Saturday, August 10 10:15 pm Tiring day today. Back to throwing up, he threw up several times today. Toni thinks it might be cuz of the meds. Daniel's cousin Samantha Fox stopped by for the last time today. They're giving him a shot every eight hours to lower his calcium. They think it's low because he's been immobile. He had only one of each therapy today. They had him walking again with the parallel bars and he said it was easier today. Also Daniel called me today and he sounded good. It was really nice to hear his voice and just to talk to him. -- Mindy
Sunday, August 11 10:00 pm Daniel's throwing up after every meal now. The doctors are checking to see if it's a medical allergy. There's no physical therapy on Sundays, Daniel and Toni did exercises on their own. They went outside but it was 90 degrees out side with 80% humidity. Daniel was down today from all the time he's been in the hospital and all the time he still has to go but Toni is very proud of him and all his hard work. Tomorrow I will be flying out to see Daniel for his birthday. Only for a short while but I'm very excited to see him.
Monday, August 12 8:45 pm Daniel's 19th Birthday! Today Daniel had a wonderful birthday. He vacillated between times of total enjoyment and total exhaustion. Many cards and presents arrived...Nathan (another patient) and his mom Linda gave him a harmonica; Uncle Clark sent party favors for an instant party which was really enjoyed by all. Both the dayshift and the nightshift from the Albany Medical Center called to wish him a happy birthday, and Queenie, Diego and two other Bard friends stopped by for a quick visit. They brought him a NY lottery ticket which Daniel scratched off to reveal a $7 win! At the end of the day, although totally exhausted, he turned to Toni and said "Thanks, Mom...that was a great birthday!"
Many of you probably know that Mindy left for a quick visit to Albany today... She missed her early morning flight and had to spend the day traveling (since I didn't know there were two American airlines terminals at LAX...:-[ and security lines were so very long.) She will see Daniel tomorrow and Wednesday. When I called the center to let Toni know that she would be delayed, she asked if I wanted to talk to Daniel. His voice sounded so wonderful and I wished I had it "digitally" so I could share it all with you! hmmmm....a project for another day... He said he was so excited to see Mindy and can't wait to come home.
Now the medical update: Today, Daniel "walked" the length of the parallel bars with assistance and he can almost transfer himself from the bed to the chair with the use of a transfer bench. He pushed himself into a sitting position and when Toni commented that she didn't know he could do that, he remarked that he didn't know that he could do it either! He had a good speech therapy session today and more x-rays. He still is having quite a time keeping food down and it may be related to the level of calcium in his body...Still an issue to be resolved... His physical therapist returned after a week's vacation and was very impressed with the progress he made in such a short time. Whew! Long update...big day!
Tuesday, August 13th 9:30 pm Mindy spent the day with Daniel and was able to go to all of his therapies with him. She said he looked great and that she was looking forward to spending the day with him tomorrow. Numerous brthday cards were still coming in and he really enjoys all of your good wishes. The chest x-ray revealed that there is still fluid in the chest cavity (which they think will resolve itself) and fluid in the lungs (which they will watch.) He ate small amounts today...after a negative result with breakfast...and small amounts seemed to digest better. He worked on the parallel bars again today and took 8 steps with the walker, but felt uneasy and unstable. Toni helped him with his shower tonight and he was exhausted after the full day. Toni, Sandi and Mindy all went out to TGI Fridays for a late dinner.
When they returned to the Fisher House, a large package had been delivered from the staff at the Albany Medical Center ICU. This ackage had been delivered for Daniel and they shuttled it over to Toni. You may remmember that Jim and Betsy met Jimmy Edwards from Rhino Records during an Albany/Washington DC/LA bumping experience. He is a product manager who said he would send Daniel some CDs if Jim would peruse the catalog and make some selections. Jim loved looking at the catalog but wondered if Daniel would enjoy the Kinks and Yardbirds as much as he had years ago. Instead, Jim read Jimmy some of the titles off Daniel's CDs at home and Jimmy made the selections: a signed book about the Last Waltz autographed by Robbie Robertson and The Band; a CD set, a poster, and CDs of David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Elvis Costello, Yardbirds, the Kinks, and the Violent Femmes (sgned by three of them). Toni, Sandi and Mindy look forward to taking the box to Daniel tomorrow. He also left a note extending an invitation to Daniel to visit Rhino Records when he returns to LA. Many thanks to Jimmy Edwards for his kindness...
Wednesday, August 14th, 10:30 pm Mindy left today and is on her way home. Daniel and Toni loved having her there. Daniel had occupational therapy today and colored in a coloring book. Daniel was very, very excited with the items that Jimmy Edwards sent from Rhino records. He is looking forward to enjoying each item. Today, Daniel had more success keeping his food down...but the doctors ordered an ex-ray of his stomach to rule out any problems there. He had a wonderful attitude today and worked hard at therapies (which Mindy also went to). Exhausted tonight. Jim said Toni sounds wonderful too!
Thursday, August 15th, 8:13 pm When Jim called tonight, Toni was reading Daniel Harry Potter. Jim talked to Daniel and he said he took about 8 small steps with the walker today. In occupational therapy, Daniel colored a picture, that was yesterday, and today he cut that picture out...but the scissors had rubber bands on them to add more tension. Also his occupational therapist, blew bubbles and Daniel had to reach out and pop them with his hands. This helps with eye hand coordination. Today Daniel kept down his food which is good. Also in speech therapy, in the morning, his speech therapist, read him a silly story and he had to repeat it and Daniel said he did well on that. Then in the afternoon, they had to brainstorm a story but he said they didn't really get to a silly story. -- Mindy
Friday, August 16th, 10:00 pm Today, Daniel got to take a "real" shower from head to toe with a shower/chair and took his first trip to a bathroom since May 3rd! Progress indeed! He was able to keep his meals down today and they eliminated the shots to reduce his calcium since they thought that might be contributing to the nausea. He took 24 small steps in the walker today (and since Daniel was giving the report, he stressed "small" steps. He received a package from June Pai today all the way from Korea...and really enjoyed it, as he has all your letters, cards and gifts. He was so tired tonight but then Jim reported that it means he is working very, very hard at his therapy.
Toni and Sandi trekked to the county offices in Schnectady to see about medical benefits for brain injured patients...and after being rudely treated, was referred to a supervisor who was helpful but referred them to the Albany office...They trekked back to Albany, where they were told that they needed to go to the Schnectady office. But...they did finally take the application! More tomorrow...--Mary Ann