Today brought another chapter in Darryl’s book of recovery; he moved to rehab. Three weeks ago the registrar spoke to us about rehab and the fact that he could well go there while still in a coma so we have had time to get used to the idea, but you do feel a sense of anxiety moving from a hospital all the same.
The rehab is a specialist facility that deals with traumatic brain injury patients and has all the bells and whistles for rehabilitation. Darryl is in the most intensive needs unit and there is a huge team of specialists that will begin work with him and hopefully ease him back to consciousness.
It was one of those ‘twilight zone’ moments on the way out there in the ambulance. I asked Darryl if he knew where we were going and he gave a thumbs up, he also knew we were in an ambulance and he was able to communicate his level of comfort the whole way – while in a coma!!
We got him settled in there and put up all his cards and pictures around the place and tried to brief up the staff on him , his progress to date and what makes Darryl tick. There had been a pretty thorough handover from the hospital team so the transition wasn’t as scary as it might have been, albeit there is nothing about this journey that doesn’t scare me.
The rehab team will spend the next week assessing Darryl and getting to know what he can and can’t cope with and then develop a plan. What that plan looks like, how long it will be and what will ultimately be the result is anyone’s guess. Time will tell and we must all remember that this is a marathon not a sprint.
The next few weeks will hopefully see the positive progress continue to grow and the distance between our parallel universes close. There are times when I have to remind myself of the life that we left behind on this day four weeks ago, but I am also aware that life is about the journey not the destination and we are all defined by the way in which we deal with the twists and turns the journey inevitably brings.
There is no easy way for Darryl, there are just degrees of difficult. In so many ways I wish I could unravel this mess for him and put the pieces of this jigsaw back where they should be. But life doesn’t work like that. It goes only one way and that is forward. The ‘what ifs’ only serve as reminders of choices not made and are salt in the wound for those who dwell on them. Darryl is not that guy. He has, and always will do what needs to be, to move forward. Looking back to him is simply a way to measure how far he has come, not what he could have done differently.
So as time moves forward so will he, safe in the knowledge that it is in tomorrow that the endless stream of possiblities really lay, regardless of the path that got him to today.
Keep strong Darryl
Dad
WOW, moving along the corridor and then right out the front door and off to rehab, great news to hear Darryl is moving along with his journey.
He’s in great hands for the next stage.
Your life is like a jig saw…..another piece in place!!!!
Cant wait until we have finished this one.
But we will persist and do a little each day!!
Kia kaha buddy!!
Love and regards, Bill Thurston x x x
Morning,
Its a wet wintery day up North and I hear the wild weather has just hit Kaitaia. Remember the feel of the wind at your backa dn the rain on your skin ann your hands frozen to your quad bike handlebars!!! The warmth of getting inside out of the wet and the feel of that first hot shower – its one of those days. Good news about the move, keep working hard. Have a great day at rehab so you can get back out and battle the elements.
Jane
It is awesome to read of your progress Darryl, keep up the good work buddy.
I thought I would share with you that the French Tennis Open has begun, will inform you how it goes, even though you are not the biggest fan of Rafael Nadal, I think he will win, or definately make the finals.
Thinking of you and your family.
Good Morning D A Z Z L A
And what a great morning it is to read of your progress
man you have COMPLETELY earnt your place at rehab
Well done little bro
So flippin awesome
You are one tough, guttsy little bastard
You are not missing anything weather wise,
you are like a great big grizzly bear
hybernate in winter and lap up the summers Hey!!!
That really is’nt you though is it? Na, always keen for something
We are all willing you on just as much as you are!!!
I Spend time sitting absorbing life for you,
hoping in some way you will be able to feel it too
slowly breathing in the cold morning air
I know you can feel it in your lungs and i know you want to
live all you can and we all look forward to being apart of
that, you are such a little ledgend
Take care Dazzla
Love
Tubbs Family
Hey Darryl, just wanted to tell you you are never far from our thoughts we are right behind you all the way, we know you can do it. Dad said he spotted three piggies over the back yesterday when moving the cows so I might have to go out for a look with Doug this weekend, will let you know how we get on!
Hey Darryl,
Sounds like you had a busy weekend. I had a really awesome weekend with my friend and my pony. The weather could’nt have been better on the coast. Man alot of changes out where I used to live. We (me & Robbies dad) had a place up the Pataua estuary and my gosh houses have popped up like mushrooms out there. Little five acre blocks everywhere…..
Sort of sad in away but thats life aye.. did’nt ruin the views or the riding. Badger (me horse) was sooooo good considering I had’nt ridden him since January.
