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.