No more seizures since this morning. Yeahhhhhh! He just got hooked up for a EEG to check for any evidence of recent seizures, but we certainly haven't seen any external evidence. His external shunt (called an EVD) appears to be working just fine.
- They want him to wake up and to be able to remove his breathing tube. So they are slower to give morphine and instead giving Tylenol, which seems to be fine, he doesn't seem to be in much pain. Also, they are slowly turning down the rate on his respirator, pushing him to breath for himself. We're hoping that he will be extubated this evening.
- He is moving his arms around much more, but still is not awake or opening his eyes. The plastic surgeon came by and said his incision looks really good and they hope by Thursday to remove the drain that drains the excess fluid under his scalp from the surgery. So we are going to post some pictures. The picture you will see will be the day before surgery. If you do not want to see some of the more intense pictures of how he looks now, don't click on the slide show. But if you do want to see, go ahead. The ridge you might see along his brow, is the drain they expect to remove Thursday. It leads to a bulb gathering fluid and blood which is positioned on the left side of his head. The tube coming out of his head is the external shunt, regulating his spinal fluid pressure. You will see that he has a zig-zag scar - and that is on purpose. Hair doesn't grow on the scar, so the zig-zag makes it so when his hair gets wet, it will be less obvious - but it sure looks grusome.
- Cole's head is much rounder now. It is still quite swollen. The tube coming out his nose is his breathing tube. Also, the pictures with all the wires on his head is from the EEG. So that's about it for now.
We are feeling much calmer than we were this morning. Here's the pics, scroll down as you desire. And remember you can pause the show by hovering over the pictures with your mouse and then using the video control keys.
2 comments:
Oh dearest Cole, my heart hurts to see those pictures, I was logging on to see fun summer pics of the family, what a shock. Teri & Shawn how strong you are. I love your positive words while you are going through so much pain. I hope you get a real room soon, we know the ICU waiting room couches are not the best night sleep. Give Cole kisses from us. We are praying endlessly for a good recovery.
Teri & Shawn,
I am sitting here looking at these pictures and wow is it difficult. I can't imagine what you two are going through. I guess the fact that he is doing so much better is a reward. Both of you deserve a great deal of credit and both of you are very special. Cole is a wonderful young boy and you will make his life extrodinary.
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