Wheel Chair

Sorry guys, I couldn't post last night ... this platform was receiving maintenance.

Yesterday ... where to begin? I arrived at the hospital at about 10 am. Conor was in very good spirits. They had had him sitting in a chair beside his bed for about 3-4 minutes. He was quite chatty and wanted to discuss the possibility of a replacement vehicle (!?) I explained that it would be quite some time before we were in that position.

He was visited yesterday by a neuropsychologist and a speech pathologist. Both asked him a series of questions to see where he was in his head. I was able to remain to listen. He answered about 80% of the questions spot on ... and seemed to have the most difficulty answering questions about the events surrounding the accident ... and questions about the present (date, time of day, etc).

He had shephard's pie for lunch (wouldn't touch it) but ate his salad, some cream of broccoli soup and a few grapes. He got a serious lecture from me about being picky .. you know the one ... food is fuel -- you don't have to enjoy it --- and the serious one about the loss of muscle mass. Eat protein, ingest calories ... That seemed to work 'cause at supper time, he ate all the Chicken a la king (gross), broccoli, and a bit of rice. Left the chocolate pudding (very Conor-like) and drank the Timmy's we brought him.

But the big news of the day ... I was there to see Conor be put into a wheelchair. Yup! It was unbelievable. He was in excruciating pain getting out of bed ... breathe, buddy, breathe through the pain ... then he sat in the wheelchair, they adjusted all the legs etc. to make sure he was comfortable and Conor asked .... can I go now. Not sure whether he meant home or just around the ward ... but he clearly understands that the wheelchair means a certain amount of freedom. The wheels in that little head were starting to turn. Clearly he will have some difficulty given that he cannot use his right hand and his left leg ... but he's got a right leg that was more than willing to take on the challenge! Once the IV is removed (not quite yet as he's still receiving some antibiotics) and the catheter (hopefully today) there'll be no stopping him!

He sat in the chair for about 20-25 minutes. Sweat dripping off him -- quite the exertion --- but he was not going back to bed! Finally the drugs got the better of him (by the way the drugs are now given in pill form --- no more IV) and he got really sleepy. They put him bag into the bed (he wanted to do that himself and didn't want to wait for help --- my heart was in my mouth!) and he was sawing logs in no time and slept for a good two hours.

Yip EEEE!! My heart is singing I can tell you. Ciaran was able to see him last night at his best. The two of them were laughing ... yes real rib crushing, belly laughs ... at farts and at me! Man ... it felt good to be on the outside looking in!

That's all for now guys ... more later. Keep those thoughts and prayers directed Conor's way! Looks like the hard work is about to begin!