Seven weeks.
Having got on top of some of Darryl’s pain and discomfort issues Darryl had a far more restful day today. It lowers the stress levels significantly! You can almost see the healing going on when Darryl lays there with his new-found snore gently rumbling away.
I did quite a few short sessions of physio and basic activities with Darryl today as there is no physio on the weekends. He performed really well and when I asked him how many leg raises he wanted to do with his left leg he put five fingers up. So five leg raises he did, each time getting his entire leg off the bed. Then I noticed Darryl was lifting his head and shoulders off the bed. I asked him if he was in pain because he looked as if he was cramping in the stomach. When I asked however he said he wasn’t. To my delight I soon discovered that Darryl wasn’t cramping, he was actually trying to sit up.
This was closely followed by him engaging his left arm to press into the mattress as a lever and actually lifting his whole left side off the bed and then able to shimmy his backside sideways. I said, “hold on mate you’ll be climbing out of bed if you keep this up”, to which he threw up a thumb. What it all amounts to is Darryl’s left side is waking up and he is exercising himself in bed.
His nurse for today sat beside his bed at one point today and said to Darryl that he was avery determined young man. I asked Darryl on a scale of one to five, one being not very, five being extremely, how determined was he. I don’t really need to tell you how many fingers shot up into the air…
The other treat for the day was coming into the room to find Darryl had woken up and had his eyes open looking around. For the first time, without any prompting as such he had opened both his eyes. Another milestone in the mountain he’s carrying away. It is now a regular occurance for him to open his eyes (as far as he can anyway) when he is awake and not too fatigued.
The only thing he got badly wrong today was his pick for the All Black test. He picked the ABs to win by 10. I’m not sure what happened to that script. I thought his pick was pretty much on the money. Oh well something for him to work on I suppose.
So seven weeks into this nightmare, Darryl has shown what he is and has always been made of. There are times when I think back to Darryl prior to this tragedy and the life we knew then. It is hard because in so many ways it seems like a world away. In that sense it is disheartening to call on those memories because the reflection comes at the expense of accepting the reality of today. But as these milestones are achieved a new bank of ‘Darryl’ memories begin to develop and the Darryl I knew prior to this event becomes in some ways an enhanced version of the former. They say that traumatic brain injury often changes the personality of a person. It is hard to see how that could be the case with Darryl because the one thing that has remained totally and utterly intact throughout, has been his character, his determination and his courage. This is who Darryl is and in my view is the only reason he still ‘is’ and not was.
Darryl, having fought your way back from that which most would have fallen, it is clear to me each day that what hasn’t broken you is making you. There is not much more I would have thought you needed to ‘make’ before this, but real tragedy and adversity are the seeds from which the most meaningful of growth will sprout. Maybe, just maybe, this experience is part of your coming of age in this regard. The test of you, that only you could withstand, because real growth comes only when you are put to and pass the test. And pass it you will Darryl.
Keep strong and true.
Dad
I read your last paragraph on this post and found myself nodding my head in agreement. I’m so sure you are right.
As always, it’s so good to find this progression each day, and see the sheer strength of character as he comes back from his injury with his family there to guide and support him.
I confess that I smiled a little, wondering how you will keep him that bed resting in the days ahead though …
So very true to your form DAZZLA
Exercising on your own – Really nice to hear because that is
just so so YOU
Bummer about the All Blacks mate, maybe Next week hey!!
Looks like you are well on your way to watching the game
promised to you – Great motivation we might add, and again true to you making it happen
Well done Darryl
Very Proud of you and very happy for you
And totally stoked for us
You have never fitted into the normal teenage square and I am now so very grateful for that
Keep on being YOU
Always thinking of you – Tubbs Family
Mike, its not just Darryl that is a man of steel and determination!!
You are too!!!
Never forget who he learned these traits from in the beginning…..YOU his father.
And now your teachings are paying dividends my friend!!!
