Week 13

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!  We are truly grateful for your prayers and thoughts through out Daniel's journey!  Here is an update on Daniel's progress.  Daniel finished his last two therapy sessions on Thursday December 29.  His speech and physical therapists are giving evaluation reports to his neuroscience.  He will have a follow up the middle of January.  In the meantime he has been given a routine exercise program so he can continue to build stamina and speech therapy lessons to continue with at home.  Daniel is doing remarkably well.  He indicates that he enjoys his naps due to the fact he gets tired throughout the day.  Daniel has always stated since he woke up that his feet are cold.  They are still cold and when he takes a shower his feet feel like they are burning.  This is one of the topics we will be asking about with his neuroscience doctor.  Daniel now has his glasses for distance and although he says "I don't need these", his parents find it funny when he is watching TV or reading signs in the car while wearing his glasses.  We will make comments like "Oh you can see better can't you".  Daniel's tracheotomy hole is still healing.  It continues to ooze as it is not completely healed.  BIG NEWS, Daniel's neuroscience doctors has given him permission to ski with Dad.  Dad is grateful it has been a mild winter, cause I'm a nervous wreck.  However, we went skiing for the first time together Tuesday December 27.  He is absolutely not allowed to do any jumps, tricks and rails (or anything else).   Helmet is required.  Daniel and I had a great time together but you could tell Daniel was very fatigued.  Daniel has also gained five pounds from his original loss of 23 pounds.  He is very excited about this as he continues his physical exercise routines.

Week 10 1/2

Life in the Busick home has been a little hectic, hence the lack of blogs.  Daniel's grandma (my mother) passed away the end of November and funeral arrangements took priority, as a trip to New York was arranged for the services.  We would like to give you an update on Daniel's progress to go along with your continued thoughts and prayers for him.  Since Daniel's trach was removed he has had to have the scar tissue cut back as it continues to grow and ooze.  Daniel continues with speech and physical therapy everyday.  Last night Dad and Daniel worked on push ups, Daniel was able to do five.  He is weak but strives to build stamina and strength.  He is progressing well!  As he continues to heal we are discovering things he is still unsure of.  For example the other day he wasn't sure what eye glass frames were.    After a visit to the eye doctor we learned Daniel will need glasses.  These will be for distance when he is allowed/able to drive.  We are not sure if this is because of the accident.  Everyday brings something new and much more progress.
From Daniel's brain injury the doctors indicated two things we should watch for that will affect his personality, anger flare ups and lack of self motivation.  We have not seen slight if any anger issues in Daniel (thats good).  However Daniel has indicated he is finding it hard to get out of bed in the mornings.  He just wants to stay there as long as possible and doesn't have much desire to do anything.  We along with his speech and physical therapy are working on helping Daniel to get his self motivation back.   We are all watching the miracle.