Thursday 30Jan

This is a video that I took this evening while in the hospital with Brian. He snapped his fingers once and then I asked him if he could do it again so I could get a video and he did it a few more times. According to our resident hand expert 😊, this is a really good thing to see since people with brain injuries often struggle with quick movements and reaction times can be pretty delayed. 

Today was another good day. Brian was pretty tired during the day and spent quite awhile in the chair again today. He was definitely less ornery today which is hopefully going to continue with his overall understanding continuing to improve. This evening Brian was more coherent than I have seen him so far. He was very aware, was enjoying our conversations, and he was very happy to be able to see Lincoln again tonight (all thanks to his nurse Taylor today, who was actually the first one we had talked to when Brian was first admitted to the ICU and she remembered us and Lincoln). 

I did tell Brian that it would be really nice to be able to talk to him and he nodded. So he also frustrated that he can't speak with the trach he has currently. I think I already put it in an update, but just in case I'll reiterate tonight. With the trach Brian currently has, he cannot talk due to the size and the style. There are different trach tubes that can be switched out (his surgeon made it seem like a very simple procedure to swap them). There are smaller ones and ones with perforations which would allow Brian to speak (and also eat) with the trach still in. The trach can also be removed depending on how well he does with improving his breathing on his own. This is something that the LTAC will focus on, and according to the clinical liaison I have spoken with, they are the best in the area for weening off the ventilator! 🎉

I believe we got everything we need for the LTAC. I talked to FOUR different people at Anthem today and also the clinical liaison at the LTAC. So now we just need to make sure they are good to take Brian and he will be transferred. I am planning to get to the hospital early tomorrow to catch the docs and his case manager to see if we can get the details on transfer. There still may not be anything finalized, but hopefully being there I can at least get some more info on it. I know everyone (us included) is excited to get Brian transferred since the LTAC is definitely the place Brian needs to be.

🤍