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Today is Sunday, October 24. I was with Harold today and had a nice visit. He seems to
show slight progress, in that his eyes are open more than ever. He's still not eating on his own.
I got two really big smiles out of him though. When he was at Geisinger, I would occasionally
tease him about the "$2.00 for two Big Macs" promotion at McDonalds and that as soon as he was
able to eat, I would bring him two Big Macs. When I mentioned it again today, he got a smile
so big you could see his teeth. Then, I also told him we'd try to have him out before the
end of hunting season, and he smiled real big. I wish I had more to report, but Harold's healing
process is long and arduous. Not only for dear Harold, but for all of us whom love him so deeply.
Today is Saturday, October 23. I won't be able to visit Harold until Sunday or Monday, but Joanne took Matthew, Sara Rose and Becky to visit Harold yesterday, and Harold seemed quite responsive and alert. He even called Becky by her nickname, "Sunshine." This was an overwhelmingly positive sign. The fact that Harold had this level of recognition and responsiveness is a wonderful indication of progress. Also, Becky asked Harold how he was feeling, and he replied, "Excellent." We have so very much to be thankful for. It is very, very hard for me when I can't be there with him, and I hope to get there on Sunday. I can't wait! Today is Friday, October 22. I will visit with Harold today or tomorrow and will give a full report at that time. Harold is beginning a daily routine of structured events that will call for him to work very hard every day. We all know what a hard worker Harold is, so his progress will continue, I trust. I, however may make fewer updates to this web site as it is quite a bit to keep up after each day. I may slow down my updates to every other day or so, but will, of course, post any hot-of-the-press breaking stories, which we all trust will be plentiful. Thank you for all your support and for remembering not only Harold, but his wife Joanne, his children Matthew, Sara Rose and Becky, and our mother Gladys, our sister Ruthie, and myself. Blessings to you all, and I look forward to an uplifting update soon! Today is Thursday, October 21. Today Harold began a daily routine of several types of therapy. Some of his therapy was holding a bar of soap to try to arouse his sense of smell in an effort to then have him try to wash his own face. Visiting hours are from Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays 12 Noon to 9:00 p.m. Harold's team of physicians and therapists have asked us to keep our visits reasonably short for now, stating that they want to keep him stimulated, but not overstimulated. Today is Wednesday, October 20. Harold was supposed to be moved into his proper room today. Yesterday he was in a room on a different floor than brain trauma, but today he was supposed to be moved to a room on the floor that specializes in his type of trauma. I am told that physical rehabilitation of this type consists of a very rigourous daily schedule. I hope to visit on Friday. Today is Tuesday, October 19. Harold was relocated to Bryn Mawr Rehab today via ambulance and arrived at approximately 4:00 p.m. This is a big step forward for Harold, and an answer to all of our many prayers. Thank you for all your support. Now the work begins. Harold will need our support now more than ever. Especially as he will begin to become more aware each day of his condition. Let's continue to pray that he won't get discouraged, frustrated or impatient. Visiting hours are from Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays 12 Noon to 9:00 p.m. Harold's team of physicians and therapists have asked us to keep our visits reasonably short for now, stating that they want to keep him stimulated, but not overstimulated. Today is Monday, October 18. I will always carry with me the memory I have of telling Harold that I was going to head back to New York City, but that I loved him and I'd see him in Bryn Mawr in two or three days. As soon as I told him this, he gestured for me to kiss him by smacking his lips a few times. I bent down and we exchanged kisses on the cheek. Then, as I stood up to leave, he opened his eyes, smiled, and raised his hand up high to wave good-bye. He just kept waving and waving the whole time I walked to the door, and I kept waving back. This might sound like a small thing to us as we take our health for granted so often, but for Harold, it was an incredible step forward. I was deeply, deeply moved. Harold still does not possess the ability to swallow food via his mouth and is still being fed through an opening the nurses call a "peg," in his stomach. He did, however, take one very tiny step with the help of a walker and two physical therapists. He is still at Geisinger Medical Center, but we've been told he's being transported by ambulance to Bryn Mawr Rehab tomorrow, Tuesday October 19. I'll post more information on the status of the move, including visitation information, as soon as I have it. If he is moved to Rehab tomorrow, it will be a great time of rejoicing. His entire family has been eagerly awaiting the possibility of this next big step. The following is a brief recap of last week: I asked the nurse whether or not he was still in a coma and she said that it's a very fine line, but that they now classify his condition as a Closed Head Injury. His brain is still bruised, stretched, etc., and with time and rehab his condition will continue to improve. Many patients in this condition fully recover, so we continue onward in faith and hope. |