So it is in the spirit of the ’coma-coaster’ that we had some really positive progress today. Darryl has basically gone 24 hours without the storming, thanks I’m sure in part to the fantastic work by the nursing team who are doing all they can to eliminate triggers for the condition. They have identified that some things or positions my be inducing the condition and are trying to avoid them. It is really reassuring to have a medical team that are working in tune with Darryl, who lets face it is not the easiest guy to keep in tune.
Anyway, after a good restful nights sleep Darryl performed well at his gym, Jim, but not as we know it , session. He was responding quite well to commands, or at least trying to and was then rewarded with yet another restful snooze in his famed lazy boy. The physio team also made up a splint for his right arm which seems to be bending and not wanting to sit straight. He will spend time in that to help keep his muscles lengthened.
The most positive response however came late in the day when the physio returned to fit the splint and saw Darryl responding to Brenna and obviously in a more wakeful state. So we thought we would put him to a bit of a test with a thumbs up and thumbs down for yes or no.
There were a range of questions such as do you live in Te Hapua, Do you like rugby ( to which he answered yes!!!) Do you like pig hunting, do you grow vegetables, is your father’s name Mike? etc. And we were most impressed to see his thumbs go up to all the ‘yes’ answers and turn down (as best he could) for the ‘no’ questions. Brook, Catherine, Brenna and I just stood there with our jaws dropping open. Well Brenna didn’t she just kept giving Darryl motivating words of encouragement that I would expect of someone four times her age. Quite the little nurse she is!
He was also reaching out and grabbing his little soft toy “Jimmy’ dog and grabbing and releasing as requested. How on this earth this can happen when he is in a coma, I don’t know. It is bizarre to say the least to be able to communicate on this level with someone who is locked in a state of comatose.
I also read him some more blogs which he gave several thumbs up to and really starts to breath heavily when he is listening to them. I am confident the messages are reaching the target and this being the case must give him the strenght they give us as family. Thank you for that from us all.
However the main thing is, that it is positive progress albeit I struggle with seeing my son lying there trapped in this state of suspension. Again there are no answers as to where things go from here or on what time line. The wait continues and the anguish I feel will remain deeply entrenched for some time to come I would imagine.
I miss him so much and take such heart from these little glimpses of progress, but it also serves to remind me of how much of a hole remains where once Darryl was in my life. The longing I have to reach out and bring him ‘back ‘is overwhelming and something as a father I struggle with given my inability to do just that.
I share words of encouragement with him and know in my heart he hears them and that the journey is one being shared despite the feeling of co-existance across inverse states of consciousness.
It is still a day at a time and I am weary of what hurdles may lay around the many corners to be turned yet, but for now, for today, I just so proud of Darryl, my loving, courageous, determined son.
Good on ya mate.
Mike
Awesome Darryl – Fantastic! Keep fighting. You just keep reading out those post out to him Mike! He is letting you know he is in there and will come out in his own good time.
I’m travelling in Italy at the moment but check in daily to see how Darryl is doing and so I was truly delighted as I read of his progress. And Brenna sounds like she is the best little sister in the world. Good luck in the days and weeks ahead.
Best wishes
Di
Morning troopers
we have just finished reading yesterdays diary, Your one amazing family..
Keep up the great work Darryl
Thinking of you heaps & sending you all a BIG HUG
Morning D A Z Z L A
Huge Day for you mate
W E L L D O N E
Heading down to kerikeri to get the last of the farm legal side
sorted, then this weekend doing a reap course, Allen taking boys
to Brendon and Sarah’s boys – Reene first Birthday party.
Cleo is having huge back surgery on Monday ( little ledgend )and the extended family will be down that way, and i would say, most likely they will call in and see you. We are going to head down next weekend and would love to catch up with you.
Very happy to hear the storming is getting managed and people are reading you easier thats huge, you must be giving more signs for them to be able to do this, good work.
So many people ask after you up this side and they all send you so much love and all cant wait to hear how you are getting along. Most of the old boys dont have computer knowledge and they all want you to know they are thinking of you and are sorry for you situation, but know you will get there without a doubt and sat this with big grins on their faces, knowing what you are all about.
Take care Bro
See you soon
Tubbs Family
Mike and Family,
Hey thats awesome progress……..really encouraging! Keep up the good work Darryl!