Got heaps of photos I will show to you soon okay. Terry was’nt feeling too good sunday so did’t come and get me til yesterday. He has been a crook off and on since Poutu so made him go to the doc yesterday and he has Giardia (think thats how you spell)
He has lost a bit of weight (could do with a dose myself) and is feeling pretty weak…
NOT that, that has stopped him from going to the mangakahia today in this. torrential rain.
The 4 remaining pups have grown heaps in the 3 days I was away,
trashing the place now.
I better go and move Rocket as the tide is in and there is alot of rain comming off the hills at the back.
I’m not going to get my mum this week (with Terry and his giardia ) so will try and get in touch with your mum next week for a coffee.
Take care my friend
Love and hugs
Traceyxxxxxx
Hi Darryl,
It’s great to hear that you have reached rehab! My best friend spent quite a while there after a head injury and I know just how wonderful the treatment is and how very special the staff are. It was a pretty scarry time for everyone who loved him, but a very wise friend of mine told me ‘That without change, there would not be no butterflies!’My friend found his wings again and I hope and pray that it won’t be very long until you once again take flight.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, today amd everyday,
Kindest Regards,
Annemarie
Hey Darryl
Just to let you know we are still on this “journey” with you mate….on it for the long haul! (hopefully not too much longer!)
Good to hear you are now in rehab….. I guess this is where it all begins….lots of work to do no doubt. But that wont be hard for you buddy….we know you will give it your best shot!
We think of you everyday and are always ready to read the “next chapter”of your Dad’s daily blog. Good stuff.
Stay strong Darryl….looking forward to seeing that wonderful smile of yours!
Love to you and all your family
Rae & Alec
Good morning Mike and family.
I was just remembering Grant phoning to tell me what had happened to Daryl and that they were off down to AK. Now I look at the progress Daryl has made compared to the beginning! In the midst of all the pain, anger, hurt and everything else that goes with such a situation, it can be hard to look to the future. Sometimes all the emotions come at once!! Keep on keeping on!!
Blessings and prayers.
Sue.
Good Morning Dazzla.
Well it was a busy weekend. Had a friend’s birthday on Friday, although the weather was still bad. My parents got 375 mm of rain in one night! But Saturday and since then it’s been nice and sunny.
Made a big roast Lamb last night, yes I know I eat red meat now. Well I thought Id start off with Lamb, it’s really yummy actually.
When I came over to see you, I was going through all the photos and video’s I have of you on my phone. I was sitting with Brook showing them to him and I had to laugh. There’s a video of us one morning coming across a dead calf that must have been still born during the night. For you not a big deal, but for me, aahh. It was stiff, with … I don’t know, after birth and weird stuff all over it. The clip is of me filming you, I’m asking you what happened to it, and you’re very nicely trying to explain that it was probably born dead, while the whole time all you can hear is me dry reaching in the back ground. Very funny. I’ll show it to you when I see you next, ok. Or I think Brook’s got it on him laptop now, so you can ask him if you want.
I finally got my kitten on the weekend. Very very cute. I think I’ll name him Diesel, I’m not sure yet. He’s a beautiful blue Grey, looks just like velvet. But I can’t stop thinking about the other cats and dogs I saw there. They just get so many, that when they come there they don’t have long for someone to take them other wise they are put down. She mentioned that they put down 80 over 3 days
very sad. Very sad.
Well Dazzla stay strong, because you know we’re all here for you! Keep persevering, and you’ll be out of this soon.
Kia Kaha,
Love Lulu*.
Just checking in to see how things are coming along. Sounds like major progress being moved to rehab. Will be interesting what Darryl recalls is said and done around him during the coma when he comes to. If your daily writings are anything to go by then there is alot of relevant and supportive words he will be taking in. Not sure I would be dealing with things as well as you all are. You guys are a pretty amazing team. Take care Ula
Hi there Mike, Catherine and Family.
I have not been in personal touch as i find myself in that place where I just have no words to say that would do justice to yours and Daryls world at the moment. I also suspect that some days you are just about ‘talked out’ about it all. Just know that you guys are never far from my thoughts. Daryl sounds like he is ready to fight through this as are you.
Having said all that we are coming though Auckland this long weekend and would like to catch up. I will give you a call to see if it would work out.
Hang in there.
Phil T.
Hey Buddy!
What an exciting day for you! Must have been nice to escape the hospital. I got home today, hoping for a change in the weather, but its only gotten worse. Bring on summer eh
One thing i did notice on the drive home was that the fog had lifted for the first time in weeks! Usually i cant see my front lawn in the mornings. Now its your turn. Cmon, surprise us
Great news that Darryl has moved to rehab.
Sounds like Darryl knew what was happening too.
Little steps all going forward.
hey darryl
keep up the good work hun im so proud of you.