Darryl had a good day today and was responding really well to physio. I think he needs to get moving and stretching as he is no doubt sick of lying in bed and equally tight because of it. He was able to touch his eyebrows, nose and mouth and also answer a range of questions by the occupational therapists by either showing a thumbs down, or a thumbs up and then wiggling his thumb.
My brother Len and his wife came along to see Darryl today and Len noticed a lot of improvement from the last time he was down a week or so ago. I guess being with him so much you don’t notice the total improvements, so it was good to get that feedback from Len. It makes progress seem more real.
I spent some time today opening Darryl’s eyes and showing him pictures, the signed Northland jersey he has been sent and other momentoes. He recognised his dog Jim and responded well to the photos. Again this seems unbelievable given his state of unconciousness, but as I understand it he is slowly moving from what has technically been a coma to a state of very low consciousness. In essence the damage to the brain stem which controls the level of consciousness, eye opening, pupil dilation amongst other things leaves him in this low consciousness state, which we hope he is slowly fighting his way out of as the trauma of the injury begins to reduce.
In some ways the confusion of this sort of brain injury makes it easier to deal with because it lends itself to large helpings of hope and possibility in the absence of certain answers. A more prescriptive and defined prognosis could potentially be far more frightening given the devastation of the injury. I have done a lot of reading and searching the net for examples of brain injury of this nature and it is a harrowing experience I’d compare to tip-toeing through a mine field with a pair of diving flippers on, dragging your catch bag behind you. Something is going to blow up in your face!
The progress is and will be slow, but progress is progress and that we are thankful for albeit the uncertainty is only matched by the emotional turmoil that ambushes all of us at random and without warning. The strength of Darryl, his determination to achieve all he can is proving its worth in his survival and will do so in his recovery.
Darryl, know this in your heart:
When all around are struggling, and chaos fills the air,
When all the tides are turning and the pressure is hard to bear
When most are falling to their knees and few will hold their feet
When the white flags are being hoisted and the masses are all but beat
It is then that strength must guide you and calm must be your friend
It is then that you must swim strongest and to nothing you must bend
It is then that you must stand tallest and be most steady on your feet
It is then you must fight hardest and never surrender to defeat
And then when victory is yours to savour it will be so rich and true
For Darryl nothing in this world can compare to passing this test of you.
Keep strong and true Darryl.
Dad
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