MD
Mike what an ammazzing person your are for sharing your story ,even thorough it is a heart renching time,
You son sounds like a fighter. I will never forget teh time I sat with my mother, day and night weill she was in a Coma, and how it was so amazing she could grunt to me or my daughter when we asked her someting, she had this ph call with my daughter who was out of town and when my daughter aske my mum something she grunted, and the days she was in extrea pain ,she was restless and I said to mumis you pain bad she grunt, and I will tell a nurse and the would came and give her more relieve,
After being by herside for 6 days and know change in her cond I said mum am I going home (lived out of town) or staying I said give me a sighn with an hr her temp had rising I said ok mum I,m staying, after arrang to send my kids back, her temp dropped.
So Mike hang in there they can hear everything. I twill be along during, hopefully now the good days will be a lot more,
Regards Liz
Softly, softly catch the monkey!!
Rome wasnt built in a day!!…..just remember those sayings…
I think we are getting there Mike!!
Cmon Darryl, still waiting buddy!!
Kind regards, Bill Thurston
Good Morning Darryl,
Just reading ya blog while Im eating my porrige. Yeah I get up early now (better believe it) 9 howling pups have a bit to do with it.
Sounds like you passed your question and answer time with ya Dad with flying colours….I never doubted you could.
Kyle is comming up this weekend to get his pups, taking two catahoulas and 1 heading pup. Yay the nursery will be down to six. They are getting very active and I have to sneak away from them, they are discovering my pot plants and anything in chewing range.
I did some painting yesterday not my favourite job put it sure beats sanding. Terry has a day at home today so Ive left him the ceilings to do, ha ha.
I also been nagging him to do some kennel maintanence as I know where I want the kennels put. We are going to concrete under them and have a big concrete cesspit so I can hose it all away YAY!!!!!!
Well thats our plans for the day. Hope you have a good day too.
Hugs and love my friend
Traceyxxxx
P.S. We thought we would find out where Roy is and bring him home til you ready for him again. Terry has a bit of work on now.Will let you know how we get on okay.xxxx
Hi Darryl
No words seem adequate, but I remember you from school and was really sad to hear about your accident. The awesome progess you have made is inspiring – it was great reading todays. Keep fighting and I look forward to seeing you up North again soon. To Brook and family, stay strong and take care
Thinking of you all Philippa
keep up the good work and keep working hard mate, you’ll get there.
So good to hear that the storming appears to be under control and Darryl is having a more settled time.
Keeping you all in our thoughts – keep well.
Hey Darryl!
Keep up the good work mate! sounds like your getting there.
We are all super proud of you.
Big hugs from the Waikato.
xx
Darryl, Mike & Family….
We know you have the strength to get through this and we are thinking of you everyday! Darryl..if anyone can come back from this it is you, your spirit is strong and you have the ability to push all the boundaries and keep fighting – you will get better.
Great news about the progress you are already making ~ and we can’t wait to one day join you in a game of Cricket at Taipa!
Take care
Carl & Rebecca
Mike,
This blog has given me the biggest true smile ive had in ages.
your boy is a honestly an inspiration for us all, what a bloody soldier, wonder where he got that from!
Its great to hear the rapids of fate are slowly but surely easing out into smooth placid waters for you guys, and i can only hope now with all my might and all the best vibes i have, that the river glides both Darryl and your family smoothy on until you find a safe place to get the bloody hell off!!
You’d really be suprised how many people down here, allthough they dont know Darryl, somehow feel connected to him and really do care. so just know that oh so many vibes and good thoughts are comming your way from the six fingered banjo players. (hopefully i wont be run out of town with torches and pitchforks for saying that!)
Kaua ma te waewae tutuki e hoa,
Keep pushing on with determination my friend.
nothing but thr very, very best,
from the land of perky nipples and turtleneck skivvys,
Kristy Pearson
Hi ya Darryl,Mike, Catherine, Brook, and Brenna. It is such a thrill to catch up with the progress that’s going on down there .Brett and I remember that ward vividly. My thoughts and prayers happening every day in every way.Take each day as it comes and get as much rest as you can. Arohaniu ki a koutou. Kia kaha!
PS – Record some of his favourite sounds and play them – it can can be very therapeutic!
Cheers Jo
We met Daryll at recent sheepdog trials and were impressed with what a fine friendly guy he came across as.. All the best Daryll from Debbie, Ani and her beloved pup,Fitz (a wannabe sheep dog)
Good Morning Dazzla.
Hear how you’ve been putting your thumbs up and responding well to different things. Well done, see your hard work and determination is paying off!!
Not much is happening round here by me, going to hopefully get a kitten this weekend. Now I know this hardly compares to all the dogs you’ve got, but as much as I would Love a dog I just can’t have one where I’m living. So a cat will have to do. Did you manage to give that one dog away? I remember you offering it to Allen.
