update:

So much has happened since Stephen arrived its hard to imagine we have only been here in Denver for less than 1 week.

Stephen's clincial team are amazing. His Primary Doctor has everything under

control and is taking care of all the underlying problems Stephen has had in

the last 4 weeks to enable Stephen to move forward and really start his

rehab.

Stephen has seen an ENT consultant for his trach, gastroenterologist for his

stomach problems,Respiratory consultant for his lungs, dieticians, speech

and languate therapists besides his regular nurses, phyiso,occupational therapist.

Everyone is so caring.

On Friday he had a 3rd tracheostomy as there was a problem with air leaking

from the previous 2. This one is successful and has made his breathing so

much more comfortable.In fact they started weaning him gently of the

respirator on Saturday. They disconnected it for 2 mins and Stephen breathed

on his own. Yesterday (Sunday) he breathed 4.5 mins on his own.This is an

enormous fete and we are very encouraged and hope that each day he increases

this more until finally he will be able to do without.Of course this takes

time but we are hopeful that if everything goes to plan he will be off his

vent in 4-5 weeks.

Fingers crossed.

Also Stephen's blood count has been quite low and so today (Monday) they are

giving him a blood transfusion which will stop him from being so lethargic

and will bring the colour back into his cheeks and renew his energy.

Amongst all of this he passed his swallow test today and had vegetable

soup,ravioli,roast potato,melon and strawberrys and 2 cups of tea and

ofcourse vanilla and chocolate icecream!.

This has been a huge boost for him now that he can eat nornally again and

they are hoping that if he continues to improve he may be able to actually

speak again by the end the week.

I'm not sure whether it was eating which was the highlight of today or the

fact that he had physio and used an automatic exercise bike for 6 mins.

His eyes lit us as he watched his legs move with the pedals. The physio then

took him to see the FES bikes. These are similar to exercise bikes except

elctrodes are attached to your legs which stimulate the muscels to move your

legs themselves and pedal the bike. The physio there said that normally

patients who used these bikes were not on a ventillator but if Stephen

passed a stimulator test then she would start him off. Guess what. Test

passed and Tuesday 10.00am he will start using these amazing machines.You

have no idea how much this has motivated him he has never stopped smiling

all afternoon.

We hope to continue with the updates about twice a week giving you a report

on his progress.

Stephen has asked that we send his thanks for all your well wishes, he is

amazed by the support that you all have shown and looks forward to your

emails each day.



Thanks



The Family

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