Update #71 October 10th, 2010

Sean saw the VA neurology rehabilitation doctors today to evaluate his progress and to decide on the next direction to pursue. I was scared and anxious. To us he is still progressing slow but sure, but it was now time to see what the experts thought. They doubled one of his medications to stimulate the brain more for a couple of weeks. They want to see if we will see even more improvement in his cognitive levels. He had started the medication last December and it seemed to have helped, so we are hopeful. Sean will start speech therapy and physical therapy again. He still needs to strengthen his arms, hands, balance and projection of his voice. Sean is focused on getting another Hummer -- no surprise there. He has really progressed on the computer so much so that he is able to look up various sites for Hummers. The doctor told him he isn't ready yet but that if he continues to progress and gets stronger there is a driving center that the VA system has that would be available for him to use when he is ready. I have to be honest; I wasn't sure he would ever be able to drive again but didn't want to discourage him. He is a miracle, still making slow but sure progress. It will be 2 years in January; we are thrilled with his progress and hopeful for his future. I asked if they would be doing another MRI and was told no, they wouldn't do one unless he stopped progressing or regressed.

Update #70, August 12th, 2010

Sean is still progressing with some really new things of late. He has been taken off several medications and is responding more and more. He is expressing himself more which is refreshing. The other night CSI Miami started, even though it is a rerun Sean enjoys it, Paulette changed the channel. Sean got up said "well I might as well go to bed". Needless to say I set up the TV so he could watch CSI in his bedroom. We went looking at cars and he really enjoyed that on Tuesday. Again fitting into a car that fits 7' and a 42" inseam is fun on the passenger side. He wants to look at a Hummer so that will be another day. He has several appointments set up with the VA doctors and we look forward to making more progress. Until next time God Bless and thank you for continuing to pray and thinking of him.

Update #69 July 6, 2010

We had a quiet 4th of July, Paulette was working and I mentioned to Sean we should tape the beautiful fireworks we were watching on television with the Boston Pops so she could see it later. He replied "Paulette can walk outside and see it for herself right now." I almost fell off the couch. He is talking much clearer and I ask him questions that require an answer other than just "yes or no". He is using his hands more and is not quite as frustrated. We went up to Denver and took Editable Bouquets of fruit as thank you gifts to various people and units at one of the 3 hospitals. Sean didn't remember the people but they remembered him. I wanted him to give them the thank yous so they could see him and how much he had progressed in the last 18 months. They were impressed as almost all of them had only seen him prone and pretty out of it.
We will deliver more next week when some vacations are done. Still hanging in there and glad for each and every day. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Update #68, Memorial Day 2010

Today is a wonderful day to remember that Sean served in the Air Force for 10 years with a great amount of pride. He would still be serving as he loved being a legacy. Today he is quiet as his allergies are really bothering him. His appointment at the Veterans clinic had mixed answers and I had mixed emotions regarding those answers. The doctor felt that Sean is unemployable, I would agree for today but not necessarily for the future. He requested some additional paperwork for him. He also wants Sean's disability reevaluated to see if the injured valve in his leg; which he had while in the Air Force, could have been a contributor to his throwing blood clots and the ultimate heart surgery. He still is progressing slow but steady and continues to surprise us with his memory and what he is able to do on a daily basis. Don't count him out he is our miracle still in progress. Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers and warmth, you are a blessing to his recovery.

Update 67, May 9th, 2010

Mother's Day, it's been a year that Sean has been home. He has come such a long way and is still in the process. It doesn't seem possible that it has been a year since he left the hospitals. He can still surprise me; last week he came down stairs and told Paulette "Your daughter Delaney is outside". Paulette asked him if Papa was with her and he replied "No". You can see and hear him processing more and more. What a blessing and challenge this year has been. He relates to Delaney very well and interacts with her more and more. He has fallen a couple of times in the last couple of days. Delaney is right there asking "Are you alright?" Taking care to pat him and tries to help him up. The path is still unclear for his future capabilities and having his own life again. I needed to get some items out of the barn where he has storage and it hit me hard again. He is in God's hands and prayers are the answer. We will continue to put in the work we need to do to continue forward. Thank you for your support and prayers it helps a lot.

