Friday 10/19 update

Our first week at Kindred is drawing to an end. I've gained a good perspective on what we face in weeks and months to come. First, there really isn't a dramatic "wake-up" from an injury like this. Progress is incremental, often subtle and slow. Challenges are maintaining Marilyn's health while getting her plenty of rehab therapy. I am comfortable that is happening here, although I am sure I've been a bit of a pain in the neck to the caregivers.

Overall - she is trying to break through. Good signs include: chewing and swallowing ice, yawning, holding a brush and taking it to her hair, holding a toothbrush and taking it to her mouth, tossing a ball at me, snapping her fingers, spending part of each day in a special chair and even going outside, trying to speak on the phone, opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue so I could brush her teeth, turning on the TV with the remote and changing channels and more. I hope for more wake up time, speaking and revival of her left side in time.

I've found some good sources for understanding what is going on with Marilyn that I will share with you. First the Rancho Los Amigos scale lines out the general stages of brain injury recovery: http://www.rancho.org/patient_education/bi_cognition.pdf. Also the Craig Hospital website (Marilyn's next stop) provides many educational resources here. http://www.craighospital.org/TBI/HealthandWellness.asp

Slowly but surely

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Marilyn is showing sign after sign of her strength. Her waking periods are more and more lucid and active and I am confident that she absolutely knows who is around her and where she is. She has begun regular therapy too. Our goal this week is to establish a routine, both for her and myself. It is easy to get impatient and wish that she would fully wake up and start speaking - but it is a slow process. She is trying so hard to break through and I believe that she is going to blow us all away..

Also - I want everyone to know that Marilyn and I hear your collective voices. For different reasons, we can't always respond, but your energy is felt. Thank you, it means so much.

Gareth

Looking back and moving forward

words and photos by Bill Hatcher
Hi All, When I went to visit Marilyn and Gareth last week at University hospital I made some photos. These photos are from the first days in the ICU. Marilyn's room was decorated with many photos including her high school graduating class and her adventures with Gareth as well as her life and travels with her adorable dogs from Vanderbilt to Colorado.



When Marilyn first opened her eyes Gareth was at her side and she was surrounded by family and friends. But there was much work to be done to help Marilyn and to deal with the myriad of details of Marilyn and Gareths new world.
A communications post was set up just outside the ICU to field calls, meet with visitors as well as to begin this blog.

We kept busy contacting Marilyn's friends, Marilyn's Mom and Dad, who were at Marilyn's side through all of this, were a great help in contacting friends from Marilyn's high school and college days. We also received many calls from friends and family. Gareth, when he was not at Marilyns side, was on the phone. In the first few days there were hundreds of calls made and received. Gareth often had to make calls from the hallway since reception inside the ICU was poor.

The first few days in the ICU were so stressful as Marilyn's condition was being assessed. Each hour in the ICU would bring new news from the excellent team of doctors and nurses working with Marilyn. I watched as friends and family talked to Marilyn. When she had the strength she seemed to try and comfort them with a smile or hand movement. My three days in the ICU went by so fast it seems a blur.

Marilyn is now out of the ICU and in rehab. Her injuries are healing and her progress is positive. She is taking strong steps toward fully waking up. Her recovery will require time and plenty of love and care from her friends. Thank you all who have visited Marilyn and have reached out to help Marilyn. That kind of love has no measure in the degree it helps Marilyn in her recovery.





Bill