Yesterday (7/24), Thom had his first visit from the occupational therapist, who is wonderful! She is focusing on his upper body and conducted tests to determine muscle strength. His shoulders are the strongest at this point. While he doesn't have use of his fingers, she is teaching Thomas ways he can pick things up with the use of his wrists: his own suction tube, a cup with a straw (when ready) and wiping his face are all things they can practice now. Exciting!
They also tried to take Thomas off the ventilator today, but his cough just isn't strong enough yet. The doctors said that sometimes the only way to tell if a patient is ready is to actually try to take it out and see how he does. Everyone, including Thomas, agreed it was worth the shot.
Without the breathing tube, he was able to talk with Natalie for a few minutes - finally real communication! He said it "hurt like hell" to get it out - so much worse than he imagined. They put it back in, and will give it more time and try again.
The rest of the day was one of the hardest they have had yet, for both Thomas and Natalie. The nurses could not get his pain under control - and he was dealing with a whole host of pains today: throat pain from tube; intense neck and head soreness from Tuesday's 4 hours sitting; anxiety; nerve sensitivity. He didn't sleep at all during the day.
In the late evening he was in horrible pain from what he described as "wires" he was laying on - but there was nothing under him! We are pretty sure this is nerve pain as his back muscles are waking up! He said he had no idea he had a brace on his back until he started feeling this pain - Natalie thinks this is a great sign. "Some times with blessings comes a little more cross to bear. "
Join us in prayer!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
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Oh goodness....sorry to hear about the increased pain, but I will offer up all my little pains for your strength and quick healing, Thom! My heart is with you and Natalie, please know of my unceasing prayers for you both! Hugs from MI ~ xoxo Mona
ReplyDeleteMy prayers for all your intentions continue, especially decrease in pain and weaning from the ventilator. That's wonderful that Thom had his first occupational therapy visit and that she seems great; I'm also an OT. :-) Please tell him that the rehabilitation ahead will be a lot of hard work, and each day will be a mixture of emotions. It is all part of the healing process. You will come to know your therapists well and they will become a big part of your lives over the next several weeks/months as you move into more intense rehab. May Mother Mary wrap you lovingly in her in your mantle and may you feel the Lord Jesus carrying you through as you take one day at a time.... God bless you!
ReplyDeleteI will also ask for the intercession of St. Blaise for Thom's weaning from the ventilator. My mother was successfully extubated after her stroke on the feast of St. Blaise, and after a blessing of her throat by a priest in her hospital room.
ReplyDeleteDearest Thomas and Natalie: Please know that we love you very much and have been praying for you daily. "And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him." (1 John 5:14,15) God's continued grace on you both. May Thomas be healed and restored completely, in Jesus' name. Uncle Don, Aunt Jayne, Jack and Irene.
ReplyDeleteDear Thomas and Natalie: Please know that we love you very much and have been praying for you daily. "And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of Him." (1 John 5:14,15) May God's grace be upon you both. May Thomas be completely restored and healed in Jesus' name. Uncle Don, Aunt Jayne, Jack and Irene
ReplyDeleteSo many prayers for this difficult day! Much love!
ReplyDeleteIn hard times, this passage from scripture inspires me:
ReplyDeleteActs, 9:31–42:
Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers,* he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. 34Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!’ And immediately he got up. 35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas.* She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
The Lord can outstretch his hand, and bring life out of sickness, joy out of pain. I continue to pray for Thomas and his family. Given his gift for certain kinds of spiritual warfare, I can't doubt his courage for enduring physical trials.
Yeesh- praying for both of you lots... It sounds like you have a very competent team working with you in Baltimore- praise God! Greetings and best wishes from Philly- Angel Roth
ReplyDeleteLyda I will join you in asking for the intercession of St. Blaise! Prayers being offered at a Mass tomorrow for Thomas' complete healing. Thank you for the updates.
ReplyDeletePlease tell Thomas that I am following his story and am praying for all of you.
ReplyDeleteI have had trauma to the same part of my neck and am dealing with musculoskeletal issues. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about options & treatment from a patient's perspective. God bless.
@DeltaCinderella