Friday, September 4, 2009

Friday, August 14, 2009 10:37 AM

Friday, August 14, 2009 10:37 AM, EDT

Finally some steps towards progress! Kyle continues to make good progress and gets stronger every day. We were able to watch yesterday as the physical therapists and occupationa
l therapists worked with him to sit him up on the side of the bed! It was wonderful just to see him sitting like that. He of course was supported by the PT's but we saw him moving his arms to help support himself and position himself as well! It was truly wonderful to see!

The status of his recovery is starting to finalize as the trauma team at Mary Washington want to keep him in ICU to wean him off the vent. They know him, can continue to work with him and his other injuries instead of moving him to a second stage facility in Washington, DC, to specifically wean him off the vent. We'd just like to prevent another move prior to sending him to an in-patient rehab center. We are arranging to move him to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in NW Washington, DC, one of the best facilities on the east coast! He'll have great care there.

He is much more alert and aware of his surroundings and is able to communicate a little better by mouthing words to us and somewhat whispering to us as well. He is even able to hold the suction tube himself in his right hand and suction out his mouth! It's so wonderful to see him doing these things for himself.

He continues to struggle with pneumonia and his lungs tend to fill up somewhat quickly, but his medical team has a plan in place to effectively wean him and get him ready for the next stage of his recovery.

Visitors are limited at this point as the most important thing he needs right now is quiet rest. His primary doctor, Dr. Roberts told Gary last night that he's amazed at how well Kyle breathes over the vent when he is quiet, calm and sleeping. That makes the weaning even better for him.

We have told him about all his wonderful friends that have come to see him these last two weeks and he smiled as we read down the list...he asked us to thank you all again!

Kyle will continue to work with his PT's and OT in strengthening his muscles. Just keep your fingers crossed they can get him off the vent..and soon!

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