Friday night shift - Alex - Babysteps

From Alex's Dad on the night shift.  Just got filled in from his Mom about the events of the day, and Alex is doing better, he's off oxygen.
When I first got here he needed to go to the bathroom.  He has a toilet that sort of comes out of the wall, and when not in use a cover drop down over it and hides the toilet from view.  It looks like a regular seat.  I wonder how much he would love a setup like that in his room at home?  Then he would never have to leave his "bachelor pad/studio apartment" bedroom,  he could play Halo even 'when nature calls'.  I guess I better not give him any ideas.  Anyway I digressed... Nature was calling and the nurses and I were helping him over and I asked him to take a step with his right leg then with his left leg, babysteps, but he is making them, and with much more strength than he showed last night.  He is supporting his weight much more evenly. I keep expecting him to just jump out of bed and be all better, but I guess its just going to be one small baby step at a time.  Gradual improvement every day till he fully recovers.  

I spoke with with one of the directors at Tuacahn and they are going to donate their video team to film the concert Mon night so Alex can watch it.  I wanted to setup some sort of webcam operation so Alex could watch it and he could say hi to you, but it looks like Alex will be recovering Mon night from his surgery scheduled that day.  He wont be able to watch it Live.  He was pretty awake today so the hospital video guy came and recorded a message from him to you that will be played on Mon night so make sure and come out and see what he has to say!

Thanks to Tuacahn and Snow Canyon and all the other high schools involved in Mon night.  I wish I could be there it looks like a lot of fun, and thanks to everyone for your support in this event.

AMIQ (Alex Morphine Induced Quotes)

1. Alex: Where is Brother G.?
Dad: Why do you want Bro. G?
Alex:  I need to talk to him
Dad:  what do you want to talk to him about?
Alex:  I really need to talk to him about being struck by lightening I think he would like to know

2.  Alex:  Hey A
Dad: A isn't here do you want me to call her and you can tell her goodnight
Alex:  no she is coming over she has the notes we need to study we have a very important stats test.
Dad: ok do you want me to call?
Alex:  no just tell her when she gets her I will be in my study.


One of my Flashbacks:
I took Alex and his brother to a church conference Sat. night Oct 2nd the Sat before the accident.  Alex gets
out of the car carrying his Physics book.  I asked him, "Why are you carrying your physics book for, do you have homework to do?"  He said, " Not homework I'm reading it during the Church Conference".
I said "Why are you reading a Physics book?"  He said "Cause physics is cool and I want to read the rest of this book"  I told him " you can read a little later put the book back in the car and pay attention to what the speakers are saying at the conference see if any of them talk about physics"
lol  I was astonished that anyone, let alone my son would read a physics book for pleasure.

2nd EEG

As I post this the EEG test is being done.  It will take about an hour.  Lets hope his Neurologist reads the report tonight and it is good. I'll post when I know.  He is having a good day - he got up 3 times today (with the help of others)

Its now 10pm - no news is good news.  Haven't received a report back on his test yet.  Hopefully early Saturday morning.  Today was a great day for Alex.  He remembered everything that was said to him today.  He took a long nap after his physical therapy.  He had a new PT Tech today.  He was a younger guy with a strong build.  After he helped get Alex into his chair, Alex said "Did you serve in the Military"  PTT says "Yes, the Navy"  Alex says "Can I shake your hand?"  At which time they did shake hands.  Alex honors our Soldiers and it was wonderful to witness this act of gratitude.  After the PTT left, I asked Alex how he knew he had served in our Military, he said "I could just tell".
 

What are the Odds?

What are the odds of having 3 Lightning Victims in the same room?  Well, yesterday they were really good!

