Sunday, February 13, 2011

Update: 10:00pm on 2/13

Forrest started the morning with breakfast, and he's making progess eating his "food," swallowing, though, is a skill that is going to take some work. I guess the steak in a blender doesn't match up to Ken'ts grilled tenderloin. Unfortunately Forrest has to master the swallowing before the trach can be removed. Today was Rae's birthday and she definitely has some things to be happy about. When I came into the room for the first time, both Rae and Austin were surprised by the smile that came over Forrest's face.

We went to the gym and played around, Forrest, Rae, Austin, and I played catch and Forrest was having a blast "juking" me out and making a fool out of me! Trust me, he definitely still has his sense of humor! When I asked him if he missed me he did the "eh" hand symbol and smiled. Austin and I had a lot of time with him today and we took him into the patient activity room, and there was a TV, white board, and air hockey. He wouldn't nod when we asked him things, but we would write it on the white board and under it write yes or no and he was circling which he wanted to do, at one point the options were between air hockey and watching star wars, and he went with the more active air hockey! He played with enthusiasm!

When he got bored of that we watched Star Wars and started messing around on my phone. He is sometimes reading and understanding what we are writing, I texted for him to see, "How do you feel? Happy or sad?" what he did next was so significant. He started to type "Hpa" but then realized that he was spelling happy wrong and deleted "Hpa" to then write "sooo happy." This is an amazingly unexpected step that is definitely headed in the right direction. Forrest is still having his coughing fits and agitation which are difficult for him, and the trach is more than frustrating. Forrest got to give his mom an awesome present that she loved so much. It had been so great to see him, and he is surrounded by so much love. Everyone here is fantastic and his family are some of the strongest, best, and most loving people I know!

-Sarah and every one from Team Forrest!

PS: Austin and I set up a Facebook group called Friends of Forrest, we would greatly appreciate if everyone could join so that you can upload pictures yourselves. It would be so helpful so that we can show them to Forrest, please make sure to have captions of who is in the picture though, because they don't know everyone!

Air hockey



















Sarah and Forrest














Sarah reading cards to him while he looks at them

5 comments:

  1. Incredible progress! Each day is better and better--Forrest you and your team are amazing!!

    xoJim and Gail

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Forrest,

    It sounds like you, Sarah, Austin and your Mom had a great day today. GREAT! It is so neat that Sarah got to come see you.

    We saw Norma at church, and she did go to lunch with us again. She was really feeling feisty today! She's so very happy that you are progressing so well. By the way, Happy Valentines Day tomorrow! I can't wait to see what new thing you accomplish tomorrow.

    I just sent a request to join your group on Facebook. Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight and wake up raring to go tomorrow morning!

    Love, Joyce and Wilbur Ellis

    ReplyDelete
  3. Each day brings another miracle! I look forward to the day when I can actually meet you, Forrest, and give you a hug. Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your progress makes beautiful reading Forrest! We are so happy for you and Team Recovery.
    The Morencys
    Happy Belated Birthday wishes to Rae!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My first job as a nurse (100 years ago), was at George Washington University Hospital (DC) in neuro rehab. I am utterly blown away by Forrest's progress and the rehab techniques that are now employed to achieve these incredible results.

    Mix this fantastic new thinking and approach with a hefty dose of faith in God as the ultimate healer and look what is happening?

    We get to daily witness the miracle of Forrest's return to complete health.

    Love,
    Shannon
    p.s. happy, happy birthday to Rae! I hope you get to keep that white board - or at least the photo - forever, Mum. :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete