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maww
Feb 11, 2008, 5:07 PM
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So happy to hear of his positive progress. Stay strong and remember we're all thinking of you, him & the rest of your fam.
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angry
Feb 23, 2008, 10:07 PM
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Today is a pretty good day I would say.
It's been so long, so FUCKING long, in the ICU. All because they needed to install a permanent shunt in his head. Just to give you an idea, that poor kid had to spend 39 days in the ICU. His neighbors kept dying, he was barely allowed to move, it was loud, and all because he had a CSF drain.
Finally, last Thursday they installed the permanent shunt. They didn't even put him in the ICU post surgery, they put him right in a regular room. It's great.
His mobility is so much better, the room is big and sunny, the TV actually works, and it's quiet. This has improved his spirit so much.
He's walking more and talking a little. These are big gains. Monday he'll be transferred to a rehab hospital, where his day will be filled with activities. This is a big step toward getting home.
Right now, the biggest problem he's got is weakness from his month of being in a bed. Also, somehow related to the brain surgery, any little activity makes him exhausted. He's sleeping like a rock now, because eating lunch wore him out. Hopefully the rehab center and all the activities will strengthen him up and help him to stay conscious after some activity. They'll also be working on fine motor skills and cognitive things too.
I think starting on Monday, we're to the part of this where he can make big gains. No more stagnating in the ICU.
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epoch
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Feb 23, 2008, 10:45 PM
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This is good news angry.
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charley
Feb 23, 2008, 11:50 PM
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that sounds like great news. My mil spent 10 days or so there and more in a reg. room and then in a rehab section. Time goes by slow but think how much worse for him. Still sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
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clausti
Feb 24, 2008, 12:03 AM
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awesome! good to hear that hes getting to the "accelerated gains" phase.
congratulations to him for breaking out of the ICU! he sounds like such a champ.
i will continue to send happy thoughts y'all's way! it is good to hear updates!
excessive use of exclamation points!
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reno
Feb 24, 2008, 2:02 AM
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clausti wrote: awesome! good to hear that hes getting to the "accelerated gains" phase. congratulations to him for breaking out of the ICU! he sounds like such a champ. i will continue to send happy thoughts y'all's way! it is good to hear updates!
What she said. VERY good news, bro.
Keep positive. It'll help your brother.
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the_climber
Feb 25, 2008, 3:55 PM
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Great to hear Angry!
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maww
Feb 25, 2008, 4:30 PM
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So happy to hear all of this man, hang in there. We're all thinking of your bro!!! He's a spectacular kid. Are you going to show him this thread? He's one of my heroes for sure.
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boo
Feb 25, 2008, 10:20 PM
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Angry I was thinking about you guys today and was about to pm when I saw this thread. Ditto to all of the above.
His fatigue from the lack of activity and the sedation he was under a few weeks back. It takes a long time.
When he is back on email, please pm. I've a great friend who went to hell and back in a car wreck last year. Amazing recovery and he's working again. He would likely love to email him and encourage.
Keep him moving. You guys are awesome. What a great brother you are.
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wanderlustmd
Mar 12, 2008, 1:51 AM
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How's your brother doing? Hope he is still making strides toward recovery! Sending good vibes your way.
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angry
Mar 12, 2008, 3:07 AM
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wanderlustmd wrote: How's your brother doing? Hope he is still making strides toward recovery! Sending good vibes your way.
Hey, thanks for asking. I've been pretty busy lately and haven't given an update for a while.
I left off with him getting the shunt and out of the ICU. A lot has happened in that time.
First, they moved him to the rehab hospital across town. It was good because it was busier but it was basically an old folks home. He was literally one of two people there that wasn't on a respirator. It's not cool to be a 16 year old boy trying to recover while surrounded by dying people.
Last week my parents got permission to have him transferred to a hospital in Denver. It's Craig Hospital and all they do is brain and spinal injury. Apparently people come from all over the country to recover here, so it's a good place. What I really like about it is that I'm about a 1/2 hr away and it's practically on my way to work, so I can see him all the time.
As to how he's doing. He can get up and walk on his own, go to the bathroom, eat, stuff like that. He is required to be in a wheelchair unless totally supervised but it's a start. He's able to say some things, still pretty short sentences and mostly as responses to questions but it's a lot more.
Today is his birthday. He's 17 now. I'd really hoped he'd have it at home but this is more like a 6 month to year recovery, nothing quick.
Lots of good things, lots of progress, still a long way to go but we're heading in the right direction.
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clausti
Mar 12, 2008, 3:10 AM
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Hey, good to hear his situation is still improving! Keep up with the good brothering, and i am gonna keep on sending positive energy his way.
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maww
Mar 12, 2008, 3:13 AM
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Terrific! So happy to hear of his progress - positive thoughts and prayers are with him, you & the rest of your family.
And a great big happy 17th birthday to him!
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uhoh
Mar 12, 2008, 4:03 AM
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I'm glad to hear he's doing well. I saw this thread pop back up to the top of the forum and I freaked because I thought something had happened. Anyway, happy b-day to your bro.
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charley
Mar 12, 2008, 12:05 PM
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It's good to hear he's doing well. Still sending the positive vibes. Tell him Happy Birthday.
