The blinds finally opened!! Today for the first time Darryl was able to open his own his eyes unassisted. It was hard to believe, in fact it almost seemed unreal. But it was real. It was real.
Darryl’s best mate Eric came down with one of his dogs and I lowered Darryl’s bed down and we put a few towels around so that we could get Taz (the dog) close to Darryl. I opened Darryl’s eyes and he immediately reached out to touch Taz, then before long he was patting him and when I suggested it, he even reached out and held Taz by his rather oversized ears. Darry’ls movements were really controlled and purposeful. But when I moved to get into a better position I looked back and Darryl and noticed that his eyes were actually open. His left eye was over half open and the right was about a third. And for the next five minutes or so Darryl blinked and re-opened his eyes himself! What a thrill, what a breakthrough, what a releif.
But it didn’t end there. Darryl continued to pat Taz, but a wee while later I got out Darryl’s dog whistle and held it in front of him. He reached out and grabbed it between his thumb and forefinger and slowly moved it to his mouth. He opened his mouth and placed the whistle carefully between his teeth, sealed his lips around it and then proceeded to try and blow it. He couldn’t because his trachie is still in, but again, I just sat there with my gob open watching on with pride and happiness beaming all over the place. Shortly after that, we gave Eric a bottle of brown ‘fizzy water’ and darryl carefully took it from his hand, then moved it to his mouth, placing the end of it in his mouth and raising it up as if to drink. He then passed it back to Eric.
Shortly after that Catherine arrived with Brenna and I got Darryl to show here his one to five – fingers up and down routine, but I added a bit of maths to it. I asked what 1+1 was and he put up 2 fingers. Then 3+1, he put up 4 fingers, then 5-2 and he put up 3 fingers. All quick as a flash. Not long after Breen wanted to give Darryl a hug so we knelt her on the edge of the bed and she lay her head down on his chest. I said “give your sister a hug Darryl” and he put his arm around her gave her the first hug he has give in 6 weeks. Beautiful.
We got Taz back to see Darryl again before Eric needed to leave and Darryl continued to reach out calmly and pat him. The amazing thing was after Taz had gone that Darryl was able to reach down to the top of his thigh and rub his own leg. He has all of a suddenly got a whole range of movement and control out of his arm.
What a day! He just seems to be breaking out of the chains that have held him dormant for 6 weeks. I am really looking forward to getting that trachie out of his neck and seeing if he can get any speech back. What a difference that would make.
Darryl, today was the first time since this happened that I felt real joy. Just watching you turn your baby steps into large strides right in front of my eyes was magical. I will sleep easy tonight and tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
Love you Darryl.
Dad
wow….good on you mate. Darryl. I am so grad you are one step closer to convalesce.
well, this week is my last week of the sem. cant wait to the end of this week and I have to back to my study now. Talk to you soon
oh Darryl, you are such a SABIN!!! Just wonerful.I love you’re ability to make us so proud of you. Another generation of beautiful SABINS who just keeping making the world a better place – I really miss all you guys and it makes me so happy to hear your good news. Fantastic.
Awesome to hear Taz has been able to join the rehab team! There’s certainly a place for pets to be part of unlocking the doors.
So glad to hear at last you’re feeling able to rest a little easier Mike, that’s great news.
Hope the trachie is gone this week, another huge step.
Well done Darryl – Kia Kaha
wow, wow, frickin wow and awesomeness !!! that is great news guys, I had big tears in my eyes reading that this morning, I am so happy for you all ! Darryl you are a legend !
jax
OMG!!!! Like Jacqui, I too have read this with tears and a huge, beaming smile that’s coming from the inside out!!
Darryl, you are our own Kiwi phoenix mate…keep on rising and welcome home!!
What a fantastic gift to you (us) all. God, I can’t stop grinning!!
Much love
Virg
Eureka !!!!!!
What a huge step
As the astronaut said when he stepped on the moon
…….
One great step for mankind……
Well this is one great step for Darryl!!!!!
Kia kaha buddy!
