Today was not a good day. In the morning when we visited, Jim was very sleepy and unresponsive. The physiotherapists sat him up on the bed, but he could not remain upright unsupported. He appeared totally exhausted. Our expectations after yesterday have been returned to reality.
Our evening visit was a contrast. Jim was awake but very distressed. He was running a temperature and was on antibiotics for a minor lung infection. His major problem is that he cannot communicate because of the tracheo tube. This makes him very frustrated and bewildered leading to some distress. He gripped our hands, and on one occasion tried to remove the tracheo tube with his right hand that now seems to be stronger. I can imagine a hundred questions he wants to ask that he cannot.
Jim has a strong emotional response to our presence. While this is encouraging from a brain function perspective, it is very hard for us to see as we cannot do anything to alleviate his predicament.
It is clear from today that we have a difficult few months ahead.
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So sorry to hear how hard it is for you all. With love from Viv x
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Jim's distress it must be so incredibly hard to watch. It is great to hear his right hand is getting stronger even though he tries to pull out tubes! Much love Jody
ReplyDeleteI guess it's impossible for us to know what frustrations he feels as he is improving beacause it's all out of kilter - his body isn't able to do what his brain may now be telling him or vice versa - it's all an unknown and a learning curve for everyone. I guess whatever frustrations anyone else may be feeling can only be dwarfed by what he's feeling......he's got a lifeline to you guys that comes and goes and he has to (like you) make it up as he goes. My heart goes out to you all and I wish you all major strength to cope with all that lies ahead. Big love.
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ReplyDeleteI have worked as a staff nurse on Ward 81. With all the updates on this blog...Jim is making great progress. For every hour Jim was under anaesthetic...it takes a weeks recovery. With head injuries, people sleep for long periods in the weeks following. This helps to heal their injury. Jim will be so exhausted, not only from the injury, but from all the heavy sedation he had in ICU...also he will be on heavy painkillers. Jim is making great progress. We are with you all the way. Love and big hugs. Mary MacGregor and family.
ReplyDeleteI know you can get a lot of unwanted advice about head injury recovery but I just thought it might be helpful to mention glyconutrients which have been used as a dietary supplement to aid recovery from neurological insult. The product I am familiar with is called Ambrotose and is marketed by a company called Mannatech. It is in powder form and can be mixed in with food/drink/or given via nasogastric tube. Mannatech unfortunately get some bad press because of their marketing ploys but before you decide please contact either Kerian Savill on 6386800 as her daughter has recovered well from a head injury a few years ago. If you can't get hold of her try Pam Regal 486 2200. Or Google "glyconutrients" or "essential sugars" or Dr Alex Omelchuk www.sugarmatters.com
ReplyDeleteHe recovered from a severe brain aneurysm and is back working.
If you want to try it I am happy to give you my supply. You would have to contact Isabella McDermott who is house sitting for us - address 25a Faulder Avenue Westmere our phone 3602619. I will leave the container in top right hand drawer of small kitchen bench. It can be started at a quarter of a teaspoon daily and gradually increased as too much can cause loose bowel motions. I expect you would have to check it out with the medical staff - they should know something about glyconutrients by now and I am sure if they dealt with Kerian's daughter who was a doctor they would know what a great recovery she made. You don't need to sign up with Mannatech to get it as I don't want you to caught up in the whole marketing thing.
I hope this is of some help to you and Jim and we will keep focussing on Jim's recovery.
Thanks and Merry Christmas despite what has happened.
Julian Lofts
Andy and Bridgie and family. We are thinking of you all and particularly Jim. Thank you so much for the blog because we want to be with you but not in the way. We are praying that Jim's courage and the Doctors and nurses skills produce good things but we know it will be tough and long. If there is anything we can do to lighten the load let us know via Pete and Jude or email us at youngrutherfords@xtra.co.nz Kia Kaha Kia Mau
ReplyDeleteRud,Gretchen,George,Lilla and Louis
Dear Philpotts,
ReplyDeleteThinking of you all on Christmas Eve. We wish for as speedy as possible a recovery for Jim, and health and happiness for you all.
Golbon, Mark, Yusef and Yahya.