Taylor's mother reports that he's doing a little better today, after having a fairly restful night. For Taylor, a "good night" is if he sleeps 3 hours at a time.
Taylor is still on target for getting the staples removed next week, then being released to rehab. But, he cannot leave until he is off some of the heavy duty pain killers he's on so we hope the pain specialist that didn't make it yesterday comes by today to get started on that.
6:00pm
The Dr. said I could visit Taylor after I've been on medications for 3 days, so today I visited for a couple of hours. When I got there, Nick and Nate's mom, Christy, was there visiting Taylor and his mother. She's always been one of Taylor's favorites.
He looked much better today than when I last saw him on Wednesday The swelling on the side of his face and head is down considerably. I also noticed he was moving his right hand and arm a lot more than he was when I last saw him. His mother said he'd been giving the Sidekick a good going over, so maybe that helped a little.
This afternoon he had the Pick Line (an inlet where multiple IV's can feed) moved from his left arm to his right, just in case a slight infection he has is coming from that.
Lauren - a great daughter
The greatest unsung hero during this whole ordeal for us, next to Taylor, is his sister Lauren. She has been the absolute rock that has helped hold all of us together. She has given up almost every bit of available social time to be with him, and rarely has she missed a day at the hospital. During the first couple of weeks, she slept with us in chairs and on the floor of the waiting rooms, and now she stays overnight often with her mother to help keep an eye on Taylor. She has made a lot of personal sacrifices for Taylor, but he has always....always....meant everything to her so it's no surprise.
From the very beginning, it was obvious we would probably depend on her more than she on us. When Taylor's mother learned in the early hours of March 1st from the Deputy that Taylor had been in an accident, she dropped the phone on the floor, looked at me and said "Taylor's been in a wreck, he was ejected and is being airlifted to the hospital". The phone was disconnected, so I called the Deputy back and learned where Taylor was being taken.
The 3 of us got dressed and were out the door within a minute or so. Before we left, Lauren said "Do you have your insurance card?" That demonstrates just how clearly she was thinking when we were freaking out.
On the way to the hospital, Lauren said all the right things to try and calm us. We, of course, wondered the possibilities......Would he live? Will he be a paraplegic or quadraplegic? Will he have a catastrophic brain injury? Will we ever hear him talk or feel his hugs?
When we were able to visit Taylor in the Emergency Room, he was heavily sedated and likely didn't know we were there. Lauren went to his bedside and said "Taylor, I'm sorry for anything I've ever done that made you mad". Knowing that Taylor was in desperate medical trouble, it was heartbreaking to watch and listen to.
Taylor's accident has caused some personal hardships for Lauren. She slapped a boy that wished death on Taylor then spit on her, getting her a 5 day suspension from school. Then, on her very first time behind the wheel of a car after the accident and while enroute to the hospital with her mother, one of the local intellectually challenged Cops gave her a traffic citation. Then, just last week, after the High School sold her a Prom ticket they came to her on Friday before the Saturday Prom and told her she couldn't go to Prom over the March 2nd slapping incident. It makes no difference that the school Code of Conduct doesn't permit ongoing punishment like that (only permits barring them from activity DURING the suspension period) , but it's their kitty litter box, so not much could be done - but I tried.
Throughout all of this, Lauren has been her normal happy, upbeat, "everything will be OK" self. It would sure be easy for her to wonder when SHE will be getting any attention. But, Lauren is mature beyond her years and knows that for now, it is almost all about Taylor.
And, we're not nearly through. As best we can tell, and if we're lucky, we're about 1/2 through the Big Trip. Rehab is expected to last about 2 months - maybe more. But, who knows? It could be less than expected. So far, he's done everything way ahead of schedule.
Before long, Lauren will get some well deserved attention. I'm sure she'll be getting several "It's all about Lauren" weekends this summer.
Taylor is still on target for getting the staples removed next week, then being released to rehab. But, he cannot leave until he is off some of the heavy duty pain killers he's on so we hope the pain specialist that didn't make it yesterday comes by today to get started on that.
