On Thursday, he ate some Mac and cheese, 1 slice of quesadilla, and three pieces of melon. Drank a Boost. Is very tired. Bridget took a break for a few hours. It was good for her. Still has a cough but lungs are clearer. Took a second shorter walk. It exhausted him.
Detective Harris came by. He asked Sam some questions about the incident but Sam remembers nothing. The detective now has a another witness. I gave him my phone number, and he's going to keep me updated.
Great news. Sam was moved to the neurotrauma step-down unit. He's still on fluid restrictions. This is a good sign. He understands that this is a good thing. He was coherent mostly all day. It was a good day.
I heard today from my PR friends extraordinaire Kristy F. and Neal M. that the Green Bay Packers are sending Sam a gift. There are fundraisers for him from NYC to Cannon Beach, Oregon. Our GoFundMe account has doubled the goal. The media cares. I now know what "shock and awe" feels like. I am so very thankful. People all over the country are offering support, prayers, funding. Portlandians want to bring me food, do my laundry, open their homes, find me an attorney. It's amazing. People are good; they really are.
My friend Linda K. sent me some "stress relief." I cried; I'm so grateful. Everything makes me cry.
Dan is coming to join me, to help me and Bridget. THAT made me cry. I can't express in words what his support and love has meant to me.
FRIDAY MORNING
Two steps forward, one step back. They can't get his sodium levels right so he may have to go back to ICU. Bridget and I are waiting it out. Will have to douse everything in salt. Which makes him thirsty. And he can't have water! It's so frustrating. I never knew sodium levels were so important to your brain. You should have a sodium level of 135 or above. His is at 134 so pretty good. OK ... After that scare, the doctors said he can stay in the Trauma Acute Care Unit. They call it TRACU. I'm happy.
His cousins sent him a video and he smiled and made me play it three times. Thank you Emma, Celia and Jaxon.
I do cry here a lot. I can't talk to anyone without crying so I'm sorry if it's difficult for me to talk on the phone or call people back. I apologize for that. I try to NOT cry in front of Sam. I leave the room if I'm feeling emotional. I want him to see smiling faces and love and positivity.
The nurse said she's never seen a patient with a brain flap out so cognitive and aware and doing so well. It's all relative. We KNOW him so we know what's different; she's comparing him to others and he's doing great.
He got up and, with help, brushed his teeth and changed his gown. He sat in a chair for about 30 minutes. It was tiring for him. He wanted to call his boss at work for some reason. It made him emotional.
All the rules from ICU apply here. This hospital is amazing, and the nurses are so focused and loving. It's a blessing.
He did a good job with his OT, PT and breathing treatments. He asked to look at his phone. Not sure what he looked at but he stared at it for about 5 minutes.
He has eaten one piece of bacon today. He watched a funny dog video and laughed.
Sam, Kelly ,Bridget, Molly and Dan, Sending you much love and covering you all in prayers. Prayers for a complete and speedy recovery for you, Sam. Love and Grace, Tricia, Jim, Jillian, John Paul and Dee Petersen
ReplyDeleteThank you so much ... It means so much to us.
DeleteThoughts and prayers sent from a Vikings fan in Nebraska! So very sad. I pray for healing of the injured, strength for his family, girlfriend and friends and that justice is served.
ReplyDeleteWe have family in Nebraska .. Cornhusker fans. Thank you so much.
DeleteI love the blog and it is the bests way for you to share and express yourself. We are all following SAMs journey waiting and rejoicing in the smallest of victories. Keep writing cousin it shares his story for us all and it will help you make it thru this!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you cousin!
DeleteKelly- the Erwin's are praying constantly for complete healing for Sam and for you and Bridget as you care for him. I am so grateful that Dan is joining you! It will be a blessing for you to have a strong shoulder. Love you friend and know what an incredible mom you are!!! Christie
ReplyDeleteYou're doing amazing! Let the tears flow, it's a part of your healing. Each one brings you closer.
ReplyDeleteI've had a number of concussions. It's a weird experience in that I knew who I had been and somehow in my 'new' now despite my awareness of the me that was I couldn't reach me. It was like being trapped in a fish bowl seeing me and shouting at me but getting no response at all and not getting out. I shared this because Sam staring at his phone reminded me of that and had me wondering if he is and was at the moment experiencing something similar? It might be. You're you and you're not with brain injuries. Time.
April
You're doing amazing! Let the tears flow, it's a part of your healing. Each one brings you closer.
ReplyDeleteI've had a number of concussions. It's a weird experience in that I knew who I had been and somehow in my 'new' now despite my awareness of the me that was I couldn't reach me. It was like being trapped in a fish bowl seeing me and shouting at me but getting no response at all and not getting out. I shared this because Sam staring at his phone reminded me of that and had me wondering if he is and was at the moment experiencing something similar? It might be. You're you and you're not with brain injuries. Time.
April
We are sending prayers From North Vegas Niner Empire Faithfuls saw the video from one of our family chapters...hang in there God is good..we pray for peace of mind as well for all you family members watching your loved one go through this he's gonna be great again..God Bless
ReplyDelete