Can't believe we are home - 42 days later

Preparing yesterday to come home, as we were packing up the room at the hospitality house, my heart was anticipating being told we had to stay.  Even when I drove away and left Chris, Ashley and Tyler at the rehab center I was expecting to get a phone call from Chris saying Tyler has to stay. Why was I thinking this??

This week has been full of ups and downs. This week seemed like a huge set back and the possibility of being able to come home did not seem realistic. This week Tyler has been sick, really easily over stimulated and sleeping allot. The therapist were not able to do as much therapy as they wanted to with him leaving. The therapist contacted the doctors a few times with concerns with Tyler. Something seemed changed or wrong. The doctors scheduled a new CT scan, that came back unchanged, x ray of Tyler mid area- that came back fine, then blood work i think like 3 times this week maybe 4. On Thursday Tyler's blood report came back with ammonia in his blood. So another med to clear the ammonia. He needed blood work Friday to check ammonia levels and make sure nothing else pooped up. In my mind I had it set that this was not really happening and we would not be able to come home. I just knew something would be wrong and we would have to stay. I knew they would find something and he would be wheeled away. What I KNEW were all lies. Lies I allowed myself to believe and sat and waited for them to be true. 

We found out that Tyler's ammonia levels were high in ICU and no one thought we should know or they did not think it was high enough to do anything with. There were a couple things that were there all along and we were not informed, doctors did not think we needed to know.  I must admit some of this irritates me!! 

I felt like there was another med given with every element. Nauseous- lets give a med for nausea.  in the end we find out that Tyler's eating had scaled back and the doctors did not realize he was not eating as much and one of the meds makes you really sick if you don't have enough in your stomach. As Tyler was/is healing more of his old ways are coming back, one being he does not eat much for breakfast. The doctors felt terrible that they did not look more closely at his food diary of what he ate before it was iffy as to when he should leave because he was so sick. 

When we were leaving I had emotions I did not expect to have. Seeing a couple of our favorite NA's tears filled my eyes. They were so sweet and loving kind to our boy and to us!! I found Tamika and gave her a huge hug and then looked for Irene. I fought the tears, these people have become like family to us.  They have walked through the last 32 days with us.  Nurse Gus and Carlos were there day one at rehab and it was Gus who was able to walk with Tyler to leave. It was so sweet!! They love seeing healing stories!

On the way home Tyler kept saying how fast Chris was driving and how strange it was being in a car again.  Once home we thought Tyler would have a harder time adjusting to life at home. To our surprise Tyler was great! He did not get over stimulated and asked where Cosmo was because he did not come greet him! Tyler is still very confused and does not remember any of what happened with the accident. He said he does not remember the last time he was home.  

Being home in my own bed has been weird. Ashley and I joked how weird it was going to be not waking up next to each other. I am sure it was weird for Ashley to not have to wake up and be at the rehab early so Chris could head to work. It was weird not to hear sirens all night! I did not hear the laundry going all night and doors slamming. It was a nice quiet nights sleep.

This morning Tyler commented on how he slept all night and did not have to have anyone in his room taking his vitals. He has enjoyed the quietness and calmness of being home. He has stated he was not ready for visitors because he feels weird. He has been reading the brain injury notebook and sharing what it says. 

A friend has begun another dinner sign-up for our family. Which we so appreciate! Tyler loved having a home cooked meal last night! 

Please pray for us in the following ways:

Tyler - continued healing, confusion, memory, 

Chris and I - to love Tyler well and know how much to push and when to sit back.

for our Family to get into our groove.

Ashley - adjustment and schedule

For all of us as we combine all the pieces and work together!!

Please join me in Praising the Lord for all his healing on Tyler!! It still makes me sick to think what could of been. It is only then that I thank the Lord for His Grace and His provision. I know God is not through with Tyler yet! There is a reason Tyler has been shown the grace of the Lord and I anxiously await to see what the Lord has for him.

I pray Tyler sees this accident not as a set back or a hindrance but as a Gift of the Lord!!!

Psalm 28:7New American Standard Bible (NASB)

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.