Valentine's Day

Hunter - Happy Valentine's Day - you are so loved! We are so thankful to hear how well you are doing - the Lord has clearly heard all of our prayers.

While most in the rehab center share a room, Hunter is able to have his own! They will start therapy sessions on Monday. He has a walker and wheelchair. Hunter definitely prefers the wheelchair - seems to think it is pretty cool. Hunter says that Duane is very annoying :) He makes him walk a lot - In addition, Duane is turning the TV so Hunter has to get up and fix it!

Hunter is now able to welcome visitors. Hours M-F are 11-1 and 4-8 and Sat/Sun 8-8.

Moved to Rehab

Grandma T said that Hunter was very happy today. He was smiling, laughing, joking and was not as miserable as yesterday. He was able to get out of the chair by himself. He was able to walk a few steps on his own even though he has a big blister on his foot. They finished Moby Dick before he was transfered to the rehab center. The rehab center is on Valley View. Jared & Jessica will be coming tonight to help.

Walking

Yesterday they had Hunter strapped to a machine walking. He has to sit in a chair 8:00-11:30 and 2:00-4:30. Today Thursday he ate very well. He can eat anything now. He had french toast for breakfast. He doesn't like sitting up he wants to lay down. Duane told him if he would walk down the hall that he could lay back down. He did walk with just holding onto the nurse on one side and Duane on the other. He got to lay back down. Grandma T has been reading Moby Dick to him. They moved him to a different room in the ICU. They were able to do that because there is no more infection. He is resting now and will be back up at 1 to do it all over again.

Making Progress

Hunter has made so much progress. That the Dr. told Duane that he may be moved to Rehab on Friday. So Jessica and Duane went to check out the rehab center, It got Jessica approval so It must be good. They think he will be at the center 7 - 14 days.

So Much Happening

Hunter passed his test this morning on swallowing. They tested him with ice chips, pudding, Juice, cheese, crackers, but he couldn't handle water, I guess water in a lot thinner than juice. As they were testing him all he wanted was more food. They asked him when the last time he ate was and he said, "Yesterday" He wanted food, he could see the food tray out his big window and everyone else was getting some.

They also wanted to test his speech while they were there. While doing so, the Dr. came in and okay ed food for him. Meanwhile Hunter continued to answer questions thrown at him not soon after that Dr. Mikita?? who was working with Hunter last week walked in and was totally amazed how far Hunter has come.I tried to remind Hunter that was his Dr. last week, the Dr. turned and left the room and Hunter was like hey, hey, I want some food.

After finishing the testing the therapist personally went and got Hunter some breakfast. He had eggs, muffin, juice, and a little cream of wheat. It was wired not to see him finish his plate. But he did really well with it. After eating and getting his stomach full, he could finally rest a whole 45 min. (Power naps just don't last long enough)

Hunters been dreaming some weird dreams. This morning the waterman was trying to get me and he was sad because he wouldn't leave me a lone. I took his hand and ask him if he wanted to pray with me and let Heavenly Father help us. A little while later he told me he got the waterman. I guess he also asked the night nurse, "what do you do when a boy is drowning?" kinda weird. After his shore power nap he told me while crying that he went to his brothers funeral. It broke my heart. I reassured him that his brother was fine and at school, that he was the only one that got hurt. He also told Jessica after I left that Micheal Jackson is dead, he died last night. Jessica says all she could do was laugh.

It's really bothering Hunter that he can't get up to use the bathroom the way he knows how. They took his catheter out today so he has graduated to bed pans. :( he doesn't like that either.

The Dr. ordered Hunter's legs to be wrapped up to help relieve the swelling in his legs and feet. He doesn't like that either. He told the nurse this morning he was in the hospital because his leg was on fire.

He found the bump on his head today and is having a hard time leaving it alone. He opened the sore so now they have to keep a band aid on it. He did say his head was hurting. In fact Hunter has be complaining about everything, everything except the food, so I guess he almost normal for someone in a hospital bed.

I showed his a card from his Sunday School class this morning. I think it was too much for him. He broke out in tears. We talked about it a little, but I think I'll wait to show him the rest, He so wants to come home. He was begging Jessica last night to take him home with her.

Right now Hunter is very needy. Mostly just to leave anything attached to him alone.
He keeps us very busy.

Orange Juice and Crackers

Duane is working in Mesquite and Kim and Jessica are with Hunter. Duane says he is doing well - he is able to eat crackers and Orange Juice. Yeah!!!

