Aaron had a good day today in every way. When my sister, Deb, and I arrived at Magee this morning, we were confronted by Aaron’s Respitory Therapist who told us that he was doing the trach collar (he was off the vent) and fell asleep doing it! So, he was still in bed and we didn’t want to wake him, so we didn’t go into his room. When he finally woke up, we found out he had managed the collar for 2 1/2 hours! Now they could get him out of bed and ready for the day. He wasn’t interested in the breakfast that was served (what, Aaron, you don’t like cold, rubbery eggs??) so he drank a chocolate Boost. By that time, the rest of today’s visitors showed up (Aaron’s Aunt Den, Uncle Ed and Uncle Charlie). After everyone fussed all over Aaron, he had to leave his room to go to Physical Therapy.
PT was scheduled for 11:00 this morning, and it actually started ON TIME! (That’s a sure way to make Aaron happy!) The therapist worked out both his arms, then gave him some electrical stimulation on his left arm. That is amazing to watch; when the electricity moves through the electrodes into his arm, you can see his muscles tighten up. The therapist rested his arm on a board and when the electricity was sent to his arm, his arm would move across the board. Aaron can feel the movement, however, at this time, cannot initiate it on his own. (But I have faith that he’ll be able to do that one day on his own! )
After therapy, we ALL went back to his room and visited for a little while. About 12:15, lunch was served and he ate every drop of it. He started out with Chicken Gumbo, then had a hot turkey sandwich and green beans. I thought I was being slick by giving him a bit of green beans with every bite of turkey, thinking he wasn’t realizing it, but he called me out on it…..but I continued to do it anyway and he continued to eat it! After he was done eating, he sort of kicked us all out because he wanted to relax and watch some football. (And I guess we were getting on his nerves!) We went across the street to eat and when we returned, to our surprise, the Respiratory Therapist said he had asked to be put back on the trach collar and when I walked into his room, he was sound asleep again (sitting in his wheelchair). We didn’t wake him and this time he stayed off the vent for 2 hours! When he woke up he was surprised that two hours had passed. He also said he thought today’s time off the vent was so much easier than in times past. That was great to hear, because we all know it is a struggle for him. So, 4 1/2 hours totally off the vent today. How good is that?????
Aunt Den fed him supper (BBQ chicken, baked beans, cherry jello) while I turned on his laptop and read him comments from the blog and facebook. (He really enjoys that, so please continue to comment! )
Aaron was “full of himself” today; he harrassed me every opportunity he got, shared his sarcastic wit with all of us and it was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!
We left Magee today when they were getting ready to put Aaron to bed. He was ANXIOUSLY awaiting Jaime’s arrival after her weekend away. I wish I could have been there to see that smile he gets when she walks into the room. But I am sure both Jaime and Aaron were glad I wasn’t there!!!! So, yep, it was a GREAT day!
Aaron,
It was great to read your Mother’s blog and hear her excitment about the progress you are making. I especially like the part about the sarcasam. We all love that about you! Keep going buddy, we are all praying for your recovery.
Love
Nat and Bill
Wow Aaron, what amazing progress. Keep it up and eat more of those green beans, even if they have to be masked with other stuff! You are on my mind so much, I pray for strength and recovery for you. Love ya and take care!
Hi Aaron,
It’s been great,reading about the progress that you have been making. You are truly an inspiration! Keep the faith and your detemination! I was pleased to see the Eagles play well last week. Bev and I think about you every day.
Tom L
Aaron, I love to read this blog, since I just found out about it 🙂 So glad to see all of your progress, keep up the good work!! Go COWBOYS!!!!! Tony Romo blew it for me yesterday…
Erin Zimmerman
Aaron-
I’ve been reading your blog every day, and I’m glad I’m able to keep up with your progress and let you know I’m thinking about you. It’s very encouraging to see your improvements, and I have so much faith in your recovery. However, today was the first chance I had to check in since Thursday. I must say that I’m floored with the leaps and bounds you’ve covered in the last few days! You’ve got a lot of people pulling for you – Keep up the good work!
