Stepping-Stone

I got a call today from my brother in Scotland who was all worried because the blog had not been updated since Ian got out of the hospital. It made me realize that some of you might be wondering what is going on.

Ian is now going to Outpatient therapy at a place called Stepping-Stone which is a DMC Outpatient facility for children with brain injury. So far they have been wonderful. The staff is really nice and Ian likes them. This week has been mostly evaulation to see where he is at. All the results are not in but basically he is scoring really high in vocabulary and comprehension but scoring a litlle below average in speed and processing. Whatever that means. Today, Ian's Chemistry teacher came to see him and was really pleased with everything Ian remembers. There were things he was rusty at which he re-learned today, the question is, will Ian remember the things he learned today tomorrow. Time will tell. We are going to take this approach for all of his classes and try to catch him up a little before he goes back to school. Not sure when that will be but the important thing is that he is improving everyday. We also made a quick visit to Ian's elementary school and saw some of his teachers. The reaction was warm and very touching. I think Ian realized how much he is loved. It is rare when teachers start crying in front of their class and give hugs that last more that a minute.

None of this would have been possible without the nurses and doctors at the DMC and we truly believe that the Clinical Study Ian participated in probably saved his brain. Please keep praying for a couple of more Miracles!

I will update the blog but it probably won't be as frequent - another thing that my brother told me I should let you all know! :-)

Out of the Prison Cell

It is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago today Ian was fighting for his life and we did not know if he was going to make it. Tonight - we are all home and get to sleep in our own beds under the same roof! Thank GOD!

Ian worked really hard today at therapy about 6 hours. At the end of it all we had a meeting with all his therapist and doctors. The progress is awesome they all agree. He still has work to do but considering everything he continues to be a MIRACLE. We took him back to the ICU before we left the hospital, all the nurses and doctors could not believe it was Ian. Some of them had tears in their eyes. His ICU doctor hugged him and called Ian her MIRACLE. Wouldn't you know it, as we were grabbing our bags from the ICU family center, who did we run into? JAHAN! She gave Ian a big hug as though she has known him forever.

We came home to all sorts of Welcome Home packages - thank you all for all your prayers and support the last 2 weeks. Please keep praying as Ian works hard to prepare himself for day to day life and school. Outpatient Therapy starts tomorrow morning! Good night all and God Bless!

Last Night in the Hospital

Ian and I are back at the hospital one last night. It was a nice quiet day at home. He got to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at home and take a nap in his own bed - heavenly.  He hung out with his cousin Matthew playing all sorts of games and just being with each other. As we walked back in the hospital Ian told me that he hates this place, I had to remind him that this place saved his life. We thank all the staff at Children's Hospital for taking such good care of Ian and us during this nightmare.
Tomorrow is a full day of therapy, family meeting with the therapist and doctors. I ask that you continue to pray for Ian's recovery and tonight I would like you all to say a prayer for Tessa too. she is fighting a cold, we want her to get better soon so she does not spread the sickness to Ian as he heads home for the rest of his recovery. God Bless You ALL!

A Day at Home

It was so great being at the Hockey game last night! Thanks for all the hugs and well wishes, it was great to see you all. Ian did not want to go back to the hospital but he was really tired and slept peacefully in his hospital bed with mom beside him. This morning we left the hospital again as soon as he woke up and headed home to find Dad making breakfast for all of us. Just enjoying the simple things in life. Before Ian and I left the hospital we stopped in the ICUto see Brad the nurse who took care of him several days while he was there.  Brad was the nurse who pulled all the tubes and allowed Ian to breath on his own again so he has a very special place in our hearts. He was very happy and surprised to see Ian walking around and talking. One more night at the hospital and then Ian can sleep in his own bed. We have all these angels who show up and leave us food, cards and gifts outside the house. THANKS TO YOU ALL! We know we have a long road ahead of us but we are ready and grateful for everyday we have as a family! Please keep praying for daily progress!

Home Stretch

Another good night yesterday and day today. Ian and I watched hockey and AFV on TV and played cards. We had lots of laughs and kept it light.

Today, Saturday is only 1/2 day of therapy so Ian is home for dinner. We are going to his team's hockey game tonight so he can be there for the last game of regular season and Sr. Night. It was so nice for us to have dinner as a family. A little bit of normal is so special. Maybe that's why God does this?

Ian gets the day off from therapy on Sunday and has one more day of inpatient on Monday. Then he comes home for good and starts outpatient therapy next week. Please pray for his continued recovery.


Thank you Lord for our blessings. Thank you for bringing us home together tonight. Let us never forget how precious we are to each other. Our cup runs over. Amen.

-Ian's Dad.

Another Good Day - Keep Them Coming!

We got some more good news today...the test results show that Ian needs to work on the "sharpness" of his brain. Everything is taking a little longer to process right now but they say it is VERY EARLY in recovery and they hope that it will all come back. In the meantime Ian asked his therapist to give him some Algebra instead of long division which he has not done since 3rd grade so she did...he got a perfect score! His language skills are very high right now but the math is coming along, good thing he has Dad to teach him and get him back on track.

He is having fun with the therapist and they all love his sense of humor. He is really taking all this well. Keep on praying - it is working - GOD has his ways. I keep telling myself this happened for a reason, I just can't figure out what. I do know one thing for sure. GOD spared Ian for some reason, he has a mission for him in this world and I can't wait to see what it is. It will be amazing just like he is!

Ian Forgot Math?

I guess this our first tangible set back. They did some tests that we don't have the results for yet trying to determine where Ian is at mentally! In the meantime as part of his therapy he worked with a teacher. Although Ian remembers his multiplication tables, he had a hard time with long division and long multiplication. Funny thing is....he is not that concerned because he says he does not think any of his friends remember because at the level of math he is at now, he says they never do that, they use the calculator. So - for Ian's friends out there - do you remember how to do long division or do you get lost in the middle? Be honest now, we are trying to figure out what is going on in Ian's head which is very complicated. Regardless, Dad is not happy and is going to start with Math 101!  The good news is his vocabulary is still excellent! So, we think he is switching from a Math degree to and a English degree! After another day of tests and therapy Ian is very tired and going to bed soon. We are trying to keep it all light but is concerning for Dad and I. Keep praying for good results in the other tests he had. Every day there is more food, cards, gift cards, well wishes, etc - THANK YOU. The nurses really like Ian because he shares the food!