Hunter's Speaking

I've been telling Hunter that when he starts speaking they will let him eat. He had been trying and the first thing I was able to understand was "CHEESEBURGER" "CAN I HAVE A CHEESEBURGER" so what does he get Ice chips. I'm not sure why he wants cheeseburger he doesn't even like cheeseburgers.

Now Nurse Joy has him saying a e i o u apparently it builds the his throat stronger,
he says them and then he gets more ice chips. If he can keep the ice chips down he'll move on to a Popsicle.

Someone Please Call Grandma Leavitt, and Grandma and Grandpa Laub, I'm out of cell phone minutes Till the 16th, and they don't do text. and Grandma should be in bed before 9:00. Thank you.... In fact Grandma Leavitt Loves Visitor's..

Monday, Feb. 9,

Hunter didn't sleep well last night, but got sound to sleep when Duane showed up this morning. He was sleeping so sound that when the Dr. came in he couldn't check him to see if he could follow commands to have the breathing tube removed. So we had to wait for him to wake up.

He just started waking up when I got here, so the Dr. returned and he did everything he was asked to do, so the order went in to be removed.

We had to wait for Ellen to come to do it, I think that was the longest wait, Hunter kept putting his hands up to do it himself. But it's finally out. Now Hunter is reaching to pull out his catheter, (he doesn't waste any time)

He's tried to talk, but nothing really comes out yet. But he is writing okay, He keeps using his left hand instead of his right. He does an pretty okay smiley face and the wrote Love you. I'm so happy he remembers his ABC's and seems to read what I write back to him. He's not squeezing hand or shacking head much today. He will try to circle yes or no on his writing pad when I ask questions. He says his head doesn't hurt but he is tired.

Nurse Joy says his breathing on his own right now is like running a Marathon.

From my understanding we have only 3 more day of gowns and gloves.... YEAH!!
Thanks again everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. Miracles happen every day.

Sunday, Feb. 8,

Last night I was sitting with Hunter and he wasn't doing so great, He kept shaking and glazing off, coughing and throwing up his banana flakes. Victor his nurse was going to give him something for the nausea, and when he reached in the cupboard to get a syringe, Hunter eyes popped open and he watched every move. I asked Hunter if he was addicted to drugs, because it was so amazing he could be coherent as soon as he heard that familiar sound waiting for his next fix.
Victor suspected a lot of what was happening with Hunter was to do with the drugs he was on, so he wanted to try to take Hunter off all his pain medication, and let him get some rest. He gave him a warm bath and then lights out. We all left for the night so that could happen.
He had a good night and then this morning he was back to being like he was on Monday and Tues.
He went down for an MRI this morning but we don't know the results, He'll have a new Dr. tomorrow.
Alex and Duane took the morning shift and Hunter played ball with Alex.
The rest of us went to Church and when we came to see him it was nap time, so we all left to nap also.
Alex, Sam, and Jared just left for home. Jessica, Duane,and myself came back and he's still sleeping.
His lungs are doing better they are talking he might get his tubes out tomorrow, Nurse Mary Jo was excited that Hunter really took a deep nap on his own, his heart rate got down to 78 for a good 30 min.
We just got word he's awake, so goodbye.

