Sunday and Monday, January 6th and 7th, 2008

Sunday started with PT taking David to the gym before we could take him to church. You know what they say about the ‘early bird’, so Patty and I watched David work out and then walk two lengths of the hallway with the ‘cool’ walker. That was a lot of walking and again David was moving his left leg totally on his own. He looks smoother and surer of himself everyday.

David ate enough, (over 75%); so that he did not have to have the liquid supplement that they usually tube feed him.

Last night we sat in his room and watched a movie until the laptop battery died. Once again we do not know how it ended. Maybe Bruce Willis died, or maybe they will make “Die Hard 13”. It was fun just hanging out and relaxing.

Today Occupational Therapy, Mark, taught David to stretch his left hand and wrist. It curls up quite strongly, and is painful when it gets stretched, but it still needs to be done. Mark asked David to lead the way from the lunchroom to the gym without directions, and he would be timed. This was a tough chore, as David had to make his way between the chairs and obstacles. With his ‘left sided weakness’ he tends to hit things on that side of him. At the ‘crossroads’ David chose the left instead of the right, and Mark had to eventually tell him that he chose the wrong hall. But once David caught the scent he was off like a flash.

David had vision therapy next and they worked more on getting David to turn his head farther to the sides, and to pay special attention to his left side. This seems to really help David.

David refused him meds last night and at lunch today. Both times the nurse explained what the meds were for and why David needed them, and David finally conceded. We think that it is great that he is aware enough to question the medication.

David was stretched and exercised by Chris during PT. Then he walked between the parallel bars, and was stronger than ever with his left leg! David had another great day.

We are continually reminded how blessed David has been in his recovery. Christa’s brother in law, Dr. John Allen an intern at Loma Linda Hospital, asked (after seeing the video of David walking) what David’s original diagnosis was. When he was told that it was ‘diffused axonal brain injury with intraventricular left basal ganglia hemorrhage and posterior subdural hematoma’, (not to mention the fractured nose, rib, pelvis, the collaped lungs and multiple lacerations and contusions)he said that David shouldn’t ever be walking. David’s PT, Mitch, said that David was making AMAZING progress, and asked David if he had a lot of people praying for him? David said yes, and Mitch said, “I hope you have thanked them!” God truly has blessed David, by his ‘Healing Touch’ as well as by surrounding him with awesome physicians and therapists. Thanks for all of those prayers.

Steve