Tuesday, A Much Better Day!

What a difference a day makes!  Things really started looking up Tuesday about noon when Brendan opened his eyes (after a long morning nap), and I could see that he had just "waken up" in a sense.  The fuzzy, unfocused eyes, the brow furrowed in pain, and the stiff, unmoving body had given way to a more relaxed, calm demeanor.  And he finally noticed that his identification tag had been moved from his wrist to his foot.  (After his 1st sinus surgery he had puzzled over how it had changed arms while he was sleeping!) 

Blowing the pinwheel to exercise his lungs.

Brendan's biggest goal (I guess I should say- the nurses goal for him) was to eat.  We promised him he could eat anything he wanted.  We started with a chocolate nutritional drink and were very excited when he kept 15 ml down.  From there we made it to 30 ml.  Nausea set in and we had to wait a few hours.  But as the day went on he decided a hot dog sounded good, so a hot dog it was!  John, from food services, sent one up quick.  He ate 1/4 of it before he couldn't fit any more into that tiny stomach.   He was able to chomp a few Cheetos along the way. Now we're making progress!

Brendan is still being fed TPN and lipids (liquid diet) through the IV in order to build up his strength and give him the nutrition he needs to heal.  They figure it will be a few more days before he can eat enough to replenish what he's lost.

Moving around from side to side in bed was another goal.  He is still wearing the inflatable cuffs on his legs, but he was able to negotiate with the nurse for a 20 minute reprieve mid-afternoon.  The nurse promised him he could keep them off longer if he traced the alphabet on his bed with his feet.  Brendan thought that sounded like too much work for just 10 extra minutes of break.  He did blow on the pinwheel in order to exercise his lungs and take some deeper breaths.  We knew he was feeling better when he kept joking with Sarah by making blowing sounds while pushing it around with his finger.

Another eye exam--Right eye still looking great.

The third goal set for Brendan was -- well, let's just say it was more personal in nature -- but he accomplished that goal too.

Brendan did struggle during the mid part of the day when several doctors, the nurse, and the tech all showed up to talk to us and take his vitals at the same time.  He was also given medicine to take orally, which has been hard for him.  With all the noise, poking, and prodding,  he finally just asked (insisted) everyone leave.  Once it was dark and quiet again he willing took the medicine and was able to relax.  While he is still very sensitive to light and sound, it was much better yesterday and not so painful.  He even opened his eyes for short periods of time.  It seems like yesterday he "turned a corner" on his recovery from brain surgery.  Already this morning he is waiting anxiously for the kitchen to open so he can order Fruit Loops!