Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

That is fantastic news!!!! Continuing to keep Kenneth in my prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I missed the last update. I'm so happy to hear that he was finally transferred and is making such wonderful progress! Continued prayers for all of you!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I just got teary eyed reading that.

What amazing progress

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

********* July 20th **********

OK - Kenneth is really amazing us. We have been here almost one full week and Kenneth is moving right along. He is breathing so well that they are talking about removing the trach *tomorrow* - we are so happy. So, it will be all gone with just a bandage over it. We are happy at the idea to have that be a MEMORY! Then, a lot of things that he was not able to differentiate from - he now can! Things like choosing the apple out of two fruits, being able to show what you do with a toothbrush, hairbrush, etc... being able to do more things on command, etc.

I think, more than anything, he just looks so much stronger -- he has been getting a lot of nourishment plus he looks like he put on some weight finally. He has been making great strides with holding his head up on his own when not in bed... he has been able to move his head BOTH ways -- all the way to the left and all the way to the right. Before, he was unable to move it at all and was favoring the side that doesn't effect him due to the injury. Now, both sides are moving so well and he is able to actually watch me go from one side of the room to the other... he is trying to speak but won't be able to until they remove the trach.

At that point, I'm interested to see WHAT he can say, HOW he will say it or if he'll be able to speak at all. Should be interesting - my expectations are low. I know whatever he is unable to do they'll help him to learn - he does so well with the therapy.

They gave him a big puzzle board - this is remarkable... with all different shapes - not simple ones - everything from hexagons and pentagons to parallelograms. Anywho, his task was to put the shapes into their correct spaces -- and he DID! He got every single one correct and although it took him time to get them in their places - he got them in their places which is so important!! It is like his brain totally gets it -- it is just a matter of the BODY actually doing it. He was even able to take cones (like 10 of them) and take them, stack them up, one by one. It is amazing to me - and unbelievable to see.

I feel bad because he can't even WORK on walking b/c of the pelvis -- he is still non weight bearing on the right side for another SIX weeks! But that's OK -- they still put him in these contraptions that help him get his strength up and avoid putting weight on that side.

Christopher came up to see Kenneth and he had the most amazing reaction. This is the first time KENNETH saw Christopher because when Chris came up the last two times (to NUMC) Ken was sleeping. So, we were worried he would get upset but he didn't -- he was thrilled to see him and Christopher started asking him to do different things for him -- and he did them! Then, he even reached over to try and give him a hug, then a kiss, then he was rubbing his head ---- it was amazing. He just wanted to touch him. We spent a good amount of time with him but then he started to get tired b/c this was after TWO therapy sessions... So, we went to leave and explained that we wanted to give him time to nap and we'd come back later --- he understood, you could tell, and started to drift off-- so Christopher and everyone left and I stayed to just make sure he fell asleep and a tear came down his cheek -- I wiped it and he fell off to sleep.

It seems as though that is the biggest motivation for him - ever since he came (Friday evening) Kenneth has been better and better.

We are taking small steps - but they are steps nonetheless.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Oh Dani, Im so happy to hear some positive news! Im going to keep praying for Kenneth-

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

thats fantastic!!! so glad he's making such gains every day, he sounds like an amazing guy. still in my thoughts and prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

so glad to hear the positive things...i pray every night for his full recovery & healing!!! I'm sure having such a wonderful supportive family is a huge part of it!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I am so happy to hear positive news & more progress!! Prayers for continued improvements!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

****** July 24th *******

I don't even know where to begin and no matter how hard I try I always leave something Kenneth does (that is unbelievable lol) OUT. But I'll do the best I can. All of his docs and nurses are saying that he is 'ahead' of schedule and that all of his goals for this week and next week have already been met. They had a meeting to discuss moving some of his goals up.

His 'bad' arm - the right one b/c his injury is on the left side of his head so it affects the opposite... but his 'bad' arm that he has been unable to move yet is having these tremor motions -- shaking a lot -- the docs are pleased with this sign because it means that signals are starting to get there and that the brain is starting to 'reconnect' with that part of his body. The more these shakey movements happen - the more controlled they'll become until we have regular movement! He is on his way!

The trach is now a thing of the past - POOF! - just like that, we walked in this morning and it was gone. I'm thrilled that is now a memory. There is just a wee bandaid over it until it closes lol it looks cute - w/ some gauze for effect haha. He is now able to talk if he WANTS to or CAN. Now, the part of his brain that has been damaged the most - they think - deals a lot w/ his speech, emotions, personality -- a lot of his cognitive traits. That is OK - we are just happy his organs, involuntary stuff and all that jazz is working so well. So, it seems as though for days now -- and especially now that the trach is gone - he is TRYING SO HARD to say something. One of his PT's swore that he said 'yeah' the other day when she asked him a question --- when we said 'what did you ask him' and she said 'Are you excited to see your son, Christopher this weekend?' -- when she told me that I really believed that he did say YEAH because if anything - Chris would be his motivation to talk.

