A Leg Up

So it looks like Neil has some control over his constantly-moving right leg. Last night, Scott got him to lift that leg up when he asked him to. Neil lifted his foot to Scott's stomach and when Scott said to push, Neil pushed! When he asked him to lift his leg higher, Neil's toes inched their way up to Scott's chest. He seemed to love the contact that he could control, and they kept up that game for hours! So long in fact, that Neil was worn out for me this morning. He lifted his foot to my stomach and onto my arm eventually, but he seemed very tired.

I think his fatigue came from more than just a long workout the night before. For three days now, they have been withholding his food for different periods of time in preparation for expected surgeries that never happened. After a nearly three day fast, you'd be pretty tired too! Well, today Neil was finally equipped with a feeding tube in his stomach and a cool filter in his inferior vena cava. Tomorrow he'll get his food again, so we're looking forward to more purposeful movements and eye contact.

And speaking of movements with a purpose, etc., no neuro evaluation or Glasgow Coma Scale today. Hopefully they'll do it tomorrow after he's feeling strong again.

Thank you again and again for the many kind and thoughtful notes and gestures we have received. I don't know that this marathon roller-coaster ride would be possible without the love and support we have felt from so many people. You are wonderful!

--Lori