Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Last night I went back to Fred's room around 9 to hang out with him for a little bit before I went to bed. I have felt much better leaving knowing I am steps away and can come and go as I please. I slept much better last night. I woke up a couple of times and thought I was in a bed next to Fred's, so my unconscious is very aware of being closer to him. Fred didn't sleep that well last night, but he was able to get a little bit of rest.

There is a gym in the basement of the hospital, so I was able to stop in first thing this morning and say hi to him as he woke up and then get a workout in. Tom brought me coffee and breakfast for Fred. He is starting to at least eat something 3 times a day.

It is amazing how busy they keep Fred during the day. Today we have already had 5 "classes" as they call them here, occupational therapy, physical therapy, met with the neuropsychologist, speech therapy, and another round of PT. Right now they are in half hour blocks, and they are just evaluating and testing him mostly. He's still really sleepy, so sometimes it's hard to tell what is more difficult for him, staying awake or what they are asking him to do.

When we met with his neuropsychologist, he said Fred was "exciting" because of the rating he got in the field was a 7, and how well he is doing just over 1 week since the accident. He showed Fred his MRI and CT scans, and Fred talked with him a little. He has really shown a special interest in Fred. The staff already love Fred because he is so appreciative of everything they do for him. I've never seen him so humble and accepting of help before and incredibly gratious.

Fred is very impressed with the great team they have here, but he is also tired of the schedule. I am hoping to get him outside a little this afternoon since he hasn't been outdoors for over a week, and that's just not normal for him! A little sunshine would do him a lot of good.

My moments of panic creep up when I think about what our future holds or will look like, but I know we will make it work no matter what. I'm just the type of person who likes to have a plan in place, so my old plan is so far out the window that I just have to let it go, know that everything happens for a reason, and something positive always seems to come out of even the hardest of situations. Sometimes when we're in the physical therapy gym I look up and watch the other patients around us and feel so thankful that Fred was not more seriously injured. I doubt our life will ever look 100% like it did before the accident even if that only means we wake up each day so thankful for everything we have, and that includes all of you! It's hard for both Fred and myself to ask for help, and he is very apprciative of everything everyone is doing. I haven't even told him the half of it because if I do, he's going to start trying to way to make it up to all of you.

5 comments:

  1. Fred and Jenna...You two are pretty amazing, thank you for sharing.We can feel your strength as you climb this hurdle..you are in our thoughts and prayers...Jackie and Steve

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  2. Hi Jenna,
    All of Durango is following you guys very closely and always in our thoughts. Bart Collins organized several of us as volunteers if there is anything you need done at your Durango West house, please let me know and we will take care of it. Just email me if you need anything. Glen McDaniel

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  3. Jenna-

    I'm going to be up in Denver the next couple of days, and I'd like to come by and visit. Is Fred up for visitors? If so, when would be the best time?

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  4. Shane - he is up for a visit in the evenings and weekends are totally free.

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  5. I may try to stop by tomorrow (sunday) morning. Will that work? What room is he in?

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