Filling in for my sister tonight - My Sister the Nurse

Mother, Cathy and I were more than a little nervous when we arrived at the Center today. All of us knew that Mike just didn't seem right, even for someone in his condition. Yes, we all remembered the "two steps forward, one step back" progress of brain trauma victims, but still....he would or could not focus on us for more than a few seconds and he rarely if any responded to our voice or touch. THEN.....my sister, the nurse, (thank you God!) found his doctor somewhere in the building and proceeded to tell him what she thought the other nurses were not doing and told him what she thought Mikey needed. He agreed with EVERYTHING she had to say and within minutes Mike was back on an IV for fluids, was put on a circulating air flotation mattress, and orders placed to the nurses to turn Mike and take his vitals every two hours. When they took his blood pressure they immediately gave him something to lower it. Thank you God, for my sister, Cathy - who saw to it that Mike received the attention he needed and deserves! At least until he can help himself. By early evening, Mike was calling us by name, watching a bit of TV and....get this friends and family - the nurse walked in and said "Hey good looking," and Mike looked right back at her and said "Hey baby!" I guess I need to mention that Cathy is a pediatric nurse. Everytime she talks to Mike, it is like she is talking to one of her patients (usually babies or very young children). So Mike has heard "Mike, baby, wake up!" or "I'm here baby!" - most always a "baby" in the sentence. He has always responded to Cathy better than any of us and now we know he has always heard her too!

Jesse, one of Mike's sons, is with us tonight, and we've had such a good visit. Jesse is waiting for the right time to visit his Dad. We purchased way too many fireworks today, set a few off in maybe not the most appropriate places (at one point Mom had to remind me that I had driving the car onto government property!) and have put aside 1/2 to shoot outside his father's window on the 4th!

Mike begins his rigorous physical therapy tomorrow, I have to go back to Charleston tomorrow, and we found a good place for Mom and Cathy to stay near the rehab. I will be on the phone to them and Mikey constantly. Cathy will be back to updating tomorrow - I insisted on writing so I could bragg and let everyone know what a great sister I have.

Nancy