April 11th, you and Mom took a very special trip to Carteret H.S. for SADD week. We were asked to come and speak to the kids and tell your stories. Liz and Greg came and did a beautiful presentation and Greg spoke about his experience. Betsy was there from Hartwyck and read her story and Aubree read your story. There were tears and the kids were clapping and applauding and even asked questions.
I had never experienced anything so moving as I did that day, we were treated to lunch after and Mom was emotionally and physically drained
April 16th was Day Of Caring and Mom and 17 volunteers from her company came down to Hartwyck to complete the 3rd floor and work outside. There is a new sign in the front of the building and the pond is running. It is so beautiful in the back, it will be even nicer when the kids come from Carteret H.S. and plant trees, shrubs and flowers.
We have been invited by Joanie at Carteret H.S. invited us to a Bears baseball game on the 22nd of May. Not sure if it will be possible due to transportation. First and foremost is making sure you are okay for the trip.
Three weeks ago you were given Botox injections to help relax your muscles so we could do more things with you. However it is possible you were given too much and now you are very weak on your right side. You have been sleeping a lot, so much so that it is hard to wake you up. So much going on but no real answers. I worry all the time Aaron because I know there are no guarantees, especially with brain injury.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday
Update from Easter Sunday:
Unfortunately you were not able to go to Uncle Fred’s for Easter, you were sick and running temps. Mom stayed with you for the day and Dad and Melissa went to be with the family. I stayed with you until you went to bed and I knew you were okay.
It took a while for you to come around but as each day went by you got stronger and more alert and focused. Mom does not do very well when you are not yourself. It throws me in a tailspin and I don’t sleep well. I worry what is going on with you because you can’t speak.
I don’t know why all these things are happening to you Aaron, I just know you have not been the same since the study. It may be a coincidence but you are not relaxed, you get agitated very easily and once again running temps. One day the nurse noticed green discharge on your pillow case and it was excessive. They ordered ear drops and called in Dr. Meir and he had to put you on antibiotics. I believe the infection was so bad your ear drum burst. You were in so much pain, my heart ached for you. It took a few days before you started to come around from the ear infection. You were also very congested and they would have to deep suction you and give you respiratory treatments.
Andrea would still come and work with you but sometimes you were just too tired and did not respond.
Unfortunately you were not able to go to Uncle Fred’s for Easter, you were sick and running temps. Mom stayed with you for the day and Dad and Melissa went to be with the family. I stayed with you until you went to bed and I knew you were okay.
It took a while for you to come around but as each day went by you got stronger and more alert and focused. Mom does not do very well when you are not yourself. It throws me in a tailspin and I don’t sleep well. I worry what is going on with you because you can’t speak.
I don’t know why all these things are happening to you Aaron, I just know you have not been the same since the study. It may be a coincidence but you are not relaxed, you get agitated very easily and once again running temps. One day the nurse noticed green discharge on your pillow case and it was excessive. They ordered ear drops and called in Dr. Meir and he had to put you on antibiotics. I believe the infection was so bad your ear drum burst. You were in so much pain, my heart ached for you. It took a few days before you started to come around from the ear infection. You were also very congested and they would have to deep suction you and give you respiratory treatments.
Andrea would still come and work with you but sometimes you were just too tired and did not respond.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
March 3-15, 2008
Mom took you to the dentist for a cleaning, they did a deep scaling and you were so good. You have no cavities and they want to see you in 3 months. Andrea came and met us there so she could help me get you back to Hartwyck.
Tuesday, March 4th... What a big day for all. You have been approved for the ambien study and it takes place today. It will start around 10 am, they will do the coma recovery scale test to get a baseline. Then they administer 10 mg. of ambien. If it works you will show signs of changing and becoming more alert and responsive. Unfortunately, you went to sleep which is what ambien is for. They tried to arouse you 2 times but were unsuccessful but on the 3rd try you were alert, focused and active. When the therapist administered the coma recovery test there was no change in performance. She believes when they gave you Ridlin is why you were so stimulated and alert. She also felt you were over stimulated and agitated so Dr. McCagg is taking you off Ridlin and will try something with less side effects.