Bill Thurston
Oh Man
Freakin Awesome DAZZLA
I think we can take our heads out of our hands now
and rejoice and give huge thanks at the thought
of even brighter days to come…
Mate right there, that is better than winning Lotto
and its just as good as finnally getting all your ducks
in a row in life – well hard earnt goodness that is…
Well done Dazzla
So very very Proud of you and so very very happy to have you back
Unbelievable relief
Huge hugs and love from the far far north
Tubbs Family
Hey Darryl,
Thats why I wanted to bring you a puppy for a visit, I KNEW thats what you would have been hanging out to see.
I know what your dogs mean to you and they are very important part of your daily routine.
Awesome news though that you are doing more things my friend.
Heading down to pick up my mum tomorrow from Hamilton she is comming to stay for a week. So will stay in touch of course and if you need a puppy fix ,I will organise myself for when I take mum home.
Keep on keeping on Darryl
Love and hugs
Traceyxxxxx
I am so pleased that animals are playing a part in Darryls recovery. Robin Williams (Patch Adams)always said that laughter is the best medicine, but I think it comes second.
Congratulations to all of you #:>)
I couldn’t read this one out to family here at all because I was so very very pleased for you all and might have cried if I tried.
Congratulations on such a great range of achievements in the space of a day. I’m coming to expect no less than miraculous from everyone involved.
Hi Darryl
I have been reading this blog every day that your Dad writes about your journey. Your recovery is inspirational and so is the love and support of your family. I am just about jumping around the office this morning, after what your Dad has said, you have accommplished yesterday. Keep up the amazing work, hugs to you all, from down here in Palmy.
From Mel and the Antonio family.
Hi Darryl its Brenda here, Allens sister..
Wow!! Oh boy Darryl, you truly are THE MAN!.. Ive just read about your momentous battle and I am now a blithering mess!..You are just beating the odds everyday, you are amazing.
Do you remember at Hawkeys Birthday when you patiently led Jazzy and Grace around for ages on Wu Tang, we all got hoha and went back to the house and you stayed out there until the kids had had enough..they even fell off and you made them get back on..well mate now its your turn, time to get back on the horse.
All the very best to you all for the long road ahead…. Cant wait to hear what youve got to say when that trachie finally comes out. KIA KAHA Bro
Arohanui kia koe me to whanau
Brenda
OK, so I, like my sister above am a complete, blubbering mess right now!!!! So absolutely, totally in awe of you and your families achievements throughout this whole process… you are all amazing and inspiriational in every way…
I too cannot wait for that trachie to come out so that you can have a crack at communicating in other ways… unbelievably proud of you all!
Rest easy Mike and family, he’s on his way out of this long dark period. You have all handled this with a strength and dignity that you don’t see as often in some families these days. Good things come to those who wait, and wait, and wait… and all this rest has let come back in his own time and with exceptional results…
BIG UPS to all of you… I’m off to spread the news around Bolton Lands and cheer up what is a dull and dreary winters day.
Continued Love and Support to each of you…
WELL DONE and AROHA TINO NUI…
Wow, this is such great news.
I am just so plaesed for you all, i also had tears welling up in my eyes! Fantastic Darryl. Keep up the great work guys.
Mike, You are an incredible man, your love and strength is amazing.
Regards
Laura
Wow Daryl!! Way to go!!!!
Alec and I are just over the moon to hear of your latest progress….its awesome!
Keep up the great work….we knew you could do it!
Love to you and all your family
Rae & Alec
Yahoo – fantaaaaastic….we knew it would happen – amazing news. We are all thrilled for the “on the ground” support team too – what a win eh?
Keep up the hard work.
Lots of love and support to you all from Whangas
Way to go Darryl, welcome back dude! so may people have been waiting for this moment to come, and you didnt disappoint!! You are the best, and you are blessed to have such a wonderful support team in your family. Throwing more love and best wishes your way champ!! All our love the Mitchell clan.
OMG Darryl, you are unbelievable. Mike & Catherine this is the best news, we are so happy for all you, hugh day for you Darryl keep it up. Big hugs from the Goodwin family and friends. Love you guys XX
What a great step.Keep up the ggod work Darryl. What an exciting time for you to finally relinquish the coma and be able to communicate with us. We were talking about you on the weekend and how good it would be to get the trache out adn get some air and water down your throat!! You go boy, bring on this week with its challenges and maybe they could sneak you out for a beer after all!!!
Have a great week, thinking of you and celebrating your latest success. Time to lose the trache!!