Kia kaha to you all!!
Love and best wishes, Bill Thurstonxxx
Ofcorse your doing things super speedy,going all your full,youve always been like that weather its riding a bull,riding your horse,well any horse(no wounder woutang dosent like you very much)and especially eating haleys plates full of yummy diners,there is never such a thing as left overs with you! so dam right that nurse should be saying your going awesome
keep it up D
love always
bon:)
Hey Darryl,
Go you good thing…. maybe I should hitch the float on and bring you a horse, not a puppy for a visit ha.
Have’nt been in touch as not much to tell, I’ve got mum staying and as she is pretty much house bound, not much is happening. Robbie came up mid week as they have had exams of some sort, then he had to go back to play rugby yesterday.I’m
quite surprised that he is so dedicated to playing as there has never been an interest in rugby. Oh well guess it will be something else in spring.
I brought a new saddle on trademe waiting for it to arrive from Dunedin..its an english saddle much to Terrys dismay. I just do’nt enjoy my western, I feel like I’m sitting on a plank of wood.
Its been real wet this last week, feel sorry for the horses satnding in mud and not looking impressed at all. It makes you miss the station as at least they could go stand in the totaras on the hills.
STILL got two puppies to home ,they are getting bigger by the minute and its going to be hard as they have real individual personalitys now.
NOT that I want to keep them either they can definately go….
Well just a brief catch up my friend ,hope to be able to visit you late next week when I take mum home.
Will be in touch before that
Love and hugs
Traceyxxxx
Hi Darryl
Weather has turned to the south and is windy and cold.
More book work today as the accounts are due in to the office this week.
Have been dosing weaners and separating out those that need dehorning.
Te Rangi staff were busy with scanning their ewes last week.
Kathleens sister and brother in law were here for a few days fishing. Caught 2 snapper and lots of kahawai.
More wild pigs are appearing in Waikanae and Fig area keeping the pig hunters very happy.
Have had about a dozen tomatoes from your garden with plenty still to come shortly. The silverbeet and broccoflower continue to florish.
Pleased to hear of your progress and keep up the good work everyone.
Regards
Kathleen, Max, Deane, Latimer, Lewis and Sandy
Go Darryl!! You’re on a Roll! Mike, it’s OK to take a ’sabbatical’ now an then. Take Care and keep up the great team work – we’re rained off again here.
Hey Darryl
Just caught up on your progress, youve been a busy man!! 7 weeks ago we were all be reading this with worry and fear, but now when i see how far youve come i can help but smile. your one brave dude alright.
Nothing new down here, im going up north tomorrow though. I never quite get used to the 6 hour trip! time to harden up ay haha
Keep making those small steps darryl, when you look back to the beginning, id say they are actually pretty big ones
Thinking of you always
Heather
Well, I can safely say we were all just as bummmmmed as you about the AB’s. The crew all gathered at the Pioneer in Waipapa last night for a combined 30th birthday for Simon Lewis and to watch the game. Ugh, I hate the frogs! Trishie and I chatted about your wonderful progress and your new AB jersey. Keep it up mate, we’re all trying to help carry away some of the stones with ya!
Love Steph and Lance
You Little Beauty…
So good to hear Darryl is so responsive and determined to be understood – not much change in his personality from what you say, that’s great, his determination and strength of character will serve him well on this tough journey.
Great that he is opening his eyes, just need him to get the AB scores right and everyone will be cheering!
Here’s looking forward to a new week of progress for you Darryl.
Kia Kaha all
Hey Darryl,
It puts a smile on my face hear you doing so well, I’d like to come in see you some time, if your feeling up to it.
Keep up the good bro
Reuben Anderson
Hey Dazzla,
Just like Bonnie said, there are NO left overs with you. Its all or nothing.
I have no doubt that you will get ALL of you back, just the way you were, nothing left out.
Cus you were perfect the way you were, perfect.
xxx Lulu*.