Superstar status...again!

Hi all! We finished our first week in the acute rehab side (I know, it gets really confusing...he's bee in 2 different kinds of rehab, if you want more of an explanation, let me know) and Chris is doing REALLY well. He things progress has been slow but at least steady, I disagree. I think there are huge improvements day to day and definitely week to week. Thankfully, I am validated by all of his doctors, therapists, and nurses taking care of him. Plus, I heard at least 2 of his therapists re-confirm that he is a star for working so hard and doing so well! Chris is more like himself every day. So well that we get a really nice treat this weekend....day passes to go home from 10 am - 8 pm Saturday and Sunday! I'm so excited to take Chris home for a bit. I think Chris is more excited to see his fancy TV again. Another team meeting on Monday to reassess how much longer Chris needs to be in the hospital. We've had a lot of fun hearing from everyone - Chris is trying to e-mail back everyone who sent good thoughts and wishes over the past month - if you haven't heard from him, you will soon! Or you can give us a call at home this weekend. Yay! Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Lazy Sunday

This is actually the first weekend we have been alone since all of this happened 3 weeks ago. But in a lot of ways, it didn't feel lonely because we made and received lots of phone calls and visits from family and friends and of course, the continuing e-mails and posts on Facebook...thanks for all the thoughts and wishes! Chris really appreciates all the support.

We had a little rehab on Saturday then spent much of it hanging out and getting some rest. More rehab tomorrow! Oh, and Alice is getting up to speed on the world of fantasy football so she can help manage Chris' team this year. The draft is on Tuesday so we've been reading up on all the players.

Chris has otherwise stayed busy...like taking a shower and trying to make friends with his fellow rehab patients although they are not terribly friendly. So we'll just focus on our rehab. 3 hours a day is kind of a lot but Chris is doing really well with it. That'll be the focus for the next week then we've got more out of town visitors to plan for! Chris is very excited to see Brian, Kate and Prashant in a couple weeks.

Chris just got all the good stuff....drugs for pain and sleep so it's time to sign off. More updates later this week!

We've moved!

We keep moving through the system - still in rehab but more intense than before! We are now in WakeMed Raleigh, room 2C10. We think this will be the last room change but you never know. Time to get some rest since there is a lot more rehab to do tomorrow!

"Don't get in an accident...."

Chris' verdict on the situation: "Don't get in an accident....it sucks." That ought to give you a good idea of his state of mind - practical yet still with a sense of humor hidden underneath. He actually said that a couple days ago and this morning he said "Don't get pelvic fractures...they really suck" (because he can't stand on the left leg for another month). He's actually doing really really well and is the star of his floor at the moment. His doctors and nurses are getting a good look at what we all know is there....and are impressed! So we focused on rehab - it's only been a day so far (there wasn't much over the weekend) and we still have hard work but we're starting rehab from a really good point. He still needs to focus on his rehab, especially now at the beginning, so we're trying to minimize most distractions. But things are looking are very good...

Great news!

We have moved to Rehab! Chris is now safely among his own kind again....we've just moved to to Room 5B37, still at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. We are very happy to be here! We're going to take the weekend to get settled, visit with family, and get our new bearings. The real work starts on Monday....wish us luck..and strength...and stamina.

Alice & Chris

Midweek update

I'm sorry I haven't sent out an email for a while - I did actually update this blog a couple days ago but have otherwise been on an email break. Chris is more and more alert on a daily basis and really progressing very well from a physical standpoint. In fact, we are waiting for a stepdown bed to open up so he can go there before heading to rehab and to Chris' natural state. :) Hopefully the transition to rehab will happen sooner than later as this is where the bulk of his recovery is going to happen. Chris is actually still fighting things a little - mostly the restraints, to the despair of the nurses. Otherwise, his fighting is on the good side to get better as quickly as he can. He waves "Hi" to everyone.

I probably will not be updating daily anymore as the small things that excite us may not do the same for you. But seriously, at this point, I think the bigger changes will be on a week to week basis, i.e. he has come SO far in the past 2 weeks since the accident. I will try to update twice a week either by email or by blog (address at the bottom). Remember: no news is good news! That means we are still on the slow and steady improvement plan.

Thanks for continuing to keep up in your thoughts.

Love,
Alice & Chris

Moving on up

We are very close to getting out of the ICU - we are really just waiting for a bed in stepdown (which is actually upstairs from the ICU) to open up for Chris. Hopefully that will be a short stint before we get to rehab although he is getting some PT/OT while he's here in the unit. Everyone is really pleased with how he's doing and he has come an incredible way in the last week. Almost all of the tubes are out/gone although not enough for Chris. We are focused on alternately working on different things and letting him rest - this is hard stuff! Chris waves "Hi" to everyone!

Weekend update

Hi everyone -

We've had a fairly quiet weekend here in Raleigh but Chris has continued to make progress every day. He is definitely awake and aware that we are around him and both the nurses and doctors are surprised (in a good way) and pleased at the progress he's making. I think we're going to really focus on getting him to do more each day so I may not update daily anymore. In this instance, no news is good news! But if you have burning questions, please go ahead and contact me by email and I will respond as soon as I can.

Chris' latest update

Chris is continuing to do well. He's more awake and responsive than yesterday and he's also starting to wean from the BiPap machine, which is really good because he seems to hate it. He fights the mask just as much, and maybe more, than the tube! But it may be more from discomfort rather than trouble breathing. He also participated in some PT (physical therapy) today again. So we are continuing to do well and hope to make more progress over the weekend!

