Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Update: 12:20am on 7/6

We sure are missing Dad and Aunt Lobie! Mom and I have been holding down the homefront, and thankfully Aunt Lynn will be flying in Thursday to stay and help out for the third time! Mom has been doing the lion's share of time with Forrest. I'm amazed daily by her strength and perseverance. I do manage to get her to leave and go take a nap sometimes, but she's just as often there almost the entire day. It's incredible how she is always so upbeat with Forrest, has her eye on the target with whatever mission we're tackling that day (medication changes, therapy efforts, etc), and is nothing but polite and empathetic with the nurses and staff. She's an amazing Mom and an amazing role model, if I do say so myself.

We hope everyone had a great Fourth of July, Forrest was able to hear the roar of fireworks exploding all over the Capitol from his bed. Forrest has been working hard in therapy. We've been changing meds to address and try to alleviate his "posturing" and dystonia, so he's been a little calmer but consequently a bit less responsive the last few days. He is still able to dutifully offer his arms up for a hug when I ask him if he'd like a hug. I live for those moments. He understands a great amount at certain times and is tracking conversations and pictures we show him with his eyes, which are great signs.

He's been diagnosed with C. diff, again. So he's back on antibiotics and under isolation protocol. This doesn't exclude visitors, it just means the nurses have to take care to prevent it spreading to other patients. Hopefully with the antibiotics he'll be feeling better soon. We're looking forward to more productive therapy this week. Forrest is a champ and we're gonna help him keep pushing on.

All the best,
Austin and Team 44

Forrest working hard in Speech Therapy

9 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see everyone again. FYI....just checked my flight and I get there Friday at 3:35 into Dulles. I can do public transportation to get over to you guys. And just for the record...you ar ALL champs. And so amazing!

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  2. Grandma Norma AlllenJuly 6, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    To Forrest and all his champions. Forrest, I just knew Austin would be sending a message from the current Team 44 - which right now there near you consist of Super Mom Rae and your Great brother Austin. I'm so very proud of all of you. They take pretty good care of you,don't they. Aunt Lobie had to go home - but Aunt Lynn has been going really fast I think to get things done back in Colorado so she could appear on the scene Fridayto see you and I think your Dad may get back soon with some interesting stories about his work in London!
    I'm glad you could see and hear the 4th of July fireworks. You were definitely close. I loved watching it on my PBS TV station.It was so beautiful with fireworks going off all around the Memorial Tower.I thought of you then, especially when they mentioned the Washington Hospital and showed a few pictures
    of some of the guys there getting better.

    Your Aunt Bev made her appearance into this world on the morning of July 4th!! just a few decades ago.:) She had a very different, but good 4th of July birthday. :)

    I'm glad you have good Drs. Let's hope those antibiotics just zap your illness - and it's gone. I'm so proud of you Forrest. You really work hard at getting well - and you will! especially with that awesome team 44. See you later Forrest. Love, Grandma Norma

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  3. Forrest, I'm sure you're missing your dad.

    Glad that you could experience the 4th all around you without having to deal with the horrendous crowds.

    And I agree with Lynn -- you ARE all champions!!

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  4. Team 44
    I agree with Aunt Lynn and Kathy you definitely are all champions! The perseverance with which you continue to help Forrest amazes me on a daily basis.
    We continue to keep all of team 44 in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love,
    The Selfes

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  5. Team 44 is the best, each and everyone of you, near and far. We keep thinking about all of you and are cheering you on every minute of every day! We know that athlete inside of Forrest is determined to do everything he can, as the meds and therapy do their thing.
    Forrest, we are so proud of you and how hard you are working!
    love
    The Elgins

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  6. Ya know Forrest, you're starting to look downright handsome again with that shaggy black hair growing in and that white sleeveless teeshirt. I was rereading some of the earlier blogs and looking at your pictures. You've come a LONG way since your recent surgery. I see some color, some skin tone and if I didn't know any better, the look of a bored teenager doing homework. Actually, I know you are working hard and so is your wonderful family. We're all out here thinking about you.

    Abby Laughlin

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  7. Hi Forrest,

    Your Grandma Norma sent me an email earlier today that there was a new blog, but I'm just now getting to it. I'm so glad to hear that you are still working hard on your Therapy, and that your Aunt Lynne is coming again! With all of that help, you can't help but to beat this thing!! You certainly have a wonderful family!

    Love and Prayers,

    Wilbur and Joyce

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  8. Hello Forrest,

    I know i have not been writing but you are always in my mind, and in my family's mind.
    You are such a fighter and i know you will get better one day.
    Your Mom is a such a good example for all of us mothers, and how blessed you are having such a big brother that really cares about his little brother, and your Dad, such a great Dad and a hard worker for the family.
    So nice to know that a lot of people loves and cares for you.

    I sure hope you will get better soon but you sure look good in the pictures.

    I will catch you later!

    Love,
    Hazel, James and Rebekah

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  9. Forrest - I am SO very proud of you! And I remain in AWE of your ENTIRE Team 44. With the most special of kudos to your lovely Mom, Rae, your SuperStar brother and your steadfast Dad, Kent. Not to overlook Aunts who keep recycling :-) I do hope to meet them one day soon! Hang in there. My mom did 3 weeks where you are, oh eight years ago or so after a bad car accident and its resulting surgery. She then made a stop on her way to her home DC with us in Middleburg for more companionship and team effort to bridge the road - You TOO will be at that stage soon! Sending much love to you all and a belated warm welcome back to the greater capital area!
    Karla et al

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