Day Thirteen

We had another great overnight with no issues. Being off the monitors and on four hour checks have been better for James and Al's sleep. 

James and I started the day by driving around in his favorite truck and chair rides through the halls. We had an additional assessment done by a rehabilitation specialist to be sure there were no additional services he though James may need. James passed with flying colors on OT and PT siting no additional services at this time. Speech therapy followed his assessment working with him to help gain his confidence back while talking. I've noticed all the words are there. He just needs some confidence matched with practice to get back to normal. 

Around 1pm we headed off to physical therapy. They set up an obstacle course for him. Which included stairs, climbing into a little pool, climbing out, balancing and throwing. He cruised right through the course with ease. He did so well that his PT asked if he really had a fall with a serious brain injury. Kim also put a call into the office that made James' helmet so they could tighten it up a little. The swelling has gone down quite a bit and the helmet was on the loose side. We stopped in and they fixed James' helmet right up. Now it's the perfect amount of snug. 

James has been doing really well and there has been very serious talk of him going home. He doesn't require the extensive rehabilitation that normally accompanies TBI (traumatic brain injury). He would continue to have outpatient speech therapy and they would allow him to return to school with a one to one aide (wearing his helmet at all times of course). They would then schedule a surgery date at a later time to perform the reconstruction. The reconstruction would then be a 3-4 day hospital stay. Dr. Bookland, James' neurosurgeon, believes home would be just as good if not better for him now. 

So we'll continue to take it day to day and see what Saturday brings. 

Your prayers, positive thoughts and energy are working. Thank you!!