Saturday, Feb 7th

Let's see...where to begin. Uncle Walter & Brittnee stopped by last night to see Hunter. Today Randy & I (Angela) went down and took a 6 hour shift from 8-2 pm. Last Night Hunter didn't have a great night, he kept biting on the breathing tube and didn't get much rest. So, today they wanted him to get more rest. They had him sedated pretty good and they didn't want us to stimulate him too much, because he needed his rest. He didn't get too much rest it seemed though. He does what they call "storming" where his body just clenches up and he trembles and moves all over and he'll open his eyes a bit & then he'll stop and be able to rest for about 5 minutes and then he does that again. They say it's just his brain finding new pathways and trying to do stuff. But, as we were leaving today, the neurologist had ordered an MRI and an EEG to check on those to make sure it wasn't seizures and see if it was just "storming" or something more. Anyway, when he would do the "storming," Randy and I would just try to calm him down and tell him to relax and lay his head back. At first they had him sitting up because it's better for his lungs. But, he was falling forward a bit with each movement and I was trying to hold him back and keep the pillow by his neck. Kinda how when a little kid is asleep in their carseat and you wanna push them back to make them more comfortable. He kept coming too forward and his hand actually reached the end of the breathing tube and he wanted to pull it out, so I moved his hand real quick and we kept trying to keep him back. Finally the nurses came in and readjusted him a little better. He kept trying to get his feet off the bed and at one point I was like, "Hunter do you want the pillow under your feet?" and he kept bouncing his feet up and down, so I'm not sure if he meant yes, but we tried to stick the pillow under his feet again, because it had come out. It was kind of a guessing game with what he needed and wanted. He kept wanting to hold our hands and would seem to reach out for us all the time, so we would hold his hand and try to comfort him. Sometimes he would squeeze soooo hard. We had to be in gowns and wear gloves while in there, and he must not like the feel of the gloves or something because he kept trying to rip it off of my hand. He tried pulling it off and then finally he would be fine as long as his fingers were down inside my glove and I'd just hold his hand. He has been doing the same thing to Kim. During all this he was pretty sedated too. The nurses say he's making so much progress and even in a week, he could be totally different with where he is at. But, it all just depends. Other nurses that aren't his nurses have come to see him too because they think his progress is so great. Mary Jo (his nurse) said that it's pretty normal for somebody to be in ICU for about 3-4 weeks, with this kind of injury. But, all injuries are different and all people are different too. So, then she said it would probably be 2 -3 months of Rehab. But, again all situations and people are different. So, He has a long road, but we are happy with the progress he is making. He never rested too much today and all the time when he was "storming" his Heart Rate would go about to 130 and then it would go down a little bit. The last half hour he did finally get some good rest and you could tell he was really resting and his Heart Rate was at 80. They also took the staple out of his head today where the Bolt had been. And a little before we left, he had clenched down on the tube again. Mary Jo said it's uncontrollable for him to do that, but he bit down and it's a little scary, because he's not getting air. So, she was trying to get him to open his mouth and she had to put the Bite Block back in his mouth so he couldn't bite down on the tube. That thing is no fun. He didn't like when it was going in, I know I wouldn't either, something being shoved in your mouth and it makes you gag. Anyway, we are hoping they can take that breathing tube out soon. Mary Jo said he's real border line with it, they really want to take it out and they think he may do okay, but not quite sure... but they don't want to leave it in too long either. So, hopefully soon they will take it out then that will also let us see a little more where he is at, if he can talk or what. We were glad we could step in today and give Kim & Duane a break and also a Happy Birthday to Jessica!! =) The Internet hasn't been working at the hospital and the minutes on their phone are about gone too, so we are sorry the updates have been slim, but we will try to keep them coming the best we can.

Oh Ya!

I forgot to write that Hunter was able to write this morning. He kept pointing to the window and I would ask him questions, but couldn't figure out what he wanted. So I tried the paper and pen thing again and this time he actually tried writing instead of wading it up. At first I couldn't tell what he was trying to write and it scared me that he couldn't remember. So he tried again and this time I would say the letter he was trying and he did a lot better and wrote water. He wanted water, and after the hard work to tell me all he wanted was water, I had to tell him he couldn't have any as long as the tubes are in his mouth. I felt so bad. It did however hide all the water bottles we had in his room out or eyes site so he couldn't see them any longer.
I do have to say it was awesome to see him write and even spell it correctly. I'm hopping that's a good sign about any damage to the brain.

Thursday, Feb. 5 Evening

Today has been kind of a differnt day. Not to sure what to think of it. Though it has been a good day as far as the resperator.

Mary Jo is back and her and Bill are really working Hunter over trying to get him to breath on his own so the tubes can be removed. He accutally responded better today and got some of the numbers closer to where they need to be to remove it. But now he is very tired but restless. He just stares off to the celling and acts like he's not going to listen to anyone anymore. Mary Jo told me today that by the time she gets done with him this weekend Hunter wasn't going to like her.

Hunter got his hair buzzed today. Looking at him you wonder if he's in here for head truma or cancer. His his head is a white as can be. He looks like his Uncle Walter.

Amy is his night nurse tonight and he keeps snaping his fingers at her and then puts his hand out for her to hold. Not sure what he wants, but if you ask me he's just flurting.

We're hopeing he will get some rest tonight so Mary Jo can work him hard again, They would like to take the tubes out in a couple of days.

Thursday, Feb. 5, morning

Grandma Thurston was on shift last night and just before MaKayla came on, Hunter gave Grandma a scare. He started to bite on his breathing tube and was not going to let go. I guess he made the nurses work harder trying to get him to stop so he had a set back because now he had to return to the bite block which he hates.

MaKayla says he kept waking up during the night. She had a hard time following the rules not to play with him at night. Apparently they work on secret hand shakes. And a confirmation he remembered her and he knew she loved him.

MaKayla says they've already been up for chest x-rays and blood work. Hope everything looks even better today.

He's sleeping right now and looks so peaceful. But that will all change here in the next hour, then let the games begin....