Regards Jane
Good work Darryl, we will see ya soon
Wow!!!
I came up to play the 90milers at Taipz on Saturday. HoraHora 10 90milers under 18’s HEAPS!
See u soon. Mum will bring me down in the holidays.See you then.
Teila
AWESOME!!!! You go Darryl! Just keep on making breakthrough after breakthrough. We are all out here willing you on and celebrating every step on the road to a complete recovery. Bring on the miracles
And to all the support crew – keep up the good work and look after each other.
Love, Ginny
Oh wow! I sit here with tears streaming down my face!!! My 3 year old just asked whats wrong – how do you explain you are crying for a stranger and his family?? I am so glad for you all – I continue to be amazed by the strength and togetherness of the family. Keep fighting – I want to have more tears of happiness!
Arohanui
Wendy
Hi Mike,
Still following your journey daily from the UK – still in awe of the strength you, your family and (of course!!) Darryl are displaying.
Mike – the love and pride you have for Darryl comes through in every sentence you write – remember to be proud of yourself also – all the incredible determination, spirit and (dare I say?) stubborness that is helping Darryl win this massive battle can only have come from his parents.
So ‘good on ya both’ – along with Brenna and Catherine you are providing your boy with the ammunition he needs – as well as providing people all around the world with inspiration.
Darryl – ’so much respect’
Prayers and best wishes from England,
Anthony Holland
Good on you Darryl!!!
Well done, what super/excellent News
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone, keep up the great work.
Keep positive and keep working hard Darryl you’re be back soon.
Mike, you are amazing, Darryl will love you even more when this is done and dusted.
Excellent News, love to Darryl and family
Rose and John
I have been following Darryl’s journey from over in Australia and am amazed daily by what I read. I have been in tears at times and others I have been unable to wipe the grin off my face. It is a miracle and it just keeps getting better nad better. Darryl is progressing in leaps and bounds.
My love to you all.
Roxie
Woohoo Darryl, you have come sooo far, we knew you would do it!! Keep up the amazing progress
Darryl,Every day I read your progress and live in hope that you will wake up-today was that day.Mate you are an inspiration to all of us.Take care-Dooley
What fantastic news, we were all so excited reading about your progress Darryl and can only imagine how ecstatic your family must be. Well done keep on keeping on. I bet you can’t wait to taste that brown fizzy water your Dad’s told us about!
Hi Darryl.
Good to hear you are taking strides now.Keep up the good work.
All the men were over the moon this morning with your progress and Taz the wonder dog.
We have been sorting up the cows to day to start them getting ready for calving.Good day in the cattle yards.
Your garden is getting a bit of a hammering from the wind to night. Blowing straight in on the tomatoes, just hope they survive all right as they are loaded at the moment and are not far away from ripening.
Regards from Kathleen, Max, Deane, Lewis, Latimer and Sandy
Friggin’ Awesome Darryl!!! Bloody amazing!!! Your unbelieveably great progress leaves us speechless…!!!WOW!!!…
Haha that’s choice as about your little dog Taz aye, pets r #1!
Keep it up mate, All our love and support!!
Gem oxo
Way to go Darryl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You ARE the Tower of Power!!! Everyone here is dancing a jig and I can’t wipe this smile off my face!!
With all our love and support from your Canadian family!
Cheers,
Murray
Wow what a break through. I caught up with Catherine and Brenner yeaterday it was so good to see them. Brenner is such a ispirational wee sister to you Darryl it was great to see her back up here in coopers Beach. Will be even better to see you all back here. Great to hear you are doing so well. Keep up the fight. X
Hi Darryl,
For the past six weeks we have followed your journey daily, sent our prayers, shed some tears and marvelled at your progress. Ben has been working for DOC, out on the islands from Whangarei, Jaz is working towards a career teaching. Your strength of character continues to inspire us all. You keep on amazing us!!! Love Ben, Jasmine and Athene
I just wanted to let you know that the Ohio Narcotic Officers Association is praying for you and your family, and that through this difficult time there are people all over the world who are thinking of you. Please keep the information coming, and stay strong.
Woooo hoo Dazzla
It must feel so awesome to be able to see things now.
Slowly but surely your body is letting you do things by yourself. All in time Dazzla, all in time!!
Love Lulu*.