5/14/10 - Day 11 - PM Post Part II

Wow...what a day!! The best part is I wasn't expecting it. I resigned myself to the fact that he just wasn't ready to wake up just yet.

After speaking to the nurse this morning, they were indecisive about the vent. Steven did not respond to any commands, so I figured it would still be a few more days.

I went for the 12:00 visit as always, and when I walked in to his room, his eyes were open. No warning from his nurse. Nobody but him and I in the room. I held his hand, asked if he could see me. He turned his head and looked directly at me.

It took me a minute to realize that his vent was taken out. His ICP drain was removed. The central line was taken out. My head was spinning. I didn't know what to do.

A couple minutes later, Cindy came in and she had the exact same reactions. Both of us in shock. We kept talking to him...his head would turn from me to Cindy and back again. After a little bit, Katie and Aunt Barb were able to come in. He would look at us like he was in a state of confusion...which he is.

I put my thumb up directly in front of his face and asked if he could see it. He looked at my thumb, then back at me. I said, Steven, I need you to do this...show me your thumb. He looked down at his right thumb (like a baby who has first discovered his fingers) and moved his thumb. Thought I was going to have a heart attack right there.

I continued to try to get him to move his thumb. Kept showing him mine. He decided he wanted to hold mine vs moving his and grabbed hold of mine. One of the greatest moments of my life.

We were able to spend about an hour with him in this state. After a while he started getting really agitated. Sitting up in bed. Grabbing his tubes. Sliding down in the bed, etc. Told the nurses and they came in to take care of him.

We went to wait in the hall while the nurses were in there. Come to find out he decided to beat the nurses up and pull out all of his IV's and his feeding tube 3 times. When he got all worked up, he got sweaty so none of the tape would stick to his skin. Took them an hour to calm him down.

Don't think the nurses will forget him anytime soon.

By no means is he out of the woods yet. He certainly has a long way to go...however, I feel today we made a big step forward.

Patrick said,"It's amazing when your worst nightmare becomes your best day". I thank God for today. I thank God for my wonderful family and friends.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers. Please keep praying. Love you all <3