What a delight it is to see Darryl sleeping deeply, restfully and calmly. You can almost see the healing going on it is so blissful. It may sound something unremarkable but for five and a half weeks Darryl has battled the storming which has plagued him. Restful sleep is something almost forgotten to him. So to see it now is something I want to bottle!
Another positive development came today when Darryl was loaded up into another lazy boy of the hot rod variety and was wheeled outside for the first time in almost weeks. It doesn’t end there, as he was simply in transit to the gym, Jim, but not as we know it! Wow, what a delight it was to see him being stretched on the large benchs they have there. One of the physios got behind him and while sitting on a swiss ball, with another locking his feet down to the floor, his torso was twisted pulled and stretched, all of which was welcomed with a series of thumbs up. Again, it was good to see Darryl getting some sort of physical work which I know he has literally been aching for.
Of course the trick is to not overdo it, as he tires very quickly and too much can be too exhausting which then causes set backs. So it’s baby gym steps, but good stuff all the same.
During the session he was able to keep his eyes open (just partially open) at times which is a great sign that the damage to the 3rd nerve that controls so much of the eye function, including opening, may be starting to resolve. We hope this is the case, but time will tell. We are spending a lot of time opening his eyes for him and stimulating some sort of normal eye opening and blinking activities to see if the neurons responsible for this will start to spark up.
As mentioned earlier we are now confident he has risen from the coma and is in a low level of conciousness but he is conscious and now we are getting the second part of the deal, the eyes open, a fraction of a millimeter at a time. It funny how I have come to measure success in such tiny gradients, but success in respective and any amount of it is a damn sight better than none at all!
This morning for example I arrived to see Darryl awake and we went through our usual greeting process of thumbs up. The night before I had been wondering at about 3 am if in fact Darryl could also signal with other fingers on his hand, other than his thumb. In any event I said to Darryl that to give his thumb a break how about he held up two fingers – bang, up went his forefinger and index finger. OK then how about three – bang, up went three. Four then – bang, and then five. Sharp as a dart. I surprised the physios with this at the gym also. Just as before he repeated his newest party trick. Then to add a little to that I asked him to raise his hand toward the ceiling, which he did. He could only get his hand to just above his head given the toning in his arms restricting his muscle extension, but it was purposeful and controlled.
Then we took it to another level with him reaching for a small coloured cone and gripping it and then passing it back to me. He could only reach 8 inches or so, but he did it in a controlled and purposeful manner and it was excellent control. I suggested to the physio that there may be another motivator that I had tried two and a half weeks ago in hospital. It was a little of an eyebrow raiser when I said I had a stubbie of beer that I used as a trigger for senses earlier. They said to grab it, which I duly did.
I opened one of his eyes and put it out in front of him. “Here you go Darryl, have a beer”. To which he slowly reached out, gripped it and slowly brought the top of it to his mouth!!! I swear it if it didn’t have to cap on it he would have had a swig as well. Brilliant!
This may sound a little ‘odd’, but we had been told that familiar smells were a good thing to help stimulate consciousness and the two most ’stirring’ smells I could think of for Darryl was his smelly cattle dogs and a fresh beer. So I snuck a stubbie into the hospital a couple of weeks ago, popped the top and put it under his nose and told him to sniff. What a reaction! He sniffed alright. He just about snorted the top inch of the stubbie and his arms moved all over the place.
I said Darryl do you know what that is and the thumbs up rocketed up and just about poked his own eye out. It was the best one we had seen ever. A day later the same process but with a nice coffee illicited the same reaction although not quite as enthusastically. But very definitive responses. I know it’s unconventional but if it floats the boat it’s worth a go.
So the physios were impressed by his control with the beer, but later I was reminded that it is an alcohol and drug free environment, so that is the last Darryl will see of Dad’s beerotherapy! I’ll use his dog whislte, because he’s done the same with that.
Aside from this he was able to look at two different coloured cones and track his eyeball on command to each colour. Another milestone to add to his slowly growing list.
It is slow and the successes are in some cases minute, but it fills me with pride and refuels the tanks with hope and possiblity. It was a very good first week in the rehab and while I am more often scared to celebrate too confidently success for fear of a set back that can often follow, it is hard not to feel encouraged that there are more forward steps than not, small or not.
Darryl, the belief I have in you is matched only by the love I feel for you. The hope and possiblity I hold onto are like keys to open the doors that have closed in front of you, but I know in my heart that your courage and will are really the ‘key’ and there is no door that you can’t open with that.
Keep passing the test of you mate.
