….And then, in a blink the trachie was gone.
After a number of days on a trachie weaning regime, today Darryl was taken back to hospital to have the trachie removed. This process was going to happen at the rehab, but to expedite the matter and ensure safety we went through to Auckland Hospital to have this procedure done and the monitored for 24 hours.
I rode with Darryl in the ambulance, feeling every single pebble in the road as we went. If anyone has the inclination, I think there is millions to be made for the person who can invent a suspension system for an ambulance that actually works!! When we arrived at the hospital it was with a feeling of disconcerting unease that I entered the halls of the hospital. This heightened as we exited the lifts to the part of the neuro ward where I first entered the critical care ward 6 weeks ago.
Strangely enough, the tightening of the chest and twisting of the stomach that became part of my daily routine while Darryl was in hospital, subsided quickly as the realisation that Darryl had come so far since those horror days and as a result, fear had drifted away to a large extent. As if to test myself, as we wheeled Darryl past, I looked straight down the hallway to the entrance to critical care (something I couldn’t do for the four weeks Darryl was in hospital) and I was pleasantly surprised to feel nothing but relief. In fact even a little joy, as you would feel if you had achieved a goal. I savoured that little moment, and gave Darryl’s hand a little squeeze, which ironically was all he was able to do to me to communicate his fight for life was in tact while he was in that ward.
As we got to the HDU I found myself wanting to gather staff around to see just how far Darryl had come. It was an odd feeling, but quite nice at the same time. Almost like a high school old boy coming back to the school and visiting the staff room to share in life after graduation. Holly, his occupational therapist and Anna his lead physio along with a couple of nurses came to visit and were just thrilled with his progress, something they of course have also been responsible for. Another few moments to savour.
In any event the trachie removal was very underwhelming and once he had the whole in his throat blocked up with some small bandages, Darryl made his first tiny murmurs. Nothing discernable as actual words of course, but bloody good enough for me! He signalled with his thumb he was trying to talk and as the next hour or so passed his murmurs grew louder and more purposeful. Hopefully this is the beginnings of a talking recovery. I’m sure it will be.
Brook, who came to see him also and I shared a few laughs with Darryl and it wasn’t too long before he drifted off to sleep with a few leg stretches and then we were treated to him snoring! What a great sound. Just to hear his normal contented snore was so satisfying. He was resting like I haven’t seen him before when I left the hospital at 9.30 pm. Bloody great really!!
The other highlight for the day was when he got a surprise visit from friends from up home, Dave, Darcy and Ken. They were down with the Taipa Area School first XV and them and two of the players from the team came to give Darryl a first XV shirt. Darryl was asleep when they got there, but woke hearing their voices and once I raised him up in the bed he held his head up, opened his eyes and shook the hands of the visitors as best he could and gave a series of good thumbs up to their questions. He proudly took the shirt from Dave’s hand and even gave them a wave as they left the room. Another special moment and yet again a step forward in his eye opening capacity. Thanks guys, I know it meant a lot to Darryl to have your support.
So another good day and a really positive one in terms of the trachie removal which was smooth and no doubt has removed a lot of the pain and discomfort he has been feeling.
Darryl, you have come so far from those early days that were filled with fear and uncertainty. Each step forward you take gives me further belief in you and the depth of character you possess. The test of you is one you pass on a daily basis, without faltering, without hesitating, without question. And now without a trachie!
Nice one mate.
Dad.
I wandered in while waiting for the thunderstorm to pass here in Belgium, not expecting an update, then purely delighted to read of the removal of the trachie. It must feel so good!
As I sit here with a curtain of torrential rain obscuring the view from my window, it seems like the sun might shining in your part of the world back home in New Zealand.
Congratulations on coming so far so fast, Darryl, and to everyone there who gives you the courage and strength to fight when you needs to fight.
Great news, another milestone achieved Darryl!
Recovery from brain injury is a strange world, bringing delight and appreciation in the return of each small familiar feature of a former life – even snoring!
Great stuff!
Good stuff buddie!!
Moving on !!
Kia kaha!!
Love and regards to all!!
Bill Thurston x x x
Tui ad maybe, TAB ad would be more accurate…..’beat the odds’heheh
Thats you huh? Beating the odds everyday
Awesome work Darryl,
Full of surprises you are!
Hi again Darryl, Now that is worth a big wihoo, good for you. Told you the Good Lord was checking his plan, He might have made the world in 7 days but Hes a bit slow on his repairs!! I dont know you or your family but I feel every morning that I stand at the foot of your bed, your Dad writes so well. One day you will enjoy reading his reports and marvel at where you are at. Will move the prayers up another gear now we are on a roll.
Best wishes to you all.
