Well it seems that Darryl is beginning to make himself at home at the HDU. He has pictures on the wall, cards all over the place, some of his favourite trinkets spread about his ’space’. But more than anything he had what I would describe as pretty relaxed day.
It started with yet another chest X-Ray to check on the progress of his chest infection, but on this occasion the result came back clear. Excellent, finally a real positive that felt so tangible I could almost give it a hug! I had thought that things looked on the mend because a little earlier in the morning Catherine and I who were in there with him and we were treated to something quite unique and certainly eye opening.
I was talking with Catherine at the foot of Darryl’s bed, she with her back to Darryl while I was looking over her shoulder as the nurse removed the cap on his Darryl’s trachie to prepare to suction it. I watched with a degree of intrigue as large bubbles started to form from the end of his trachie as if he was blowing up bubblegum. My intrigue turned to self defence shortly after as Darryl took an almighty breath and coughed a tomahawk flem missile which flew straight out of his trachie tube at us.
I was able to duck for cover behind Catherine who sadly for her had her back turned and didn’t see it coming. She was struck on the right shoulder and rather than cringe we just about burst out in a high five as in the early days we had heard from a critical care nurse that in recovery young guys often have trachie hoiking contests, the record being 2 1/2 bed lengths.
Well this one hit Catherine on the shoulder at a bed length and a half and I tell you it was still climbing. It was a potential record breaker and it was his first go! Darryl’s competitive qualities yet again shining through and another positive I could literally hold on to. Now I know it may be a little distastful to share this with you but the reason I am is that the ‘missile’ itself was clear and didn’t look infected as it has done for the last two weeks. He is beating the infection.
But it doesn’t end there. A little later in the day we opened a small gift that we were given by our very good friends Dion and Sandra to give to Darryl. The gift was a fantastic greenstone dog whistle. I put the whistle into Darryl’s open hand and read a short letter from them. Then I said to Darryl “you hold onto it mate, it’s in your hand, close your hand around it”….I watched with a mixture of amazement, exhilaration, pride and hope as Darryl clasped his fist tightly around the whistle.
I have fallen into that trap before however as it was explained to me that closing a hand when something is in it is an automated response and means nothing. But I felt there was a little more going on here. So in the spirit of hope and possiblity I said to Darryl, “if you like the present, blink”. And low an behold his eyes clenched more tightly shut in a blink!
Again I thought, don’t get carried away here, blinking happens automatically as well, even with eyes closed as they are. So just to really push the boat out I said to Darryl “so you do like, then give a thumbs up buddy”. and bang, up it went! Mind you it was hard to see with the tears rolling down my cheeks. The whistle stayed locked in his hand for for the next 3 hours. I stopped short of asking him to blow it, but that will come one day.
There were a number of other things that made today a little harder to digest, just minor things like his temperature more under control, resting more comfortably with less muscle spasms and beyond that he seems quite content to listen to a few good old hits on his favourite station Radio Hauraki.
It is two weeks almost to the minute since we arrived at Auckland Hospital to the waiting horror of this event. It has been the longest two weeks of my life and I have felt a multitude of emotions, most of which I didn’t know existed. On this second week anniversary I am just glad to have my son still with us and heartened that the character, strength commitment and determination that make him the exceptional young man he is, even in his most darkest hour, is shining through. Keep shining Darryl, keep shining.
Thank you all for your sincere and steadfast support and love for Darryl.
Mike
Our thoughts and best wishes are with you & your family.
As a parent we can only imagine what you must be going through, our heart goes out to you all.
Have faith, ‘Faith is like taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase’
Hi all
It is becomming a daily routine looking at this page looking for any signs of positve progress. It was really neat to read the post tonight and unexpectedly – I had a laugh think of Darryls competitive efforts ( Sorry Catherine!). Very good description Mike. We can only hope that each days posts keep getting more positive.
If there was one thing that I reckon would get help me out of a coma (apart from Erin and the kids) it would be music. Music is the one thing that everyone has in common – Everyone has a favourite song that stimulates them in some way and brings back memories and past experiences.
