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.