4TH PATH : BRIAN FRANK STRONG

As we prep for home-care and moving, I thought it might be helpful to share some things I've learned about TBI and how we, as Brian's community, can continue to help him recover. I know that once we are home, there will be more opportunity to visit / help. And I totally understand that it's not easy for everyone to know what they can do to help, or how to help Brian specifically. I've acquired a lot of information and think it is incredibly helpful to share, and I want to encourage everyone to continue to participate in Brian's recovery because there's a lot of things we can do to help Brian's brain, beyond nursing care & therapy. For one - the brain & consciousness is still a true mystery, and it's only as recent as 2007 that doctors started to realize and accept that it can recover & heal. The question is why & how - and they still don't truly understand why certain people emerge and some don't. I find a lot of comfort in the fa...

Thank you to everyone that came out to the GY6 Blue Brew for Lambert & Ellis last night. And for the selflessness of this community that donated to Brian's recovery fund - the contribution made is beyond generous and will ease a significant amount of financial burden as we face new challenges with continuing care at home. It will also allow me to stay by Brian's side longer, which is invaluable. Thank you, quite simply, is not enough. Grateful for this community, and shout out to the Got Your Six Foundation for rallying everyone to play a part, all the time. Because you do more, other people do more, and will hopefully allow Brian, to also do more.  As we approach closing on the new house December 1st, our moving to-do list grows. I put together a sign up sheet to help both of our families start to organize helpers. Any amount of time, energy, muscle will be incredibly appreciated, especially because we are aware we are entering the holiday season. Thank you in advance, and...

As time passes, this nightmare is getting harder for me. Sometimes I can grasp that time is on our side because the brain needs time to heal. But patience is a virtue and has never been a skill of mine. So most of the time, I'm overwhelmed, anxious, anticipatory, excited to see if TODAY he does something more, something different, shows me he's still here. But I'm tired of celebrating the tiny wins. I want him all back, fully. We all do. I desperately try to remember that fear and faith are both invisible choices, and I'm trying really hard to continue down the faith route. It's not easy. I wish I had anything major to report. But for now, here are the small things: Brian's trach is out is healing up beautifully His swallowing is improving every day (more consistent, quick, and managing his saliva better aka less drool). On Monday he came down with pnemonia, but as of today (Fri) it seems to have cleared. He never showed any major discomfort or symptoms, thankfu...