Rollercoasters

This summer my wife and I took our 10 and 13 year old daughters to Six Flags over Texas. I took along a healthy supply of Dramamine "just in case." I more than made use of the medicine in an attempt to overcome the drops, spins, loops that modern day thrill rides seem to supply in an abundance.

This last week with Dad has left me feeling in need of Dramamine again.

I'm happy to report that the most recent trip left me feeling more optimistic. Dad opened an eye and tried to communicate with my sister. We talked to him and he responded. Laughing where appropriate, a half-smile and several well timed grunts. Certainly promising.

On the flip-side, he only opened his left eye. The right side of his face is noticeably relaxed, and that side of his mouth is not responding. We know that there will always be some paralysis on that side of his body, just from the first stroke. We know that when he's tired, he has more trouble with that side of his body. But this is certainly pronounced, and reminiscent of February/March.

They have also put him back into restraints. For his own protection, but also a source of irritation for him, I'm sure. The idea of him removing his feeding tube is enough to encourage this response, but it's the fear of him reaching for the drain that solidifies the need to protect him from himself.

They believe that he's still bleeding. I think it ties back to the color of the fluid leaving his head. It's closer to red now that it was initially. They called in a "blood doc" to consult, and have postulated that it may have to do with one of his medications. Apparently, he was on an anti-seizure medication that may have interfered with his platelets. What little I remember from biology reminds me that they are key to clotting. So, they've stopped that medication and reviewed all the others for anything that might be contributing to the problem.

As to the future, it's all still up in the air. We need the bleeding to stop. We need the pressure inside his head to stabilize. We need him to adjust to that new pressure. Then we begin the rehabilitation phase again. Precisely what and how much he will need can't be assessed until he is stabilized. If things go well, they expect him to remain in the ICU for another 7-9 days.

Guess I better refill that Dramamine.