May 18th - Day 92

Getting into the swing of things here has kept me occupied because I can be involved more in Brian's therapies, and I can also be with him anytime between 8a - 8p, so I try and spend most of the days with him and by the time I get home, I'm pretty cashed out! But some exciting things to share:

• 🐶Layla has been able to join us at the hospital and spend time with her dad snuggling which has been really a blessing to both of us! She's been an absolute angel here and I am hoping Brian can feel and sense her too!
• Brian is on day two of having his trach capped and tolerating it really well (last week he was going about 1-2 hours at a time but now he's able to go full days without discomfort). That means pretty soon they will remove it all together which is a huge step!
• Brian is starting to 'explore' his voice / vocalizing. He started sighing and somewhat making sounds a few weeks back but it was rare to hear or catch it. As of yesterday, it became louder and more drawn out. And today he made sounds (moaning/groaning) almost every time he had his eyes opened (which was quite a bit compared to last week...all the therapies really made him tired but today was his most active day in therapy without too much fatigue for the remainder of the day...YAY)!
• Tonight he is officially on cleaner nutrition!
• Today he also seemed to have improved control of his neck muscles and seemingly legs too.
• In PT, they got him to 35 degrees on the tilt table which is the most he's done (the goal is to get him full upright to 90 degrees).
• On Sunday night, I was feeling pretty exhausted and unsettled. I prayed for the visitors policy to change soon because I was running on fumes, and only having one other person to come visit didn't seem fair or reasonable to me. Yesterday when I walked into the hospital, the first thing the nurse told me was that the visitation rules changed and now anyone can come visit, just has to be one person at a time!! Such a blessing to our family so that his parents and my family can get some quality time in with him too! Big answer to my specific prayers the night before!

I am most encouraged by his increased vocalization. I think once the trach tube is removed he will be much more comfortable and it'll be a whole new ballgame! Praying this kind of progress keeps building & that it helps him turn the corner in his recovery. I keep reminding myself - all the little things are big things! And they're happening!

I am continuing to pray for contentment, strength, & patience -- and restoration & ultimate healing for Brian. It's been so surreal to watch unfold and I am anticipating a big miracle with Brian's name on it. It's been a long first week, but it's feeling like we are closer and closer to go-time!

Thank you God, for providing relief & support for us during this difficult and anxious time. Thank you for continuing to heal Brian and give us signs. 

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." 

-Phillippians 1:6

Lord, please bring the good work you began in Brian, to completion! See him through to his full, meaningful, purposeful recovery. Amen.