July 12, 2017 8:31 PM
Oops, he did it again. Josh decannulated himself last night (that means he pulled his trach out ... again). When the nurse asked if he needed pain medication, he said, "It's fine." (Josh 2.0's first words: "It's fine." So fitting; so Josh.) He was breathing great without the trach so I was hoping they would leave it out, but they inserted a new trach, which they completely occluded. So, basically, it's like he doesn't have a trach in. The plan is to remove the trach completely tomorrow. (If you are confused about why they replaced the trach with an occluded trach that they plan to remove tomorrow, join the club.)
Unlike yesterday, Josh spent most of the day awake ... and bored. Very bored.
Josh did a great job of walking today. He walked a long distance: 500-600 feet. He had to rest about 2/3 of the way through. For his work friends: he has that same toe-walking swagger he used to have.
Later in the afternoon the OT asked, "How old are you?" Josh answered in a hoarse whisper, "Fifteen." She asked, "Fifteen?" He nodded confidently. She said, "I heard you were 24." He shook his head no. Later the ST asked his name and he said, "Josh!" Then she asked him how old he was and he said "ten." And every answer after that was "ten" except once when asked a yes/no question and his answer was "raspberry."
In cognitive ability, he has a long way to go. Right now he can't figure out shapes in a Fisher Price shape-sorting cube.
Heidi (Josh's friend) handed Josh a piece of paper and a pen, and without being told what to write, Josh wrote this:
When I left tonight, I told Josh I needed to go home to take care of the dogs. I said, "I'll be back at 7:00 in the morning, okay?" He said, "Okay." Real communication! Then when I kissed him on the cheek, he kissed me back! That was exciting for me. (Everyone who thought Paul was writing now knows they are wrong.)
Josh will be released to an inpatient rehabilitation center within a week, so we need to get that set up. We are looking at RIO in Oregon and Craig Hospital in Colorado. If anyone has experience with TBI Rehabs, please let us know what you can to help us make a good choice.
Lastly, to satisfy the curiosity of those who read but have never met us, here is a before and a today picture of Joshua. We haven't wanted to post pictures before today because they have been gruesome, but he's getting there! (Homer Simpson courtesy of the Ratto family.)
Oops, he did it again. Josh decannulated himself last night (that means he pulled his trach out ... again). When the nurse asked if he needed pain medication, he said, "It's fine." (Josh 2.0's first words: "It's fine." So fitting; so Josh.) He was breathing great without the trach so I was hoping they would leave it out, but they inserted a new trach, which they completely occluded. So, basically, it's like he doesn't have a trach in. The plan is to remove the trach completely tomorrow. (If you are confused about why they replaced the trach with an occluded trach that they plan to remove tomorrow, join the club.)
Unlike yesterday, Josh spent most of the day awake ... and bored. Very bored.
Josh did a great job of walking today. He walked a long distance: 500-600 feet. He had to rest about 2/3 of the way through. For his work friends: he has that same toe-walking swagger he used to have.
Later in the afternoon the OT asked, "How old are you?" Josh answered in a hoarse whisper, "Fifteen." She asked, "Fifteen?" He nodded confidently. She said, "I heard you were 24." He shook his head no. Later the ST asked his name and he said, "Josh!" Then she asked him how old he was and he said "ten." And every answer after that was "ten" except once when asked a yes/no question and his answer was "raspberry."
In cognitive ability, he has a long way to go. Right now he can't figure out shapes in a Fisher Price shape-sorting cube.
Heidi (Josh's friend) handed Josh a piece of paper and a pen, and without being told what to write, Josh wrote this:
When I left tonight, I told Josh I needed to go home to take care of the dogs. I said, "I'll be back at 7:00 in the morning, okay?" He said, "Okay." Real communication! Then when I kissed him on the cheek, he kissed me back! That was exciting for me. (Everyone who thought Paul was writing now knows they are wrong.)
Josh will be released to an inpatient rehabilitation center within a week, so we need to get that set up. We are looking at RIO in Oregon and Craig Hospital in Colorado. If anyone has experience with TBI Rehabs, please let us know what you can to help us make a good choice.
Lastly, to satisfy the curiosity of those who read but have never met us, here is a before and a today picture of Joshua. We haven't wanted to post pictures before today because they have been gruesome, but he's getting there! (Homer Simpson courtesy of the Ratto family.)
Mary, I appreciate the updates. I don't know how you do it. We love you and pray for Josh and you and Paul and Eden. Have you looked at Good Samaritan in Puyallup. They are known for their rehab center. I don't know if they would be what you need for Josh though. Love and hugs, Aunt Carole and Uncle David
ReplyDeleteWonderful news, communication is awesome! Way to go Josh!
ReplyDeleteWonderful news, communication is awesome! Way to go Josh!
ReplyDeleteA co-worker's son that endured a traumatic SCI (spinal cord injury) stayed at Craig Hospital for rehab. He now lives in Lake Oswego with his parents. I'll ask for their input.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your updates. This is such a trying time but things seem to be looking up and that brings joy to all... I am of course continuing to pray for your family... 🦋🙏🏻💕
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates - it looks like our prayers are, indeed, being answered ... feeling very grateful at this news
ReplyDeleteBest news yet! I agree with David. I also believe the best is yet to come.
ReplyDeleteLove the pics; and the one-eyed Josh and the one-eyed Homer ; )
ReplyDelete