Dad
We’ve been following your daily blogs and were delighted to read of such progress. I commend you for the beer awareness test – Darryl will probably tell you later how torturous that was (not being able to drink it!). Anything to stimulate progress I say. I can identify with your feelings of wanting to “step off the planet” – sometimes the enormity of the situation seems too much to bear, but thankfully with a good night’s sleep, small steps that are SO measureable and memorable and some sunny days, you are there at the coal face again ‘ready’ for the next day. So great to hear that the physio is agreeing with Darryl. We found it very beneficial and believe it was an important key to our son’s recovery. Sounds like you have a great team working with you. I had tears of joy reading of Darryl’s progess with his eye-opening. It is hugely exciting! Onward and upward!
Good morning You are an amzaing dad, and your son is such a fighter, what you guys have being thorough, is a nightmare, but each day you son is surprising you.
Ever day I follow your story as it amazing me how someone can responed while in a coma and how you ane your family and friends have worked so hard to bring darryl back, from that he has being in. pray it wont be much longer,
I can’t help but be delighted by todays update, thank you for sharing Darryls fight, it is one of the first things i do every morning. You are an incredible and inspirational family and have highlighted to many what is important and that is family.
Thank you, Darryl keep up the good work, somewhere a little beer waits !!
Jax
Well done Darryl….Thats INCREDIBLE! maybe not exactly surprised by the beer stories, kinda expected those responses, heh heh.
You’re doing so incredibly well, you’ll just have to exert a little more paitience and you can have your very own beer to smell/drink, hell, you can bathe in the stuff for all we care!
I’ll save you a crate of MANS BEER(heh heh)
You should be pleased to be missing the FREEEZZZING mornings at the moment, the last two have been, hands down, the coldest this year. Frosts on both and 3degrees at 7am. BBBRRrrrr.
More later huh?, I’m way too far from the fireplace.
Take it easy
Hads
Hi Darryl,Mike and all, back again!
Keep up the improvements Darryl the jig saw is coming together aye!
Kia kaha to all!!!!!
Love and regards, Bill Thurston x x x x
Awesome progress, I love the creativity of your thinking Mike, Darryl is so fortunate to have you help unlock his potential.
Deep restful sleep is wonderful, make sure you try it yourselves each day.
Kia Kaha
Hey Darryl,
Sorry its been a while but havent been up to much. Went to Doc
Tuesday as been not feeling right. Found out I have a pinched nerve and me left hip is out. Will explain the pain ha and had some tests on the old ticker results pending…..
Anyway sounds like you been a busy young man.. working out at the gym even( go you..)
Bet you are hanging for a beer ha . I can see you are not allowed one though not just yet anyway.
Im heading down to Hamilton on monday IF your Dad wants to find out if you can have a puppy visit . I have a heading bitch pup with your name on it.
It would be no problem just a thought my friend.
We went and picked up a mare and foal yesterday, a nice little filly ,full sister to Liberty. I named her Jewel, we have one more to foal.These are real out of season foals poor ythings, a bit frosty these mornings.
Then two more in spring and thats the end of the Kenworth line of horses.
We have had a few frosts this week but AWESOME days follow through.
Will talk soon
Love and hugs
Tracey xxxxxx
hey, I had not have time to leave message here for ages. Cos I spend all the night time at uni for my work these weeks. Of cause, I did not forget to follow up ya posts Mike. I just dont have time to leave a message here.
I am happy to see how darryl condition improve alot in just a month! I cant wait to see him await dude!
keep it rolling!
Hi Darryl, letting you know that we and many folks in Whangamata have been following your progress since the beginning and speaking with Judy every couple of days to see where you are at. She is now printing out your Dad’s daily diary for us to read, that is great.
Judy’s friends in Whangamata have been praying hard for your recovery and maybe our prayers have helped a little bit, along with those from so many other wonderful people,to bring you to the point you are at today…….we will keep praying…… you keep improving, as we are sure you will with the love of so many reaching out to you.
Lots of caring thoughts go out to your Dad, Catherine and Brenna also.
Judy is also entering our message for us …. some of we ‘olds’ don’t have computers!
PS from Judy…..these wonderful friends have been bringing bunches of flowers and chocolate cakes into the station to show they care…very humbling, especially as some of them I do not know that well. See you on the weekend Darryl. J. xoxoxoxo
Hi Darryl
You don’t know me yet but some time in the future I would love to meet you. My brother Aaron has had a big old journey very similar to yours and you sound a lot like him in your spirit and determination! I also would love you and Aaron meet one day. He has just gone back to his home in the States after months of rehab here in NA. I am sure you would have a lot to talk about over that beer.
We absolutely and utterly celebrate every small but momentous victory that you are achieving at the moment! You are extremely brave and obviously an incredible guy. I salute you.
Keep on fighting
Megan Clark
Like so many, reading your daily progress Darryl is one of the first things I do when I start work each day, often having to watch that the mascara is not running all over the face in happyness and sadness!! Mike your writing rocks, this has to be a the most amazing story I have ever read, it so needs to be published in the end. It makes me realise how so many people in Darryls position must miss out on the care and attention needed in their recovery, as they don’t have someone like you and your family there for them everyday. Darryl, this is a hideous position for you to be in, but you are so incredibly priveledged to have the unfaltering love and support of your family. Your progress is amazing, keep up the hard work we are all backing you as a winner.