Friday, March 7th... You and I are going to the circus. We will be going by access link with Susan and Sean. We leave at 9:10 and will arrive at 10:15. Well when I arrived at the center you were wide awake and very happy. We got on the van to leave and you fell asleep and never woke up for the rest of the day. The music, screaming, lights and action never woke you up. This is so out of character for you and Mom was really worried.
Saturday afternoon you did the same thing, when I arrived you were still in bed and awake. Greg came to spend time with you because Mom was going to Andrea’s for the weekend. You were very sleepy and calm.
Sunday, March 8th... I came to the center on the way home from Andrea’s and you went into another deep sleep all afternoon. Dad and I could not wake you up. You have not been the same since the Ambien study. Don’t know what it all means but it is unsettling.
Monday, March 9th... You started with agitation and you kept moaning and very uncomfortable. Andrea came at 3 and she said you were this way the entire session and she was very worried. The nurse gave you motrin but it took 2 hours for you to settle down.
When I called in the morning they said you had a temp and was agitated during the night. They had to give you adivan and I came to see you at lunch time and you were very agitated and restless. I felt so bad for you, I left to go back to work and Andrea came at 3. She tried everything to help you through this but nothing worked. Soft music, outside air, massage and a dark room to soothe you.
She called me at 6 and said you had a temp and was profusely sweating. I left home and drove down to be with you. Your temp kept rising so they decided to give you a adivan injection. At 8:30 my cell phone rang, it was Andrea, she came back to the center and brought dinner for us. She was very worried about you and needed to see you once again.
Wednesday you slept and we went for a cat scan. Thursday you were very calm and sleepy. Friday, you were awake when I got there and very calm.
Matt came to be with you so I could go home and do some work.
Saturday, March 15th... I arrived and you were very calm and sleepy. Elsie had to give you adivan in the morning and that made you sleep in the afternoon. I wish I knew what is going on with you because it makes it difficult to understand where you are coming from.
I am taking you to Uncle Fred’ on Easter Sunday.
Tuesday, March 4th... What a big day for all. You have been approved for the ambien study and it takes place today. It will start around 10 am, they will do the coma recovery scale test to get a baseline. Then they administer 10 mg. of ambien. If it works you will show signs of changing and becoming more alert and responsive. Unfortunately, you went to sleep which is what ambien is for. They tried to arouse you 2 times but were unsuccessful but on the 3rd try you were alert, focused and active. When the therapist administered the coma recovery test there was no change in performance. She believes when they gave you Ridlin is why you were so stimulated and alert. She also felt you were over stimulated and agitated so Dr. McCagg is taking you off Ridlin and will try something with less side effects.
Friday, March 7th... You and I are going to the circus. We will be going by access link with Susan and Sean. We leave at 9:10 and will arrive at 10:15. Well when I arrived at the center you were wide awake and very happy. We got on the van to leave and you fell asleep and never woke up for the rest of the day. The music, screaming, lights and action never woke you up. This is so out of character for you and Mom was really worried.
Saturday afternoon you did the same thing, when I arrived you were still in bed and awake. Greg came to spend time with you because Mom was going to Andrea’s for the weekend. You were very sleepy and calm.
Sunday, March 8th... I came to the center on the way home from Andrea’s and you went into another deep sleep all afternoon. Dad and I could not wake you up. You have not been the same since the Ambien study. Don’t know what it all means but it is unsettling.
Monday, March 9th... You started with agitation and you kept moaning and very uncomfortable. Andrea came at 3 and she said you were this way the entire session and she was very worried. The nurse gave you motrin but it took 2 hours for you to settle down.
When I called in the morning they said you had a temp and was agitated during the night. They had to give you adivan and I came to see you at lunch time and you were very agitated and restless. I felt so bad for you, I left to go back to work and Andrea came at 3. She tried everything to help you through this but nothing worked. Soft music, outside air, massage and a dark room to soothe you.
She called me at 6 and said you had a temp and was profusely sweating. I left home and drove down to be with you. Your temp kept rising so they decided to give you a adivan injection. At 8:30 my cell phone rang, it was Andrea, she came back to the center and brought dinner for us. She was very worried about you and needed to see you once again.
Wednesday you slept and we went for a cat scan. Thursday you were very calm and sleepy. Friday, you were awake when I got there and very calm.
Matt came to be with you so I could go home and do some work.
