The milestones continue to pile up. Each of the nurses and staff that haven’t seen Darryl for a few days are commenting on his obvious improvement. It is due in the main to the fact that his improvment is consistent and on many levels.
Darryl is now able to drink water from a glass and is really enjoying that after 8 weeks of drought. Hopefully next week this will progress to some eating of ice cream or yoghurt and then pureed food. I hope they have got plenty in their cupboards!
He had another good day at the gym on Friday with some some sitting exercises and then some punching of some hand pads as you’d see in a boxing gym. Shane Cameron will hardly be trembling in his boots at the speed of Darryl’s left jab at this stage, but it was followed up with some fairly good bicep curls which may have him wondering.
The speech therapist who was at physio wanted to try and get Darryl to make grunting noises as he exerted, so I suggested they give him a heavy dumbbell to do some curls with. They came back with a 4 kilo (4 times the weight which has been working with to date) and Darryl promptly started curling it like he’d never stopped. Consequently, the curls continued with out the hint of exertion. Maybe a deadlift will be in order!!
Darryl was hoisted up with a standing sling again on Friday and this time stood very well, unsupported and with all his body weight as the sling was released. It was a promising effort and so heartening to see. A real positive from my point of view was a test they did with him involving his reactions. The physio let him fall (in a controlled fashion) to his side from a sitting position on a padded bench to see if he would put out his arm to stop himself – he did.
She then repeated this test another four times and with each attempt she increased the speed she ’encouraged’ the fall to occur. Darryl’s reactions were extremely fast, his arm and shooting out to prevent the fall on each occasion. Very positive developments.
Today (being a Saturday) was a little more laid back, literally. But there was two highlights. The first was when Darryl burst into silent laughter. I decided to show him a video on my laptop that involved a rather amusing clip involving ’steaming’ given it was so amusing to him the other day. While he couldn’t see the screen too clearly, he could certainly hear it and and by halfway through his face had lit up with a huge smile more akin to silent laughter. I watched him with tears rolling down my cheeks, sharing in the joy he was obviously feeling and marvelling at the fact that he could actually show it.
The next big moment in the day came when Darryl had a visit from his favourite dog Jimmy that he trials with. Merv, his original owner brought Jimmy down and when he came into the room, Jimmy went straight to Darryl and recognised him immediately, licking and wagging his tail. Darryl stroked and patted Jimmy lovingly and burst into another glowing smile when Jimmy leapt onto the bed to get closer to his master. It was great to see. Darryl was delighted to have that time with Jimmy and it appeared it was a mutual feeling between dog and master.
So another good couple of days in terms of carrying away those stones and while there is a long long way to go, he is not wasting time. The important thing is good quality, quiet undisturbed rest and the ability to maximise the various forms of therapy each day. There is a lot of work needed on his right side which has suffered badly from the storming, but hopefully over the next few weeks we start to get some movement there as the muscle tone reduces.
Speaking of storms, it is fair to say he has weathered it. We are now moving to a genuine recovery phase, something 8 weeks ago we were told was very unlikely. It’s now time for me to ensure that my focus on his recovery is just that, on his recovery. This being the case I am going to update the site on a weekly basis rather than daily as even I am finding it hard to keep up with him at the rate he is working. Please feel free to keep sharing your comments and look forward to keeping updated on his journey. Knowing Darryl he will be looking to break all the records on his long way back.
Darryl, eight weeks ago Catherine, Brook and I were sitting scared and shocked in the critical care ward of Auckland Hospital, desperately clutching to the thin threads of life you were hanging by. We now watch every day as piece by piece you recontruct yourself using every thread of determination and character you have. A lifetime of turmoil and emotion has filled those eight weeks, but with each day that now passes those feelings which will remain etched into our hearts and minds for all time are being overwritten with the joy of recovery and the possibility of your progress back to full health. Keep that mountain moving mate, I’m sure the view from the top of the new one will hold something special for you.
I’m just so glad you’re back.
Dad
Wow and so the journey continues
and we can watch from a little further away
take care Dazzla and keep up this huge and amazing fight of yours!!
My Dad used to tell me: “Grab life with two hands and dont let go!”
Well Dazzla you have certainly grabbed life with two hands and mate you have earn’t this life. Take it and put it back on!!
Thinking of your BIGTIME, now this is when you need the most from others and I know that is sure to be what you get!!
Wow fantastic progress Darryl. We are so thrilled with the progress you are making. I was sitting at the window looking out at the Coopers Beach Shopping Centre yesterday watching someone clean there car window. Brought back memories of when you were younger cleaning car windows for some extra cash in fact i was jealous you were making more money in a few hours and I was working a full day. Keep up the fight Darryl X
Sir Edmund Hillary climbed mountains!!
