Puppies, Prayers, and Frozen Yogurt

Graham Update Day 45 (7/23/14)

Graham had a great first day at Cook Children's Hospital.  He has thoroughly enjoyed his therapy, the nurses, and all that there is to do at the hospital.  I am now even more confident than ever that it will be a great last stop before we can finally bring Graham home in 3-4 weeks.

We started the day off with one of Graham's favorite breakfasts - pancakes and bacon, topped off with a delicious "smoothie" (PediaSure).  From there he hurried off to his first full physical therapy session.  It was sort of like a watching a workout video for 6 year-olds - he worked out his hips, legs, arms, hands, and the rest of his body with lots of varied movements and at a fairly brisk pace.  Graham had a smile on his face the whole time, but was also pretty dang tired by the end of it.

During occupational therapy Graham was one-on-one with his therapist.  In fact, most of his therapy will be one-on-one, with Lindsey and me off in the distance watching.  Whether or not this is a good thing depends on which one of us you talk to.  Having both been very involved in his therapy at Children's, I know FOR A FACT that I myself get in the way and probably distract Graham more than I should.  So I think it's probably for the best, while of course Lindsey wants to be as involved as possible, and for good reason - she will be the primary source of exercise and rehab for Graham for years to come, and she, unlike me, can be involved without being in the way. 

At any rate, we are trusting the staff here and watching from a distance.  So his occupational therapist brought Graham back to the room after her session and said he did very well, and also mentioned some areas for improvement.  She said he is so sweet, "in fact he almost made me cry."  As she said that her eyes welled up with tears, and she went on to explain that at one point in therapy Graham seemed to be getting tired, and the next thing she knew his arms were folded and his head was on his chin.  At first she thought he fell asleep, but then realized he was whispering something. The only thing she could make out was "bless this day..." but it became very clear that Graham stopped in the middle of his therapy session to say a little prayer and ask for help.  Graham's faith and fight never cease to amaze me.  I'm so proud to be his dad, and I will forever look up to him for so many different reasons. 

The rest of Graham's therapies went well, and Graham was released from "isolation" today.  If "isolation" sounds like prison, that's because it sort of is.  Graham came from another hospital, and for everyone's safety they swab different parts all over his body to make sure he didn't pick up some crazy bacteria at the last facility.  They then require him to be in his room, except for therapy where he wears a gown, until the tests come back negative - which they did - just to make sure he doesn't spread disease.  I'm grateful for the precaution and Graham didn't even notice.  But about 24 hours into our stay he was cleared to move about the hospital, which we did!

We stopped by the frozen yoghurt place, viewed a HUGE Lego replica of the hospital, played with therapy dogs that were brought in to play with the kids, ate at the Chik-fil-A downstairs in the food court, and stopped by the recording studio so Graham could play drums, guitar, piano, and the harp.  Graham walked every step of the way, using his wheelchair only for in-room meals.  His strength and endurance are markedly better than they were even a week ago, and he is speaking more articulately every day.

Not a day has gone by since the accident since where I haven't stopped and said, "wow," at something amazing that Graham has done.  Some are extremely memorable -   Day 1 - He lived.  Days 3 and 4 - his brain pressure never went up to dangerous levels like EVERYONE thought it would.  Day 11 - they removed the ventilator, and after 3-4 different people thought they would have to put it back in, Graham fought through and kept it out.  Day 45 is going to be one of those days.  Not only was it awesome just to walk around and "be normal" with him, but hearing how he stopped to pray in the middle of his therapy session is the stuff of legend.  I'm so grateful that God and Graham's doctors have gotten him to this point, and that his sweet little self continues to shine through in so many ways.  Thank you all for praying for Graham, and please keep the prayers coming!

@Prayers4Graham