Saturday, March 15th... I arrived and you were very calm and sleepy. Elsie had to give you adivan in the morning and that made you sleep in the afternoon. I wish I knew what is going on with you because it makes it difficult to understand where you are coming from.
I am taking you to Uncle Fred’ on Easter Sunday.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
January 1, 2008
Wow... I can’t believe it has been this long since I have written in my journal. You have been doing so well and Mom has been so busy with work and putting in a lot of extra hours.
For the first time in over 6 years I became ill after the holidays, I picked up a viral infection that kept me out of work for over a week and I couldn’t come and see you for 10 days. Just when I thought I was better and went back to work I got bronchitis.
You have been doing so well, Aaron, you have been healthy and strong and in great spirits. Andrea continues to come 2-3 days a week to work with you. She has been thinking about new and creative ways to help you to communicate and respond more consistently. She is what drives you to do more things and to be more independent.
You can assist with brushing your teeth, suctioning your mouth, shaving and combing your hair.
Andrea has taken you on some special trips that you have enjoyed so much and were able to participate. You went bowling and I was amazed at how the bowling alley set up the lane so you could still be in your wheelchair and bowl at the same time.
You spent an afternoon at the movies and saw an animated movie which you seemed to enjoy.
Andrea spent an afternoon at the library and picked out some cd’s and audio cd’s for you to listen to. You are so calm and relaxed when they are on, you truly enjoy the stories.
We now have access link and we can do more things and bring you on trips. Now that the weather is getting nicer Mom is going to bring you to Aun’t Ginny’s for a day so we can sit outside and enjoy the day together. You need a break from the center and a change in scenery.
For the first time in over 6 years I became ill after the holidays, I picked up a viral infection that kept me out of work for over a week and I couldn’t come and see you for 10 days. Just when I thought I was better and went back to work I got bronchitis.
You have been doing so well, Aaron, you have been healthy and strong and in great spirits. Andrea continues to come 2-3 days a week to work with you. She has been thinking about new and creative ways to help you to communicate and respond more consistently. She is what drives you to do more things and to be more independent.
You can assist with brushing your teeth, suctioning your mouth, shaving and combing your hair.
Andrea has taken you on some special trips that you have enjoyed so much and were able to participate. You went bowling and I was amazed at how the bowling alley set up the lane so you could still be in your wheelchair and bowl at the same time.
You spent an afternoon at the movies and saw an animated movie which you seemed to enjoy.
Andrea spent an afternoon at the library and picked out some cd’s and audio cd’s for you to listen to. You are so calm and relaxed when they are on, you truly enjoy the stories.
We now have access link and we can do more things and bring you on trips. Now that the weather is getting nicer Mom is going to bring you to Aun’t Ginny’s for a day so we can sit outside and enjoy the day together. You need a break from the center and a change in scenery.
Friday, December 28, 2007
December 28, 2007
Today is December 28, 2007 and I would like to reflect on this past holiday. For the most part, the holidays are very difficult because of the void I feel since Aaron’s accident. I try to make the most of it and always include Aaron in our plans. It is very important to me that he be with us to celebrate the occasion and not spend it in rehab.
About a week before Christmas I came home to a package addressed to Aaron. It was from Santa in Nomb Alaska. When I opened it there was a wrapped present and a letter inside. The letter touched my heart and I knew it was from someone who knows Aaron well. I took the letter and gift to the center so I could read the letter to him and let him open the gift as much as he could.
The letter was anonymous, signed from Santa. It was a beautiful letter that spoke about Aaron’s fight to get better and how he is admired by many.
We opened the gift together and inside was a red digital camera, obviously someone knew his likeness for the color red. The camera was a wonderful gift for Aaron and one that will be put to good use.
Thank you whoever you are for your thoughtfulness and kindness. Most especially for remembering after 5 years.
Aaron is truly blessed!
Christmas day was a wonderful day, Aaron was with us at my sister’s house and he was able to see his Aunt’s and Uncle’s, cousins and Grandfather.
It is the quality of time one shares with family and friends that make it so special.
About a week before Christmas I came home to a package addressed to Aaron. It was from Santa in Nomb Alaska. When I opened it there was a wrapped present and a letter inside. The letter touched my heart and I knew it was from someone who knows Aaron well. I took the letter and gift to the center so I could read the letter to him and let him open the gift as much as he could.
