A Very Good Week

Hello Everyone,

Gabe is making gains. His brain is clicking together like the LEGO structures he created as a kid. Now two short red pieces, now two more red middle sized pieces, now the long green piece. Looks like a popsicle to me!

Gabe is so awake now. His eyes are open when I walk into his room and he will keep them open longer (all the better for looking and learning). He is often alert when we leave in the evening.

Mike was here from Maine this week and here are some of the images I will remember from his trip.

Mike leaning over Gabe’s face teaching Kierie how to use an electric shaver on Gabe. They are both intently watching Gabe make those expressions men do with their faces when shaving. Gabe takes a mirror with a handle from Kierie and brings it up to his face so he can see what they were doing and watch his own face. Later they guide his hand to hold the shaver.

Kierie and Gabe playing ball with a tennis ball sized, bright yellow rubber prongy ball. “Throw the ball Gabe” elicits Gabe dropping it into her out stretched hand. Then “Catch the ball Gabe”. His right hand fingers close quickly over the ball when it drops in his hand.

Gabe sitting on his bed, feet dangling, being held upright by two PT staff. They lean him to his right and support him on his right elbow and he balances in place for the first time without starting to fall. Later he holds his head erect for 10 seconds.

Kierie, Mike and I counting number of “swallows” while Gabe works with Speech Therapy. Gabe takes the offered frozen lemon swab and tucks it in his right or left cheek. This is supposed to create saliva to swallow, a necessary prerequisite to getting rid of the trach. Ten minutes and fourteen swallows later we are happy for all the popsicles Gabe downed lo these many years to prepare for this day. Later in the day Kierie replicates the activity with even more swallows.

Gabe’s finger response using his right hand “Raise one finger for Yes, two for No” is getting more reliable and smoother when the therapists speak slowly and give him plenty of time to respond.

Gabe answers his first sequential questions by first touching his chin and then his right ear as asked. Then touching his nose followed by his chin when asked.

Gabe is getting more expression in his face. The hints of smiles are showing up. Mike, Kierie and I model all kinds of smiles for him. His raised eyebrows and puzzled expressions have us wonder what he is thinking. Yesterday both the Dr., Kierie, and I thought we saw the first attempt to move his lips to form a word when he was asked a question.

On October 9th we had a family conference with the Dr. in charge of his recovery here. She is thrilled with his progress and wants to keep him here 8-12 more weeks. Then he will be really ready to transfer to a rehab center for up to 8 weeks. If you do the math this will be March before we get home to Maine at the longest and end of December as the earliest. When Gabe leaves here he probably will not have the trach but he will still have the PEG stomach feeding line to make sure he gets enough calories. His follow up hip x-rays are today, October 13. Soon after he will be cleared for wheel chair for rides to PT and get started on weight bearing exercises to start building up the strength lost while at bed rest. California sun awaits him outside his bedroom on rides later this week. It is pouring out now, 3 to 4 inches expected today. A true waterfall outside my window.

How many connections has Gabe made in his brain while you were reading this post?

You are wonderful, Hugs to you all. Popsicles all around.

Donna

2009.10.13 / 7 responses / Author: Donna

Gabe’s Ride to Recovery Party=Success!

When people give me compliments on the wicked excellent party that was thrown on my brother’s behalf last Friday (Oct. 2) at Paddy Murphy’s in Downtown Bangor, I try to be modest and say that it’s super easy to hold a really fun benefit party for someone as awesome as Gabe. He’s certainly been (in)famous for his party-hosting skills before, and I think it’s a trait that runs in the family.

A few of us core planner folks arrived early and began setting up our space with balloons and setting out dozens of home-baked cupcakes and cookies. Sheridan was the camera woman–she had a video camera set up in the back “library” room to catch short messages to compile for Gabe to see someday soon. Our DJ friends Brendan, Beth, and Kristian arrived to set up their equipment. Lindsey and Kiernan artfully arranged the giant selection of door prizes near the DJ booth. Clementina set to work frosting her super-gourmet cupcakes in the back room. A guest book was set up near the video camera as well, and a photo of Gabe rested in between some of the ridiculous sock puppets that were made a few weeks ago to eventually bring to him when he is in rehab. Larry, Allison, and Marcie helped me figure out the best procedure to use when folks started coming in. We set up raffle tickets for purchase, door prize tickets to rip, and tried to figure out how to handle donations that were sure to pile up. A giant basket of handmade buttons with Gabe’s picture went right by the door as well as were a big hit with party atendees.