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macherry
Mar 12, 2008, 4:12 PM
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a happy belated birthday to you brother Angry. Glad to hear he's back in Denver and you can see him regularly.
glad he's on the road to recovery
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wanderlustmd
Mar 13, 2008, 1:45 AM
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angry wrote: wanderlustmd wrote: How's your brother doing? Hope he is still making strides toward recovery! Sending good vibes your way. Hey, thanks for asking. I've been pretty busy lately and haven't given an update for a while. I left off with him getting the shunt and out of the ICU. A lot has happened in that time. First, they moved him to the rehab hospital across town. It was good because it was busier but it was basically an old folks home. He was literally one of two people there that wasn't on a respirator. It's not cool to be a 16 year old boy trying to recover while surrounded by dying people. Last week my parents got permission to have him transferred to a hospital in Denver. It's Craig Hospital and all they do is brain and spinal injury. Apparently people come from all over the country to recover here, so it's a good place. What I really like about it is that I'm about a 1/2 hr away and it's practically on my way to work, so I can see him all the time. As to how he's doing. He can get up and walk on his own, go to the bathroom, eat, stuff like that. He is required to be in a wheelchair unless totally supervised but it's a start. He's able to say some things, still pretty short sentences and mostly as responses to questions but it's a lot more. Today is his birthday. He's 17 now. I'd really hoped he'd have it at home but this is more like a 6 month to year recovery, nothing quick. Lots of good things, lots of progress, still a long way to go but we're heading in the right direction.
Great news, glad to hear he is in a more positive environment. Glad to hear things are continuing to shape up; this time next year he'll probably be roping up with you!
Take care, keep us posted.
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reno
Mar 13, 2008, 2:13 AM
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Freaking awesome news, Angry. Good for him, and good for you and your family for staying positive.
I'm going to join Clausti and continue to send you and your bro the best vibes I can muster.
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bent_gate
Mar 13, 2008, 2:28 AM
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Great to hear that progress is continuing. I have a brother of my own, and from experience, believe me when I say to you that you have been an outstanding brother.
I will continue to wish and pray for the best outcome for all of you.
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chossmonkey
Mar 13, 2008, 12:32 PM
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Good to hear things are looking up.
I can relate to having a loved one in one of those shitty rehab places. Good to hear he was moved to someplace he can really work on recovering and you can see him more easily.
Its a long winding road in front of your brother, you and your family. Take it one step at a time and it won't seem so far away.
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sungam
Sep 27, 2008, 4:18 PM
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Any progress in your bro's recovery, angry?
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brownie710
Sep 27, 2008, 4:59 PM
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I speak for all of us when I say we hope for a speedy recovery, he knows your in his corner, that means more than you realize.
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angry
Sep 27, 2008, 6:08 PM
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sungam wrote: Any progress in your bro's recovery, angry?
I'm in a coffee shop in Moab right now, Saturday is always a good time to take a rest day when you don't work.
Well, I just got off the phone with him moments ago. He's doing well. Sometimes it takes a little prompting to get him to say something, it's not from lack of something to say but more about trouble putting words to it. I called him to tell him that I sent (fuck I crushed) Broken Brain with a "Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital" shirt on, I thought he'd find that funny. Hopefully in a few years he'll do the same.
He's in school this semester, he's lost his Ipod, glasses, and phone several times but eventually keeps finding them. His short term memory still suffers but it's ok. All the constant social interaction of school keeps his brain busy and he's getting more talkative. At the football games he ends up selling candy with the swim team instead of watching, which is what he'd be doing if he was still on the team so that a good thing.
He is a Junior again this year and will not graduate with his class, he should graduate with the current junior class though. All his classes are easy this year, to sort of warm him back into things and next year should be a more normal senior year.
The recruiter brought the climbing wall to the school the other day, he was the fastest kid in his class up the hardest route. 6 months in the hospital, a brain tumor, and a stroke but he's still my brother. I'm glad to hear he at least remembers how to move (it was probably 5.8).
Warning Not Vegan FriendlyHe's been shooting his bow a lot, it's good for strength and coordination. Well, anyway he shot a Pope and Young antelope last week. I'm not sure I could get a trophy antelope with an arrow. I'm pretty proud of that.
What's left to be determined are what his physical limitations are and whether or not he's college material. Right now, I'm hopeful he'll be leading a pretty normal life.
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sungam
Sep 27, 2008, 8:45 PM
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Sounds good, thanks for the update.
Angry wrote: he was the fastest kid in his class up the hardest route. 6 months in the hospital, a brain tumor, and a stroke but he's still my brother.
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geogoddess
Sep 28, 2008, 1:26 AM
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thats awesome, that he can handle school and stay socially active. Glad to hear he's pulling down on the wall! No doubt it is alot of hard work for him, and he's lucky to have his big bro backing him up.
While I am not always in favor of some hunting styles, I've always carried alot of respect for anyone that can hunt x a bow. I've always had great interactions w/ bowhunters when I was out doing field work. They are often out there alone or w/ a friend, are quiet (sometimes to the point of scaring the pants off me when I walk by them and don't seeum tii the last second).... doesn't mean I'm gonna spill the beans on where the elk were, though  that would spoil their fun.
when do you leave on your desert trip?
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