The letter was anonymous, signed from Santa. It was a beautiful letter that spoke about Aaron’s fight to get better and how he is admired by many.
We opened the gift together and inside was a red digital camera, obviously someone knew his likeness for the color red. The camera was a wonderful gift for Aaron and one that will be put to good use.
Thank you whoever you are for your thoughtfulness and kindness. Most especially for remembering after 5 years.
Aaron is truly blessed!
Christmas day was a wonderful day, Aaron was with us at my sister’s house and he was able to see his Aunt’s and Uncle’s, cousins and Grandfather.
It is the quality of time one shares with family and friends that make it so special.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Thanksgiving - Christmas Holidays
Today is November 27, 2007 and it has been so long since I wrote in your journal. You have been doing very well, alert and focused, you have been eating well and very calm.
Andrea comes on Monday and Tuesday for approximately 6 hours and works you very hard. You respond so well to her and follow her directions. It may take a session for you to do one task but you do it and do it well. You are always very proud of yourself and smile all the time.
I have some concerns about your weight because you lost 6 lbs. in a month. You are on a continuous feed and when I come in the afternoon I will disconnect you and feed you yogurt and fruit. Now they are watching you closely and monitoring your weight.
The nature path walkway is completed and we go for walks when the weather cooperates. We will sit under the pergola and read often times where it is so peaceful and quiet.
Mom has been struggling with so many things Aaron, I am trying to stay strong for you but sometimes it is very hard. I long for you to be home with us but it would be very difficult to care for you. My saving grace is work which allows me the freedom to let it go for a little while.
There has been so much talk on the news about new research for brain injury patients and I pray that one day you will be able to be part of the studies. However there is so much controversy with regard to the plates in your face. So much depends on getting clear pictures with an MRI and the plates may distort the pictures. I continue to pray for you and that one day you will be able to have some quality of life. For now I will come daily and be sure you have everything you need.
For the past several weeks you have been very congested and I was concerned it would go into your lungs. They had to keep deep suctioning you in order to get it out. It made it difficult for you to breathe easy but you did not have a fever and was in good spirits.
Dad went on his annual golf trip to Tampa. He turned 60 on the day he left so we did not get to celebrate.
Thanksgiving we went to Aun’t Trudy’s for dinner, it will be the last one because Laura wants to start having it at her house. She won’t be able to accommodate all of us so things will be different for us.
Today is December 1st, 2007 and Mom is having a surprise party for Dad. He does not suspect a thing and his friends from work and golf friends will be there. I am looking forward to it, there will be a DJ and approximately 50 people. The only thing that saddens me is not having you a part of it. The party is at night and you have been congested and Mom does not want to take any chances.
Andrea continues to come on Monday and Tuesday, you have been alert and focused and doing well for her. She is very proud of you and tells me how hard you are working. She started a bible study at the center on Tuesday’s and it has been very successful. It is people coming together sharing God’s words, reading special psalms and listening to beautiful music. We begin and end with prayer.
On December 14th Mom will be going to Andrea’s for the weekend. She wants me to see Bethlehem at her church which is on Saturday and Sunday. I am looking forward to time away, it is always so relaxing for Mom and it gives me time to separate myself from the stress and worries that I feel everyday. You will be well taken care of and will have people coming to visit. Mom will call everyday and talk to you on the phone.
Well, the 14th is here and I am coming to the center to see you first and then onto Andrea’s. I left about 2:15 and arrived at her house around 3:30. We had to be at church by 5 so it was a little hectic but oh so beautiful. We stayed up until 3 talking, laughing and sipping wine.
We relaxed and hung out on Saturday, Mom cleaned Andrea’s new refrigerator and had some down time after Andrea left for Church. I decided to stay behind and do some work and went to Bethlehem later.
I met with Pastor Mike of the 5 Church, he runs the youth church in Forked River. He asked if I would come to his service in March and tell our story He feels it will help other people. Mom is a little nervous but I truly believe it is important for other people to know. I have to write down my thoughts and send them to Pastor Mike to read.
On Sunday we went to a Christmas show in Burlington NJ it was beautiful. You felt like you were in Radio City Music Hall. I left to come home on Monday morning, it was a very special weekend for Mom to be able to share it with Andrea. She gave Mom an opportunity to let it all go even for just a little while.