Drink specials went up on the board: “Maddfajita Margarita”  and “Allen’s Allen’s Coffee Brandy Coffee”, a concoction that Gabe is really proud of, originally invented for snowshoeing. For those of you not in Maine, Allen’s Coffee Brandy is the most popular booze sold in the state. It’s like a lower cost version of Kahlua and usually means a party. I am sure the AACBC went wonderfully with the bazillion cupcakes that kept marching through the door. Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, chocolate Guinness cupcakes, yellow ones with coffee buttercream, s’mores cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, Moxie cupcakes. Also cookies and chocolate candies. The sugary treats filled one large table and then overflowed to another smaller one next to it. At first, people seemed almost intimidated by how many there were, but then we put out take-out containers so that they could be brought home too. At the end of the night we had just a few ones left to take with us, which was just fine.

The DJs set a good stage and folks kept milling about. It was a great mix of people–old family friends I hadn’t seen in years, high school and UMaine connections, and current friends. Throughout the night, we had over 160 people. We stopped the music periodically to toast Gabe, send other messages of thanks and hope, and to draw door prizes.  We talked, drank, ate too many cupcakes, and saw old friends. We danced and shared stories and included Gabe in our thoughts all night. We left silly and sentimental video messages for him and joked about his previous parties on Penobscot St. We had so much fun and generous amounts of money were raised for Gabe.

Thank you so much to everyone who baked, set up, staffed the tables and video areas, organized cupcakes, danced, drank, laughed, donated, and had a great time for Gabe, who could not be there!

And many thanks to Paddy Murphy’s, who donated the upstairs bar rental for the party.

Thanks to the local businesses who donated door prizes: The Rock & Art Shop, The Grasshopper Shop, Winterport Winery, Giacomo’s, Bagel Central, Metropolitan Soul, Penobscot Theatre, Winterport Boot Shop, Valcourt Designs, Pat’s Bike Shop, Howling Threads Studio, Roxanne Munksgaard, Marcie Noyes, State St. Brewer Dunkin’ Donuts, Dysart’s.

xoxo

2009.10.12 / no responses / Author: Summer

And then he woke up.

It’s official. As of today and yesterday, Day 47 and 48, Gabe is responding to commands. Not all the time, but in a way that cannot be confused with a simple neurological response (i.e. a hand squeeze, lifting his thumb so it looks like a thumbs-up, pointing a finger, etc). Each of the therapy specialties experienced G in a higher state of consciousness, and his doctor confirms that he is no longer in a vegetative state. “Gabe is waking up.”

Speech pathology (SP) worked with him early on Day 47 and asked him to touch his chin, touch his ear, and touch his left elbow. He did each as requested, the last by finding his left hand and tracing up to his elbow. Physical therapy (PT) also had encouraging luck when giving vocal commands. His mom and I also experienced some things. Around 1pm I was sitting with G, telling him a story about a bicycle ship cruising through space. His forearm was up and he traced his face with his hand. He opened his eyes and I was in his line of vision. His eyes moved back and forth a bit, as if observing, then his hand moved to my face, tracing down to my neck. This was not simply a falling of the hand. It actually felt explorative, a touch that held direction and purpose. He then navigated his hand around my waist. There he rested his arm and hand and I told him he ruled.

So check out what happened with Donna: I had switched over to his left side and Donna came in. He must have noticed her at the edge of the bed. As she swept around to his right side to put her bag on the floor just past his head and outside his line of vision, he released my hand and raised his arm in her direction. His fingers were up and open, and when she stood up,  he took her hand. She leaned down over his chest so we were both in his line of vision and he shifted his eyes clearly from me to her.

The neuro-psychologist was excited when we related these things: there are connections happening in the frontal lobe of his brain where he’s linking sensory input, processing, then responding bodily. He is interacting with people showing true response to voice and/or vision. He is connecting ideas. His movements are not particularly fluid, but the intention is there and easily discernible. To think he may be responding with recognition of the people around him is noteworthy, and it’s significant that the therapists are seeing an equal amount of action from him.

