Update: 9:00am on 4/29

It's been a long but productive week, Forrest. With just Austin and me here, we couldn't get to the blog earlier. So I apologize to your many faithful followers for the delay in posting. The storms have exhausted you and the medication adjustments are challenging. Your Team was running on fumes literally stumbling through the days. Then our prayers were answered and you reached out to us. On Wednesday, your trembling hand moved with clear deliberation to touch mine. At first, I was afraid I wanted it so badly that I must have dreamed it. In most of our lives, such a simple thing might have been overlooked, inconsequential. But for us, that human touch… the mutual connection between a mother and a son is monumental.

Even with all the days and nights, weeks, now months I have been at your side, I cannot really imagine how hard, how painful and frightening this has been for you. I watch you struggle to swallow, battle the tremors and push yourself to lift two fingers for your therapist. I can't let myself think about where you should be, at home with your friends, getting all excited about graduation, planning your summer and starting college.

Instead, I think about where you were last week and how far you have come in just the last few days. Each day now you regain a little more of your lost ground. Each day brings another miracle, another reason to celebrate your progress… Yesterday, I sat holding my breath when your therapist put a red marker in your hand and with a huge smile said, "let's play tic tac toe." She drew the hatch mark on the white board and held it up on the tray of your wheel chair. Never one to let a challenge go by, you pushed through a tremor and got that marker on the white board twice. Although your X's were a little shaky, you were determined and your strategy was sound. Next time you'll be strong enough to finish the game and might just beat her!

With love, faith and hope, Mum

Quote of the day: "If you can lift just one finger, you can change your world." Mum

Forrest in the tilt table

Forrest and some of his pictures

Holding up two fingers