We knew yesterday was going to be rough. Forrest had a slow hard time coming out of the anesthesia. The doctor had to "sand" the edges of his skull to create a smooth fit for the skull flap. He first woke up with a howl like a wounded grizzly bear. That earned him a morphine push. All the drilling and the changes in pressure around his brain made it tough for him to fight his way out of the fog. Several hours later he woke up again in such excruciating pain that it nearly broke my heart. Another morphine injection and he eased into wakefulness more gently. Hours of ice packs, ice chips and cool wet cloths. Finally in the middle of the night an unsolicited thumbs up told me we had rounded the bend in the road.
No rest for the weary here. Physical therapy today started like every day... early. 7:00 AM out of bed and back to work, one slow step in front of another, even as he struggled to hold his poor battered head up. He did get a break later in the day and reclaimed his wheels when he briefly ran out of steam. Just In the nick of time, a call from a good friend raised his spirits. Chicken soup from Panera beat out hospital food & he finished the first full day under his new custom lid in good form! Tomorrow the pressure turban wrap might come off, so stay tuned!
More than ever we are grateful for our families and friends and Shepherd's incredible doctors, nurses and therapists who have gotten us this far one step at a time...
Quote of the day: "You be safe, for me, okay?" Forrest to me the night before his surgery.
Hug your loved ones, call a friend & sleep tight tonight.
Mum and Team Forrest
No rest for the weary here. Physical therapy today started like every day... early. 7:00 AM out of bed and back to work, one slow step in front of another, even as he struggled to hold his poor battered head up. He did get a break later in the day and reclaimed his wheels when he briefly ran out of steam. Just In the nick of time, a call from a good friend raised his spirits. Chicken soup from Panera beat out hospital food & he finished the first full day under his new custom lid in good form! Tomorrow the pressure turban wrap might come off, so stay tuned!
More than ever we are grateful for our families and friends and Shepherd's incredible doctors, nurses and therapists who have gotten us this far one step at a time...
Quote of the day: "You be safe, for me, okay?" Forrest to me the night before his surgery.
Hug your loved ones, call a friend & sleep tight tonight.
Mum and Team Forrest
Nothing like a loving Mom
Taking a call from his friend Gio
Forrest,
ReplyDeleteYou define the words 'brave' and 'stoic'...Mum, you must be the best Mum ever!!!
Kick on, Team Forrest!
Jennifer Mutchler
Sending huge hugs to Rae knowing how emotionally draining this must be for you. You are an amazing woman! Forrest and Austin are so fortunate to have such a strong, tender, caring Mum! It's so hard to hear of the pain that Forrest is suffering - but knowing that he has jumped over one more huge hurdle is going to make the rest of his recovery so sweet! God Bless you all!
ReplyDeleteLove, The Rafferty Family
I second everything that the Rafferty Family has lovingly written. So many thoughts and prayers cover you all these first few painful days. There will be gain from this pain.
ReplyDeleteSending you much love and highest hopes for minimal pain and a good rest for all tonight.
Love,
Shannon
Thinking of you and hoping and praying today is a better day, and that tomorrow will be better than today. Keep those spirits up. We continue to pray to send you physical and emotional strength to endure this journey of recovery. God Bless. Laurie.
ReplyDeleteAfter every dark night comes a surise. Hope the sun rises soon in your lives and you all can leave all these dark, painful and scarey nightmares behind you forever. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep hugging and laughing with one another.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Paula Horne
WOW!! who does that? You got a new cap, attached with 42 screws and still got out of bed and chatted on the phone? Impressive! Keep up the good work Team Forrest.
ReplyDeleteThis post just broke my heart for what he had to go through....but it was so worth it!! I'm so inspired by the love between a mum and her son:) and everyone helping out! Such an inspiration! May God continue to bless you all!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kelly and Family
So sad for what Forrest went through -- hard for any mother to watch her child in such pain. So glad you are all on the other side of this now.
ReplyDelete