Also on Day 47, two CNAs came in to reposition him in the bed, for which we have to step out. He held Donna’s hand and would not free her. Nearby was his brown stuffed animal moose, Bonzey (named after a friend who sent it to him last month). Silly for a 27-year-old man to have a stuffed animal, but it’s actually great to have the last four weeks because it occupies his hand to prevent clenching or exploration of his trach tube, etc. I placed Bonzey the moose in his lap and he caught sight of it. I said, “Gabe, we have to step out for a moment so hold your moose until we come back.” Whether he understood those words or the moose was visually enticing, he freed Donna’s hand and took it up.

Gabe again brought a heightened sense of awareness to the forefront today, Day 48. When we arrived OT and PT reported the good sessions they had this morning. OT held up a comb this morning and asked, “What do you do with this?” Gabe took the comb and brought it up to his hair. Shortly after, OT uncapped his chapstick and he took it, brought it to his lips, and applied it. Then he rubbed his lips together! Now time for the daily resistance to teeth brushing– perhaps there is a memory of SF General’s vigorous oral care lodged in his gums. When PT got out the toothbrush around noon-thirty, he tightened his jaws and no amount of coaxing would unclench them. Then I said, “Gabe, look, it’s just a toothbrush. Just like we have at home.” PT removed it from the inside of his cheek and he regarded it, then the therapist asked, “Do you want to brush your own teeth?”

…..Drumroll…..

Gabe took control. He reached for the brush and took it from her hand. His lips grimaced back in a curl as we all do while tending to this morning and nightly ritual. He directed the brush into his mouth and set the bristles against his own clenched teeth. PT loosely guided his wrist back and forth; and when I said, “Now the other side,” he maneuvered the toothbrush in reply. Gabe exhibited the will and matched it in body. He eventually released his jaws and brushed his tongue when requested. All by himself.

Gabe’s doctor dropped in after hearing of her patient’s progress and was disappointed each time to catch him in resting mode. Around 5pm Kierie suggested that she tell him about  her BMW.  All she had to say was the 640 model number and his eyes opened.  She added the word convertible and they opened very wide.  She asked for a “high five” and after a delay of seven long seconds–she got one. In the eyes and the words of the therapists and his doctor, he is serving up more than just reflexive movement.

From the home front, Donna and I are well and at ease. We move tomorrow north of the Golden Gate Bridge, within walking distance of the hospital. Summer is now back in Maine after a good week+ out here, and she has Gabextravaganza party happening this Friday night in Bangor. There’s a ton of prizes and cupcakes and such, and the promotion work she’s done trumps marketing efforts of the top executives in any advertising agency. We’re excited for Mike to arrive this Friday, and look forward to relaxing on the deck of our new—albeit temporary—home whilst overlooking  the end of a California summer and the sparkling  lights of Marin County.

Click your toes and clink your beers. Gabe is on his way.

2009.09.30 / 21 responses / Author: Kierie

Summer in San Francisco

Hi Everyone!

I am in San Francisco right now, visiting Gabe every day. It is so good to see him! He does this thing sometimes when he is exploring and lifting his fingers–at the same time, he will have his eyes kind of drowsily half-open. It strikes me as rather funny, like I wish he could see himself so he could chuckle. Every day is just a piece of the gigantic puzzle, sometimes Gabe is much more active (eyes open, hands and feet moving, yawns, other small movements) and some days he is very visibly resting pretty much all day. That is fine since all his doctors seem to be in agreement that what he needs most now is huge amounts of rest. Aside from the therapies that he receives several times every day (less often on weekends) I am content to see him resting in order to regow the connections in his brain that are so stressed. I keep my sisterly cooing to a minimum, as it’s likely he is confused by a lot of noise. I remind him a few times a day of little private Allen sibling jokes, just in case his brain can grab onto any of it, and, I suppose, mostly for my own comfort.