#66 Update, April 9th, 2010

Sean is still progressing slowing but in the right direction. YEAH! He will be going to the VA doctor next week which is exciting as his COBRA insurance runs out the end of May so we have been looking into additional medical insurance for him. This is especially important for the long term future. He is more aware everyday of what is going on around him and what he is doing and needs to do. He has become quite good at finding the objects in the various games normally there are anywhere from 75 to 80 items in the pictures and he needs to find 10 at a time. He can put together puzzles now without much effort, find the words puzzles and mixed objects(like the game Concentration) both by association(key & lock), color, exact matches or associated matches(2 kinds of fans). The strength in his hands is still progressing which is very encouraging. He enjoyed watching Delaney and the dyeing of Easter eggs etc. She can say his name very clear now, will ask him questions, take his hand and walk him outside. :o) He always has been good with her. Thanks for your continued support and prayers it makes all the difference. God Bless you and yours always.

#65, March 19, 2010

Sean's progress has slowed, but he still keeps moving forward. Paulette found a game for him that involves finding hidden pictures and solving puzzles, which he really enjoys. As spring arrives, we hope that we can get him outside and walking more. St. Patrick's Day was the first time in a while that the weather was warm enough to get out and around the block.
The rest of us have finally (we hope!) shaken off the colds that we'd been passing around. Hope that you all are doing well, and thanks for giving us the push to include whatever news we have.
Paul, Andrea, Sean, Paulette & Delaney

#64 Update, February 13, 2010

Sean gave us the GREATEST Valentine's present last night. When we sit down to dinner we hold hands, say grace and then everybody has the opportunity to say thank you for something. Sometimes it's a haircut or feeling better whatever, we go from the youngest to the oldest around the table. A lot of times Sean passes on saying anything and that's fine, but tonight he said " Thank you for Paulette, for Mommy and for Daddy for being here for me." It took my breathe away and I cried. Life is good and we are still making progress. Thank you for continuing to pray for us, it makes all the difference. Happy Valentine's Day everyone we love you.

#63 Update February 10th, 2010

Sean has had a great break through. He has been on the computer playing a memory game called Amazing Adventure. Paulette found it for us, it requires you to find various objects in a picture that are listed at the bottom of the page. He is becoming quite good at it. He also remembers if he has seen a television program we had taped for him. Before he could watch it over and over, now after he has seen it he remembers and then decides if he wants to watch it again. Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day. Thanks for your continued support and prayers they are still working. All our warmth and prayers.

#62 Update February 2, 2010

Sean's birthday was quiet as he was running a fever due to his cold. Paulette ordered him a cheesecake from one of the local Delis which he loved. It was almost 3 inches thick, he had 2 pieces before dinner. We didn't go out since he was running a fever. We will go out for steak (which is what he wanted) sometime this week when he is not running a fever. We are looking into various gym type facilities to continue his strength training. He likes working out, short distance walking for now maybe he can run again someday, we'll think positive. Yeah, he is 38. Thanks for your birthday wishes as well as your prayers.

#61 Update January 25th 2010

Sean is able to shower & wash his hair by himself now. Steady progress and improvement. He dresses himself , needs some help tying his shoes and can feed himself a lot better than before. He hasn't been himself this last week, he is more tired than usual and has been a little dizzy. No fever or cold just not himself, no complaints just wants to sleep, so we let him sleep and are keeping a close eye on him. The hematologist got his tests back and they were all normal, so we still have no idea what caused the blood to thicken and clot like it did.
Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers he still needs them.

#60 Update January 9th, 2010

The holidays were quiet, reflective and wonderful. Sean enjoyed the snow but not the cold. He got some new snow boots that REI had on sale just his size, he really likes them. We are looking forward to moving forward even more this year. Sean is still making progress which is the blessing. He really enjoyed seeing Great Aunts & Uncles and cousins at Christmas. Thank you to those of you that made the effort to talk to him, it meant a lot. Remembering back to last Christmas and comparing it to this one was hard. Each day is a gift and so are your loved ones. Hopefully on the 19th we will have some answers from the Hematologist as to why and what caused the blood clots.