Day 7 of Jim's Recovery

Tuesday, November 11th, one whole week into Dad's recovery and we received some bad news. They took some more CT scans today and found that Dad's brain will "very likely" be permanently damaged. The blood clot has reduced slightly and where it is no longer, there are dark marks left. This signifies permanent brain damage. Now, some of it "may" still be swelling, but most likely it will be permanent. What does this mean? Well, I asked the Doctors the same question, and, of course, they gave me lots of possibilities.

First, this could mean that Dad will never be able to speak or understand language ever again. Second, it could mean that it will take Dad years and tons of physical therapy to regain his speech. Does it mean that he will always need people to take care of him? Possibly. It could also mean that he may come out of this, regain consciousness, but just not be able to speak. Whatever way you want to look at it we are looking long term.

So where do we go from here? Well, we start by putting a permanent feeding tube that is connected to his stomach. He may be able to eat again but at the moment he is not and the Doctors are concerned about sinus infections if we leave the other feeding tube in. So that procedure will happen tomorrow. Now, just to warn everyone he will have to be put under anesthesia and with a brain trauma they do not know how his body will react. Everyone knows that anesthesia is a risk, but we have no other options if we are going to get Dad better.

Next, Dad will be moved to a nursing facility within the next week or two. The Doctors have done everything they can for him and now we just wait until he heals. He needs to be somewhere where he can get help from a nurse 24/7. This doesn't mean he will spend the rest of his life in a nursing home. This also does not mean we are putting him there to die. He just needs medical treatment without the care of Doctors and constant interruptions from hospital life.

Also, please we know that many of you would like to see Dad as soon as possible but my Mom, Erin, and I can not constantly make arrangements to meet people at the hospital to allow them access to the NCCU. So please, please bare with us and we will inform everyone when he is moved to the nursing home and when people may start visiting. Hang in there everyone. We know how much you all love Dad, he is the greatest guy ever. Thanks you for your patients.

I have been trying for the past week to describe the mental state Dad is in and have not felt that I have done a good job. Today the social worker said that Dad is in a "Sleepy Comma," which means that Dad opens his eyes and moves but his brain is in a state of being in a comma. I hope this helps everyone understand Dad's condition. Love you all.