Remembering the last time I saw you was about a week before the accident when you came over for dinner at Hayley and Allen’s. I just have to laugh cus I can remember having such a dumb night, I don’t know why but I just kept saying the dumbest things!
You and Allen would just look over at me and laugh, you not quite as loud, but don’t think I still didn’t notice you little bugger, I saw you laughing at me!
Just keep fighting from your side Dazzla, I know it’s hard, but Ill make you a promise. If you keep up the awesome work your doing, soon, when your ready, Ill come ova, we’ll all have dinner together again, and I’ll more than likely say a few dumb things, you can laugh as much as you want at me ok. Deal! You can laugh all day and all night at me if you want, as long as you come back, ok.
And I promise I’ll come stay at your house this time.
Really wish I could be there,
Love Lulu*.
Hi Darryl
Sounds like you had a very good day with lots of postive,s. Thats the way, keep taking those steps forward.
Another day of shearing is coming to an end. No rain last night or to-day, so the shearers will get a full day in. Mike and Dianne Connolly were over the moon when they heard of your great progress yesterday. All the staff even the hard men (Lewis and Latimer) had a tear in their eyes when they heard you had improved. I had better get back to the shed as it is nearly smoko.
As it is Friday night tonight I might just have a couple of Tui,s . I will leave a glass of water out for you.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Max, Kathleen, Deane, Lewis, Latimer and Sandy
I have finally got around to reading about Darryl’s progress, and i have to say it bought a few tears to my eyes, but it sounds like Darryl is getting better every day, as they say good things take time.
Darryl has Two Things on his side and that is age and fitness
Keep up the talking and the music (he is listening)
And keep up the good writing Mike
Use your strength and rest to get better Darryl
Our thoughts are with you all
Jack, Toni, Aiden, Kerry and Destinee Bowman
Bowmans Buses, Kaitaia and Mangonui
Hello Sabin family,
Just a line to let you know that you are thought about every day,Diane & Janet & I have been dicussing your progress. Keep up the good work especially you Brenna. I miss seeing you & your brothers or mum walking past my house. Diane & Sue take Bella for a romp on the beach every day come hail (& we have had some) or shine.
Watch out for those nurses, they probably have their eyes on an eligible young man for a day out in the future!
God bless you all, lean heavily on Him, He can take your burden.
“What the caterpillar perceives is the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning”
When Darryl emerges from his coma he will be that butterfly, fragile and free with great challenges ahead.
Hi Darryl
Its good to hear your progression is stable and improving by days.
I know that you will pull through this it will just take time & Patients. Good on you MATE. Keep it up and you’ll be out and about weighing in that 160 pound pig with George Proctor/MY DAD. Haha.
Your a WINNER…
Yours Faithfully
PROCTOR FAMILY
Hi Mike and family,
I read with interest each night your updates regarding the progress Darryl is making. Darryl sounds like a real fighter, and I am sure takes strength from you.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with you. Stay strong.
Regards
Julie (ex Easysteel)
Hi Darryl, Mike, Catherine, Brook and Brenna
Mike thanks for creating this website for people to view and keep up with Darryl’s prgress, I’ve read your daily entres to the site. I would like to say you are AWESOME!!!!! Mike, Darryl is a lucky young man to have such a supportive loving family.
Thanks for keeping us all up to date every day.
Darryl keep working you are a strong yonug man with lots to do in this world, hurry and get well your family, friends, horses and dogs need you, your’ve got ambitions and dreams to fulfil see you real soon.
We are thinking of you, you are all in our prayers.
Take care, look forward to hearing of more good news, small steps are good Darryl, give things time to heal.
Kia kaha Bro, don’t ever give up.
When I get home (July) I’ll be up to see you.
God bless
Steve
Hey Mike and Darryl
Just wanted to say that we are thinking about you all every day and David is on the computer every night Darryl, to read all about this fantastic progress you are making!
Quite the star you are… really look forward to the day we catch up again – and next time David says it will be him cleaning up in the fishing department!
Love Dianne & David.
Hi Mike & Catherine
As I read the ‘blog’ I sit & wonder what Darryl is going to think when he reads it. I’m sure he’s going to have a few cheeky comments to make.
I look forward to reading more about Darryl’s progress.
Take care, Big hugs
Julie (Virgil’s mate)
LIFE
It takes a day to make a dream,
But it takes many nights for a seed to become a tree.
Life is a ladder that must be climbed.
But in every stage,
There are many rivers and battles to fight
And our hopes determines our future.
Life is a trip through the wilderness
And everyone must survive for success.
But without determination
We can never reach our destination.
There are many roads in life,
But choice stands between the broad and the narrow.
The world is not only what we see,
But what we hear
Life is time and time is tide.
