Update: Day 23

After just one IVIG (immunoglobulin) treatment, Neal is able to wiggle his arms and legs! He has four more treatments over the next four days.

His feeding tube (currently running down his nose) is being relocated into a small incision on his belly to feed directly into his stomach. This will make it much more comfortable for him, as the one running down his throat causes a lot of irritation.

I've been reading him the email's and posts daily and it always makes him smile.

Thank you all!
Belinda

Update: Day 21

They are once again discussing starting the immunoglobulin treatment. The hope is it will lessen the duration of the GBS.

I want to thank all of you for the messages you have been leaving. I read them to him and it really helps lifts his spirits. Please keep them coming.

Belinda

We want YOUR updates!

Please send Neal what's going on in your life; how you are doing, what's new, the latest gossip, what's happening at DTSC... anything to keep Neal in the loop and feel less disconnected.

Email Alyson directly (subject: Neal's blog), and I'll print them out & hand them over to my mom.  She'll read them to him and I'm sure it will lift his spirits and maybe give him a much needed laugh. :)

Update: Day 19

Neal is now up to two hours a day off the ventilator. Tomorrow they are going to try for three - four hours. It takes a lot effort and he ends up sleeping much of the rest of the day.

Gregg and Nanette were able to visit this weekend. I think Gregg is able to read his lips better than me.

Update: Day 17

Neal received a new trachea tube in today. Though the procedure it self went well, it wore him out.

He must think all day about what he is all going to tell me when I get off work, because when I come into his room...he has a lot to say. He tells me my lip reading is getting better...but I think he's just being nice.

No new movements, but he continues to try all day to move his limbs. It's a slow process and I know it must get frustrating when he doesn't improve at the pace he wants.

Gregg and Nanette are coming for a visit this weekend, and he is really looking forward to seeing them tomorrow.

Belinda

Update: Day 15

We had a short visit tonight. Neal was tired, he'd had a long, but GOOD day. He was able to stay off the ventilator for 1/2 hour today. They are hoping by the end of next week to take him off completely. No new movement, but his attitude remains upbeat.

Belinda

Update: Day 14

This post is from Belinda:

Molly visited her dad last night. They had a good visit, she was able to do a really good job of reading his lips. He wanted to let her know how happy he was to hear she is keeping her grades up. And he must have asked her for half a dozen hugs.

He is already asking when he will be able to start working with rehabilitation. He is a fighter.

The pneumonia hasn’t cleared up yet, but it sounds like it is getting better.

They are working on the blood clots he now has in his legs. I guess he’ll be on blood thinners for a while.

He also has a little device in front of him that he can puff air into that turns on the TV and/or summon his nurse.