Tuesday July 21

I'm not sure who all reads this blog but it seems important to me at this point to bring up some things we have dealt with since June 2 which might be beneficial knowledge if you are ever in a similar situation. I particularly want to hone in on a few statements which have been made by physicians (some, considered outstanding in their field). It is imperative not to skim this post because some of these statements are shocking and might be misunderstood taken out of context. The sentences in quotes were told to us along John's journey and while we listened, and were at times believing and bewildered at what we heard, we just knew better...we know John and they don't, and we know his drive and passion and faith and they don't. While they can account for some physiological responses to what he has been through, and what they might have seen in patients previously, they DO NOT know John. I would like to stress that this particular blog posting sort of accentuates the negative things we have heard and I do want everyone to know that the positive statements were very prevalent as well. I think the primary reason the negative ones stick is because they are the ones which preclude you from sleep and cause you to worry every minute of every day.

Within the first few days:
"John has only brain stem activity. His brain is not functioning other than his brain stem."
-two days later John opened his eyes and began breathing without the need for a respirator

Within the first week:
"John may be opening his eyes but this is a very basic response and since his pupils are not equal, he has probably sustained immense, irreversible brain damage."
-later that day, John began being able to respond yes and no by blinking his eyes or keeping them closed

Within the first week and 1/2:
"The fact that John is balling up his fists and not able to grab hands on command shows a huge problem...probably a large section of his brain is damaged"
-less than a week later, John and his brother Hudd began doing a sort of arm wrestle in which Hudd clearly felt John pulling

Within the first 2 weeks:
"John may be responding with groans and moans but the chance of him ever speaking intelligible sentences is nonexistent"
-that afternoon, John clearly said my name, Melanie and several other words like; yes, Holly and even Honeygal

Approximately 3 weeks ago:
"Will John ever be able to feed himself? No. Absolutely not. And he won't recognize people or ever walk"
-Within the past few days, John has begun feeding himself and today, for the first time; he took his first steps...yes you read me correctly! When his physical therapist stood him up today, he told her he wanted to walk so she got a rolling cart for him to support his upper body with and took steps and made it a full 30 feet down the hallway!

I suppose my point with this posting is the whole never give up hope idea coupled with the fact that if you are reading this you know John, or one of us, so it is personal. One of the things we love about John's current situation is that what John will or will not be able to do is not only not discussed but seems irrelevant by TIRR standards. They seem to know that putting barricades in front of patients might give a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy type of effect and they are willing to admit the hardest thing...that even as physicians, they just don't know. John amazes us daily and while we know that there will probably be some setbacks, John is progressing well.