Alex and Dane had a special visitor Wednesday 10-13, Professor Richard Blankenbecler, who was struck by lightning in 1958 while hiking the Grand Tetons.  The Professor is now living in Vegas, after retiring from Princeton and Stanford as a physics Professor. He wrote Leslie and I  a letter and said "I read with both horror and sadness about the lightning strike on your two sons"..."If you would like to meet and if you feel that such a meeting could serve a useful purpose, please contact me......" He goes onto say "I read that you sons enjoy discussing physics with each other.  Of course, that is my favorite subject also".  Both boys wanted to visit with him and we felt it would be good to stimulate their brains.  We so appreciate him taking time to talk to the boys about lightning and the effects of it.  I think it eased their minds to see someone else that had been struck and that went onto having a very full and purposeful life.
We SO appreciate ALL the people that have taken time to make comments on this blog, that have made cards, letters and phone calls inquiring about the boys.  The saying  "Its The Thought That Counts" is true!  Your thoughts DO count and we are grateful for them.
Kaleen - aka Alex's Mom

Alex Stood up

YEA!  Alex's feet touched the floor about 30 min ago.  He was able to start physical therapy today - he stood up with the help of two people and a walker.  It was a wonderful 30 seconds.  Progress!!!!

Thurs morning - night shift from Alex's Dad

Well I missed a lot of fun stuff today but as always the night is eventful as well.  Alex is doing so much better.  His face is healing nicely.  He should be able to resume his supermodel career very shortly.  I bet not many of you know that when he was 2 years old he did some fashion shoots for the old ZCMI department store in Salt Lake.  He was very stylish in his 1995 spring line 2yr old jumpers. He looked dapper in the full page black and white ad.  Maybe if you ask his Mom nicely his Mom will dig the photos out of whatever box she has them hidden in in the garage. Alex is resting so much better tonight.  He may be worn out from such an eventful day.  He was able to spend about 3o minutes in a special wheelchair they have in the PICU.  Alex's Mom read Alex letters as he was able to look outside.  After she read all the letters she read the first one again and Alex said "Mom you already read that one"  This was an encouraging sign that his short term memory seems to be improving dramatically.  I'm so glad that Dane is out and at home, but at the same time wish he and his parents were still here.  Although I didn't have much interaction with his parents during Dane's stay, it was comforting just to have them here.  Kind of like we were leaning on each other, propping each other up on either other side of our PICU wall.  Best of luck Dane.  I first met Dane the weekend before the BOLT.  I had taken Alex and his brothers to Golden Spoon then we came back to his house and went upstairs.  His friends came over and we were watching Big Bang Theory the Season 3 DVD's.  I thought is was interesting and funny Alex and his friends weren't really watching the show they were talking the whole time.  Dane, Alex and the other two friends were arguing about if they were in the show what characters they would be.  It was decided that since Alex and Dane argued so much and that Alex was so picky and logical that he was Sheldon, and Dane was Leonard.  The friend closest to me I think ended up being Horowitz, a non present friend was Guthar Pali, and the only girl in the group was of course Penny.  It took them about an episode and a half before they figured this all out.    


AMIQ (Alex's Morphine Induced Quotes)

1.  Mom:  Alex Mr. Hurt is here he was one of the first people that came and helped you.
Mr. Hurt:  Don't worry Alex I wasn't the one that was kissing you.  That was Mr. Hansen
Alex: Yea, Mr. Hansen always liked me

2.  this is after Alex has been complaining about being so thirsty and the nurse tells him he can have ice, and we start feeding him ice

Alex: more ice please
the nurse gives Alex more ice but Alex stops chewing and it looks like he is sleeping.  I asked the nurse is that okay if he doesn't chew it and she shakes her head no.
Nurse M: Alex you need to chew the ice it looks like you are asleep, wake up.
Alex: I'm just trying to enjoy it!!!

I love Alex so much thanks for all your love and prayers and support. 

Quick Update - Alex - Wednesday

Alex drank water today!!  Wahoo!!!!  He was able to drink water through a straw then he moved onto apple juice and some ice cream.  He's doing great.  Not great enough for surgery tomorrow though.  Skin grafts will be done on Monday.  They also postponed his EEG until Friday.  So its more waiting......
He's remembering things from one hour to the next and moved his big toe on his left foot.  Good things are happening. When he took his first sip of water he said "this is the best water I've ever had".
Life is Good! Remember life's simply pleasures :)

Update from Dane's Dad. He's out!!!!!!!!!

I'm very excited to relay to everyone who is keeping up with this situation that Dane was released from the hospital this afternoon. We are staying in Vegas tonight and we will be returning to St George tomorrow. We left the hospital without reporting it to the media in order to have a little privacy. Dane is doing well, he's just very weak and a bit shaky. He needs to recoup for a while. Dane is mostly worried about Alex and didn't want to leave without him.