All the best from Team Forrest,
Austin
Forrest smiling at a joke in "Wedding Crashers"
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Update: Sunday, 3/25/12
Forrest is being the champ he is. He's continuing to recover well since the major surgery last Thursday. We stepped down today from the ICU to the intermediate ICU, and hope to transfer to National Rehab Hospital (NRH) within a week or two, as soon as he is medically stable and able to participate in 3 hrs of therapy a day. Today Dr. Armonda, his neurosurgeon, removed the bandage, inspected the incision site, and applied a fresh bandage. The incision is looking good. The last one of the surgical drains was removed from his head today, which is a great milestone. He's looking a ton better than yesterday, he's tracking with his eyes and following people and conversations. We show him videos and pictures of his friends and he's very attentive. He's smiling at jokes and movies, which brings us even more joy than it does to him!! The Medical Team nurses that have been taking care of him the last 3 months at home are sitting with him at night in the hospital, both to help keep his airway clear in the event of emesis, and just as importantly, to provide a familiar face for him and boost his morale. It's great to provide a continuity of care, Forrest has a great relationship with the wonderful Medical Team nurses. The Washington Hospital nursing staff, doctors, physicians assistants, techs, and everyone involved have been amazing and we are grateful for them working so closely with us on Forrest's behalf and being flexible with Team Forrest's high level of involvement in the direction of his care. Brief visits would be great at this point, please contact Maylin (803-409-8743) Mon-Thurs and me (Austin 540-729-2620) Fri-Sun to figure out a time that will work. Thanks so much for the comments, we read them everyday and they help keep us going! :)
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Hey...he is looking great. A smile already. Hurrah. I love it. This is a great start to a good, healing week. We've had lots of prayers going up. Great job champ!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting all day for the update. Am so happy that everything is going smoothly. Forrest is beginning to look more like himself in every photo. Team 44 must be thrilled. Will be out of town for a few days without internet, but will look forward to checking in the moment I get back. Stay strong.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Gail (Wofford)
Wow... Forrest looks terrific! Tremendous improvement already. What an exciting step this is, one that will allow Forrest's progress to soar, his determination and will to shine. God is good. anne
ReplyDeleteForrest, you look GREAT! It's so good to see your beautiful smile, especially so soon after your surgery! Your team is fantastic, as always, and it looks like you are on your way to SUCCESS!
ReplyDeleteGod be with all of you!
Love and Prayers,
Joyce and Wilbur
Now that's a smile that makes me smile. I can't believe it's only been three days and you have already stepped down from surgery to ICU to intermediate ICU. You're on your way back to Brightwood. I pray for many more great days to come.
ReplyDelete-Abby Laughlin
Wow Forrest. You are so amazing! Your reaction to this surgery is just like you perhaps had a splinter removed from your finger,but now it's all doing great. What a trooper.Only three days and doing so much better.I could go on and on about you and your fantastic team 44! Everyone at church both times today were all smiles after hearing about your progress.You give me so much courage. I love you Grandmom
ReplyDeleteIt's so encouraging to see visible progress in such a short time. This is wonderful news! I'm confident that tremendous neurological healing has been taking place over the last several months. Even though we couldn't always see outward evidence of all those new and repaired neural pathways, Forrest's brain has been extremely busy healing and putting energy into protecting the healing process. Now that this final surgery is over, and the skull is in place, I'm sure Forrest's recovery can go full steam ahead. Great job, Team 44!
ReplyDeleteLove, Diane & Jay
Thanks all!! I just thought I'd check to see if there were any comments before I fell asleep. WOW. So much love. We will read them to Forrest tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove ,
Austin
Get some sleep Austin. You need your rest as it is just a matter of time before Forrest reminds you that he is bigger than you are! Am sure he'll smile at that thought. pam Chauvin
ReplyDeleteForrest, You look really good, so soon after such a major surgery! We are checking every day for updates! Stay strong, rest, know that we are all thinking and praying for you. Love Barbara and the gang at Rabbit Hill!! XXOO
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful news! YES! I have such a good feeling about this surgery....spring....the perfect time for healing! Thinking of all of you. GO FORREST!!
ReplyDeletePat & Packard
Such good news. Forrest, you look fantastic. We wish you continued healing.
ReplyDeleteSo great to see that beautiful smile!!! We are so thrilled to hear how well you are doing Forrest! Keep up the great work! We are continuing to pray for your continued healing!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs!
