Week 6 - The Awakening

We are so pleased to report some very encouraging news about Jeff's condition: He has awakened!

This past week, at the new Continuing Care Unit, Jeff opened his eyes, fully focused on his visitors, and had short conversations with his caregivers and visitors. His "conversations" are so far somewhat limited and a little disjointed - kind of like thinking out loud. He speaks mostly about his favorite subjects: cooking, fishing, the ranch and family.

He is, at times, able to read lips and respond ... though the responses don't always hit the mark. Jeff is still on medication, so his awareness at any given time is related to that. He seems to be most responsive in the evening hours. We have a notebook in his room to track Jeff's progress and record his conversations & activities or make notes about any other observations. (And we invite and encourage all visitors to do the same.)

On Thursday, the 24th, he was fitted with a Passy Muir Valve that allows him to inhale from the trach, but which closes when he exhales and forces air out through his nose and mouth. He wore it for 4 hours and seemed to tolerate it well. Two key benefits of the PMV are that it allows him to talk more easily and that it reconditions him to using his nose and mouth for breathing (which will help to wean him off the trach).

If you'd like to visit Jeff, he is at Memorial Hermann on N. Gessner, in CCU. Visiting hours are 10-12, 2-4, and 6-8, with a limit of two people at a time, for 15 minutes.

And thanks again for all your kind words to Jeff and to the family!

Week 5 -- Move to Long Term Care

Jeff was transferred, Monday August 14, from the trauma center in the Medical Center to a Long Term Acute Care facility on the west side of town. (This new location is still part of the same Memorial-Hermann Hospital system.)

A key benefit of this move is that it puts Jeff so much closer to Bram & Jinni. Another benefit is that the nurses & technicians are dealing only with long-term care patients without the added worry of immediate trauma injuries.

Although Jeff is still wearing the trach collar and has still not awakened, he seems to be getting much more active with each passing week. We still do not know if this is just a physical/muscular activity or whether he's starting to process external stimuli.

Week 3 - Small Steps Forward

Jeff has made some progress this past week. For short periods he has been able to breathe entirely on his own. He is still connected to the trach & ventilator, though, until they are sure it's a sustainable situation. Another small good sign is that his blood pressure has returned to normal.

Jeff's next step forward will be moving to a Long Term Acute Care facility. This type of facility is much like the ICU where he is now, and it is geared to providing all the therapy (physical and occupational) that Jeff will need during the coming months. We are hoping this move could come as early as next week.