Other than spending time with my brother, I am enjoying my mom’s company. Hopefully she is enjoying mine too!  A trip to Muir Woods is in the works for Monday afternoon. Mom and I went before when we drove cross-country in 2004. I also get to see my good friend Jessi Leigh fairly often while I am out here, even though she is crazily busy in her last year of law school. A subgroup of her friends, along with Maine native Lily, are also wonderful companions here in SF. Tim and Matt (more Maine people, gotta love how we watch out for each other), who have the condo we’ve been staying in this week, were kind enough to clear out of here so we could have lots of space and a beautiful place to relax in. It’s on the top floor of a nice building in the Outer Sunset, three blocks away from the (foggy) beach. I don’t even know how to thank people who have been so generous, but they will be receiving huge karmic boosts from the Allen family indeed.

I’m flying back to Maine super early on Tuesday and will get back to Bangor around 8pm. Many more things need to be done before Gabe’s wicked excellent benefit party on Friday night. I have so many gourmet cupcakes and cookies coming our way from several baketastic women, and there are a bunch of people selling raffle tickets for me. Remember that the raffle will not be drawn at the party, so you can continue to buy tickets all night. There will be tons of great door prizes though. I am expecting a full house at the party and hope that everyone who wanted to come can make it, even just for a bit. Raffle tickets are still available at the following places, to the best of my knowledge:

Winterport Boot Shop in Brewer

The Clothesline, Rosie’s Diner, and The Winterport House of Pizza, all in downtown Winterport

On campus at UMaine: Marcie Noyes in Shibles Hall, Kathleen March in Little Hall, Lorelei Kennedy in Neville Hall, and Gail Belanger, Dolores Stone, or Cindy Paschal in Nutting Hall (my work building!) Also, Larry VP and Allison Melton have tickets for you hip young Bangorians.

There are still raffle donations and door prizes coming in, I don’t have definite confirmation since I am out here, but I believe that Giacomo’s has added something to the mix, and that there may be some more jewelry items coming in from some vendors at the Common Ground Fair, where my friend Deena wore a poster with Gabe’s profile on it for two days and told his story to people, which is one of her true talents.

A hundred bazillion hugs and thank-yous to all the wonderful people who have been so supportive of Gabe and my family. You are the true meaning of community.

xoxo

2009.09.27 / 1 response / Author: Summer

When you get caught between the Moon and New York City

Today is Day 42, exactly six weeks since the accident. And Gabe is doing well. He continues to shed medical dependency: the gradual reduction of painkiller here, the removal of his central IV (PICC line) there. We all wait for grander news similar to that of the Valentine, but these little steps mean progress.

So last week, G made a leap forward as he exchanged a short-term acute care hospital—SF General—for a long-term one. This you know. Kentfield Specialty and Rehabilitation Hospital continues to monitor him medically, but also integrates therapies to re-instill consciousness. Speech therapists (SP) will begin to test his mouth muscles to make sure he is controlling his tongue and swallowing down the right passageway. Occupational therapists (OT) take up the limbering up of his arms, hands, feet, and legs that Donna and I practiced in the ICU and step-down unit of SF General; when he’s more awake, OT will switch gears to assist in grooming, dressing, etc. The physical therapists (PT) sit him up and let his feet dangle off the side of the bed and practice range of motion with his limbs simultaneously. All of this is critical in preventing his muscles from atrophying completely, and his tendons from tightening beyond use. Kentfield had aimed to get Gabe in a wheelchair and moving about, however this is being put on hold until his fractured pelvis has a few more weeks of healing.

Certainly the team at his new crib is attentive, thorough, and vigorous while proceeding with the right amount of caution. I got to watch each of all these therapies yesterday, and Donna & I caught a little of speech today. For the first time to everyone including staff, Gabe seemed to respond to commands and elicit movements beyond that of base neurological responses. A therapist today worked for 30 minutes on finger movements and I’ll be darned if he wasn’t trying to work with her. Maneuvering his pinky, making a fist, holding up two fingers, touching his nose…brow pooled in sweat & furrowed with what I can only guess is concentration. Next I’d like to see Gabe give us his usual thumbs up ^*squint*

Now for a little backtracking….

