New Beginning

Graham Update Day 44 (7/22/14)

Today started off in utter chaos.  We knew last night that Graham would be transported sometime after 10:00 this morning.  Graham and I had a late night due to some late afternoon naps on both our parts, and we weren't exactly the early birds getting the worm today.  Still, we were good to go for a 10:00 departure, but you can imagine our surprise when Graham's nurse woke us up at 8:05 and said - "did I forget to tell you he's leaving at 9:00?"

So we packed, ate, showered, and got everything ready just in time for his paramedics to pick him up.  It was actually the same two that picked him up from his last rehab place.  So we skipped the goodbyes and headed down to where his chariot awaited.

There are a lot of things that incite anxiety in us.  Backing up the car.  Driving in a neighborhood.  Watching children do anything thing that could result in a head injury.  Walking past the critical care room in the ER where we saw Graham for the first time after his accident on the way to the ambulance?  I had to catch my breath.  So many memories came flooding back.  Lindsey I and were a wreck.  We had baby Isla with us, and she was fussy!  Graham laying on a table, motionless, with his clothes cut off and in a bag nearby.  Not knowing whether he would make it 45 minutes, let alone 45 days.  Even as I write this all those emotions, images, and thoughts come flooding back into my head. And it makes me so grateful.  There is just no way Graham could have lived if the medical staff were not so caring and expert.  His recovery wouldn't be anywhere close to what it is so far.  His potential would be more limited.  And even with all their care, his recovery is a medical miracle- thanks to God and all those who prayed for his good grace to shine on our sun.

Likewise, our family could not have made it through this ordeal alone.  We've felt lifted up by so many prayers.  Our church was literally at our beck and call.  The community and people from around the country have supported us.  And our family has flown in from across the country to be at our side and anchor our home from day 1. 

The day of Graham's accident was the worst day of my life.  But around that darkness shines a light from so many people and the light from an amazing little fighter, proving that the world is good, and God loves his children.  I don't think God makes everything happen.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people, not because God intends them, but because everyone on earth can choose right and wrong, and make choices that prove to be mistakes.  But in Graham's case, I really feel like things happened for a reason.  I think Graham was picked for this challenge because he is strong enough to handle it, because it will make my family stronger, and it will bring us and others closer to God.

So our stay at Children's ended where it began, and we begin what we HOPE will be that last chapter in this story before Graham comes home.  Call it the end of Act 1. 

The rehab floor here at Cook Children's has been nothing short of amazing so far.  I'm sure it has a little bit to do with wanting to 1-up a rival.  Also, people here have probably been told to handle Lindsey and I with kid-gloves since we effectively fired one rehab facility already. But mostly Cook Children's just seems right for Graham.  They have a more robust medical staff in place to care for him.  And everyone from the nurse, to the nurse practitioner, to the neurologist, to the pharmacist came to visit Graham personally.  His medications were on time and administered properly.  He was able to eat lunch at noon.  And the therapists seem to take a team approach - which is something that has proven to be effective in caring for Graham since day 1.   In short, our first day here has been a 1000% improvement over the last time we left Children's, so we have every reason to be very optimistic that things will go well this time.

Graham also seems very comfortable with his therapy team, warming up to all of them and not withdrawing like he did last time.  Another thing has been very comforting - a clear commitment to Graham's safety. Sometime this afternoon after evaluations we had the discussion about the length of Graham's stay.  In discussing the matter previously, both people at Children's and Baylor said that length-of-stay is directly related to what insurance will pay for - that at the end of the day it's HMOs and not MDs calling the shots.  That reality has never set well with me though.  And as I was trying to tell them that we would pay for a longer stay than insurance would cover if they felt it was medically necessary, Graham's neuro-team cut me off and said "Graham's ability to go and be home safely is the only thing that will allow him to be discharged.  If we get paid, we get paid.  If we don't, we don't.  But we will not send him home until it is safe."

Where everyone else has said Graham's rehab stay would be 1-2 weeks and driven by insurance approvals, Cook Children's, after his evaluations today, estimates that Graham will be here for 3-4 weeks, and that stay will be driven by his safety.  I'd be naïve if I didn't think it couldn't possibly be lip service, but it did seem genuine and was VERY comforting.  We can do another month.  We can do whatever is best for Graham.  We are just happy to be by Graham's side as this amazing little fighter continues his miraculous recovery.  And we are grateful for all the professionals and faithful prayers that are making it happen.

#Prayers4Graham