Y A Y DAZZLA
We are so stoked for you, must be so much better for you,allot more comfortable
We are happy that you are achieving and reaching you milestones
so quickly and so perfectly
huge respect!! your task is not easy Dazzla, you have your work
cut out for yourself on this one, but to your credit look at what
you have been achieving – freakin amazing and truly inspirational
It has gone from being hopefull reading your blog to really really excited reading it – I am always yelling out “Hey boys guess what uncle Darryl did today!!” They are so proud of you and more and more they talk about when you are going to come back and see them here, and play with them
You are so flippin awesome
Well Mike you should have shares in the tissue maker industry. Consumption went up when you began your blogs.First tears of sadness and dispair but now tears of happiness and hope.
Awesome reading the progress each morning, have even got my husband reading it as soon as hes in from the cowshed.
I hope you Sabins realise the family has extended considerably from all of us who now feel part of it.Still sending the positive energy,
cheers Jane
Hallelujah!! I agree with the tissue thing!! Well done Darryl and well done Mike etc. Keep up the good work, all of you. Mike, I do hope you are going to keep all these updates and messages and perhaps put them into some sort of book. It would, I’m sure, be a wonderful help for anyone else going through similar things. That thought occured to me even more when you mentioned the return to the hospital ‘halls’ and the agony of the past.
I pray you will all continue to be delighted with Darryls progress and thank God for things so far.
Blessings.
Sue.
Wow – more awesome news.
I am reminded of Martin Luther King Jr saying ” Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”. Six weeks ago it was not a matter of not seeing the staircase, it was the seemingly insurmountable challenge of even finding the door to get into the house, to find the stairs. Team Sabin, your unwavering faith over these last few weeks has seen Darryl find the door, get onto the staircase and slowly but steadily climb one step at a time. Keep climbing and keep the faith.
Kia kaha
Jude T
hay darryl all boys say hi from fenwick crew still havent finished the fences up paua it got to wet but be back up soon.pigs are still in the padocks where we caught those two. fishing at the bluff is good at the moment.well good to see you doing well mate.
nick
Hi Everyone
Yahoo! well done Darryl. So pleased that it is all coming together for you. You are such a fighter and all the results are great. We are all so proud of you so keep up the good work. Was great to catch up with Catherine and Brenna – I hope Dad hasn’t been too lonely without them! I’m keeping your bed at Coopers Beach warm – LOL – Catherine knows the joke of this, she will have to tell you. The Brotty boys think it is real cool that Graham Henry and some of the All Blacks came to visit. I think Jacko is a bit envious.
Lots of love to you all x
Hi Mike,
I have never met Darryl but met you a couple of years ago through your business. It was with great sadness that I read of Darryl’s D-Day but what a fighter. Your blog is a must read for me every day and I pass on Darryl’s progress to the others at work. We spent some time in the Neuro ward at Auckland Hospital on two occassions and know only too well what a fantastic team they are there. They are the best.
From all of the team at Vulcan Steel you have our continued wishes for Darryl’s recovery. The big steps over the last few days must be fantastic for you all.
All the best.
Wes
Hey Dazzla
Missing you heaps little brother
Have nearly 30 calves on the ground
been pretty busy and that won’t be changing anytime soon
Man we could really do with your help
You are so easy to work with and be around
Ahhhh I bet you are missing that nice yellow calf shit
and putting your arm up a cow to help calve it
Ah yeah I know what you are trying to say,
You are trying to say: Ohh yeah, it’s business time
I can’t wait till you can text again
Miss the updates and talking to ya
Take care mate
Mike,
So awesome to read every day about Darryl’s amazing recovery. I’m sure Darryl gets alot of his strength through your incredible support – keep it up mate!!
I can picture Darrly in the gym! No shame in a 1kg weight!!! Great to catch up with Catherine and Brenna at home – and so nice to see, and hear, for myself that you and your family are as strong and determined as ever – as much as you can be in the circumstances. We will be in touch when we are next down in AK – and look forward to hearing how B goes at Montessori!
Love Sharon and co
xxxx
Great news about Darryl… I think of him often since bringing Bruce home!!! My thoughts are with you…Onwards and upwards, as Graham says to me!!! Love to you all
Nice one guys!!! Fab news AGAIN! Still got the love and positive energy flowing your way…
TOO GOOD Darryl…
Thanks for sharing Mike.
In my thoughts often Darryl,the love and devotion by your family and friends will bring you home again.
Fantastic to hear Darryls improving by the day. So much encouragement, determination & strength. Good on you all for giving everything you have in support to Darryls journey.
Ah Dazzla, your so amazing !
You just take everything in your stride. Not even a couple of hours without the trachie and already you’re making a big effort to try and talk. Just awesome.
Slowly but surely, one thing at a time it’s all coming back into place, so you can be just who you used to be.
The most awesome thing is walking into a room and having people be happy because it’s you.And that IS you Dazzla, when you walk into a room, people are always happy to see you.
Missing you heaps,
Lulu*.