6:00pm
The Dr. said I could visit Taylor after I've been on medications for 3 days, so today I visited for a couple of hours. When I got there, Nick and Nate's mom, Christy, was there visiting Taylor and his mother. She's always been one of Taylor's favorites.
He looked much better today than when I last saw him on Wednesday The swelling on the side of his face and head is down considerably. I also noticed he was moving his right hand and arm a lot more than he was when I last saw him. His mother said he'd been giving the Sidekick a good going over, so maybe that helped a little.
This afternoon he had the Pick Line (an inlet where multiple IV's can feed) moved from his left arm to his right, just in case a slight infection he has is coming from that.
Lauren - a great daughter
The greatest unsung hero during this whole ordeal for us, next to Taylor, is his sister Lauren. She has been the absolute rock that has helped hold all of us together. She has given up almost every bit of available social time to be with him, and rarely has she missed a day at the hospital. During the first couple of weeks, she slept with us in chairs and on the floor of the waiting rooms, and now she stays overnight often with her mother to help keep an eye on Taylor. She has made a lot of personal sacrifices for Taylor, but he has always....always....meant everything to her so it's no surprise.
From the very beginning, it was obvious we would probably depend on her more than she on us. When Taylor's mother learned in the early hours of March 1st from the Deputy that Taylor had been in an accident, she dropped the phone on the floor, looked at me and said "Taylor's been in a wreck, he was ejected and is being airlifted to the hospital". The phone was disconnected, so I called the Deputy back and learned where Taylor was being taken.
The 3 of us got dressed and were out the door within a minute or so. Before we left, Lauren said "Do you have your insurance card?" That demonstrates just how clearly she was thinking when we were freaking out.
On the way to the hospital, Lauren said all the right things to try and calm us. We, of course, wondered the possibilities......Would he live? Will he be a paraplegic or quadraplegic? Will he have a catastrophic brain injury? Will we ever hear him talk or feel his hugs?
When we were able to visit Taylor in the Emergency Room, he was heavily sedated and likely didn't know we were there. Lauren went to his bedside and said "Taylor, I'm sorry for anything I've ever done that made you mad". Knowing that Taylor was in desperate medical trouble, it was heartbreaking to watch and listen to.
Taylor's accident has caused some personal hardships for Lauren. She slapped a boy that wished death on Taylor then spit on her, getting her a 5 day suspension from school. Then, on her very first time behind the wheel of a car after the accident and while enroute to the hospital with her mother, one of the local intellectually challenged Cops gave her a traffic citation. Then, just last week, after the High School sold her a Prom ticket they came to her on Friday before the Saturday Prom and told her she couldn't go to Prom over the March 2nd slapping incident. It makes no difference that the school Code of Conduct doesn't permit ongoing punishment like that (only permits barring them from activity DURING the suspension period) , but it's their kitty litter box, so not much could be done - but I tried.
Throughout all of this, Lauren has been her normal happy, upbeat, "everything will be OK" self. It would sure be easy for her to wonder when SHE will be getting any attention. But, Lauren is mature beyond her years and knows that for now, it is almost all about Taylor.
And, we're not nearly through. As best we can tell, and if we're lucky, we're about 1/2 through the Big Trip. Rehab is expected to last about 2 months - maybe more. But, who knows? It could be less than expected. So far, he's done everything way ahead of schedule.
Before long, Lauren will get some well deserved attention. I'm sure she'll be getting several "It's all about Lauren" weekends this summer.
1 comment:
Taylor is fortunate to have a sister like Lauren. All the crap she is going through at school and she is still the trooper. I know she will be a big help when Taylor is home needing help walking, etc. Taylor - you will be home soon, not as soon as you want, but soon. You are doing so well and it does take time, lots of time, but it will happen. Keep your thoughts forward to what you will be doing in a few months - where you want to go, what you want to see, and what you want to eat. I love you little neighbor. Both my little neighbors. Life is so dull with you in there and I look forward to hearing how it exciting it is again. (Yes, even though I moved a safe distance away....:) all the way to Lakeland) hee hee Susan Willcockson
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