We have moved!

Room 218


Before I go on about the "move", let me share with you that on Thursday last week when we walked in for the 1PM visit, Eric was crying. He looked at me and said "Mum I'm paralyzed I will never walk again", I can't begin to explain how I felt... but this is about Eric, not me.

The Doctors that followed him from day one, had a conversation with him and went over what was said, with us, I was surprised to hear that their message to Eric was, that although the location of his spinal cord lesion means, no movement from under the armpits down, nothing is impossible and they themselves have witnessed cases like his where full or partial recovery took place. In any event, this was the first time Eric articulated todays reality as we all know it and without a doubt, has been present in his mind but never spoken!

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April 20th

So this was an event we were all looking for, a very important step on our Journey!

For the three of us it was with tears, both of JOY and Gratitude, that we left the ICU late Monday afternoon!

For Eric another unknown, he was taking in all that was being said to him by Doctors and Nurses as he departed, the heartfelt wishes for a great recovery and the reassurance that this was an important step that would bring him closer to his independence.

Eric has his own room with an extra bed for one of us to stay overnight.

The first night was a bit unsettling as Eric was once again fighting a lung infection. We are glad we are allowed to stay, as he still requires assistance. He no longer has a nurse just for himself, he now has to settle for a dedicated mother or brotherJ

Tuesday morning came and although he was exhausted from the lack of sleep, his recovery is much better compared to when he was in ICU, the reason is, that he has been eating, drinking and BREATHING on his own. All that works in his favor.

So here is the short-term plan:

1) To get rid of all the wounds caused by laying in bed for 110 days and counting, as well as a nasty infection in the leg following the surgery.

Necessary treatment, cleaning and changing his position in bed every 3 hours 24/7

2) Ensuring that he eats a balanced diet and gets stronger.

Only than he will start his full rehab, for now he will continue with light physio everyday for 30 min.

Erics' voice is slowly getting better, he is getting a little bit more engaged in conversations but not curious. By engaged I mean that when we talk to him he no longer just says yes or no. Not curious means not asking questions relating to his accident or what happened in the last 4 months, so we only tell him as we feel appropriate, like yesterday he had a electrocardiogram and I told him that was to follow up on the fact that he had a temporary pacemaker, didn't talk about the reason why he needed one.

Today he watched a movie. As he has been a little bit more emotional I have not shared all of your comments in the blog, but he does know that he has thousands of friends watching over him and giving him strength to carry on.

I’ll leave with you a comment he made today after finding out about the infection on his leg

“ That’s too bad Mum, it will mean another slow down on my rehab”

This is encouraging!

Thank YOU all