This morning was another good step in a positive direction. He had sedation turned off for a couple hours this morning and he was able to better follow commands and respond to us during that time, even better than yesterday. He was able to press down with his feet when directed and nod/shake his head in response to questions. They weren't big or vigorous movements by any means, they were small but they were absolutely there.
One of the things I asked him is if he's having pain, specifically in his head and neck. The facial grimaces he makes when his head is moved and the way he behaves made me really feel like his head and neck are causing him some pain. With the meningeal irritation he has and small amount of bleeding in the brain (which is very normal with the viral process that he has going on), this discomfort is to be expected. So I spoke with the resident and he now will receive some small scheduled doses of pain medicine. I know this healing process will take a long time and I'd like him to be as comfortable as possible.
Other than the brief "sedation vacations" in the morning, he continues to receive light sedation throughout the day until he has healed well enough to tolerate without it. He remains on the ventilator, but he continues to breathe totally on his own and the vent is just there for support.
Something else I did for him today was to play him some music. He has two particular favorite songs, "Dixie Road" by Lee Greenwood and "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac. I played them both several times on my iPhone for him and he really seemed to respond to it.
"Don't Stop" - Fleetwood Mac
If you wake up and don't want to smile,
If it takes just a little while,
Open your eyes and look at the day,
You'll see things in a different way.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a little while,
I know you don't believe that it's true,
I never meant any harm to you.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't you look back,
Don't you look back.
If it takes just a little while,
Open your eyes and look at the day,
You'll see things in a different way.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a little while,
I know you don't believe that it's true,
I never meant any harm to you.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't you look back,
Don't you look back.
what an appropriate song jen.... made me cry. I have been thinking about you nonstop and the whole process youre going through tugs on those special stings in my heart. it is a long process but you and your dad are strong enough to get through it- i promise! I just looked back on the blog i wrote for my dad and remember celebrating each baby milestone.... and you will remember each one even years later. :)
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