Darryl – It is fantastic to read that you have been more settled in the last couple of days and it was even better reading about the greenstone whistle. I believe every peice of greenstone finds the person it was ment for – it is pretty special stuff ( and I am far from being a spiritual person!) I am taking what I read as positive signs for you but dont let your guard down and make sure you keep up the fight. Know that we are all thinking of you and willing you on to get well up here. Cheers Darryl
Mike and family
I had the pleasure of teaching Brooke and Darryl in their final years at Whangarei Primary School and I cannot think of more memorable and oustanding boys. Darryl the strength of character and personality you had when you were 10 years old has obviously continued to develop and I just know you will pull through this tragic event.
My thoughts are with you and all your family
Barbara
How wonderful to read these words today. So glad you had a bit of a laugh today. It is the little things in life that really matter.
I started following the story of Darryl last night and was so delighted with today’s post. Good luck. I’m a kiwi living in Belgium, hoping with all my heart that he pulls through.
Take care.
Di
Hi Darryl and support crew
Wow!! Great news today
. It reminds me of when I was sittin g in critical care with Carl, my brother, last year. I had been holding his hand, touching him, talking to him the whole time, and there was no response. Then one night, I said to him “I know you can hear me Carl, and understand everything I’m saying to you.” Well, he gripped my hand so tight and held on to me. There was no doubt in my mind that was NOT an involuntary response. It was confirmation of my best hopes, and alleviated my worst fears. He could hear and understand, the beginning of the journey home to us…Darryl is on the way home too…
Waiting buddy, come on my boy and give us all a big surprise!!!
Especially for Mum seeing it,s Mother,s Day today!
Wouldnt that be a good one!!!!
Kia kaha buddy!
Bill Thurston x x x x x x x
Hey Darryl,
YEAH !!!!!
Im up with the sparrows tis morning well puppies truth be known and read your blog. Great news
Knew you had the strength inside you, good things take time aye bud..
Just like training a good heading dog, a little progress each day.
I knew it was gonna be good news tis morning as its spossed to be rain ,hail and thunderstorms today and the sun is shinning.
Happy Mothers Day Megan!!
Robbie’s still in bed so guess breakfast in bed aint on the agenda. Will see if he wants to write to you later on.
Extra big hugs and love, my friend
Traceyxxxx
Awesome to read that Darryl is progressing and letting you know he’s with you, even if it does mean his mum got used for target practice!
Keep moving forward Darryl, one step at a time.
W O O H O O
Y E E H I
… G O D A R R Y L G O …
Good on ya Boy
We are so Proud of you and so stoked for you, and especially for your family
Nice one bro
What an awesome present on mothers day
“To all the mom’s reading this Darryls created an extra special
mothers Day for us all today – lets enjoy it…!!”
Keep on keeping on
Okay, Catherine…bugger!! And Darryl, come on mate, you gotta improve your aim a little, your father is a slightly bigger target!!
Very cool to hear that a good day was had yesterday.
You know what, take the high moments, embrace and enjoy them for what they are. Hopefully, they will help take the edge off any lows that may come along.
Thanks once again for your logs, fantastic way to share in Darryl’s journey.
Much love
Virg
Hi Darryl,
Have been catching up on your progress today as Mum had told me about the website. Is really great to read this morning that you had a positive day yesterday, keep pushing forwards mate, thinking of you lots, Eve
Dear Darryl,
It is really sad to hear that you are in hospital, hope you get better soon.
From Tegan O’Callaghan
Hae its coolto hear he’s responding now.
As it was a great bug scare not only for the
Te Hapua rugby team but for the Te Hapua community
too. Hope to see him back here again.
Kia Kaha Darryl
Aroha nui
Wiki and Clarke whanau
Hi Catherine
All our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time
Love Jo
Gidday to all the Sabin whanau,
Bruce Hopkins here, sitting with my Mum Coe, who has asked me to be her secretary, as her IT skills stop at the gate just after turning the computer on!
Mum and all of our family send our love and thoughts to all of you as you stand with your young warrior Darryl at this time.
Fantastic to read the blog entry from yesterday, from the excellent hoik!!! to the clasping hands and blinking eyes, it sounds like he will back on board the bucking broncos in no time. Tell Darryl the biceps in the rodeo photo on the website are are bloody impresssive! I’ll make sure I never get on his wrong side!
