December 10, 2010: Brandon woke this morning complaining that all his trainer cared about was winning. He was tired of being pushed so hard to win. He didn't want to fight anymore. He said he hated boxing and would not do it anymore. I am not sure where that memory comes from. I think it does show us how frustrated he is.
He is tired of trying so hard and falling short of being able to go home. His spirits seem to sink a little further each day. He wants to go home and has come to the point of tears when he is told, not yet. He is getting there, just not as fast as he would like. We talked about what he needs to accomplish in order to go home; improve his memory, gain his balance and swallow water. He keeps repeating them over and over promising to work as hard as he can on them today so he can go home.
His discharge day should be sometime next week if he continues his current rate of improvement. His memory continues to improve. Some days it comes in large advances. Some days he suffers a slight regression. Other days there are small improvements. Over all he continues to move forward with longer periods of remembering occurring each day. His balance is almost perfect. He has continual balance interspersed with moments imbalance. I really think by next week balance will not be an issue. Swallowing on the other hand remains the challenge.
Brandon did not pass his swallow test. The radiologist said he is struggling with coordination. The liquids retain their tendency to go down the trachea toward the lungs rather than through the esophagus to the stomach. Part of this may be directly related to Brandon pulling out his own breathing tube. His vocal cords most likely remain swollen and are unable to close along with the lack of coordination with his epiglottis. He is unable to retain the water in the back of his throat while he prepares to swallow. It simply runs down his airway.
The plan is to be patient, allow things to heal and pray for the coordination to return. Brandon and I will be concentrating our efforts for the next several days on learning to breathe properly, eating slower, forming words and being patient. The swallowing is expected to eventually return on its own. We will need to discuss home care options for liquids if he cannot negotiate them on his own prior to discharge. I am not too excited about the options based on his tolerance level for a feeding tube, irrespective of its location. Anything short of drinking on his own will be a struggle.
We continue to be spoiled throughout this entire process. Twenty days ago we would have been content, if not ecstatic, with Brandon and Kassi surviving the accident. Our fasting, prayers, and priesthood blessing were answered. We continued in prayer asking that Kassi's surgery would be successful and that Brandon would simply regaining consciousness. Kassi tolerated the surgery and injuries with no complaint. Brandon regained consciousness faster than our wildest dreams. We continued to fast and pray for Brandon's memory to return and Kassi to heal. Brandon's memory has been returning in spurts and with greater detail than I have ever experienced. It continues to improve and stay resident for longer periods each day. Kassi walked out of the hospital and has yet to slow down. The spoiling continued as we asked for Brandon to be able to fully function physically. He started to sit, walk, bounce a ball, go to the bathroom, brush his teeth, shower, feed himself, and regain his strength. Blessing, prayer and fasting once again answered.
As spoiled children are apt to do, we now fast and pray for Brandon and Kassi's full recovery, void of any disability. Based on the miracles, large and small, we witness on a daily basis, we have come to expect nothing less. Brandon continues to exceed anyone's expectations. If he were to awake from his nap with full memory and without any physical deficiencies, none of us would be surprised. I cannot properly express the gratitude we have for everyone who continues to pray for Brandon and Kassi. While the two of them may disagree with me, the price our family has been asked to pay for this experience has been worth the price. It is not every day we take the time to stop and witness God's hand in all aspects of our lives, then give Him the respect and reverence He deserves. We continue to be extremely blessed.
I was at Deseret book and saw the new book by Gerald N. Lund and thought of you guys. The following is from the summary of the book entitled Divine Signatures "Sometimes blessings come in such an unusual manner and with such precise timing that they accomplish something in addition to blessing us. They so clearly confirm the reality of God's existence that they buoy us up in times of trials."
ReplyDeleteTrials are so hard to go through, but what we learn and gain from them is amazing and they help make us stronger. We never know who we are blessed to help in the future as someone else goes through their own trial similar to one that we ourselves have already gone through. Life is an adventure full of tests and trials on this earth, but as long as we help each other we can endure to the end. ;)
ReplyDeleteEven though patiently waiting is hard, Brandon and Kassi, keep on fighting so that you can completely recover from this ordeal. Our prayers continue to be with you.