BethV
Aaron,
I love reading your blog. Like for many of your other readers, it inspires me and gives me hope. Your determination and hard work is paying off — and the love and support of your family and friends is amazing. I’m sure it’ll be no time until you’re off the ventilator completely! Keep up the awesome progress!
Still sending lots of positive thoughts from Down South!
Jackie (Sommer) Stockholm
Hey buddy…I’m glad to see you had a GREAT day. Keep up the hard work and be patient. I know that’s difficult for you..HAHA. When I come to visit you I’m going to bring you a chicken parm sub since your appetite is so hardy.. XO. Love you..
Aaron, I don’t have much to say..this blog brought tears to my eyes. I am proud of you and I thank God for your good day. 4 1/2 hours!!!! Love you!
Im so proud of you Aaron!! Every time I read one of your blogs I am even more impressed than before. Your determination amazes me 🙂 You have so many people behind you wanting the best for you. Stay positive and keep up the great work!
Over the weekend I was looking through a box of old photos and came across a few of you. Im going to try and do something with them so you can laugh at them just as I did. You were so innocent.. hahah!
Oh, and once you get your ‘license’ you should take that chair on a nice long ride down Wood Rd. 🙂
Keep doing what you’re doing!!
Love, April
That is Awesome Aaron 4 and 1/2 hours. From reading the post that seems to be great progress. Congrats. I do have to apologize for My Giants beating up on your Chiefs. But they did look a lot better then the week before. I Hope your Fantasy Team is still doing well. I know I need Adrian Peterson to have a huge game tonight for me to get a win. I don’t know why I started Julius Jones over Steve Slaton this week but it was a big mistake. We will continue to pray and you continue to heal.
Aaron that is realy reall y great news I am so proud of you . I know that you can do anything your heart desires. keep up the great and fantastic work.
love you
Amy
Aaron –
Every time I read the postings on your website it reminds me how amazing you really are. I am so proud of you for not giving up and continuing to fight every day … Hope you received your card from me and Amaya she put it in the mailbox and mailed it to you 🙂 Also a guy I work with is a soccer coach and his team signed a card for you so hopefully you got that as well .. You have so many people praying for you and you have touched so many people it is so amazing … Hope you have a great day today
love ya – Erica
Aaron-
It is so great to hear about the wonderful accomplishments that you are making every day. I am always following along on your blog and I try to keep the less tech-saavy people (you know who they are!) in the office posted about your progress. It sounds like you had a great day yesterday. We all have you in our thoughts constantly. If there is ever anything that I can do, please let me know. Keep up the great work and take care!!
Kristen
Hi Aaron,
I told Shannon on the way to work that you definitely must be feeling better because if you are harassing your Mom that can only be a good sign. You know how Shannon likes to harass me. We miss having you to laugh with over our lunch time conversations.
We are so glad to hear you time off the ventilator is increasing and hope that soon you can be off if it altogether.
My prayers for your stength and healing are always with. Keep working hard and know that things will keep getting better.
Take Care!
Carol
Aaron, I am completely blown away when I read these blogs. It gives me a sense of peace and knowing that you are recovering and will continue to do so. You are in Gods loving hands, and you are in one heck of a faith walk young man. Gods got big plans for you. Every time I read about your progress-any progress its huge and inspiring. I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through, but from what I see your a fighter,and you don’t give up- what a credit to you and your family. I am only your cousin, a cousin you have never met, but I am so proud of you and I can’t wait for the opportunity to meet you. You are my daily inspiration. Love you
Sandy Marts
Aaron, these updates continue to uplift me! I hope you, too, are uplifted by your progress and strength. You are nothing short of amazing! Keep pushing. Love to you and your family 🙂
So happy to hear about your great day Aaron! Jaime could not wait to see you either!! We had a wonderful time at the wedding but we all missed you and wished you were there!
You’re a stud dudes, your progress with the vent over the last couple weeks is amazing. Miss you bud, thinking about a visit soon. Keep digging!
Ps here we go stillers…
Pps PSUcks
JP