Watch Darryl Sabin move them!!
Kia kaha to you all
Bill Thurston
Hey Darryl
The power of the bond between man and dog….
Especially yours my friend
SOOOOOOO happy you got to be with your mate again.
Hugs and love
Traceyxxxx
Hey there,
What a great week. Look forward to next weeks update. Go hard on your exercise so next time Jimmy visits you can take him for a walk aye!! I bet that was good healing for you both, good on ya Merv!! Sounds like they are working you hard now, so you get in there and get that right side doing the right things. Thinking of you and still praying for you too. Get well.
Too Much all right Darryl! Just Too much! To be honest you gave us the fright of our lives 8 weeks ago and Now….well ur just Gonna Make it. You Have to! So glad you got a visit from Jimmy too. BTW Harold is back sleeping and dropping his cat fluff on ‘your bed’ in the spare room, he kind of avoided going in there for a few weeks as if there was some kind of tapu on the place, even tho the door was always kept open (for your return). Take care there and keep getting Better.
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Thank you
Great to hear Jimmy was able to visit, no better medicine than the canine variety!
So good to hear Darryl’s progress is exceeding the expectations of 8 weeks ago – awesome.
You’re an awesome coach Mike, determined to unlock the doors so Darryl can be heard. With the rest of the cheerleading Sabin team the mountain of rocks is shifting as Darryl blasts his way through.
Keep well and looking forward to another week of great events.
Hi Darryl
I haven’t written on this site before but have read it everyday since your Dad started it. I can’t tell you how relieved and happy I am to only need to read it once a week rather than everyday!! What you have achieved in 8 weeks is incredible!! Keep up the good work Darryl. Just think of the HUGE party Dad and Catherine are going to throw when you feel up to it!! I reckon Dad will even let me smoke inside that night!!Yeah…that might be pushing it??!! Take care Darryl and keep on keeping on!!
Hi Team Sabin
You are all doing an incredible, incredible job for Darryl. He will be feeling so very proud and fortunate that he has you as his ‘pit crew’.
We all very strongly believe that when Aaron had his accident the love and strength of his own Pit Crew helped him enormously, and you can absolutely count on this being the same for Darryl. Even on rough days never imagine that your efforts and sacrifices are in vain – you are a making a massive difference to his recovery. What a wonderful family you are.
All the very best – and go Darryl!
Megan Clark
hey d,
your doing such an amazing job!makes my day with every read,
well its pretty chilly at the moment maybe you should invest in a hottie,as in hott water bottle(not girl)!haha got word from the station mums on,shes doing a 2week intensive with 14hour days up in the whopwhops with all the bears and eaty things..scary,but shel be having a ball and no doubt will be thinking of you every day,youll probley get a letter from her soon,im good stil slaving away at school,the balls coming up so gives me an excuse to raid dads wallet,and wear a freakin dress for the 3rd time in my life,a bit sad really but give me a pair of footy shorts and my bush shirt any day!!haha
thinking of you non-stop
love always
your friend bon:)x
Nice one both of you Sabin Boys…
Wonderful to catch up with the progress.It reassures me that the world IS actually full of good and that the power of a father and families love and dedicated work has been so justly rewarded.Both of you are inspirational to ordinary people like me who love our children. Thank you.
Mike-this will make an awesome book one day.
hey bro
stil followin ya frm down here in the deep dark south, and wil continue 2 do so until your well enuf to come down, rock owt and hav a beer or 2! (or 12)
we wer all talkin the otha nite about your beerotherapy and we decided to keep our eyes open 4 a big enuf fan to blow up some gud ol speights aroma ur way!
but then a gud point was raisd that it will b hard 2 find one big enuf to overpower the stench of hamilton!
we wil continue 2 send our best thoughts nd raise our beers for you bro. as long as u keep pushin on, this world needs far more true blokes like you and just knw that ur truly an epic person Darryl nd there is always a place 4 you down here.. if u shuld eva need it!
hope u got the pics of a little gig that we think raised a fuckin amazing atmosphere which we channeld ur way!
kia kaha
Nath, and rest of the southland crew
fantastic to read your son is slowly recovering…wonderful newz.
a thousand blessings to you all
Kia ora koutou!
Have missed a whole lot of happenings down there due to a whole heap of life’s day to day serves!! e.g. school stuff which keeps one extremely reclusive sometimes!! You are all very much in my thoughts none the less.
Soooo good to catch up with the awesome progress you are making Darryl. You are the man!
Keep it up young fella
Arohanui
Miss B
Pretty cool post. I just came across your blog and wanted to say
that I’ve really liked reading your blog posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Yo the Dazzla
Thinking of you heaps
bet you are doing amazing things,
can’t wait to read all about them.
