This post was originally published here on mamapundit.com on April 30, 2010.

When H was admitted to the ICU on Tuesday (or was it Wednesday?), we were told there would be good days and bad, and even days where things will go up and down during the same day. Today has been a day of tremendous progress, with some hard parts as well.

In the best news at all, H was taken off the ventilator; he is now breathing on his own! They thought they might have to give him a tracheotomy, but they did not. He is on extra oxyen as needed, but no ventilator tube is down is throat any longer. He is also off of total chemical sedation. They take his sedation up and down as needed to let him rest and his brain swelling to continue to improve, but we are weaning him from the sedation to try to begin getting a sense of his cognitive function.

And as far as that goes, we’ve also had some great progress today. He sometimes opens his eyes a bit, although focus isn’t there yet. He definitely grimaces in pain, which is hard for me to see, but a good indicator of his brain function. He is not yet really responding to commands, but I sense very strongly that he is trying. I think he seems happy when I am with him and displeased when I leave, but I may just be doing some mama-projecting.

The ENT discovered today that he has a broken jaw, and one ear is still so filled with blood that she is not yet able to assess how his hearing may be in that ear from the blow that broke the bone. She thinks his other ear is likely okay. He is still in a neck brace and has a feeding tube, as well as several IVs.

He is beginning to experience physical withdrawals from the drugs that caused his overdose. This is VERY hard for me to see, and I experience a range of emotions observing the symptoms – from frustration and anger to an overwhelming desire to just make it all stop for him – just make my baby feel better.

The neurology consult this afternoon was a bit of a downer, for me anyway. The neurologist told us that we should be “optimistic but realistic” regarding H’s prognosis for full neurological recovery. The injury to his brain was significant, and unfortunately, only time will tell us what outcome we are going to see. Of course, I assume the best but have terror of the other possibilities.

Once again, thanks SO MUCH to EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has let us know they are thinking of our H and his recovery. You really just have no idea what the messages of support and love mean to all of us. It’s really lifting me up during this, the most horrifying experience of my life, bar none.

xoxo,

Katie

APRIL. 30, 2011 – IT HAS BEEN ONE FULL YEAR SINCE I WROTE THIS BLOG POST. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION ASKING THAT KNOX COUNTY AUTHORITIES FINALLY DO THE RIGHT THING AND FULLY INVESTIGATE HENRY’S CASE. LEARN MORE ATJUSTICE FOR HENRY

This post was originally published here on mamapundit.com on April 29, 2010.

H had a rough night. He had to be re-intubated after a gagging episode that dislodged his ventilator tube. He is stable now.

Yesterday late afternoon they did surgery to drain what they thought was fluid or blood pooling around his heart. The good news is that when they got in, they discovered far less fluid than the scan had shown. The bad news is that they are now pretty certain he had a hear attack at the time of his overdose or from the assault. They were kind of hoping that fluid build up would have explained his impaired heart function, but now we will just have to wait and see what damage remains after the heart muscle has a chance to heal.

Katie

APRIL. 29, 2011 – IT HAS BEEN ONE FULL YEAR SINCE I WROTE THIS BLOG POST. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION ASKING THAT KNOX COUNTY AUTHORITIES FINALLY DO THE RIGHT THING AND FULLY INVESTIGATE HENRY’S CASE. LEARN MORE ATJUSTICE FOR HENRY

The moment of truth has arrived! After losing just about everything in a terrible house fire last fall, as of today, Dr. Neighbor and Thor the dog now OFFICIALLY live in their van… down by the river.

Here’s a news story that WBIR recently did on Dr. Neighbor’s preparations for the big trip (I love the part where the reporter, my pal Stoney Sharp) climbs out of the back of the van. Nice touch, Stoney

No more house. No more furniture or other “stuff.” Just a man, his dog, a guitar or two, and a plan to travel wherever life looks interesting for the foreseeable future, including adding in stops along the way to meet quite a few of you mamapundit.com readers who have been so sweet about extending invitations to Dr. Neighbor and Thor, ever since you began reading their ILiveInMyVan.com blog, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

For now, they are still parked in Knoxville, but I think their first official stop on the ILiveInMyVan.com itinerary (which you can follow in real time online) will be in Bell Buckle next weekend, for a themed family houseparty weekend being hosted by Robert and Nicole.

Let the adventure begin!

That’s DEFINITELY what G’s pediatrician told Jon at her 10 month check-up last week.

C (3) and G (10 months) hanging out together in a mopbucket at Jon’s office this week

First published here at mamapundit.com on April 28, 2010…

Please pray for my sweet son H, who is in critical condition following a major drug overdose and a brutal assault. He is on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma to try to bring down widespread swelling in his brain due to a period of time with low/no oxygen. He aspirated and his lungs are injured badly. The next few days critical for him.

Thank you so much to all for healing thoughts and prayers.

Hug your babies tight.

xoxo – Katie

APRIL. 28, 2011 – IT HAS BEEN ONE FULL YEAR SINCE I WROTE THIS BLOG POST. NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION ASKING THAT KNOX COUNTY AUTHORITIES FINALLY DO THE RIGHT THING AND FULLY INVESTIGATE HENRY’S CASE. LEARN MORE AT JUSTICE FOR HENRY

We’ve posted a new video that our family has produced to raise awareness about Henry’s case. Please watch and share.