I had a pretty stressful night last night (well more than the usual stomach turning I have become used to) as it was Darryl’s first night with a new team, in another foreign environment. I was delighted and relieved to arrive this morning to see Darryl resting peacefully and that he had ’slept’ well.
Right from day one the work has begun with Darryl. He has a fantastic team of physio’s, occupational therapists, speech therapists, Doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, the list goes on. We have been very impressed by the way they have quickly got in tune with Darryl and his care has moved to another level in terms of his entire rehabilitation needs.
It is not exactly common for people to move to a specialist brain injury clinics like this while still in a coma, but once the patient is medically sound it is the best place for them. A place where the needs of rehabilitation, the body’s conditioning, joints mobility, muscles tightening and shortening are worked on while the stimulation and activities assist with getting the neurons to start firing and nerve pathway to reconnect.
I worked with Darryl and the speech therapists today to demonstrate to them his level of comprehension and it was thumbs up and down to a range of questions. He nailed them all and in quick time. Again hard to grasp given he is not ‘awake’ so to speak, but nonetheless he is making progress each day, in little ways. There seems so much ahead which is why I like to think in terms of day size bites, but I took great heart from a quote on the wall of the unit Darryl is in, headed up ‘patience’. The quote said: “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones” The bottom line is that he is still a long way from out of the woods but this is a good place to start clearing the trees! (And carrying away stones).
I had a few moments today when talking to staff about some of the little milestones he has achieved and feeling so proud. Every now and then I catch myself saying things which really indicate the devastation that has befallen one of life’s good guys, my son and friend to so many. Those knives of reality cut deep and swiftly. I guess much of it has to do with me getting my head around the new environment and the true scale of the task that lay ahead for all, physically, emotionally and mentally.
The fear of what is to come, the unknowns and the question hanging over all of us about his state of consciousness is a constant leveller and cruel in its ever-present nature. I battle myself with this all the time and I have come to accept that fear is a natural if not uneasy companion for all on this journey, not the least Darryl who I know in my heart is aware of the plight he’s in. The reality is however that fear is something to be faced as overcoming fear is achieved by nothing less. As I have mentioned before Darryl’s courage is matched only by his determination to succeed and in moving forward through this hell he gives us all strength to face the fear of the unknown ahead.
As was once said by a great leader amongst men ”if you are going through hell – keep going”.
Keep going Darryl, we are stronger for your courage.
Dad
I
Mike,
Hi Mike. We met when you came to DC in Feb of 2008. I just heard about your son. I hope for the best for you and your family. I pray Darryl will make a full recovery. It sounds like a miracle already that he survived the initial injury. Let us know if there is anything we can do over here.
Andy Le Beau
North Carolina Narcotics Association
Hi there just another reminder to you and your family Darryl that we are always thinking about you all. Jim is about to go overseas to visit his father who is ill and the rest of our family are also going over in a months time.His father is in Holland and the rest of his family is in Belgium. Jim will be keeping up with the progress of your getting better whilst over there and we will certainy be doing the same. Take Care Love from the Roberts family.
Hi Mike
Great to hear Darryl is settling in well with the new environment and the team.
Hopefully as your confidence grows in the new team and setting you will be able to rest better as Darryl seems to have been able to do. You all need to take as much rest time as you can, Darryl’s going to be pretty busy now.
Keep well, keep moving forward Darryl.
Hiya Darryl,
Congrats on the move, another step closer,
performing miricles all the way…
All the best
Hads
Hi Darryl, we got rained off, glad to hear you had a better sleep at the new place you’re at. It was a bit unsettling the other nite to read and think the Shift to a new environment might Rattle you but should have known ‘Darry handles it All’. Keep up the fight bro, you old war horse.
Good Morning Dazzla.
Wow, you’re moving onwards and upwards hey:):).
That’s so awesome, Well done. Like I said before, your body needs time to heal,
Even though it’s probably frustrating to you and you may feel your ready, your body might be thinking something differently. It knows what’s right for it. When it’s ready, it will be ready.
You’re not missing out on much out here, life’s just same old same old, so don’t worry about what’s going on out here, just rest up and use this time to get better.
Weather was good again yesterday, looks like it be again today too. Saw quite a few surfers walking down to the beach on my way home, the waves must have been good. The surf has been big lately, but very messy with these huge storms we’ve been having. It’s just been eating away at the coast line. I saw on the news last night that some people had lost 12, 15, 18 metre’s of their front land to the sea. Pretty hectic. There fences were all just washed away and it was getting pretty close to their houses.
Diesel is very cute, (not certain about the name yet). He’s very affectionate. Sleeps on my bed with me every night and comes and curls up in my neck when I’m watching tv, purrs away loudly.
Think of this Dazzla, when something needs to get done and you rush it the result is not always the best quality. And your top quality, (in everyway) so the job to heal you back to where you were might take awhile, but at least it will be a job well done.
Stay strong. Not long now.
Love Lulu*.
Hi…I have been following your amazing and frightening journey and check every day to see Darryls progress.Have you considered AAT (animal assisted therapy)? No doubt the specialists have told you about it. I have been reading some great feedback about it,especially using dogs…Mans best friend. Obviously animals are part of Darryls life and may be beneficial to his recovery.
My dog and cat are my therapy….
Thank you for the oportunity to share in your arduous journey ..
Good Day *D A Z Z L A*
This could’nt have happened to a nicer Bloke
sorry for your troubles
It must be really hard mate.
Like Lulu* Said: The “Job” you do on this
will be a job well done by you and your family and friends
rest assured
Take care little Bro
Keep Dazzling the the staff
Work it mate
It’s Business time
Tubbs Family
All your worries leave them somewhere else. Find a dream you can follow. Reach for something when there’s nothing left and the world’s feeling hollow. Open up the part of you that wants to hide away. You can shine. Forget about the reason’s why you can’t in life and start to try cause it’s your time. Trust yourself and don’t give up, you know your beter than anyone else. In a moment everything can change. For a minute all the world can wait, let go of yesterday. Your’ve got what it takes. Your beautiful inside and out. Keep strong Darryl!!
Raewyn, xxx
Hi there,
Hope that fog is thinning!! Lighthouses – are your friends and families smiling faces. Foghorns are the voices of those you love. Keep moving forward. What a great step in the new rehab zone, a new zone so get training! There’s a whole world still waiting out here for you to be part of it. Still in our prayers. Love to all your family
PS I like the idea of animal assisted therapy, I think it definitely has big promise. Bye for now
Hi Darryl,
I first met you in 2007 when you came to the Okaihau College school ball, and again after that when you sat exams at Okaihau. Each time I saw you, you were always friendly and welcoming.
Since then I sold my horse Portia, to your mother, and then met your father when he gave a presentation at Okaihau College. It just goes to show what a small world it is.
Keep strong,
Mae