Chris is a fighter, not a lover... (just kidding!)

Hello all -

Chris is certainly fighting...both in a good and bad way. He pulled the ventilator tube out...twice...over the past couple days. This is not ideal as he is not fully awake and so there are always concerns about him getting enough air to breathe. On the other hand, pulling at your tube is often a sign that the patient does not need or is close to not needing his tube anymore. Thankfully, Chris has been able to manage breathing quite well without the tube for 24 hours but is still getting some breathing support from a mask. Otherwise, he opens his eyes regularly, follows some commands, and is much more alert. He does though, have quite a bit of pain so they are keeping him on pain meds as needed, which keeps him sleepier. And he gets tired pretty easily with everything going on.

But! Chris has made huge strides in the last couple days and I think we're getting out of the woods, which I know you are all as glad to hear as I am. He even sat up today (with assistance) to participate in some physical therapy. Since this is what he does for a living, I think he knows he has to be a good patient! Barring further complications, we think we will be in the ICU another day or two then move on to the next phase. I'm so excited to be able to share all the wonderful messages you have all sent over the past week and have him remember them! I know he will be so touched, and probably really embarrassed about all the attention focused on him but I absolutely know it has helped so thank you.

Inching forward

Hi everyone -

We're still on the slow and steady plan. Chris is still drowsy overall but definitely more alert today and has been opening his eyes and responsive to questions. Unfortunately, this also means that he is more aware of the pain from all his injuries so he's been in a fair amount of discomfort at times. The nurses have been wonderful about trying to keep him more comfortable and everyone is pretty happy about the progress he's making. Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers, I know it's helping. More tomorrow....

A Good Day

Hi all -

So far things are continuing to be pretty stable. Minor bumps along the way (including Chris extubating himself while restrained in the bed. All of his doctors and nurses are pretty impressed. He must have been REALLY annoyed by the tube). He does still need some ventilator support so he was reintubated but quickly weaned back down to even better settings than yesterday. AND! He opened his eyes to voice, multiple times, this evening! To his nurse, his brother, and me and my sister. I'm thrilled and think this is a really good sign - we know he's in there and fighting to come back. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and hope we take another big step forward.

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. There are literally prayers coming from around the world - I am so touched and so glad I can tell Chris what an impact he has had on people. Keep your fingers crossed for more good news tomorrow!

P.S. There is a little confusion, which is common. Chris is at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, NC but is NOT part of the Wake Forest system. Wake Forest, NC is nearby but this hospital is not in Wake Forest (Raleigh is in Wake County, NC). Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC about 100 miles away. I know, confusing. I just finally got it all straight, after living here a year.

P.P.S. I know some of you have asked about where in the hospital he is and what room number. Chris is actually in one of the Intensive Care Units here and if you are so kind as to want to send something to his room, please wait until we get a private room! They will not allow any plants or even balloons in the ICU. Unfortunately, there isn't even a lot of room for the cards without being the way of some kind of ICU equipment. But I'm reading cards to Chris and saving them for later!

Slow and steady

Hi everyone -

The nurses were very sweet and didn't mind my staying in the room for much of the day yesterday so I took every opportunity to stick around and be with Chris! Consequently, I haven't had much time to do an email update. But I did continue to get lots of notes of support and made sure to tell Chris.

Things were pretty good today. I had the opportunity to talk to all of his surgeons today and we think he will pull through physically. Not to say that we won't have some rough days but overall I think his body will be able to heal. They are still watching him closely but clearly, every hour that goes by, the risk of the need for surgery gets less and less and the prognosis gets better and better. Chris is also starting to respond more and require less pain medicines. We still have to wait and see what his neurological status will be like once he wakes up fully but he is definitely making slow and steady progress. We are hoping for even more tomorrow!

Thanks again for caring so much and flooding us with support - it is much appreciated. Be in touch soon!

Chris update, day 2.5

Hi all -

Thank you so much for all of your emails and calls and offers of kindness. It is so wonderful to really know how many people care about us and wish Chris well. I'm trying to remember to relay all the messages but there are so many! I told him that I will start writing them down so I won't forget!

It's been a pretty stable day without too much change. There are a couple bumps, which is going to happen along the way, that we are watching closely, ready to treat if necessary. So far, no talk of any surgery. His doctors are giving him every chance to heal on his own since he's young and pretty healthy. He is starting to become more alert and active, although not on a consistent basis. But small steps each day are good. In general, the first few days are the most critical and I think he is holding his own. It will still take a while for him to make huge leaps and jumps in recovery but we're looking for small victories each day.

Please let me know if you want off this list (i.e. too depressing for you to handle), want me to add someone. I will also post these updates on my blog so you can refer people there or forward this on. My blog: http://annotated-alice.blogspot.com

Thank you again for thinking about us and praying for a speedy recovery. Be in touch soon.

Love,
Alice

Back in Raleigh

I did mean to be in the States today, only briefly before heading to Vancouver but I never could have dreamed I would be back in Raleigh and for such horrible reasons. My love, my best friend, and my soulmate was involved in a very bad car accident early Friday morning and once I heard, I spent most of the rest of the day in a haze focused pretty much only on getting back to Raleigh as quickly as humanely possible. I feel so fortunate that I had some wonderful and dedicated friends to help me get to RDU and some very sympathetic people along the way who prayed for Chris and ensured I got on the flight no matter what.

I'm afraid this blog is going to be much more serious now....I will try post updates on Chris' condition but may not manage to in all the hubbub. My attention is focused on everything and anything I need to do for him. I hope you are all well and never have to go through something like this....