Hello! The most exciting thing that happened with Steve today was when he was visited by a speech therapist, Susan. She visits him on the weekends, but has never gotten much response from him. Today she was impressed! She had him write many things, including his first and last names, the year, the month, the type of building he was in, the name of this hospital, and the city this hospital is in. She also showed him pictures of a house, a comb, and a toothbrush and he wrote the names of those things. Then she asked a series of "yes" and "no" questions, and he responded with a thumbs up or down...and got them all right! They were things like is the door open, are the lights on, did you go to Michigan State, is your degree in biology, etc.
On Friday in speech he was given a written choice of three things that might have happened the previous day, and asked which had really happened - and answered correctly!
It's getting so much easier to understand his writing. You can hand him a pen and he's able to position it in his hand. His actual writing is much clearer, and his hand and arm seem stronger, so he's able to communicate more without tiring out.
Some friends and relatives stopped by today with funny stories to tell, and he laughed (silently) along with the rest of us! It was so nice to see his response.
Our current concern is his left arm, which is challenging for him to straighten out. We work on that often with massage and stretching. Any thoughts, ideas?
Hope you're enjoying the weekend!
Love, Grams (Mary) and Linda
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11 comments:
Hey Matt and Kira,
Thank you for making all this wonderful news possible. It must be an amazing thing to have "saved a friends life" on your personal resume, in the Other Accomplishments section. I cannot think of anything else that would qualify for a higher degree of positive impact. A countless number of folks are smiling brighter and living happier days becasue of you. How's that for influence on other people's lives. I just don't want you to ever forget what you did.
Thanks,
Steve's Uncle Rick
Matt and Kira,
Aunt Gail & I second what Uncle Rick said. There are many folks that await the day to give you big hugs for keeping our Steve with us. Matt...there's a burger awaiting you at Sandy's when you come to visit too!
Matt and Kira,
I have not met you, but I hope to have the chance one day, it seems like an eternity but a few short months ago you really questioned what you had done/not done...and now look at things today. I hope you see what happened in a different light, and that you know now in your heart you did the right thing. Steve may have a long recovery but as you can see and read, he is coming back to us on his own time schedule or on a "higher power's" time schedule, but to be in a coma and if I read it correctly he knew he was "23", that he had a birthday, that just blows me away, as well as what he has accomplished in just a short time. Thank God you did what you did and things happen for a reason. What Steve is going through is making us all believer's in miracles and that sometimes simple, yet amazing things can happen on a daily basis. Thank you so much for doing what you did.
I know I wrote in earlier this week, but I am still curious about the Tracheotomy and how long he has to have it in and is it a permanent thing, and the person who wrote in to put a "plug" like device in it to help him talk. Is anything like this transpiring or what happens with the Trach from here ....
Thank, lots of love, hugs and kisses to all. We miss you all...Love Aunt Cheryl and family
One last question...Is anyone reading the "Blog" comment responses to Steve...it seems that they would have such a positive influence on him for him to know everyone who is thinking about him, reading about him, praying for him, and that everyone is just looking at this "Blog" on a daily basis if not more often to read about the progress he is making. It may inspire him even more.
Hi, Cheryl. We do tell Steve about the blog...he knows about all the love and prayers being sent his way. We have not (as far as I know) read him any specific messages, but that's in the near future as we plan to bring his computer to his room asap...in fact it's on the kitchen table now waiting to go. We're hoping to use it as a means of communication. More on that later.
As far as the trach goes...they are plugging it all day long and unplugging it at night so he can get moist air through that opening as he sleeps. Plugging it gives him the opportunity to breath normally, and to talk. He is making sounds and (we think/know) saying a couple words, but has to re-learn this skill. Also, just closing his lips and moving his tongue around have to be practiced before he can talk. Yesterday his friends were in his room and I was in the waiting room, and they came to get me because it sounded like he was saying "mom"! As it turns out, he wanted to "tell" me that he wanted to go to bed. They think they'll plug the trach for about a week, then take it out. It sounds like it just heals up (quickly) on its own...I don't know if they have to stitch anything or not. In any case, we're thinking that will happen within a week, and I know he'll be glad to get rid of it. It's irritating and requires uncomfortable care.