Ah mate can’t wait to hang out again
Holy, You’re one outstanding man!!
With huge love the Tubbs Family
Hi
I do not know your son, but have been to a few of your lectures and have been following your sons journey. As a mother of a fearless, could not happen to me 17 year old boy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and will follow his journey through your website.
May your god go with you
Isabel
Heya D.
I’m so proud to hear about your constant surprising steps forward, you never were one to let life get you down. I just got a text from Megan, she seems pretty stoked about your achievements of the week (of course).
All our love and thoughts.
xx
Jas.
Good Morning Dazzla
Finally we are finished with stock take at work, Yay no more lying on the ground trying to count things under shelves and getting about 5 tons of dust up my nose.
We’ve been having some pretty nice sunny days lately, considering it IS winter. I went to my first gym class last night, was pretty cool. Going to boxing tonight, hopefully it’s not too hectic. See I’m finally doing what we spoke about on the phone.
Although I’m not doing a team sport, am I. . .
From what I hear you are doing really well Dazzla, and are Dazzling all those around you with your quick recovery, awesome effort, and massive steps forward that you’re taking every day. Apparently all the staff are just amazed at how well you’re doing. No surprise though, you are a Dazzla.
Have you thought much about what you want to do when you’re fully recovered ? Use your time there to think about it, Dream big dreams Dazzla. We can all help make them come true.
Can’t wait till we can chat again, soon hey.
XxXx Lulu*.
Blessings and prayers and keep up the good work – all of you.
Sue.
Go Darryl! We can visualise it as your development unfolds in the gym and trust that the progress continues in leaps and bounds so that the silent laughter soon evolves to roars of laughter!
We’ll check in again next week.
Lots of love
Sharon Rick Joe and Hamish
Hi, hope all is OK……no news since 19/20 june????????
Bill Thurston
Way to go Darryl, hang in there buddy.
Regards, Holly
I been listening to Jax in the mornings updating Darryl’s progress. I was very touched listening about his dog visiting. It’s obvious that Darryl is truly a special young man and I hope he is out with his dog running free in the near future.
Evening Dazzla
Hope your weekend is off to a great start with heaps of
family and friends.
Bet you have had the killer week
Can’t wait till your dad brings you back up north
things are just not the same, you know!!
Thinking of you heaps little Bro
Keep it coming…
Wow, so glad things are going so very well for Darryl. I have noticed the speed of him attempting new things in the last two weeks and it amazes me! I am sure he will be home before you know it. Keep up the good work, all of you!!
With a bit of luck they have Sky at your new pad and you can barrack for the All Blacks tonight – they need a bit of help. We’re sure you will have made great progress this week and look forward to dad’s next update. Dig deep Darryl – we’re thinking of you each and every day.
Can`t wait to hear the latest news.I have been logging on all week to no avail.Didn`t read your last episode PROPERLY.Looking forward to last weeks installment and more good news.
Morning Dazzla
So the AB’s win wasn’t over convincing,
but I remember a promise made to you
for the Tri-nations in three weeks time
How are your feelings towards that??
Think you will be up to the challenge???
I really hope so Dazzla!!!
No news is good news hey?
Take care little Bro
Tubbs Family
Hope you’ve had a great week of shifting more rocks off the pile Darryl!
Thinking of you all working so very hard.
Hey Darryl, Eden Park here you come!!!!!
Given the effort made by the AB’s last night they could certainly take a leaf out of your book. With your determination, ability to push all boundaries and some and the awesome caoching you are getting from Dad, you are a formidable team. Keep up the hard and exhausting, but incredibly rewarding work.
See you all soon.
LOL
Rose and family
Hey darryl,
how you doing?im guessing incredable,heard from mum yesterday!she was absolutly thrilled to hear about your progress!well her trip is going good,she got a wee tad clostifobic on the plane ride over there and managed to blow up to the size of a baloon and show all the airhostes what her last kiwi meal was!good on her ay,other than that shes having lotsa fun,has relised shes more experienced than what she thort with a horse compared to the clueless german students joining her which has led her to hopfully getting hold of larrys mate over there and seeing if hes got any more challenging stuff for a hard working kiwi lass! im good,trying my best to hang in here but missing the pig and goat hunting trips after school with mum instead its walks round the block with houses either side,guss the pig dog defintally isnt welcome with perfectally groomed old ladies cats running around
but owell im sure il survive
thinking of you non-stop
already no your doing awesome keep up the unbeleivable work
promise you a hunt down my way when your up and about!
love always bonxx:)
I’ll probably go see one just to see if I should avoid working out. I don’t trust them to fix me up, but I can definitely trust them to let me know what I need to avoid.