Tuesday Update: 7/11/06
Hi everyone. I pray that you are all having a good week so far. All is going fine in Chapel Hill. I am sorry that the update from yesterday did not go through. I did try and send it, but I wasn't feeling so well last night and I was too tired to deal with it.
Josh has had a pretty decent couple of days per mom. Yesterday was not too exciting. He pretty much slept all day - he was only really awake a little in the morning so that meant mom was able to get a pretty good nights sleep as well. Also yesterday they were able to switch the trach out to a 6.0 and Josh seemed to tolerate this very well; I guess he really didn't know the difference in trachs. Today Josh had a good day as well. The speech therapist was able to work with him and she put the valve over the trach for about 30 minutes and it didn't seem to faze Josh one bit. Basically what this means is that they covered the trach and Josh was breathing using his nose and mouth - not dependent on the trach! They monitored his oxygen level and it stayed at 100% which is the best he can do. Over time they will do these little trials a few times each day to get Josh used to breathing completely through his nose and mouth. Then once he is alert most all of the time and is having no difficulty breathing they will begin to go down on the size of the trach until they take it completely out. Physical therapy works with Josh a little bit right now as well. Mostly just stretching all of his muscles out. In time, it too will get more intensive. Other than that Josh did the basic commands he always does which is good. We don't want him to stop doing the things we know he can do right now because that would suggest a change in his neurological status. Mom said that he isn't coughing as much as he usually does so I am hopeful that he getting over his pneumonia. I think that he transferred a touch of that to me! Anyway, I am very thankful that mom has had a good few days with Josh by herself. All seems to be going in the right direction.
As far a rehab is concerned we have been told by numerous people that Charlotte is the way to go. They have a very good rehab program for head injuries such as Josh has. The speech therapist today thought that Josh would be a very good candidate for a program such as this. What will have to happen is they will come out and evaluate Josh to see if he would benefit from their program, then Josh would have to be accepted for it, and then he would have to wait for a bed to be available - that is the short version. Charlotte would only be two hours away verses the four hours it is to Chapel Hill. But I know it is all in God's hands, so Josh will end up where he needs to be. Thank you all for your continued love and prayers.
Josh has had a pretty decent couple of days per mom. Yesterday was not too exciting. He pretty much slept all day - he was only really awake a little in the morning so that meant mom was able to get a pretty good nights sleep as well. Also yesterday they were able to switch the trach out to a 6.0 and Josh seemed to tolerate this very well; I guess he really didn't know the difference in trachs. Today Josh had a good day as well. The speech therapist was able to work with him and she put the valve over the trach for about 30 minutes and it didn't seem to faze Josh one bit. Basically what this means is that they covered the trach and Josh was breathing using his nose and mouth - not dependent on the trach! They monitored his oxygen level and it stayed at 100% which is the best he can do. Over time they will do these little trials a few times each day to get Josh used to breathing completely through his nose and mouth. Then once he is alert most all of the time and is having no difficulty breathing they will begin to go down on the size of the trach until they take it completely out. Physical therapy works with Josh a little bit right now as well. Mostly just stretching all of his muscles out. In time, it too will get more intensive. Other than that Josh did the basic commands he always does which is good. We don't want him to stop doing the things we know he can do right now because that would suggest a change in his neurological status. Mom said that he isn't coughing as much as he usually does so I am hopeful that he getting over his pneumonia. I think that he transferred a touch of that to me! Anyway, I am very thankful that mom has had a good few days with Josh by herself. All seems to be going in the right direction.
As far a rehab is concerned we have been told by numerous people that Charlotte is the way to go. They have a very good rehab program for head injuries such as Josh has. The speech therapist today thought that Josh would be a very good candidate for a program such as this. What will have to happen is they will come out and evaluate Josh to see if he would benefit from their program, then Josh would have to be accepted for it, and then he would have to wait for a bed to be available - that is the short version. Charlotte would only be two hours away verses the four hours it is to Chapel Hill. But I know it is all in God's hands, so Josh will end up where he needs to be. Thank you all for your continued love and prayers.
posted by Brandon at
9:53 PM
2 Comments:
This message is for Josh,
We were shocked to hear about your accident a couple weeks ago. I just got this website, and am so glad to hear that you are doing better. We are praying for you and for a full recovery. We found out from a friend of Josh Long's.
Your friends,
Jeremiah and Christy Hightower (and son, Tyler)
By
Anonymous, at 1:29 PM
Josh,
I'm prayin for you! I'm so glad you're doing better! Just know that you now have people in Missouri and Florida praying very hard for you! I know God is going to work a miracle in your life.
Love,
Gina Long
By
Anonymous, at 9:19 AM
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