Loiving thoughts to all
Coe Hopkins and Family
I read your posts every day with a mixture of fear and elation, what fantastic news, keep up the great work guys, I really believe all the great energy, prayers and love that is coming from all over the world is starting to turn this thing round. Great news !
Darryl,
Have been tracking news of you everyday, you have been so strong, making everyone very proud.
That dog whistle sounds like a beauty.
Thinking of you heaps,
Love Anita and the Semenoffs.
Well done Darryl, it is good to see your sense of direction is still on Target – dear Catherine & Mike you made me laugh which is a first for a while and I’m sure Darryl thought it was pretty funny too – look out Mike you might get it next.
Let Darryl know that dad is looking forward to meeting Roy and that he will have a new kennel to move into – obviously not permanently but for as long as needed.
Will chat to you later, enjoy Mother’s Day and Darryl’s continued improvement.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses to you all
Rose and family
P.S Sarah says hi to Brenna and looks forward to seeing her again soon.
Kia ora Darryl,
A day has not gone by since your accident that we haven’t woken up wondering how you are doing. It was so neat to read what your couragous folks had shared with us all. The responses you have given them, the Mothers Day gift of the missile, is eveything parents want to see and feel.
You don’t know us but we feel like we know you from what your dad has so bravely shared with us. You stay strong and get well as you are one of the blessed special ones. With all the love, positive vibes and prayers surrounding you, it’s a beautiful strong base for you to heal in. Get stronger and keep giving your mum and dad little treasured messages. We will keep our thoughts strong and positive for you. Kia kaha…stay strong!
Mike and Catherine,
Thank you so much for sharing your personal thoughts and feelings with us. It must be so hard for you,but you are so brave and couragous. The love of a parent for their child is something stronger than anything else in this world. It is that that sees us and our children through the hardest times.
We would like to share a time with you that was a hard time for us. We have been in this place where you are now with our 1 month old baby and know the feelings of helplessless, hopelessness,pain,anger, She was in intensive care for 10 days a very,very sick little girl. Lots of thoughts and prayers and love surrounded us and her for her recovery and the strength and love between us became something so strong that it helped us cope with the many ups and downs of that time. Our daughter is now a healthy 14 year old who blessed us with her birth and continues to do so with just being herself.
So will Darryl, who is a strong young man who is healing slowly but surely. God bless you all.
Music always helps to stimulate and so do smells. They will trigger a memory. Maybe he has a favorite smell?
Thank you for sharing
Dave and Rose Lazarus – Spicer
Keep up that fighting Spirit Darryl.
You are an absolute inspiration to all young Men.
Wont be long now before your back sitting on that beer crate!
Hi Mike
Just read about Darryl yesterday. God what’s that about! Glad to hear that he seems to be making progress – that’s great news and I can’t imagine what a relief it must be for you. He’ll be back on deck in no time. Be thinking about you both.
L
hey cuz
Iknow u gana pull through this so when ya do
me and nardz are gana give u a helmit to were to bed
just uncase u fall out of bed in a awsum dream haha u know im kidding cuz,u had us woried last week boy!but now we have smiles and every 1st cold 1 we drink we cheers to u my bro,cant wait to talk to ya much love ya cuz shane and bro nards.xxxxxxxxxx
Hey guys =]
Good to see that Darryl’s making progress. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all. Best reguards from all the Andersons
xx
Look forward to having you be Santa’s little helper again as you did in Xmas 2007 in the Dargaville Floats, you really enjoyed running down the road with your red flashing santa hat on with 2 buckets of lollies for all the kids on the side line. Thinking of you everyday and looking forward to you walking into our home again. Cheers Jane
Kia ora to all the Sabins you are all in our prayers. Darryl mate i herd about you and have been thinking about all our awsome cricket we used to play back at TAS what a blesed sports man you are. with out a doubt the only reason we used ta win sad but tru. Would be so good to see you up north at home mate once again Your in our prayers get better and see you up north.
Hey, wishing you all the strength and love for this incredibly difficult time, just thought you may like to hear a positive story in a similar vein to help you through.
My brother Paul suffered a massive head injury 10 years ago. He too had a craniotomy to relieve pressure on his brain and we were told there was no hope. After a trachie while in a drug induced coma he started to show positive signs…just small baby steps like clasping our hands which seemed so huge to us at the time. Doctors told us that if he were to come through it we would not want to live with the outcome which would be such severe brain damage he would be better off dead.
