9:55pm (started at least 5 times today...where does the time go?...this is hard work and time consuming business taking care of a son in the ICU)
Andrew was busy last pm until late and what a great thing to be able to have the time on our hands to spend with Andrew until he was settled. Today was a good day for our young man. He is a little brighter and more comfortable.He passed the swallow test with Vauna, our speech therapist, in order to begin oral feeding. He probably had an aspiration pneumonia at the outset but now his lungs are steadily improving and we certainly don't want to risk that again. So we started slowly and Andrew progressed well. Tony, our awesome respiratory tech, gave Andrew some exercizes to get the lungs stronger and healthier and I guess that the competitiveness in Andrew makes that a fun distraction, if you can call it that. Brian from physical therapy came by as well and started the process of mobilizing him. Orthopedics has cleared him for weight-bearing and so tomorrow he'll be out of bed hopefully for a short time, if only sitting in a chair. We met our new attending neurosurgeon and he was reassuring us that things are going as well as we could hope. Our new nurse, Robin, came on this evening and she had been on the night when Andrew came in...that was reassuring. She was amazed at his progress. Andrew was in such rough shape that when she made the long drive back to her home after shift last week, she wanted to check on Andrew, so she used her cell phone driving and got a ticket...fortunately just a warning. Thanks to Robin for being concerned even after shift had ended!
The biggest thing today was the fact that Andrew smiled for us...that was amazing :)
How life can change in an instant! Be safe tonight with the weekend looming. Thanks so much for all of the continued support for Andrew. Go Andrew! Go! ... Whoops. Editted after the fact. Marcie made me go back and add Go Bears! (Go On Beat Expectations Andrew Recover Soon!) ( I definitely never publish without the Queen's approval.)
As the saying goes...a smile is worth a thousand words. Bet Andrew got you both smiling back! Heartwarming news. Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteJennifer and family
Hi Steve and Marcie,
ReplyDeleteThat smile must have meant a bzillion bucks to you! We are so impressed with Andrew's progress, in just 6 days he is already able to do a lot. You must be incredibly proud of your baby! Get lots of rest, we are all thinking of you. Go, Andrew, Go! Can't wait to hear about your day tomorrow.
Aileen, Sean, Megan, Nicole and Daniel
So happy to hear! Reading this definitely put a smile our faces :) Well done Andrew. Keep fighting.
ReplyDeleteLove Shannon and Megan
Such super news, it's a great start to the weekend. Keeping you in our thoughts and wishing the very best over the next couple days and weeks for Andrew's speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteUp waiting for your blog,thx for this now Tara and I can sleep...she anticipating her big race tomorrow went to sleep asking for news of Andrew
ReplyDeleteAnd me just thinking of you and sending you love and support at every turn !Also contemplating a fondue on your return !
So happy to hear about the good day. Have a good night too. Go Andrew Go!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Pam and John
So glad to hear that Andrew is doing so well. To receive a smile from him is so wonderful for you! Steve and Marcie your strength and devotion are undoubtedly having a positive impact on his recovery--keep up the great work, you all! Let's hope for many more great days like this.
ReplyDeleteLove the Wongfergs
I am wearing my California "Cal" sweatshirt ... Andrew's candle is burning stronger than ever ...
ReplyDeletelove Ted & Mo
Please tell Andrew that there are six new faces in the Brentwood varsity 8+ that have never met him before. After this week, the inspiration they are taking from Andrew's will to recover has inspired the entire crew. They now know Andrew as one of their brothers! Be reassured that the Brentwood Varsity 8+ will be on the water this Sunday with Andrew as the 10th member of the crew. Go Andrew Go!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, B.Carr - Brentwood Senior Men 8+ coach
Great news. Way to go Andrew! I am sure that it was the best gift from Andrew to give you a smile. He knows how much he is loved.
ReplyDeleteDeb Kyle
We have never met- But I am thinking about Andrew. It reads as though there is fantastic progress , I wish him a continued progression of the little and big victories that it is going to take to mend a fellow rower.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Phil Henry - Washington Rowing '94
Hi Steve and Marcie, a message from Natasha... she wants to him to get better soon so that she can play dress up with him or maybe if he's lucky... hide and seek with dress up clothes on!!!
ReplyDeleteNatasha.
Hi Steve and Marcie. So happy to hear of Andrew's progress each day! Thanks for keeping us up to date. Sounds like he is getting excellent care and support from every one. You are all in my thoughts. Keep up the good work Andrew!
ReplyDelete~kim
So excited to read the last few blogs and hear about the amazing progress Andew is making. It is so encouraging. Andrew is a tenacious young man-Gee I wonder where he gets that from!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are amazing. Keep it up.
