find in Him the way of life which gives meaning to moments of sorrow and happiness in our earthly pilgrimage."
May Our Lady be your constant companion in these days of hard work and great joy!
Peace,
Abigail
(friend of Jon and Marie's
from AMU)
cool paul ceep it up.
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