Justwannabeme

Oh so sorry Rick. there has to be a reason for the good of the child. God is a lot wiser than this judge, Faith is at top speed now. sending you comforting thoughts, a big box of handkerchiefs and hugs from NY. whew, breathe in you already had the wind knocked outta you....

Prayer of healing gift for your cousin Andy, my friend. I have had my 20th head injury and can tell you from experience that you become 2 people inside your head. one does the basic tasks, the lively one stays guarded further inside, like a suit of armour.

you hear everything, but don't feel like coming out of the armour; has to be a reason to act for that individual. my son told me he needed me.....

tell him you need his help, and Prayers sent to cover your needs as well.feel for ya , pal.

Totallyrad

Bark, he's six.

Thanks everyone.

Hvytrkmech

Call 24/7 if you need to chat. Prayers for y'all.

MrFusion

No pets. His parents and GF of 3 years have been there most of the time. Maybe I'll raid his tool box for his awesome 1/2" ,fine tooth , breaker bar size Snap On ratchet, put it in his hand and tell him I'll keep it warm for him...That oughta bring him around!! Thanks for the idea tho. Might have to cogitate on it awhile.

MrFusion

Thanks for the prayers and incite. I was thinking along those lines that he was tucked away in there somewhere. I get the impression that, at times, he wants to come out but can't quite figure out how. It will be a couple of days until I see him again. I have a cold/upper respiratory infection so I'm staying away until I feel better. I don't want to pass it to him or his family.

Totallyrad

A year or so ago my FTP had a brain injury. When I visited him in the hospital the only way I could get him to respond was to mimic calling him on the radio with our off duty numbers.

MrFusion

Update on Andy: Things are looking up! This past week Andy was moved to a rehab hospital. I had a cold and was unable to visit him for about a week. I went to see him on Saturday and didn't know what to expect. I tend to hope for the best but not expect it. I was very happy and relieved to see that he was awake and aware and his personality is coming back. We talked about one of our favorite subjects: cars and trucks. His voice is quiet and raspy due to the breathing tube he had in. He is having some cognitive problems but he is progressing every day. He does PT, OT, and Speech Therapy for about 5 hours a day.
His GF told me that he tied his shoes and signed his name today! She also told me that he wants to leave the hospital by next week. He's got a long way to go but his doctors are pretty optimistic.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support for my cousin and his family! They have REALLY helped! I'll continue to post progress reports.

FiverBob

Excellent news on Andy. Now, continued improvement is the prayer.

Just getting internet connections again for this week. Wanted to update you on the latest with our granddaughter, Ianna. Unbelievably it has been a year since the horrible diagnosis of Leukemia in her. Last week she had her one year update and all tests came out right on the money for expectations. She is getting stronger every day and will be probably be going to school in September. God definitely answers prayer. We will see her in about three weeks. Can't wait. Also, we will see her brother and sister - - the twins were one year old three weeks ago (or was it a month - - man, can't keep up with time out here in the wilderness) and both are now taking their first steps. So, a triple blessing is awaiting us - - that will be a great time to see the three of them.

Bob

Mexstan

Thanks for the update about Andy. He has been in my prayers almost every day since you first posted about him. Have been asking that his recovery is complete and he astounds the attending medical staff and gets out of there earlier than expected. Will keep praying

Totallyrad

I'm glad to see some good news!

MrFusion

Great news on your grand daughter! My wife's grand father was diagnosed with Leukemia in his 30's (the early 1960's when treatment was mostly wait-and-see) and passed away in his 70's from a number of different things. I think he had one or two rounds of chemo in that time. He worked for Eastern Airlines re-fueling jets and was exposed to many carcinogenic chemicals (benzene, etc) on a daily basis. My point is that he lived a full and productive life with the diagnosis and occasional flare up of Leukemia. Treatments are much better now.

MrFusion

This is Andy's car or whats left of it. Puts some perspective on the situation.

MrFusion

I very much appreciate your praying for my cousin. What you, and many others, have prayed for seems to be happening. His progress has exceeded the med staff's expectations. The lead doctor told Andy's father that the progress he's made in the week that he has been in the rehab hospital typically takes weeks to months. He also told Andy's father that 90% of patients with that type of brain injury never wake up at all. Andy's father is one of the most pragmatic people I know. He told me yesterday that he has no explanation other than God's help or a miracle (kind of the same thing). Neither do I.

Bark

That is incredible. When you said Andy was in a serious accident it was an understatement.
As you said, it really does put some perspective on the situation.

Totallyrad

With that much intrusion into the passenger compartment most folks never see the inside of the hospital. The fact that Andy is improving as fast as he is speaks volumes. His work here is not finished!