Wednesday Night

Hunter's heart rate is down, which is good... and his temp is down to 101, so that is better! He still needs to get his breathing to 20 times per minute on his own before they can even think about taking the breathing tube out. The Sedation medicine and other medications are still slowly coming out of his system. He seems to be getting stronger, but still has a long way to go. He is very agitated. He worked his leg a little off the bed, so they had to put a strap like thing from the top of the bed to the foot to keep him from getting his legs off the bed. He also chewed through the tape that keeps the breathing tube in his mouth and started pushing it out with his tongue. They are trying not to stimulate him too much, because the Dr. said that wasn't good either. But, he said the moving and agitation and things will get worse before it get's better. Physical Therapy came in again today and his legs seem to be getting a bit stronger. Then, at one point he seemed to be snapping his fingers at Grandma Laub trying to get her attention. So, they thought that was great that he could snap his fingers. He has a lot of work ahead of him, but his progress has been so great!

Slumber Parties and Games

My new favorite past time is slumber parties with Hunter.(This is Jessica, the older little sister)I haven't had a computer to do any updates lattely so now that I have the chance I decided to take it. Since its been a few days I dont know what dates this actually all happened but ill try the best I can. When Hunter was first waking up he would lift his arms up a little. I was on that night for a slumber party in Hunters room. While I was the one who wanted to stay up all night, Hunter was still sleeping with his eyes closed. The reason I couldnt sleep is because he was making those small movements and I was just to excited to sleep... afraid that I would miss something. Towards the early morning he was trying to open his eyes a little. About 6:00 am they were really starting to open. He got to the point where he had them opened looking at me for two seconds and then he would close them up to the beginning point of just barely having them opened. By this time I was ready to crash. At 6:30am I couldn't keep my eyes opened for the life of me. It was very exciting though. We Continue to have slumber parties and they continue to get better each time.

Now for the games part. As it was mentioned I played ball with Hunter for 4 hours yesterday. Boy was that fun! Okay so honestly I really enjoyed the first half hour of it after that it got really old but Hunter seemed to really like it. Before we started playing ball though I made him really upset so Ill start this story from the beginning. I came in to take my shift at 10:00am. I got there and Hunter was pretty busy with his hands. My mom was going to go to the store to find him a ball to play with because he kept wanting to hold her cell phone and his Ipod. We had figured a ball would be better becaues it wouldnt break. While she was gone to the store Jared had called me and Hunter was holding my phone. I took the phone from him and put Jared on speaker so Hunter could hear. I put it back into Hunters hand so he could hold it while Jared talked. Hunter really liked hearing Jared's voice but as time passed he started to get really upset. He kept opening his mouth to talk but because the tubes are still in nothing would come out. I could tell he was getting frustrated so I told Jared I would call him back later because I needed to get Hunter to calm down. Once I hung up I looked at hunter and his chin was trembling and his chest was shaking. It looked like he was wanting to cry. He wanted to hold the phone still but he was still very upset. I tried everything to calm him down but nothing was working. Hunter had the phone in his hand and opened it up as if he were calling someone. He couldnt get it to send to anyone though so I finally decided to try to call Jared back to see if that would calm him down. Jared said hello and then Hunter closed the phone back up after a few seconds. Meanwhile I was trying to get a hold of my mom. She should have been back already and she wasn't answering her phone. Finally she called back and said she would be on her way to see if she could calm him down. I knew she could because he responds to her so much better than anyone else there. Once she got back to the room Hunter was calming down. She asked Hunter if he was mad at Jessica and he shook his head no. For some reason I dont know if I believe him :) He likes me now so I guess thats a good thing. Once he was calmed down my mom was ready to leave but she gave Hunter a racquetball to play with before she left. He loves that ball! Once she left we were playing ball non stop. He would find the ball next to him on his pillow and then put his hand over the side and drop it. I would let it bounce once and then put it back in his hand where this process would repeat itself over and over again. After a little while I was worn out. I told him I needed a break for a minute and so I kept the ball. I was sitting over in the chair relaxing and he kept putting his hand over the edge of his bed waiting for the ball. I would tell him to give me a minute to rest and he would put his hand back in his bed and wait. Well he would wait about 5 seconds before it was up again waiting for his ball to come to his hand. It made me laugh every time. The nurse told us not to respond to his every move but its so hard for me not to. My mom said just tell him you are still in the room when he wants you and then let it be. But once he gets that hand over his bed I cant ignore it. Thats how I got stuck playing with the ball for 4 hours. I was so happy when my shift was over! I'm so happy to see Hunter doing so much better but that kid sure can make me crash as soon as I walk into the hotel.

