Thursday June 12, 2008

Thursday 6-12-08 11:45 AM

Thursday 6-12-08 11:45 AM
I am going to start writing a normal Clemson-oriented blog early next week and plan to get back to the radio show Monday but I wanted to give an update on Ryan today.

Ryan was moved to a private room yesterday afternoon. This has so many positives but only one negative. Ryan's mom, Kelly, was worried about the move because in ICU he gets attention every minute from a nurse. Each nurse has only two patients so the care is very detailed. So far both nurses we have had here in the private room have been great though. They have six patients but you could never tell it because the care is terrific.

Kelly is a nurse so it is so wonderful to see her care for Ryan too. She is thorough in her care for him. She also knows what to ask the doctors and nurses and gives me the interpretation each time. Ryan is lucky to have her and it is so beautiful to see her nurturing care for Ryan.

Ryan opened his eyes more last night. He was always a night person and it usually took him a little time to get going each morning anyway. This morning he is resting.

His vitals are still good. He had a slight fever this morning but it has come down. His heart rate goes from 68-120 but that is OK. Ryan is moving more each hour. His left leg is really active this morning.

Sometimes his movements are purposeful and fluid but sometimes he postures which is not good movement. Posturing is when he stiffens his left arm or leg and turns his hands out. This is stem movement. Flexing and other movements are movements that come from higher up in the brain. Those are the better movements and include pulling his arms or legs up towards his face, yawning, swallowing and facial expressions.

I keep telling his mom that I was not there for his first birth but it is nice to see his second one. We love seeing the cute moments like when he crinkles his nose or when he makes cute facial expressions.

Sometimes Ryan will follow you when he opens his eyes and sometimes he does not. Really that is the deal at this point. Because some of Ryan's activities are stem based and some are higher brain based. Obviously we are more encouraged when the movements come from the higher part of the brain.

We have already seen Ryan's respiratory doctor, his general doctor, and his neurologist this morning. All three doctors said he looks better and he keeps getting better.

The respiratory doctor said his lungs looked great. He had a slight infection last week but he has a strong cough and the antibiotics worked well.

Ryan's occupational therapist worked his hands and arms and his tone was good. I was shocked this morning when his physical therapist came by and worked with him for the first time. They stretched his legs and actually sat him up on the edge of the bed. Ryan could not hold head up but they wanted to get him upright for a while.

Visitors keep coming by and prayers keep getting answered. We have so many people to thank for their support. I have not been able to return any phone calls, texts or e-mails yet but I will try more now that we have Ryan stabilized.

The doctors keep telling us to bunker in for a long summer.