Hugs, Diane & Bill & the boys
Good Morning Marcie and Steve,
ReplyDeleteA simple smile. How wonderful. Just made our day :>) A huge and gentle hug to Andrew. Amazing accomplishments each day. Go Bears !
You can't imagine how thankful (I think we all are) that you take the time to keep this blog up to date. After a long day at the hospital where time can stand still and take up every ounce of your own energy, writing this is so much appreciated. Perhaps it also helps to keep the past week from seeming like a complete blur. Amazing how our daily lives can change so quickly.
Continue to take good care of yourselves too. :>)
xoxox Susie and Ron Laher and family
Still keeping up the positive thoughts and prayers for Andrew. The boys are out on Elk Lake today and I know they will be pulling hard for their rowing buddy. Hope today goes well for the Crowley clan. Go Bears!
ReplyDeleteNancy Stothart
Thank you for all the effort you make to keep us informed on Andrew's recovery. My feeling of helplessness is made bearable by the informative updates you give us. I am comforted by the knowledge that Andrew is in expert care, and by the phenomenal recovery he is making. Thanks again, Marcie and Steve!
ReplyDeletep.s. you might be interested in the latest Quirks and Quarks podcast.
Hi Steve and Marcie,
ReplyDeleteBob and I read your blog everyday. Miracles are happening! Andrew has you two and an enormous number of people pulling for him. Go Bears, Go!
We are off to Tofino for the weekend and will think of you everyday while we are there.
Lots of love and hugs to you there.
marg and bob
So pleased to hear that Andrew continues to make good progress and a smile, well that must have made your day!! It sounds like Andrew has another big day ahead of him, so Andrew, good luck, keep going and stay strong - GOBEARS. Marcie and Steve, you too, and take care of yourselves. Thinking of you all and reading your blog daily. Thanks for the continued updates.
ReplyDeleteThe Digneys
the entire family is on board wishing Andrew continued strength and speedy, remarkable recovery, yes indeed, GO BEARS, GO!
ReplyDeleteSmiles and hugs all 'round. thank you for these wonderful updates, how very exciting to read the positive reports. love to all of Andrew's remarkable caretakers, especially to Marcie and Steve!
Jeff Walker, Carolyn Walker, Sam Walker, Rufus Walker
Dear Marcie and Steve,
ReplyDeleteWe are thrilled to read about Andrew's amazing progress... Go Bears Go!
You are all in our thoughts daily and our prayers.
Lots of love
Al, Lise, Alan and Michelle Cavin
Dear Marcie and Steve,
ReplyDeleteWe are down here in Beverly Hills following Andrew's progress.
What wonderful parents you are! We continue to send our good
thoughts and prayers to Andrew.
Love, Jill and Danny Davis (Natalie Davis' parents)
Hi Steve and Marcie,
ReplyDeleteNina and I have been thinking of you a lot these last few days and we were very relieved to hear that Andrew's condition is improving. Andrew's steely tenacity will help him during these difficult days. Bon courage to all of you! Thanks for keeping us updated on Andrew's progress. Take care,
J.O. and Nina
So thrilled to hear of Andrew's great progress! And smiling no less!! Keep it going Andrew!!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking how incredibly powerful your presence has been to Andrew and the strength and kindness of you both to continue to think of all of us 'out here' as we wait for any little update on the blog.
Hoping you all continue to feel the love being sent your way by all of us.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Elisabeth
To the hospital staff (nurses, doctors, therapists, everyone), the Cal Crew, Andy's classmates and teammates and their families:
ReplyDeleteThe Canadian Denman's and Knowlden's thank you so very much for all you are doing to support and care for Andrew.
It has been difficult for us to watch from so far away and we appreciate you stepping in and up over and over again. We know that with every little thing you do for them, you are helping Andrew get well.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts - knowing that Andrew, Steve and Marce are in such capable and caring hands makes it a little easier for us).
Thank you thank you thank you! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Go Bears!
Hi Marcie and Steve
ReplyDeleteI only heard about Andrew yesterday while working with Bob at the office. I was devastated and had goosebumps reading the day 5 blog. I realised how fragile life is and how we can never stop worrying about our kids. My heart goes out to you all in this difficult time but seeing Andrew's progress proves how tough he is and I believe he will pull through and get back to the wonderful guy he is very soon.
All our love and strength to you and the rest of the family
Alan Jola Ben and Dani
Dear Marcie and Steve,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to here about the accident. We are thrilled to her about Andrew's amazing progress. Looking forward to your return home.
Love and hugs from Richard, Jacquie, Andrew and James xox
keep it up andrew!
ReplyDelete-Dmitri