Thu 13-May-10

Time is going quickly now - I can't believe it has been a week since I last sent an update!

Last week-end was very pleasant.  Simon and I went outside a LOT, and walked quite a bit - around the various hospital buildings, and through several gardens associated with Craig Hospital and Swedish Medical Center, which is right next door.  Simon has always had a great sense of direction (before this accident), but he's only just now figuring out his way around Craig - an indication of progress, at least!  He's also just now starting to know the names of Craig staff members who work with him - he has had trouble remembering even people he sees every day here, but is starting to get better.  He made a list of some of the regulars, with their names and distinguishing characteristics, to help himself.

His left arm, which was very weak for a long time, is getting stronger, although still not back to full strength.  Today he was excited because, for the first time, he was able to open his left eye very slightly - just a little bit.  The nerve that controls the muscle that raises the upper lid (cranial nerve III) was apparently damaged in the accident, but the doctors hope that it will gradually improve over the next 6 months or so.  So, just that little bit of opening was a good sign!

In speech therapy, he is working on progressively more difficult puzzles and problems that exercise his short-term memory and attention span.

Simon's last tube, the feeding tube, was finally removed yesterday (remember:  at Craig, patients get better, "tube by tube").  He is just starting to realize how badly he was injured and how far he has come.  Everyone here keeps telling him how much he has improved, which surprises him, but of course he has no memory of the accident, being in ICU, or most of the first few weeks here at Craig.  He is now scheduled to be discharged on May 28, and then will continue therapy (physical, occupational, speech, etc.) at home in Fort Collins.  He knows that he has to do the rehab right, to avoid setbacks or further injury, and he seems determined to do it right!!

Ann