June, 2002

On June 8th a new family came into the waiting room and we found out that another teen had been seriously injured in a car accident. That boy was Gregg whom we have come to know and love and keep in touch with his family. They stayed in ICU with us until June 14th when we were moved to Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside. There you were to get extensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy. You were still not responding at the time and you developed medical issues that set you back. Your blood clots surfaced once again in your leg and you had to be put on Lovenox and Coumidin. The blood clots originated in ICU and they surgically put a green filter to keep the blood clots from traveling to your heart. You also developed an ear infection and was diagnosed with Mersa. They restricted you to your room for 10 days and everyone who came in contact with you had to wear gloves and gowns. Gregg came to Children’s on June 20th and was there for almost 3 months and then went to Day program and on to Fanwood for Cognitive therapy. We truly hoped for more and that you would wake up and move forward with therapies and be able to one day come home. After 3 months it was decided you needed more time to heal and we were told we had to leave and go somewhere for you to have more time to heal. We found Wanaque Nursing and Rehabilitation but your birthday was coming and we wanted to have a party for you before we left Children’s. So, on September 29th we had about 80 family and friends come to celebrate your 18th birthday. It was a huge success but unfortunately you were so sick. It turned out you had a UTI that was very serious and caused you to spike 103 fevers. You were very pale and weak and broke out in sweats. Finally, you started to come around by the end of the week and we brought you home on Sunday October 6th for the day. It was so special for us and Debbie Gunther drove her van and we picked you up and spent a wonderful day together. Some friends stopped by and family came to see you. You were still not a 100% from the UTI but enjoyed yourself and the time you had with Charlie.