The holidays are approaching and hopefully you will stay healthy and come to Aun’t Ginny’s for the day on Christmas. I am especially glad for PopPop to be able to spend time with you. I pray Melissa will come so she can be with you as well. NJ transit is picking us up a 1 pm and bringing us back at 7.
Andrea is in Florida with her Dad and will not be back until the 1st of January. We won’t see her for several weeks but she is need of much rest with her busy schedule. She will be playing golf and relaxing in the sun. It does not get any better than that.
Mom has been working a lot of overtime because of the new system at work. I will be working during Christmas break but looking forward to not having to get up to an alarm clock going off.
Melissa will be home for the holiday but leaving for Atlanta, Ga on the 27th. She will be back after New Year.
Dad will be off from work this week as well, we hope to take apart the attic a little at a time. There is so much stuff up there and half of it I don’t even remember.
For anyone who may be reading this journal, Aaron and his family would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Andrea comes on Monday and Tuesday for approximately 6 hours and works you very hard. You respond so well to her and follow her directions. It may take a session for you to do one task but you do it and do it well. You are always very proud of yourself and smile all the time.
I have some concerns about your weight because you lost 6 lbs. in a month. You are on a continuous feed and when I come in the afternoon I will disconnect you and feed you yogurt and fruit. Now they are watching you closely and monitoring your weight.
The nature path walkway is completed and we go for walks when the weather cooperates. We will sit under the pergola and read often times where it is so peaceful and quiet.
Mom has been struggling with so many things Aaron, I am trying to stay strong for you but sometimes it is very hard. I long for you to be home with us but it would be very difficult to care for you. My saving grace is work which allows me the freedom to let it go for a little while.
There has been so much talk on the news about new research for brain injury patients and I pray that one day you will be able to be part of the studies. However there is so much controversy with regard to the plates in your face. So much depends on getting clear pictures with an MRI and the plates may distort the pictures. I continue to pray for you and that one day you will be able to have some quality of life. For now I will come daily and be sure you have everything you need.
For the past several weeks you have been very congested and I was concerned it would go into your lungs. They had to keep deep suctioning you in order to get it out. It made it difficult for you to breathe easy but you did not have a fever and was in good spirits.
Dad went on his annual golf trip to Tampa. He turned 60 on the day he left so we did not get to celebrate.
Thanksgiving we went to Aun’t Trudy’s for dinner, it will be the last one because Laura wants to start having it at her house. She won’t be able to accommodate all of us so things will be different for us.
Today is December 1st, 2007 and Mom is having a surprise party for Dad. He does not suspect a thing and his friends from work and golf friends will be there. I am looking forward to it, there will be a DJ and approximately 50 people. The only thing that saddens me is not having you a part of it. The party is at night and you have been congested and Mom does not want to take any chances.
Andrea continues to come on Monday and Tuesday, you have been alert and focused and doing well for her. She is very proud of you and tells me how hard you are working. She started a bible study at the center on Tuesday’s and it has been very successful. It is people coming together sharing God’s words, reading special psalms and listening to beautiful music. We begin and end with prayer.
On December 14th Mom will be going to Andrea’s for the weekend. She wants me to see Bethlehem at her church which is on Saturday and Sunday. I am looking forward to time away, it is always so relaxing for Mom and it gives me time to separate myself from the stress and worries that I feel everyday. You will be well taken care of and will have people coming to visit. Mom will call everyday and talk to you on the phone.
Well, the 14th is here and I am coming to the center to see you first and then onto Andrea’s. I left about 2:15 and arrived at her house around 3:30. We had to be at church by 5 so it was a little hectic but oh so beautiful. We stayed up until 3 talking, laughing and sipping wine.
We relaxed and hung out on Saturday, Mom cleaned Andrea’s new refrigerator and had some down time after Andrea left for Church. I decided to stay behind and do some work and went to Bethlehem later.
I met with Pastor Mike of the 5 Church, he runs the youth church in Forked River. He asked if I would come to his service in March and tell our story He feels it will help other people. Mom is a little nervous but I truly believe it is important for other people to know. I have to write down my thoughts and send them to Pastor Mike to read.