On days 33-39, another journey took place away from Gabe’s bedside. I flew back to the Big Apple to handle the lives we placed on hold. It can be strange to be in a place so familiar but so far away from where one’s mind is at. New York is the same swirling, mythological place. Summer is slipping casually into fall. Specialty food trucks still roam and the ice cream truck bells still toll. Street fairs are in the tail-end of the season. Museums rotate into autumn exhibitions and there are more boots on people’s feet. Friends and family continue the trajectory through which the City and its parts take us: meeting up in the park, sharing beers at a bar, running into each other on the way to work.

The purpose of the trip was to pack his apartment and ship everything up to Maine, pack my apartment and put everything into storage, interview and secure a sublet for my apartment, and settle up the job from which I’m resigning. By the end of six days, it was all done with plenty o good times had in Ft Greene Park, at the track, at a party, eating out… But seriously, 60 boxes + furniture weren’t done alone. There were friends who set to work gathering boxes, tape, markers, plastic bags. There were friends who spent their days and evenings at my house packing. Then they went to Gabe’s house to pack some more. One got a free pile going beneath the kitchen counter and sorted through old shoes. Bike boxes and bubble wrap were tracked down. Scones and cupcakes arrived special delivery to my office. The best granola ever tasted waited on the counter at home while a delectable roast chicken sat in the fridge. A family member helped sort through bills and provided sage legal advice, while another elected to store my possessions in his house. Seven people showed up on Gabe’s doorstep to load up the U-Haul; two of them flew down from Maine to drive it all back north. A whole crew of Mainers waited to unload it upon arrival at Gabe’s childhood home. There were those who helped me make coin rolls to exchange at the bank and those who sat on the corner eating breakfast before the flight back here. One picked me up from the airport and was always just around the corner waiting with big hugs. Another called me out to ole 9^th Street for coffee. The last evening was shared in good company on the piers of Long Island City, overlooking the skyscrapers of Midtown as the sun drifted lower and lower over the East River.

Wow, the people will be the greatest “miss” factor, more than the City itself–they MAKE that place! Oh, bon voyage, New York!

After six long days away from the Bay Area, I sat with Gabe and saw a difference in him. Ever so slight, but it was there. And I related each story and the lolz and the nomming that took place back at home during his absence. Every name is repeated and each face described. Then I think beyond the circle of NYC friends who’ve been around. From the date of the accident to today everyone shows their support in a unique manner and it often passes through my mind that I hope no one who has reached out to us feels under-appreciated. Perhaps we need to start a list on a new section of this website. Perhaps we just owe a lot of thank-you cards

Time for bed. Hope everyone out there is encouraged and still thinking/sending/dreaming positive things for Gabe. I’m convinced he’s going to sign those thank-you cards himself. Much love.

-Kierie

2009.09.24 / 1 response / Author: Kierie

Gabe Gets New Digs (Note from Donna)

Wednesday Sept. 16, Day 35 was moving day for Gabe. Insurance approved his move to a long term acute care facility, the Kentfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospital 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Within 4 hours the ambulance team had him all bundled in and ready to travel. I zipped through SF rush hour traffic in my trusty Honda and beat them to his new room. Gabe arrived with his eyes the widest open I have seen them. He knew something was happening that involved wheeled movement.

He settled in while the facility scurried to find him an extra tall bed. Gabe and I met head nurses and chief clinical officers, and the first wave of rehab folk. His new bed and air mattress arrived. He was soon changed over propped by 8 pillows. Staff will change his position every 2 hours. Respiratory therapy came in to set up his equipment for his trach tube. I left for the night and the one hour drive back to the SF apartment.

Yesterday, his second day at Kentfield, he met with the Dr. of Physiatry who will run a battery of blood tests, more EEGs, CTs and a future MRI. She did a thorough neuro exam and checked all his reflexes. She listened to my observations of his behavior. By the beginning of next week with her tests and baselines from the other departments she will be plotting his individual treatment plan. Keirie and I and visitors will be a big part of it she promises.

The head of Speech Therapy came in for baseline evaluations with the goal to get him safely swallowing and off his trach tube. The head of Physical Therapy came in and introduced himself. Gabe will be up and dressed quite often for PT and will be off to the shower at least once a week. He will be up and about in a reclining wheelchair by Friday (or as soon as the “tall” wheelchair has been assembled. I think over the weekend therapies will back off. On Monday Gabe will be busy traveling a mile down the road to the bigger Marin County General for the CT scan.