Sheryl Shine
Hi there Mike,
My heart strained and my spirit was troubled when I read your updates today – for the first time. I lost my Uncle Nicky (the late All Black) to a head injury in 1984 and as I read your D-Day blog, the semblance of what my Dad and family went through came beating back to what is a bitter reality for us. This hideous accident is something that continues to torment those who experience it first hand. My thoughts are with you and your family at this insufferable time. Mike – I realise this is a difficult road you are facing and I wish you and your family all the strength and support to get through this as best as possible and shall continue to have faith in Darryls progress. I am comforted in reading Darryls progress and the achievements he has been making are so encouraging!
Josie Allen
I was reading your blogg today about familiar smells etc. I mentioned we had met Darryl at sheepdog trials recently. We, that is myself, my partner and our dog crazy 17 year old daughter who shows no interest in boys…dogs rule and nobody has turned her head yet…that is till we met your son..she will kill me for this..anyway she sure turned his head too and both of them awkwardly made conversation about dogs.I dont know if he would remember Ani and her agility dog, Fitz but if he does, please give him all our very best. Debbie
Hi all of you.
I have been following your progress with interest as a friend of mine was dazzled by the sun & ron his bike into the back of a parked lorry. He was 50 and very fit, was admitted to Burwood hosp. in Ch’ch . After 10 days of nothing he felt his sensation in his big toe. Now with hard work & perseverance he is almost fully recovered. So just keep working at it all of you & I’ll keep praying for you. Youth is on your side Darryl & I look forward to your wave Brenna as you go past my place.
Fantastic news to hear that Darryl is more responsive. Mike there may just be another career for you in beerotherapy??!!!
I check regularly this site, but often don’t leave a message. Please know that even if a message isn’t left, you are all in our thoughts. Even if we don’t know each other!!!
Kia kaha
Wendy
By crikey … (just by the way, when I say it here in Belgium, my foreign friends all but fall over laughing – I never really said it back home in New Zealand but there have been some ‘by crikey’ moments here in this strange European country) but I was thinking ‘he likes beer, Belgian beer is surely worth waking up for. I wish I could line up just a few of the 100s of beers they have over here in the land of beer and chocolate. It would surely bring a smile to his face. They have one called Duval, 9% alcohol … I discovered after drinking a bottle before lunch one day. And the guys are there in the bar at breakfast. Drinking beer here seems to be more like going for a coffee at a cafe … so strange to this kiwi who was used to the people around her starting around 5pm and not too much before.
Anyway, great to read of so many small steps!!
Fantastic news Darryl and tell dad that beerotherapy is a well-researched therapy practice (at least in Northland anyway!)- I have observed this first-hand with much-loved teenage sons 1, 2 and 3. Fortunately much-loved son #4 (admittedly only 6) has been trained in the age-old art of sniff and sip as opposed to the open-throat guzzle like his older brothers.
Son 4 has experimented with cross-dressing cattle dogs,giving them a quick spray of Chanel-eau-de-pooch and walking them unnoticed (briefly) into places that he shouldn’t. Something he apparently learnt from watching 75 repeats of the Scooby Doo movie – worth a try?
M,C, B & B – celebrate the small steps for the magnanimous achievement they are. We continue to send all our love and support from the north. May it lift you up when you are down, wrap around when you need a hug, comfort you when in despair and top you up when your unwavering strength, courage, committment and belief needs some reinforcement. We are all there in spirit beside you – every step big or small, forward or back. Kia kaha Sabins. JT
Hi Darryl
Weather is cold in the mornings but the days are fine and sunny.
Busy scanning the ewes over the last 2 days. Although the ewes don’t start lambing till August everything seems to be coming around quickly this year.
Kathleen and Benny went out to Scotts Point for a fish. Both caught some good size trevally (4-5kg range) and got some tuatuas as well. Had some tuatua fritters for tea with baked trevally. Very nice.
Richie Taaffe caught 2 good sized sows in the Waikanae area on Wednesday. One put up a really good fight.
We are wrapped to hear of your wonderful progress and send all our best wishes.
Regards
Kathleen, Max, Deane, Latimer, Lewis and Sandy
Kia ora Daryl,
So rapt to hear all of those little steps are producing smiles on the faces of your loving family, communication and strength. Well done! You don’t know us but you’re always in our thoughts and prayers on the shores of the Parengarenga Harbour.
Hi Mike,
I was so happy to hear that the smell therapy triggered such a
positive reaction from Darryl…way to go.
God Bless
Rose and Dave – Te Hapua
Way to go DAZZLA
You are awesome,
So perfectly you
Keep on being our inspiration
Love and miss you heaps