Hi and hugs to all!
Love, Linda
Linda,
Thanks for taking the time to post that very informative note. Reading about the fantastic progress so far it sounds like Steve will be using words like a wild man soon. With such a fast and intelligent mind he might find re-learning this more frustrating then difficult. I thank God everyday for helping and being with Steve as well as all of you.
Love to you all,
Sue
Linda,
Thanks so much for the info, it answers questions I wondered about, the kids ask, and a lot of our friends ask also. We are so happy, and grateful for all the support he recieves from everyone all over, especially those of you who are able to sit by his side. Although through this unfortunate situation he is in, I think we are all learning a lot medically that one day in one way or another may be passed on to help someone else., in one way or another. Thanks so much for the infomation. Love to all, (Aunt) Cheryl
Thank you Rick, Cheryl, Don, Gail and other family and friends, for remembering Matt and Kira. It seems an eternity ago that I met these two wonderful young people. Please know, Matt and Kira, that you are in our prayers - prayers that the knowledge of our gratitude to you far surpasses any "what if's" you may feel, and that Steve himself will soon be able to express that gratitude himself! Take care, until we meet again! Laury Stone
Steve,
You're incredible!! I'm so glad to hear of your progress! Keep it up and I'll see you soon :)
Love,
Gina
Hello! This weekend I had the opportunity to drive down and see Steve with my boyfriend, Mike. I have only known Steve for two years, but Mike has known him for 14 or 15. This was the first time I have been able to see him, but Mike has been down once before. I have been keeping up with his progress by reading the blog everyday and I am so grateful to have this information right at my fingertips, so thank you to all of you who post the updates!
I also had the honor of meeting a lot of his family and I can now see why Steve is such an amazing person. His family is awesome and they are being so supportive and patient with him. I know he appreciates this greatly and I know it is helping his recovery in so many ways.
Steve really impressed me. Since I had not seen him in the hospital before, I was not sure what to expect. Well Steve exceeded my expectations. He looked just like the Steve I remembered!! It was so nice to just sit down and hang out with him again. Occasionally he would come up to Ferris State (in Big Rapids where Mike and I both attend college) to visit for the weekend and I always look forward to seeing him. Never a dull moment with Percha around, and I know everyone agrees :)
Mike found it helpful to talk about funny stories that happened in the past and just to see Steve's face light up and his smile go from ear to ear was a blessing. To be able to connect with him and see that he remembers everything is amazing! He was trying so hard to talk because he probably has a lot of input on every story that was mentioned. Steve always tells stories the way they should be, that's what I love about him. He always makes me laugh!
Mike also gave Steve a hard time about the fact that he is in the General Motors Wing of the hospital and you could tell that Steve was cracking up inside! Mike said "What the heck Steve, I thought you were a Ford guy!" That was hilarious!
The hardest part was saying 'goodbye' Steve. Mike and I both shook his hand before leaving and he had the tightest grip on our hands, we did not want to let go. It just shows how much he appreciates the company and I encourage anyone and everyone to continue with the story telling. It made my day to see him smile the way he did for Mike, it was unbelievable. I cannot wait to see Steve again. Once this semester is over, I know Mike plans on being down state a lot more and I hope to go down to Ann Arbor with him to visit.
Once again, it was so nice meeting many wonderful people in Steve's family!
God Bless all of you!
Jen Caine
P.S. All your friends up at Ferris says Hello Steve!
The best gift I received Saturday for my birthday, was being able to visit with Steve and watch a Ron White DVD. Seeing Steve smile, and I know he was laughing deep down too, was just a special feeling for me, especially being mindfull of where he was just a few short weeks/months ago.
Seeing Steve interact with his friends was great too. A total ear to ear smile. His eyes were just dancing! Steve's friends are quite special. They always have such good stories to tell, but most importantly, they have not forgotten their buddy. The friendships that have lasted since his soccer days are amazing! Most of us are lucky if we have one or two friendships that have remained. This speaks volumes of the kind of person Steve is.
The amount of smiles and laughter shared on Saturday were the best birthday gift ever. I will remember that day for the rest of my life. Thank you all for such a wonderful day!
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