I'm interested to see as they continue to work with him how long it will take and what words they'll get -- I'm sure, like everything else, once they get the first few words and his brain realizes HOW to do this again the flood gates will open and he won't stop -- those are my hopes. If I know Ken, it'll be that way!

One of his PT's also asked us today if Kenneth is very meticulous (or was before the crash) -- umm, is the sky blue?? LOL! She asked this because when they asked him to sort colored blocks today he not only sorted them into very ANAL, neat piles --- he then straightened them so that they were all facing the same way HAHAHA. I can't tell you how much that behavior fits who he is as a person to a 'T'!! So, when she said this we all laughed and were relieved because it does appear, to some extent, that his personality -- in that case - has not changed ONE BIT! He also fixes his clothes when they are not perfect, takes the PT and OT's hair and tucks it behind their ears when they are working with him -- he is too much and it is so funny to watch.

It is really nice b/c you just look at him and say 'that's Kenneth'!

He is holding his head up amazingly well - as time goes on you can see it is getting easier and easier for him to move his head, hold it up, sit up, etc. He even took the toothbrush and started to try and brush his teeth LOL again another trait that is soooo him.

OOH! When my sister called on my mom's cell today she answered and said 'Oh Kenneth - it is Jenn!' well, she was standing next to him and he reached up, grabbed the cell and put it up to his ear like normal --- My mom said 'oh Jenn say hello to him' so she started talking to him - HUGE SMILE cam across his face. That is another thing he learned to do - the day before yesterday, for the first time, my Dad was telling the nurse a story about how when he was playing golf he hit this shot and it splattered MUD all over him --- and as he said it and did the motions Kenneth just SMILED so big -- the nurse said 'OH MY! LOOK!!' and my Dad was shocked and called me and my mom -- he did it again later when my dad told the same story and then today when Jenn called....... he did it when Christopher came to see him like a half smile -- i think, at that time, it was harder for him to get it out -- but now it is easier and the smiles are getting BIGGER!!

Then, today, I was putting cream on him and my mom was getting ready to shave him, I was going to cut his nails and such --- when, all of a sudden, he lifts his good arm - puts it around my back and just pulls me in - I was in, without realizing, perfect HUG position and I just HUGGED him -- it was SO sweet and the first time since this happened that we have hugged -- My mom pushed me out of the way so she could get one SO FAST hahaha... sure enough, he did the same thing with her and put his hand up on the back of her head when she came in to hug him -- it was just so sweet.

Even when he works with all the therapists he usually holds their hand while they work with him -- a big mush -- a big, tough cop but really - a big softy.

OK - I think that is all I can recall for now - I know there is SO much because he is just going, going, going and every SINGLE person from the head doc to the gift shop person is amazed, has noticed and has TOLD us how great they see he is doing and how he is leaps ahead of most people at his stage of the game.

Thank God the prayers are working.

Christopher comes up again this Saturday AM!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I love these updates





how are you doing?

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

so happy things are going well. i will continue to pray for a speedy recovery & to bring him home where he belongs

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Thank you so much for the update!!! I am happy to hear at how well your brother is doing!!!! I will continue to keep him in my prayers

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

thankyou SO much for the updates Danielle! so glad to hear he's progressing u're family is always in my prayers!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

So happy to read about another amazing update! Kenneth and your family continue to be in my prayers and good thoughts.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

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Posted by DNicholes

I love these updates





how are you doing?

---

hanging in there!

i'm good as long as he is doing well

thanks so much for asking!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

I'm so glad that you update this thread! I'm always checking!

It's great to hear about the progress he's making!!!!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Christopher comes up again this Saturday AM!

******* July 27th *******

Yikes, the days are going by so fast. My husband, sister and nephew (little Christopher!!) came to see 'Daddy' lol Saturday morning. They stayed until just about two hours ago. Christopher has had camp all summer so far and he starts a new one tomorrow! So, it is nice that he's busy during the week and on the weekend it is Daddy time. Kenneth was thrilled to see him again - all he has to do is walk in the room and Kenneth has a HUGE on his face! It is adorable. He follows him alllll around the room as Christopher walks.

He had half-day rehab on Saturday and Sunday (today) was his day off. He needed the rest! We've noticed a ton of movement in his right hand/arm which could barely move at all before -- it is like the signals coming from the brain have been struggling to find his arm and now they are starting to connect -- we have a 'shaking' motion and some major moving in his fingers!!! He is also using his good hand (the left one) to MOVE and work out the other one! It is amazing - he is rehabing himself haha.

Today a friend of the fam called my sister's cell. My sister said 'here Ken, someone wants to say hello!' and he takes the cell, LOOKS at the screen (like, to see what name it says) which is what he ALWAYS did before -- then, puts it to his ear and LITERALLY MOUTHS 'HELLO'!!!!!!!! So, the person on the line started talking to him and he is just moving his mouth trying to talk back! Then, my sister said 'Ok Ken, say goodbye' but our friend was still talking so he WAITED and THEN, when the person said bye, he handed the phone back to Jenn LOL!

