Update #39

The Brinkerhoffs were told today that Nick is being released from the hospital and fulltime rehab on 9/7.

They'll meet with all his doctors on 9/6 to discuss their recommendations for what's next - what kind of rehab, how long, etc.

They requests prayers for discernment as they'll have a lot of decisions to make at that time.

Nick is SO excited to come home!

Because of his advancements, life should be a bit easier than the last time he was home. But there will still be many challenges.

The El Cajon Posse has offered to come in and make modifications on the house to accommodate Nick's wheelchair. Hopefully they can get that done before the 7th.

Nick's doctor sent some of his blood to the Mayo Clinic, but the results aren't helpful in trying to determine the cause of all this. Children's just did some scans to see how the affected artery is healing. They should have results in a week.

Nick's improvements continue to be gradual - speech and movement slowly advancing.

Dwight and Lisa wanted us to see some photos of Nick's progress - an awesome picture of God's powerful, merciful hand at work in the life of this wonderful young man:

With his sis

Off the respirator!

First wheelchair ride

Just out of ICU

Smiling!

Thumbs up after his first pizza

Tearing up the halls on the trike

Update #38

Nicks’ a star! He appeared on a local newscast this weekend when the World’s Smallest Horse came to visit the kids. You can see the video here.

His progress continues to be gradual. They’re mostly working on strength and endurance conditioning.

He can now take 3 or 4 steps on his hands and knees with no help! He’s up and walking every day with the bars for balance, which he has very little of still.

He got to go home Friday for 4.5 hours for his brother, DJ’s, birthday. He went in the pool and had a great time.

And you can still help the family! Gift cards, gift cards, gift cards! Please either take them or mail them to the church:

Community Covenant Church
ATTN: Brinkerhoffs
1835 Granite Hills Dr
El Cajon CA 92019
(619) 447-2675

FOR FOOD:

• Costco
• Vons/Safeway
• Whole Foods (only available in stores)

FOR GAS:

• Arco
• 7/11: You can buy a Convenience Card at a store and put any amount on it

Update #37

From Lisa…

What Nick’s been up to:

Nick had been bugging his doctor to take out his feeding tube - he even tried to bribe him by telling him he would wash the doc's car! So the doctor had his g-tube taken out last Thursday right there in his bed! I videotaped the whole thing. He had a hole about the size of a penny in his stomach. It's closing up but he has been sick everyday except Sunday. They aren't sure why. Oh, and he didn't have to wash his doctor’s car.

They sent off blood work to the Mayo Clinic to see if he has any underlying cause for the stroke. Nothing was found. They decided to run a couple more blood tests, so we will wait to see.

He can feed himself 75% of the time (his hands shake). He can also make a phone call, ride a trike, and tie his shoes pretty well. Amanda and I do 7th/8th grade math and English with him.

• 14 weeks and 6 days ago Nicholas had his stroke.
• 5 weeks and 2 days ago he started talking.
• 3 weeks and 2 days ago he returned to rehab.

These numbers blow me away! We are amazed at the healing that God continues to bring Nicholas each day. And along with it, a beautiful attitude and spirit. Day after day he tackles his goals with a smile and determination. Whatever he accomplished yesterday is not good enough for today - he wants to work on the next goal. As I watch him learn to hold a fork, learn to stand, put one foot in front of the

other, turn a page in a book, or practice the /s/ sound, I am in awe.

I never realized how much I took for granted. He is such a miracle.

Three years ago Nick played football. I asked him what was harder - hell week or his healing process? He said healing is so much harder!

Last week Rehab received a trike for the big kids - this is Nick's new favorite toy! The first day he wobbled through the halls, but the second day he looked like he had been riding awhile - just like being on a quad! :) When his physical therapist asked if he was tired, he said, "No, I'm dead tired!" This is now known as Nick's Famous Quote in Physical Therapy.

Nicholas is not the only one that surprises me - D.J., Amanda, and Connor are also quite amazing.

In May, when Nick had his stroke, D.J. and Amanda continued to keep up their school work, take tests, do projects, travel back and forth to the hospital, deal with their feelings and still ended up with excellent grades (all A's & 1 B). Through the summer they made their own travel arrangements (by plane, train and bus) to visit family, colleges and went to camp (thank you to everyone who helped with the housing and financial end of their adventures). They help care for Connor, hang out with Nicholas, and run errands for me.

Before Nick was sick, Connor's job was to wake up Nicholas every morning. The other day he looked at Nick’s bed and in a sad, longing voice said, "Oh, JoJo's at the hospital." (JoJo is what Connor calls Nick). Connor has learned about loss. And he has learned about gain with all of the new people in his life. He has also learned how to make the hospital a playground!

But the greatest gift I have received is watching all 3 children love and accept Nicholas no matter what their brother's abilities have been. From the first days of the coma, they have talked, prayed, read and played music for him and they continue to find ways to make him feel "normal."

How can one mom be so blessed to have four courageous angels?

MORE…

This is from Rick Padelford, who works at San Diego Imaging – the surgeon who initially worked on Nick works there as well:

I just got a note from Dr. Clint Nichols, the interventional radiologist who operated on Nick. Dwight and Nick came over to the hospital this weekend to see Clint and he just happened to be on call. Clint was literally speechless. He said that he got so choked up that he couldn’t say anything.

He was so stunned with Nick’s progress and it meant so much to him that they came by.

A lot of our physicians in the practice have been tracking his progress….Some through the blog. He is one of those amazing cases that come along once a decade.

Update #36

After two solid weeks in rehab, Nick is making slow but steady progress. (Remember the tortoise analogy?) For instance…

• They have Nick standing and walking every day now, using the bars or a walker. They continue to work on building up his stamina.

• He’s able to sustain himself with food now, so they’ll be taking his feeding tube out soon.

• His dexterity is increasing, as he can now put his clothes on, but can’t do buttons or zippers yet. His arms are steadier and he can also move his thumbs much better.

• His speech progress is slow but steady.

The doctors are encouraged and Nick’s spirit continues to be strong and resilient.

By the way, they were able to get a van that accommodates a wheelchair before he went back into the hospital. They took him to go see the Transformers movie and he loved it! It’ll come in handy when they’re able to temporarily take him out or home for the weekend.

Thanks to all for your continued support and prayers!

Mike