We are making an endless journey,
But no ladder is without an end.
Problems may fall like rain,
But every seed has its season.
By: Benjamin Kotei Kotey,
Yesterday, Darryl, I conquered a mountain. And I mean a proper Swiss Mountain.
Anja and I hiked almost all the way to the top, overcoming some of the steepest bloody tracks I’ve walked in my life, (and discovering muscles I didnt know existed although Zack would tell me they did) only to be stopped by where an avalanche (!) had fallen, making it impossible for my two short legs to walk on through. We backtracked ten minutes, where there was a small train station. I let Anja yabber away in Swiss-German, smile sweetly and manage to get us a 2-4-1 (15 Sfr) the rest of the way.
After a short ride we got off at the Top Of Europe. The most beautiful place I have ever been to; no photo would do it justice. And all the more special to share it with Anja, and after such a MISSION.
We had lunch and sat at over 2000m admiring our surroundings, and I thought of you and your family, as well as my own. Walking back down only took us an hour and a half, but boy were we happy to shower and sit down in armchairs!
I know you would’ve hiked up Mt Eiger with a hell of alot more ease than I did, but you have your own mountain to conquer first mate, and will be even more exhausted doing it. When thats done, I know of an easier one for you to give a go.
My love to you and yours, please give your big bro a hand-squeeze for me ahe?
El
Good morning all!
Hi is Megan Whimp here, Darryl and Brook mum, Mike’s ex-wife….
Just like to add my thanks to all those how have contacted me, our family and Darryl. It really helps to know how many people are out there thinking of him.
I have been down staying beside the hospital in the whanau rooms since the night of the accident and share visiting times with Mike. It is very comforting as a mother to be beside him and to see the small responses starting to emerge from the darkness. I have been massaging his arms and legs to try to keep his muscles, tendons and ligaments from shortening lack of extension. The storming seems to be getting less and he looks well in his face and body.
Thanks again to all those wonderful people who are supporting us all.
Megan
Thank you Sabin family,
For sharing such a personal time with us all. If it is okay I would like to have someone read a couple of small things for Darryl. It appears to me you have an incrediable spirit in the determination to live life to it’s fullest leading up to this point. It is also evident in the devotion of your family of the strength from where this came and was taught to you. Although it may seem trying at this time, even in your sport that is the moment you have always strived for. Embrace that Darryl and keep it up. Great to see thumbs up or down. Kia Kaha and we will hold you in our family thoughts also.
Wendy
Hi Mike,
Mum sent down a copy of the local far north paper and whilst flicking through I saw the story of Darryl’s accident. My heart really sank for you, and Darryl has been in my thoughts often since then.
Gosh it just doesn’t seem that long ago Darryl & Brook were tiny little things, racing through our NRC offices blegging numerous treats off Grandad Ces in their regular after school visits with Megan.
Someone reasonably grand once said that our strength comes from our tenacity – and reading your updates it sounds as tho Darryl is tenacious day in day out and showing true strength. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, take care of each other.
Arohanui
Nikki Semenoff
PS: As an aside all the best for the launch of the Stellar Trust tonight, it’s something I hope every community in NZ gets behind.
hey darryl wishing you a speedy recovery mate.
its getting into winter i hope you get better cause we cant let eric get all the good sized boars.
with lots of love sheryl
Good morning elvis and family
Good to hear your hanging in there darryl,thinking about your everyday its hard to have a normal day knowing your down there but im sure that in time well all have the pleasusre of seeing your georgous smile again<you still have to show me those photos of your as elvis,no i havent forgottn!cant wait to come stay and see your farm,see how our young taz has growin up,i bet he misses you
Mums constntly talking about you,she has alot of respect for d and cares about you lots too
thinking of you always
love bon x
Hi,, I am here in Ohio the USA and was in a coma a number of years ago with brain swelling ( though from encephalitis, not an injury).. But I was deep in a coma for over a week but I could hear people talking to me.. wanted to tell some of them to shut up!! I had weird dreams, of being in a room with a waterfall,, and my mother the Queen of England!! But I came out of it eventually with no long term problems so do not give up Darryl!!! If I could do it, you sure can!! I remember insisting I would not get back into bed after being led to the bathroom without washing my hands!! Or rather I was told that.. do not really remember. I just know Darryl from the reactions you are showing that you are going to be fine!! My prayers from here are with you… heard about you from Di, my Kiwi best friend!! I was in your country and loved it!
Kia Ora Darryl and Whanau
kIA kAHA dARRYL
C U And your Whanau … AND TeHPUa @ The Grand Final..
Piki Te Ora
Motukohu R.F.C