From Lori....June 17 ...Marinucci No. 43

From Lori:

I have been tardy in updating my faithful prayer warriors. Forgive me. Be assured that your prayers are appreciated.

Gerard is awake and more alert for a longer periods each day. There are documented stages that a traumatic brain injury (tbi) patient goes through. Please pray that Gerry skips the agitation stage, as some do. Recently, we have observed slight grumpiness or what appears as depression, but nothing serious so far. Don't let this alarm you during visits, it is very normal at this
stage.

He has walked with assistance, rather sloppily, 60+ feet. They will work on his form over time. He does well with active movement. When they have him in a static standing position, after 5-10 minutes his blood pressure drops drastically. However, his recovery time following such an incident lessens each time and doesn't wipe him out like it did initially.

The x-ray of his shoulder came back negative. He is guarding his right shoulder and most likely it is because of continued pain from the severe soft tissue injury following the dislocation. This is to be expected. He tends to hold his hands with fingers straight. Those visiting, please encourage him to flex his fingers and straighten his arms along his side. Therapy has been wrapping his hands and putting him in braces for several hours each day.

He has been following commands about 80% of the time. He doesn't verbally recognize us by name yet. He independently reaches out his hand to shake and says "hi" to his doctors when they come in the room. He responds "I'm doing well" or "pretty good" to the question "how are you doing?" He counted to 10 without prompts. Short and long term memory appear to be coming. He has been singing simple songs with prompts. He told Leah today that she didn't sing well and then began laughing. His humor continues to pop out.

They have begun the swallow tests with the hope of eating soon. The pulmanologist is very cautious regarding removal of the trachea but this should not preventing him from eating when the time comes.

We are ambivalent regarding timing to the next facility for rehab. We continue to receive conflicting opinions. Some desire that he stay put and slowly get stronger thereby not impeding his progress with a move. They argue he will be stronger and further along thereby able to benefit more from the next stage of therapy. Some believe there is a "window of opportunity" and
timing is important. This is a real concern and a big decision requiring prayer. We continue to research facilities looking to San Diego next.

Pray that a referral will come through for a dentist to visit the hospital. Gerry appears to have a cavity in his front tooth. Also the braces need to be removed prior to eating.

Pray for his therapists Roslyn, Mitch and Leah. They are wonderful and very patient. I have appreciated their attempts to keep the family posted of his daily progress.

Love, Lori

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraided not; and it shall be given to him." Job 28:12