#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.

#59 Update December 17th

Steady process is still happening. Yesterday we met with 2 new doctors, the Rehabilitation Director for Memorial South and the Neurologist working with brain injured patients in
Memorial's Rehab clinic for a updated evaluation. They are trying some new medications, to help stimulate Sean's brain more & differently. We are checking out more options for the next step in physical therapy development. Sean is still on a marathon and not a sprint, hang in there. Sean has progressed a lot farther than the doctors were willing to give him credit for from the very beginning. He actually worked with the computer last night and today for the first time in a long time. This is wonderful as he was too frustrated before now. He still has short term and some long term memory challenges but surprises us all the time. He loved seeing all the cousins and Great Aunts and Uncles at Thanksgiving so much so he didn't want to leave early. We will spend Christmas with everyone and even more cousins on the Sunday after Christmas which will be fun and he is looking forward to seeing everyone again. Before we went to Denver I had asked him if he was afraid to see everyone and he said "No". A few minutes passed and he said "Should I be?" I told him no, I just wanted him to feel comfortable that we were going. We are still blessed and feel very thankful for each and every day as well as the progress he has made. As always thank you for your prayers and warm thoughts we can still feel them and pray for you all as well. We need to take the family photograph and then we'll send out our Christmas cards. Until then Merry Christmas everyone and a Blessed New Year.

#58 Update November 24th

Needless to say we have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Last night we were able to spend some time with cousins Donna and Sarge Marvel which are the first family members that has seen Sean since his return home. He is still developing strength and each day continues to have promise. We are also thankful for all of our family and friends that have been there for all of us with countless hours of prayer, warm thoughts and well wishes. It is truly humbling to be so blessed, all our love, warmth and prayers to each and everyone of you.

#57 Update November 14th

Sean is still progressing steady and sure. We were watching NCIS on television the other night and I could tell something was bothering him. I asked him what was wrong, he didn't answer so I asked him what he was thinking about. I almost cried - he said "I was wondering if I will be able to join the Air Force again." I asked him if he missed the Air Force and he said "yes". I told him that Paul missed the Air Force too. I told him he'd have to get his hands and arms stronger and be able to pass the Air Force physical, he said "yes". He is able to take a shower by himself now and needs very little help getting dressed. Using his hands for detail things like eating, tying his shoes, brushing his teeth and combing his hair are still challenging. He needs more strength and less movement while accomplishing the tasks. We continue to be amazed and are thankful for each and everyday. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Update #56 October 28th

Sean is progressing nicely and the therapist are pleased with his progress. We have always been pleased with each new day. He printed his name Monday it was shaky but you can read it, this is a first for him. They retested his strength in his hands, his left hand continues to be his stronger side progressing from 20 lbs to 25 lbs and his right from 18 lbs to 20 lbs. Steady progress for sure. He is feeding himself more with a fork and spoon, still pretty frustrating at times but he makes the effort. All of your prayers and ours are working he is still on the journey of recovery bless his heart. God bless you and yours always.

#55 Update, October 10th

Sean has been doing outpatient therapies now for 2 weeks and is progressing slow but sure. He had an appointment to see about taking the filter out that they put in the day of his open heart surgery. The filter was put in to prevent the one blood clot in his lower left leg from moving up into his heart. They told us that day that it needed to be removed before it had been in for a year; it doesn't seem possible that it has been 10 months this week. He had an ultrasound and they found that he has not just one clot in his lower left leg but 3. They are stable and should not move but he needs to go to another doctor for a 2nd opinion to remove the filter or not. He tripped going back to his bedroom and hit his head on the rock collection at the end of the hall breaking the Plexiglas which nicked his forehead. He didn't get a bruise, bump, headache or dizziness which was wonderful because he broke his fall before he hit. Pretty scary watching him from behind him and not being able to prevent his falling. It was good that it was Plexiglas instead of regular glass as well. I'm sure the only reason the Plexiglas broke is because the collection was put together when I was in 7th grade and that was a few years ago. :o) Delaney loves to dance and Sean actually got up to dance with her yesterday which was delightful, they are best buds. She actually sat on his lap and fed him some of his sandwich yesterday as well. He has come such a LONG way and it is a GREAT feeling seeing him do so well. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. God Bless