On Sunday we went to a Christmas show in Burlington NJ it was beautiful. You felt like you were in Radio City Music Hall. I left to come home on Monday morning, it was a very special weekend for Mom to be able to share it with Andrea. She gave Mom an opportunity to let it all go even for just a little while.
The holidays are approaching and hopefully you will stay healthy and come to Aun’t Ginny’s for the day on Christmas. I am especially glad for PopPop to be able to spend time with you. I pray Melissa will come so she can be with you as well. NJ transit is picking us up a 1 pm and bringing us back at 7.
Andrea is in Florida with her Dad and will not be back until the 1st of January. We won’t see her for several weeks but she is need of much rest with her busy schedule. She will be playing golf and relaxing in the sun. It does not get any better than that.
Mom has been working a lot of overtime because of the new system at work. I will be working during Christmas break but looking forward to not having to get up to an alarm clock going off.
Melissa will be home for the holiday but leaving for Atlanta, Ga on the 27th. She will be back after New Year.
Dad will be off from work this week as well, we hope to take apart the attic a little at a time. There is so much stuff up there and half of it I don’t even remember.
For anyone who may be reading this journal, Aaron and his family would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Friday, October 12, 2007
October 12, 2007
Today is Andrea’s birthday and you are supposed to go to the High School for the Drivers Ed classes to tell your story. I wrote it and Matt will read it and share your photo album for all to see.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
September 19-22, 2007
You have been very quiet your body temperature is still running low. They keep warming you up and give you hot tea thru the G tube. Hopefully you will start to feel better soon and be back to your old self.
I have been putting in long hours with work due to a back log of work. I missed seeing you 3 nights this past week. Even though there was someone with you it was not the same for me.
You seem more alert and your body temp. is back to normal. You lost 3 lbs. this month, which may not seem like a lot but with everything else that has been going on I worry.
Dr. Meir came by to see you and he put you on a antibiotic for your ears.
Saturday, September 22nd...You were sound asleep in the dayroom when I arrived. When you woke up you were smiling and very content. We went downstairs and I gave you fruit and yogurt and we spent the rest of the afternoon together.
Dad didn’t come, he was not feeling well and decided to go home after Bernardsville.
Uncle Jamie and Julianna came down to visit and they got to hear you vocalize while you were on the phone with Dad. It was great!
Next Sunday we are having a party for you in the dayroom for your 23rd birthday. The family, friends and families at the center will be coming down to join us. Uncle Fred is doing all the food and I am going to get an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. Hopefully, the Caruso’s and Aun’t Dara and Uncle Jack will be able to come. I also asked Liz and Pete to join us. I don’t know if any of your friends will make it but I asked Melissa and Amy to come.
God willing you will be healthy and in great spirits.
I have been putting in long hours with work due to a back log of work. I missed seeing you 3 nights this past week. Even though there was someone with you it was not the same for me.
You seem more alert and your body temp. is back to normal. You lost 3 lbs. this month, which may not seem like a lot but with everything else that has been going on I worry.
Dr. Meir came by to see you and he put you on a antibiotic for your ears.
Saturday, September 22nd...You were sound asleep in the dayroom when I arrived. When you woke up you were smiling and very content. We went downstairs and I gave you fruit and yogurt and we spent the rest of the afternoon together.
Dad didn’t come, he was not feeling well and decided to go home after Bernardsville.
Uncle Jamie and Julianna came down to visit and they got to hear you vocalize while you were on the phone with Dad. It was great!
Next Sunday we are having a party for you in the dayroom for your 23rd birthday. The family, friends and families at the center will be coming down to join us. Uncle Fred is doing all the food and I am going to get an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. Hopefully, the Caruso’s and Aun’t Dara and Uncle Jack will be able to come. I also asked Liz and Pete to join us. I don’t know if any of your friends will make it but I asked Melissa and Amy to come.
God willing you will be healthy and in great spirits.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Labory Day - September 18, 2007
It is now Labor Day and the end of summer. School will be going back in and you have been doing well. Your friend Melissa has been in touch and she is organizing a time when she can bring her friends to meet you and Sean. I am so excited that you will have someone to work with you and help you with communication skills. I t is nice for me as well because I can take some time for myself and know you are in good hands.