Paul continued to make slow progress day after day and eventually made a significant recovery. He went through several years of rehabilitation learning to walk and talk, coped with seizures and behavioural difficulties particularly anger issues but after 3 years Paul was a high functioning intelligent and way more sensitive version of his former self. He was incredible with his strength and determination and astonished all the doctors with his almost full recovery. We felt so lucky to be part of his journey and he inspired all of those who lived it with him.
I hope so very much that you have the opportunity to live the same journey with Darryl.
Sending you all the love and strength that will get you throught this nightmare
Love Suzi
go daryl go u can do it get well soon and come drink and be merry with us!!!!!
hey cuz,
we no u gana pull through this soon so when you do me & nardz are gana give u a helmit so you can wear to bed for if you fall out of bed in an awsome dream! haha na you know im just kidin cuz! we have been smiling latley thinking of ya and when ever we have our first cold 1 we cheaz to you my bro,cant wait to talk to you much love ya cuz shane and bro nardsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Hi Darryl!
I’ve been doggedly following your progress – Mike’s latest report is something to woof about – keep it up bro.
Gee our Brenna is a cool kid, reading to you and all. I hope she’s read you “Clifford the Big Red Dog” – it’s one of my faves.
I’m really missing you and hanging out with your big dogs – I’ve had to resort to walks with that wussy little black thing over the road. I think she’s a miniature puddle – she’s really wet all right, wanting me to play and interfering with my serious sniffing time!
Our run on the beach was late tonight – had to wait for a break in the wether if ewe get my drift.
Anyway I ws feeling happier hearing about your responses yesterday so I had a bit of a game with the wuss.
Hope you’re still listening to music – the wussy dog suggested Bach but “Who let the dogs out” is better.
Heaps of licks
Bella
Oh my goodness, WOW!!!! You’re such a legend Dazzla.
I almost fell out of my chair when I read todays blog, the more I read the more I couldn’t contain my smile getting bigger and bigger. I found myself yelling out to my other sister down the hall “Guess what Darryl did yesterday !!!!,”and continued to explain all the amazing things you did.
My Love and thoughts are still constantly coming your way, and Ill speak to you soon ey !?!
Love Lulu*.
Mike that must have been such an out of this world feeling when Darryl did all those things. Euphoric. You must just be so proud of Darryl, he’s such a fighter, such a legend.
What a lovely post today!!! Just so thrilled to hear such positive things have been going on for you all… Happy Mothers Day Mrs Sabin, what an awesome and very unique present your boy dragged up for you this year! Still thinking and praying for you all…Go Darryl Go!!!
I remember both Darryl and Brook well from their days at Whangarei Primary when I was D.P. there. Both were great kids and I was shocked to read of Darryl’s situation. I wish him and the family all the luck and strength needed to get through this.
Hey Darryl,
Thinking of you heaps and hoping for the best. Working up Paua at the moment.It just aint the same with out ya. Miss ya not comming round for beers after work, comming down for lunch and a yarn. Espesially tea time when theres a plate of leftovers,you were always there to polish it off and enjoy it.=p.Didnt think it would hit me as hard as it has but through this website it is obvious to see it has to many others also.=(.Just shows how much of a easy going and likable guy you are.But yeah seriously wishing for a recovery and seeing your smile and dedication to succeed again.=)
Stay strong and get well soon…Bubble Xo.
What a great weekend and how cheered we all are by your progress, Darryl. Mike, I wish I was a book publisher, I would have signed you up days ago. Brook, trying to juggle a job, trips to hospital and your other responsibilities is huge. Kia kaha.
Thinking of you all,
Ann
Words just cannot say how we felt when we found out about Darryl.
We know he is getting just the best family support he can, and we also know that he will get the best medical support that is available.
Darryl is a strong fit young man, and he will do all he can to survive this.
Mike – don’t look back at the what-if’s, look forward.
Darryl – there must be some more fence posts to put in, we all need you out there helping, and I mean EVERYONE needs you out there!
Sabin family – please make sure you look after yourselves, and we know you are looking after Darryl as best you can. If you need time-out, call.
The Griffin family.