So with the move, Kierie busy handling their apartment packing in NYC (returning Monday), and Summer due to arrive back this Saturday there is a lot going on around Gabe. On Tuesday we move in with friends for a week — so no more cards and letters to the Potrero Ave. San Francisco address please.

Each visiting team found a lot of reflexive movement to build on. Now we just need
more of his brain cells to relax back into their old shape and new pathways to form and he will start to interact with his therapists. Till then he is in his own laid back “chill” mode opening his eyes and exploring all his tubes, pillow hems, and hands of visitors with his ever curious right hand.

Ready or not Gabe, the game starts today.

Cards and letters may be sent to Gabe:

Gabe Allen, Room 209 A
Kentfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospital
1125 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Kentfield CA 94904-1455

2009.09.18 / no responses / Author: Donna

Gabe’s Ride to Recovery Raffle

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been working on a raffle to raise money for Gabe’s upcoming air ambulance ride back to the East Coast. When I started asking local business owners for donations, I was continually impressed by the kind generosity that so many people offered to me. Yes, in the Bangor area I have a lot of connections, as I like to do business locally, and my family owns a well-known small business, but some of the people gave me very nice donations without much or sometimes any prompting, and some gave well beyond what I expected. This is sure to be a great fundraiser. I have friends and co-workers selling tickets all over the UMaine campus (where I currently work and where Gabe and I were students and he worked until 2006). There are also friends, family, and just plain kind folks who will be selling tickets in the Bangor, Orono, and Winterport areas. They will be available at the Winterport Boot Shop in Brewer on/after Weds. Sept. 16, and at Gabe’s Party at Paddy Murphy’s on Oct. 2.  I will post the names of other businesses where they will be available, as they become known to me. I won’t be able to run around the area delivering individual tickets, so please don’t ask! An easy way for anyone out of the area is to mail me a check (made to the “Gabriel Allen Fund”) and I will fill out tickets for you, as long as give me your name, phone, and email. You can send these to me at:

Summer Allen, c/o Winterport Boot Shop, 264 State St., Brewer ME 04412.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Here is a complete list of raffle prizes. More are still being finalized (just added three more on 9/16) so I will be updating this list in the next week or so. I am listing this mostly because it would not all fit on a ticket stub and so I am directing people to the site, I apologize that it might not be super easy for just anyone to be able to buy tickets. Guess you’ll have to come to the party!

-Fuji SE Draft  Bicycle (56cm, single speed, black, see picture at top of post) and jersey donated by Rose Bicycle in Orono

-120 GB iPod Classic donated by UMaine IT Dept.

-(2) Complete Auto Detailing Packages donated by Rawcliffe’s Garage in Hampden

-A pair of men’s or women’s Tubbs brand snowshoes & poles donated by Ski Rack Sports in Bangor

-An American Airlines r/t ticket (restrictions apply) within the Continental U.S. donated by travel agent Andras Revasz of Team Pista Face (Gabe’s Bike Team in NYC)

-A Tempurpedic Swedish neck pillow donated by The Bedworks in Brewer

-$50 GC to Winterport Boot Shop in Brewer

-$50 GC to Woodman’s Bar & Grill in Orono

-$50 GC to Bangor Hydro Electric Company

-$50 GC to Luna Bar & Grill in Bangor

-$50 GC to Massimo’s Cucina Italiana in Bangor

-$25 GC to Yoshi Japanese Restaurant in Brewer

-$25 GC to State Street Wine Cellar in Bangor

-$25 GC to Penobscot Theatre in Bangor

-(2) 5 tickets (and a t-shirt!) to the Great Maine Lumberjack Show in Trenton

-Men’s and Women’s haircuts from Studio 2000 in the Bangor Mall

-Handbag full of women’s accessories donated by Bella Luna in Bangor

-Acupuncture session donated by TLC Natural Healthcare in Augusta

-Basket of Aveda hair, skin, and aromatherapy products donated by Virtues in Bangor

-Gabe-approved reading donated by Mr. Paperback in Belfast: “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan and Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes cookbook

-Hand-dyed and felted silk chiffon and merino wool wrap by Bangor based Fiber Artist Jodi Clayton

-Pottery Raku Jar donated by Orono Ceramic Artist Dennis Harrington

-Beaded earring and necklace set donated by Gretchen Battick of Bangor

This doesn’t even include a bunch of excellent door prizes that will be available only at Gabe’s party on Oct. 2! Holy crap!

