Rehabilitation from a brain or spinal cord injury often comes in "small victories". Because nerves are so very delicate and don't grow back like other body tissues, any damage to them results in long, painstaking rehabilitation. The body has to learn new ways of doing old things and does its best to compensate The rehabilitation process is also often referred to as a "marathon" as opposed to a "sprint." How true this is! Carson achieved one of these small victories today. Following a rougher night due to the aforementioned nerve pain, the physical therapy staff removed Carson from his bed via a lift and placed him in a reclining wheelchair. For the first time he was able to get outside on the deck for a few minutes after going down several floors in the elevator. While this may not have been huge in his rehabilitation of motor skills, it was a huge psychological boost. We don't fully understand the mind/body connection, but what we do know is that the greater the mental outlook, the better the overall prognosis in nearly any injury. To place things in perspective, Carson requires moving every two hours in his bed, and there are only three positions; slightly on his left side, slightly on his right, or flat on his back. With the neck collar in place, a nasogastric tube in place for feeding, catheter, IV's, inflating wraps on his calves to prevent blood clots, and boots that position his feet at an angle that attempts to prevent muscle and tendon atrophy, one can imagine the psychological boost that would come from ANY deviation from this routine. I could tell that this primitive "road trip" elevated his mood and provided a temporary, but important small victory. Carson has improved his upper arm movement and hand skills. Again, these are subtle, but nonetheless improvements. He will have a swallow test to determine whether he can get the feeding tube removed within the next few days. As we talked about the injury and what the ramifications would possibly be for the future, we both know it is too soon to be making any predictions about recovery of function. One thing is for certain with Carson; any lack of recovery won't be as a result of failure to try. This man continues to look forward, not back, and demonstrates the indomitable spirit. Your letters of encouragement are akin to stopping at a gas station and filling up his "emotional" tank with high octane fuel. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, he FEELS your love. Thank you for leaving a bit of you, with him.
Stephen Tueller