Andrea has started back to Carteret High School and Seton Hall. She is overwhelmed with her studies and teaching and I know we will not be seeing her for a while. She keeps in touch and asks about you all the time. We will miss her but I know if we ever needed her for any reason she would be there. We wish her well!
Melissa is very busy with work and school as well. S he works at home every night and she is just getting over being sick.
Tuesday, September 11th was not a good day for you. Unfortunately, you became ill and started with the high temps, agitation and sweating. They had to put you on a cooling blanket and give you morphine and adavan. i had not seen you like that in months and it was devastating. I was so scared. Veronica hooked up an IV and sat by your bedside until you calmed down. The next several days you were still not yourself, you were pale and tired. Your body temperature was between 95 and 97. Melissa, the OT, came and spent time with you so you were not alone. I have been glad to have her, especially since she has been working overtime.
The remainder of the week you were restless and very uncomfortable. On Friday I noticed drainage from your ear and told the nurse. S he was going to contact Dr. McCagg and see what she wanted them to do. With the weekend coming they decided to put you on antibiotic drops and on Monday they were calling Dr. Meir for a consult.
Friday, Sept. 15th...You were very agitated and I believe you were having pain. Saturday and Sunday you were very quiet and your body temperature was running cold. The nurse warmed you up with blankets and warm tea.
Monday, Sept. 18th...You were quiet and very sleepy. They put you in bed at 4:30 and you went into a very deep sleep. You were cold and they once again warmed you up with blankets. I am not sure what is going on but the Dr. said she believes you have an infection. Now they just have to find it.
Andrea has started back to Carteret High School and Seton Hall. She is overwhelmed with her studies and teaching and I know we will not be seeing her for a while. She keeps in touch and asks about you all the time. We will miss her but I know if we ever needed her for any reason she would be there. We wish her well!
Melissa is very busy with work and school as well. S he works at home every night and she is just getting over being sick.
Tuesday, September 11th was not a good day for you. Unfortunately, you became ill and started with the high temps, agitation and sweating. They had to put you on a cooling blanket and give you morphine and adavan. i had not seen you like that in months and it was devastating. I was so scared. Veronica hooked up an IV and sat by your bedside until you calmed down. The next several days you were still not yourself, you were pale and tired. Your body temperature was between 95 and 97. Melissa, the OT, came and spent time with you so you were not alone. I have been glad to have her, especially since she has been working overtime.
The remainder of the week you were restless and very uncomfortable. On Friday I noticed drainage from your ear and told the nurse. S he was going to contact Dr. McCagg and see what she wanted them to do. With the weekend coming they decided to put you on antibiotic drops and on Monday they were calling Dr. Meir for a consult.
Friday, Sept. 15th...You were very agitated and I believe you were having pain. Saturday and Sunday you were very quiet and your body temperature was running cold. The nurse warmed you up with blankets and warm tea.
Monday, Sept. 18th...You were quiet and very sleepy. They put you in bed at 4:30 and you went into a very deep sleep. You were cold and they once again warmed you up with blankets. I am not sure what is going on but the Dr. said she believes you have an infection. Now they just have to find it.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
August 20 - September 1, 2007
Things have remained the same for you. You are alert and focused and have been very healthy. We have enjoyed the end of the year barbecue and the time spent with Andrea.
On the 30th of August we will be going to the Turtle Back Zoo, one of Andrea’s ideas and one which the center thought was a great choice.
Melissa, the occupational therapy student, approached me and said she will be done working at Hartwyck on the 22nd of August. S he is free until the 14th of September so she will be working with you 10 hours a week until that time.
August 23rd, 2007... you have been running a temp since 2 a.m. and Dr. McCagg came in to insert an IV. You were in bed all day Saturday and still sick through the night. At 4 in the morning you were 104 and I decided to go to church early and come to the center. I am glad I did because your body temperature dropped to 87. I was very worried and it took hours for you to warm up. At 2:30 you were 95 and they decided to get you up. I covered you with a blanket and you were calm, very quiet and very congested.
Monday you were better, still congested and they still had the IV in but you were stable.
You continued to get stronger and were more responsive as the days went by.