The Rafferty Family
Nothing better that a picture of Forrest's smile to start my day. I mean it....I can think of NOTHING BETTER!
ReplyDeleteThe sky is blue, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and Forrest is smiling. God is so good.
This news is so good. Your pictures are so good. The people that are caring for you, Forrest are so good. Austin is BEYOND GOOD. Rae and Kent are my heroes of loving, good parents. Mayline is good! Tom Sweitzer is good.
It's all so darn good and I am filled with gratitude reading this post.
Let the good news roll!
Good day, sunshine! (Old-timers know this great song)
And we know that in ALL THINGS (caps mine) God works for the good of the those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it....Phillipians 1:6
This journey has been arduous, Forrest, beyond arduous, but your good family and oh so very good self have never given in or given up.
You inspire us so.
With God's help, and lots from your devoted family and friends, keep up the good work of your miraculous recovery!
Love,
The very happy Davis family XOXO
Amazing how looking at Forrest's smile brings an automatic smile to my face! Family and loving care, and so many prayers for all of you! I'm wearing my Team Forrest ball cap almost every morning and sending thoughts and prayers. XO
ReplyDeleteThat smile is beautiful to see!! Keep up the wonderful recovery. Thinking of you and Team Forrest.
ReplyDeleteMary Thomas
Hi Forrest,
ReplyDeleteI am friends with the lovely Davis Family. You don't know me - but I have been keeping up with all your progress and PROGRESS is perhaps the key word here. You are an amazing young man. Like the bravest knight in the Kingdom of Good who keeps slaying dragon after dragon! And wins each fight! The fight might be tough and sometimes not a whole lot of fun... and yet you continue on, on your journey to wellness.
I am inspired each time I read about you. Tears of joy well up in my eyes and a smile is plastered on my face. And, here is the thing, Forrest, I HAVE NEVER EVEN MET YOU! So if you can do that for me... I can only imagine what your friends and family feel every day that they get to be a part of your life. Inspired to be their best.
With that said - I must say that your family, friends and TEAM 44 are also inspiring. My my, how lucky are you to have such adoring people in your life! Wow! I can feel the love through this computer! It reaches right out and grabs my heart!
All my best and hopefully some day I will get to meet you! I live in a beach town in Southern California. I have a daughter that races sail boats who will take you sailing if you ever visit our part of the world. My other daughter is an equestrian and her horse is named Nicolai.
All of God's graces to you and your family... with love, Susan Kenney
Forrest, You don't know me, but I have been following your journey through mutual friends. I am so excited about your progress each day and am so proud of you. Keep up your good work and stay strong. Your wonderful spirit, determination and bravery is an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteForrest, you are beautiful - relaxed, focused, smiling at that funny movie - what a gorgeous sight! We are so happy to hear the amazing progess you continue to make - it is truly remarkable - not at all surprising given what you have endured and who you are - but certainly remarkable and we are so very glad. Sending much love your way, the Shermans
ReplyDeleteForrest you look great!! So happy to hear the surgery went well!! Can't wait to see you progress from here!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your amazing family and support team!
Love,
kelly and family:)
Forrest,
ReplyDeleteYou are looking so good-we are all so excited to hear about all the progress you are making! I am glad to see the pictures of you enjoying movies-do you have a favorite one you like to watch? Our hope and prayers are continuing for you!!(and your ever helpful family, friends and caregivers :)) Love, Aunt Bev and family
So great to see such a happy face so soon after surgery! We continue to pray for the whole family and especially for Forrest's full recovery. Forrest you are so Blessed to have such a dedicated team with you.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Viki, Rick, Mandie & Ryan
Such a beautiful smile to see!! We are so very happy to hear how well your surgery went! You continue to amaze us with your determination and your progress. Sending prayers and love for continued successes!
ReplyDeleteMark, Betsy & Lauren Davis
Dear Forrest, Austin, Rae, Kent, and all of the other caregivers--What you are doing is heroic, each of you-, and the fine outcome of this surgery, even with the very best surgeons, reflects all the support and work that you have committed to this amazing young man. Thank you for showing us what a real community can do with love and courage. Tom and Ann Northrup
ReplyDeleteHey, Forrest! We are so happy to get the updates about your amazing progress. I am sure you are glad to have gotten that "lid" back on once and for all, so you can really get back to healing! We look forward to more good news and great photos. No wonder Caroline has had a crush on you since pre-school! Keep up the great work and give your team a big "thumbs up"!
ReplyDeletelove,
Carina, Caroline and Sajen Elgin