I am heading back to Cedar to be with Jared for a day and pick him up to go back down there for the weekend. Before I left Las Vegas I stopped at the hospital to say goodbye to Hunter. I went in and played ball with him for only 5 minutes this time but that was enough. I gave him a hug and asked him if it was okay if I went home. He nodded his head yes. Then I asked is it okay if I bring Jared back with me and he nodded yes again. But then he stuck out his hand off the bed and put it on my hip and pushed me away to go get Jared.

Feb 4, Morning

Hunter started off with a restless night, His nurse Jessica could see he wasn't going to get some rest, so they gave him some sleeping medicine so he would sleep.
He slept frown 1:00 - 6:00 then lights on.

First thing he wanted was his ball we bought him yesterday so he can play. He played ball with Jessica for 4 hrs. When we say play ball its like playing with a toddler. You give him the Ball, he throws, you chase, then give it back to him. But today playing with his dad, Duane will throw the ball by Hunters hand, he has to find it and throw it back.

the Infectious Disease Dr. came in this morning, Hunter's white blood count is 22,000today, as long as it goes down that's good.

Physical therapist came in just now and worked with Hunter, He had to count with his fingers thumb to first finger, then second etc..... He did well. She gave him a comb and asked if he knew what to do with it and he throw it down. (Little does she know he's never been able to learn that one before, but at least when she handed him a tooth brush he opened his mouth and tried to reach it.

As far as knowing any damage Hunter may have from the fall, this is the only way we will find out, is by working with him and seeing what he can and can't do.

They're working on his legs now, they work with them first to see the strength he has for when it's time to walk. he's able to kick but needs more on bending.

Dr. Davis hasn't come in yet, we are still waiting. but it's not even 9:00 yet.

Duane and I just really want to Thank everyone for everything they have done. I'm not usually one to ever ask for help.

I started doing thank you notes, but can't remember where I've put them. Half the time I'm looking for something like sunglasses, I find them on my head. Cellphone, looked for it, it was in my sweatshirt pocket the whole time. I'm not "losing it" anymore, I've Lost it. But that's beside the point.

We are so amazed of things and notes people have done or wrote in. Things we've never thought you would do for others in a time like this.
Again, Thanks so much.

Kimberly and Duane

Are you Ready for an Update??

Well, Hunter is making lots of progress! The Doctors are pretty amazed how good everything looks and the progress he is making. Everyone has been pretty exhausted, Kim, Jessica, Grandpa & Grandma Laub have all been taking 6 hour shifts with Hunter. Duane is headed back down today and Makayla and Grandma T will also come down tomorrow to help out with a shift. Hunter is needing a lot of attention and they are pretty worn out with shifts. The Sedation medicine is still in his system a little bit and he is on pain medication, so he still is a little "out of it" I guess you could say. His eyes have been a little more open today and he is shaking his head "yes" and "no" to answer. The Doctor asked him a couple questions and told him to give a thumbs up with his right hand and then with his left. He lifted a finger not his thumb, but it was on the right hand. So, he seems to know Left from Right. Kim asked him a few questions about his IPod she was holding. He answers by moving his head or squeezing her hand or blinking his eyes. He knew that he got it from his Birthday. He didn't seem to know anything about the accident or playing basketball before.

He is very restless and he gets very frustrated. He keeps biting his breathing tube and his hands are still restrained, but he got a hold of part of the tube and tried to pull it out and he tries to push it out with his tongue. He doesn't have too much strength and he still has a long ways to go, but he is making great progress. They did Physical Therapy a little bit with his arms and legs today. They are also trying to make him know night from day. Before his room had to be dark all the time, but now they open the windows during the day, keep the t.v on and try to keep him awake and moving as much as possible during the day and then let him sleep at night. They had checked him for anymore blood clots, and he has none! His blood count is down, that's good and his heart rate is down a little bit. He still has a fever. They tried to cut back on the breathing machine to see if he could handle it on his own, but he is not ready for that to be taken out yet. And yeah....he get's banana flakes in his feeding tube now. Yippee!! =)

We are so happy with the progess you are making Hunter! Keep up the good work!
And thanks to everybody for your continued support and prayers!

Monday Night

Duane and Kim were able to change to a place that is clean and the beds are soft. It gave them a boost today. Thank you for everyone that had a part in that. They are still close to the hospital and should get better rest at the new place. Hunter is doing really well. Duane said he is responding to questions with a thumb up or a squeeze of the hand. Duane asked him if he likes hospitals to squeeze his hand and he actually shook his head NO! They took the neck brace off tonight and was able to wash his neck. That must feel good to get that off. Kim and Duane are very excited about the progress he is making.