We later gave him the phone just to play with and he was opening it and closing it with one hand JUST like he used to always do. He looks fantastic - his hair is growing in, he has put back some weight thank GOD. I've been working with him on swallowing even more -- and it seems to be getting so much easier for him now. He also holds his head up SO much better - like it is effortless now. He is great with looking all the way in both directions and moving his head to the 'harder' side.

My sister and husband notice huge improvements being that they see Kenneth only on weekends. I'm so happy for him b/c HE knows he is getting better and HE knows that although it is still a loooong road -- he knows he is getting there.

I'm excited to see what great strides we make this week!!!

Thank you all for the wonderful words - I *LOVE* reading them!!!! ...and Kenneth will be getting them in a scrap book --- I'm keeping and putting together every single WORD people wrote for him -- when he is better he'll be blown away!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Reading these updates literally bought tears to my eyes!!! I'm so happy for you and your family that Kenneth has made so much progress!!! It sounds like he is getting stronger & stronger by the day and I'm sure Christopher is a HUGE part of that motivation. My husband is a MUSH over our son, so I completly understand the bond between a father & his little boy.

My continued prayers are with you and your family. May he continue to progress each day.
Hang in there!!!!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

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Posted by SylvieB

Reading these updates literally bought tears to my eyes!!! I'm so happy for you and your family that Kenneth has made so much progress!!! It sounds like he is getting stronger & stronger by the day and I'm sure Christopher is a HUGE part of that motivation. My husband is a MUSH over our son, so I completly understand the bond between a father & his little boy.

My continued prayers are with you and your family. May he continue to progress each day.
Hang in there!!!!

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I couldn't have said it better!! Christopher and Kenneth share a special bond that no one can touch.. He is going to be a huge part of Kenneths recovery.. More prayers for the entire family!! And prayers for you Danielle that you continue to be the strength and courage that Kenneth needs. Take care of yourself!! He needs to see your smiling face each day and looks forward to seeing you too! Don't forget the important role you play!

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

**** JULY 28TH ****

OK, I usually don't update quite this often at this stage of the game but today we had a couple of amazing things happen.

First, he just looked AWESOME - if I didn't know any better I would think he was FINE -- I mean, how amazing is that? God, if I could show you what he looked like in that hospital. Wow!

Anyway, he thinks he is funny - that's for sure! He plays tricks on the therapists -- he is getting bored with a lot of the tasks and puzzles they give him. So, today, he was putting very large playing cards into two piles - red and black. He has done this before but this time I was watching -- so, he (after having a good pile of each color going) starts putting the black in the red pile -- before we know it, he looks up at the therapist with a HUGE smile on his face!!! She's like 'Ken!! Are you playing with me???' So, she puts them back and says 'c'mon now, I know you are getting bored with this and are beyond this point now'. So, there were YES and NO cards on the table right next to the playing cards he was working with (from before) and when she said 'I know you are beyond this now huh?' he reaches over and grabs YES LOL!!! Then proceeds to look back up at her and SMILE and kind of snicker!!!!

Even the other therapists were laughing at him as they were working with their patients. That IS Kenneth - that is his personality. He is just unbelievable. So, then she takes the YES and NO cards and starts asking him the same questions she always does - and he always gets them right. So, this time, she asked him for the YES card and he grabbed NO -- then, looks at her and smiles. So, she said 'funny Ken - give me the YES card' so he grabs NO (LOL) and she goes 'You don't want to do this do you??' and he grabs NO and lifts it up in the air LMAO!! So, she goes 'Ken, just do it three times so I can put that you did it in my notes and then we are DONE - I promise' so he grabs YES hahahaha.

Then, for the past week or so Kenneth has been grabbing my hand when I'm with him and like making my hand go in the position of 'thumb war' and I'm like 'you want to thumb wrestle??' We used to do this when we were little ALL the time on long car rides -- when we'd go on vaca in the car, etc. to pass the time. So, I'm thinking 'this is just wishful thinking on my part - he can't REALLY be asking me to thumb wrestle??' Well, today his therapist goes 'for the past few days we've been thumb wrestling -- one day he just grabbed my hand, put it that way and we started doing it' I just started crying. I said, 'OMG we used to do that when we were little and he's been trying for a WEEK on and off, here and there, to get me to do it with him but I kept thinking that I was just WISHING it and that it couldn't be true' and I just couldn't help but cry. So, we spent a good 30 minutes after that playing thumb wars and he would do the *SAME* thing he used to do when we were little --- he would (before we could finish counting 1,2,3 WAR) he would just PIN my thumb on the first number HAHAHA. And then laugh like it was the funniest thing -- sure enough, I go '1' and before I can get to two he pins me and SMILES huge!

I just can't believe him - I *HAD* to share.