Thursday, August 30th... you were well enough to go to the zoo. It has been several weeks since we saw Andrea, we are looking forward to it very much. There were 10 of us, 5 patients and 5 adults. It was a great day and we had so much fun. It was hot but there was a breeze and we trucked up those hills like troopers. The zoo was very accommodating and opened the pavilion so we could enjoy our lunch. One of the workers came in during that time and did a little show and had two animals for all to see. One was a baby alligator and the other a Boa. Aaron touched the Boa and was very attentive. I took a lot of pictures for all to see.
Friday, August 31st... Melissa came and spent time with you outside. You watched a basketball game and she said you were vocalizing. I came later and fed you for the first time in a week. I did not want to take any chances with all the congestion.
This is a big weekend, Labor day and the end of summer. I am until Tuesday. I took off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as well. I have been busy doing things at home and then spending time with you.
I have been very busy in your room, it needs to be painted. I am going to leave it the same color on the bottom, red however I am changing the color on the top. I am going to paint it a light grey. I will put all your special plaques and trophies to be seen by all and put all your stuffed bears and gifts you received after your accident.
September 1st... I went on your website and viewed your guestbook and was pleasantly surprised. There were entries made by two of your classmates, Melissa Shaw and Amy Kahaly. It was so great to hear from them and even better was their visit to see you at the center on Saturday. They arrived at 4 pm and I got to leave so Dad and I could go to a barbecue and you got to spend time with them.
Melissa is a Special Education Student and this is her final year. She will be student teaching in Roxbury. She also gave me some exciting news that will help you so much. She belongs to a special education group of 15 students who need to do 200 hours working with special needs. They are available during the day to work with you. She is emailing them and will get back to me and hopefully we will be able to set something up. This is so exciting not only for them but for you as well.
On the 30th of August we will be going to the Turtle Back Zoo, one of Andrea’s ideas and one which the center thought was a great choice.
Melissa, the occupational therapy student, approached me and said she will be done working at Hartwyck on the 22nd of August. S he is free until the 14th of September so she will be working with you 10 hours a week until that time.
August 23rd, 2007... you have been running a temp since 2 a.m. and Dr. McCagg came in to insert an IV. You were in bed all day Saturday and still sick through the night. At 4 in the morning you were 104 and I decided to go to church early and come to the center. I am glad I did because your body temperature dropped to 87. I was very worried and it took hours for you to warm up. At 2:30 you were 95 and they decided to get you up. I covered you with a blanket and you were calm, very quiet and very congested.
Monday you were better, still congested and they still had the IV in but you were stable.
You continued to get stronger and were more responsive as the days went by.
Thursday, August 30th... you were well enough to go to the zoo. It has been several weeks since we saw Andrea, we are looking forward to it very much. There were 10 of us, 5 patients and 5 adults. It was a great day and we had so much fun. It was hot but there was a breeze and we trucked up those hills like troopers. The zoo was very accommodating and opened the pavilion so we could enjoy our lunch. One of the workers came in during that time and did a little show and had two animals for all to see. One was a baby alligator and the other a Boa. Aaron touched the Boa and was very attentive. I took a lot of pictures for all to see.
Friday, August 31st... Melissa came and spent time with you outside. You watched a basketball game and she said you were vocalizing. I came later and fed you for the first time in a week. I did not want to take any chances with all the congestion.
This is a big weekend, Labor day and the end of summer. I am until Tuesday. I took off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as well. I have been busy doing things at home and then spending time with you.
I have been very busy in your room, it needs to be painted. I am going to leave it the same color on the bottom, red however I am changing the color on the top. I am going to paint it a light grey. I will put all your special plaques and trophies to be seen by all and put all your stuffed bears and gifts you received after your accident.
September 1st... I went on your website and viewed your guestbook and was pleasantly surprised. There were entries made by two of your classmates, Melissa Shaw and Amy Kahaly. It was so great to hear from them and even better was their visit to see you at the center on Saturday. They arrived at 4 pm and I got to leave so Dad and I could go to a barbecue and you got to spend time with them.
Melissa is a Special Education Student and this is her final year. She will be student teaching in Roxbury. She also gave me some exciting news that will help you so much. She belongs to a special education group of 15 students who need to do 200 hours working with special needs. They are available during the day to work with you. She is emailing them and will get back to me and hopefully we will be able to set something up. This is so exciting not only for them but for you as well.
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