What a Day

Let me just start with Christie. She slept comfortably most of the day. When Becky got there she was determined to make Christie move her thumb. She tried for quite some time to no avail. I left for a while and when I returned, not only was Christie moving her thumb, she also was moving her pointer finger, and her middle finger. She also is trying so hard to open her eyes. They flutter but she cant quite get them open. Then a little later, we were all talking and Christie moved her whole hand. She rotated it and I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES! Since she has "improved" they have chosen to give her 18 months of recovery to see what else she does. However (I know this will disappoint her school friends) Becky feels it is best to have her transferred to a facility that can care for her in South Carolina. Becky has been here since the accident and really needs to get back home. I think its a wise decision. It might take some time to arrange things but eventually that is the plan. Maybe before she leaves we can arrange for her friends to come tell her goodbye. She would really like that!
Richard had quite a day. Mom and Dave left this morning so I hung out with Richard. When I got there he was in the chair. He looked good to be up. Although I quickly learned he doesnt like the chair. He "thrashed" around until I was frustrated. I couldnt figure out what was wrong. He kicked his leg and flung his arm around. He pulled off anything he could reach when I turned my back. The C-Collar, his trach collar, the electrodes, his clothes, his catheter. Let me tell you he was not happy. I tried most of the day to calm and reassure him with no luck. I had to leave several times because I couldnt take it. I know that sounds selfish but its hard to see him so upset. His jaw will remain wired shut for 6 weeks. He still answers your questions with a nod and apparently he still has his sense of humor. He gave me the BIRD finger twice. I told him it wasnt very nice and it hurt my feelings. He laughed. The doctors said that the family always wants the patient to wake up, but when they do, between pain, not knowing where you are, and trying to figure everything out, the patients goes through this frustrated stage. No one likes it and I certainly agree. The finally sedated him because he was trying to roll out of the bed and he was working himself into a soaking wet sweat. They did wean him off the vent again. He did fine all day long without it. They did an MRI of his neck to clear his cervical fractures. If all looks good, they will take off the c-collar. He'll love that. Now I just need to teach him to stop putting his finger in his trach hole. :)