2009.09.14 / 4 responses / Author: Summer

Gabe’s Ride to Recovery Benefit Party!

2009.09.13 / 4 responses / Author: Summer

two specific needs

This is going out to Gabe’s humongous support community. If Gabe heads back to the East Coast in the next couple of weeks he is going to need a medical air ambulance. This cannot be Angel Flight because he will still be on a stretcher. So anybody out there with contacts in the Air Ambulance industry?

Also, our time is just about up at our little 2 bedroom furnished apartment in SF. Anyone with suggestions on temporary short term rents in SF give me a phone call or e-mail. Sorry can’t post those numbers/address direct but let Summer, Kierie or one of the network know and they will pass it on.

Big Thanks!
Donna

2009.09.07 / no responses / Author: Donna

What counts as “purposeful movement?”

The last post quantifies the main items we see and what the doctors look for.  Gabe is agitated and responds to pain stimuli, opens his eyes, is beginning to blink regularly, and is gaining more movement in his right hand and arm. Gabe is more active with his right side in general. During certain stimulation by the trauma team, he will tense up his left leg and occasionally his left arm/hand. About five days ago (Day 19 for those keeping track), his parents and I began to give his left arm and hand and extra workout. We hold it equally as we do the right and he receives two hand and foot massages daily with commentary. “This is your thumb…” Aren’t there something like 3,000 nerve endings in the hand alone? Time to wake them up!

There is more that instills us with hope pointing toward recovery. Thursday, Day 21, Gabe has his PEG line placed (feeding tube). Several hours later, when the ICU opens to visitors, Donna and I arrive. There’s a wealth of packages to unwrap on his behalf, and we start with a zebra-striped one from our fellow New Yorker, Inge. Gabe’s eyes are open and I sense he is not only watching, but observing the environment around him as well as movement. I stand directly in his line of vision with the small package and open one end. Out slides a bar of dark chocolate, and a folded white letter. On it is a small pink tissue heart Inge attached. I open and read the poem inside, then fold it again. The fingers in his right hand stretch open, and Donna asks, “Do you want to hold the valentine, Gabe?” He lets go of her hand, lifts his arm and reaches over his body and plucks the letter from my hand with his forefinger and thumb. We were floored. This is the greatest dexterity and coordination he has shown since off sedation.

Day 22 brings a great surprise as well. In July and August, he was reading a book called Imperium; I’ve taken up reading the rest of it to him in quiet moments. Friday afternoon, he begins to move his right hand when I start reading. I say, “Gabe, if you bend your elbow your hand will touch the book.” This he does and he stretches his fingers out across the pages. He tightens his grip around the side of the book and I tell him if he bends his elbow a little more, I can read to him as he holds it. So he raises it close to me. I read for five minutes and he keeps his arm perfectly still. When it is time to turn the page, I ask if he’ll let go so I can flip. Voilà. I continue reading as his hand falls into his lap. The chapter is about cotton and water, and I hope it paints scenes in his mind.

This and the taking of the valentine are two very encouraging events that qualify some of the “purposeful movement” we’ve seen.  Since the PEG insertion, he has been more sleepy, but yesterday he was breathing on his own. Gabe’s tracheostomy is rescheduled for Tuesday and the respiratory therapists allow him to take over his own breathing at times. The breathing tube is there just in case. Yesterday was his best day in this department because he spent the whole day breathing unassisted. The stronger his lungs, the sooner he can lose the vent and just have the trach tube.

Also, more love from New York: Laekhouse, Velocity, and Prolly is Not Probably have put together a contest in which people submit a posi-get-well message to Gabe. The Grand Prize is a set of Velocity ELV bike rims revamped by Laekhouse with reflective bling. Check it out here.

And for as large as a community as Gabe has in New York City, he has one equal to that up in Maine! Some killer events are in the works, which Summer will announce shortly.

-Kierie.

2009.09.06 / 4 responses / Author: Kierie