Thursday = VERY VERY GOOD DAY!

I am writing to tell all of you what a WONDERFUL day today was. Erik is doing VERY well. This morning there was some conflicting information that I was getting but this is the REAL info...straight from the trauma Dr. and the plastics doctor and most of all from Erik. I will start with the fun stuff (yes I said fun).

Erik is still sedated but at first he was sedated to a 10 and now he is a 4 so he is much more 'awake' than before. He moves around a lot, tries to sit up (and could if we let him), tries to move his arms up (but they are restrained to prevent him from pulling out his tubes). He crosses his feet, he bends his knees...you get the picture.
When I was speaking to the trauma doctor, Dr Shapiro, he said something to the effect that Erik may have a different personality, I responded in a teary eyed and shaky voiced "you mean that he might not have the same since of humor?"
Dr. Shapiro and Jen Johnstun saw Erik hold up his hand and 'wave' and the doctor said, "Hey buddy...I see you waving" I said, very excited while turning to look at Erik "He WAVED??!!" and then Erik waved again to me. Of course I ran to Erik, while holding his hand and reassured him that I love him and thanked him profusely for giving me that meaningful sign. I think this meant that he knew I was there, he knew I was scared and he knew what I was asking...He fully understood what I said to the doctor.
Thats not the only 'proof' he gave me today that he knows what I am saying. That is just the most exciting. Here is the rest...He was rubbing his butt (he has sciatica - a sore muscle in his leg/lower back frequently)- I said "oh honey, does you butt hurt?" and he NODDED!!! I said "do you want me to rub it for you?" and he NODDED again! He is communicating. When I spoke with him today about how I know that he hurts and that I know he misses Tanner and me...his lip quivered like he was crying. (I of course told him that we are ok and was supportive) WHAT A STRONG GUY! This shows that he has feelings - his brain is working!!!! YAY ! During this "conversation" it looked to me like he was trying to talk back...I told him "Don't try to talk. You cant with that tube in your throat. I know you hurt, I know you love me and Tanner......." He stopped trying to move his lips.

I can not express to you how relieved I am. I am so glad to be able to convey this information to you guys. I am actually HAPPY. I feel EXCITED. When I came home tonight I danced around the house while holding Tanner. Our family will be whole again. Ok so now that you read that stuff...do your little jig and then read the medical stuff below.

Again and Again I will say that none of this timeline is for sure...it is ballpark depending on lots of factors. Erik IS breathing on his own now. He has that tube down his throat with the 'vent' attached...but it is just monitoring his breathing. He is doing the work himself. It looks like he is going to get the tube removed tomorrow sometime. This will make Erik much more comfortable. It is still undecided whether or not a trach is necessary (the, less invasive way, of letting him breathe on the vent). It LOOKS like we will not need the trach but, we'll see - no biggie if its there.

The plastic surgery was NEVER going to happen on friday. That was the wrong news (uninformed nurses in the AM). The first Plastic surgery will probably happen next Thursday (again maybe). This will give Erik more time to heal. Every day there has been outstanding progression on Eriks healing process - They actually look excited when they talk about his progress to me. They smile about it. They say it is very good. Who know's what will happen in the next week before the plastic surgery... AT BEST Erik and Tanner might be able to see eachother. Please don't let that frighten you. There must be a LOT of progress before that could happen. I will gauge that progress - I do NOT want to scare Tanner. We will deal with that road when we come to it.

Erik's brain is not in danger of swelling any more - the plastic surgery will not affect the swelling in his brain. It will make his face a bit bruised. I will explain more about the plastic surgery later. I want to write post to the man who accidentally hit Erik before I go to bed. It is most important right now.