Better

It is hard for us to see Michael's progress because we see him every day, but I would have to say we are seeing little things he is doing better. He speaks better and with longer sentences, and a lot of the little things we do every day are just at a more normal pace and behavior. He still has challenges like some pretty bad wounds on his fingers that will take some time to heal, and he still has no memory. He is affectionate and likes to receive calls and have visits.
He is going to the hospital monday to have another MRI and tests to make sure he doesn't have anything medical going on.
Summer is almost here and I know a lot of you are going to visit. He will like that.
Pops

This post is only a couple of days after the tornado's that devastated Alabama. Lots of people are hurting. We have a lot to be grateful for.

A request

Lisa Payne is working along with Barrie Hollins on something fun for Michael. They need all of his friends help. Send greetings to Michael in short and sweet or funny video clip via Lisa's email. payne0295@bellsouth.net You could be dancing or just goofing off like you might do if you were withhim. Also if you have any great pics of trips you've taken or events you've been at together, email those as well. I'm sure you all know how to video and email from your phones, so please do so. I would love to see something from every friend Michael has-it would be so awesome! Thanks in advance. Post from Mom [Rosi] P.S. This morning when I called his apartment, he actually answered. His RAs told him to pick up the phone and it was a great surprise to me!

Thanks!!!!!!

Thank-you to all who have sent something for Michael. His bedroom looks awesome! Just a little positive tid-bit.....when he arrived at CNS a month ago, he weighed 126 lbs. He now weighs 145 yeah! He had an appointment with Dr. Greenberg yesterday and he will be running follow- up tests [MRI,Lumbar puncture,& EEG] next week to make sure everything has been done that can be. I'm so grateful that he is keeping his word on following Michael's recovery. He said that Michael has made large improvements since his hospital stay, however their are large gaps and deficits that need to be addressed. Thank-you for calling him, he really seems to enjoy the sound of familiar voices. This is his direct # [972]594-0549 to the apartment. Ask for 21 when the office answers. I can't wait for his friends to start visiting him. His brother, Jordan is coming this weekend and I am going home to spend time with Loren, Aaron, and my sweet grandsons [Mike is soooo jealous]. Thanks to all of you who are planning a trip out here, I feel like it will bring some joy into his life because, it is sorely lacking. He is not happy here at all. Until he understands the reason he is at CNS, he will continue to feel like he is trapped. That is the best way I can describe how he feels. Sometimes he asks "What have I done wrong?" It breaks my heart for him and I explain once again that he just got sick. Please pray that at least his memory will start to come back, so he doesn't have to go thru this every day. That is it for now. Post from Mom [Rosi]

morning coffee

This morning, Michael and I sat on the sofa watching his graduation video. He had his protien shake and I my morning coffee. He was enjoying it so much, he kept patting my arm and by the time it was finished, my pj's were soaked. We laughed. He has such a sweet soul! I can tell he appreciates all the time Mike and I spend with him. It will be so great when his friends start to visit. Speaking of friends, put your heads together and let Lisa Payne help you create a video or dvd. She actually offered and she is excellent at it! Michael would love it! I also just bought a WII for his apartment along with the Michael Jackson dance game and an NBA game. Any other suggestions? Thanks for the posters of "Fight Club" and the "Strokes" {?} hope I have that right. Michael's RAs are really getting to know and care about him........makes me feel good! Love to all of out there. Rosi [mom] p.s. Lisa's cell# is [615]957-6225 if you want to help make a dvd or video for Michael.

One day at a time

I think I've learned to stay in the day. Looking forward is overwhelming, and looking back is disastorous. I'm going to celabrate all the small steps forward with Michael. Yesterday, I saw him smile, while playing Jenga, more than I have in months. He has gained 11 pounds in a month. He is sleeping quite well during the night. His combative episodes are fewer and much less intense. I feel like the staff is getting to see the real Michael more often and following our cues as to how to react to him. All these things are positive. I'd like to thank those friends and family that have called him. He really enjoys hearing familiar voices. If you struggle with what to say, just recall stories from your past with him and make your questions basic yes or no answers. Many are planning to make a trip out to visit him..........it will be so awesome for Michael. It looks like May will be pretty busy. Anyone wanting to visit just give me a call- [615]483-3354. Michael can also recieve mail at this address: 3915 P0rtland Road Irving, TX 75060 Apt. 21 Thankyou all who have sent something to decorate his apartment with. He still has alot of room...hint-hint Love to all of you for supporting us and Michael thru this tough time. Rosi [mom]

Don't count me out!

Mike's post was mostly accurate and definitely honest, but, I believe if Michael could express himself, he would say "Don't count me out!" I don't want people to give up hope and stop praying for him. I believe as long as he has breath in his body and that I and we believe in a heavenly Father....their is hope. So we will stay the course and make Michael feel safe and loved while he works hard to return to us. Mike and I have extreme caregiver's fatigue and feel all the responsibility of his recovery on us. Staff, therapists and nurses have all said how important family and friend involvment is to ones comeback. So the reality is that we never get a break to just do normal things and spend time together as a couple, and it is extremely draining. I wish CNS was in Nashville where we have so many friends and family to help out, but such is not the case. Please take Maisie's advice to heart. Send mail, posters, pictures, collages, DVD's, goodies and most of all, come to visit! Michaels's phone number is (972) 580-8500 ask for apt. 21 He is inside most evenings and all weekend. He seems to perk up with a famiar voice. The conversation may be a little one-sided but thats OK. Ask yourself, if you were in his shoes, would he stand by you? Our address is 14700 Marsh Lane APT. 113 Addison, TX 75001 Post from Mom

Our support

Mr. Sluder's post is an accurate representation of my experience in Dallas.

Spending every single day with Michael like Mr. Sluder and Rosi do must drain every ounce of their energy and emotional reserve - a constant reminder of Michael’s tragic state. I absolutely cannot begin to imagine their impossible position, and agree that posting on the blog is only an added expectation and burden. We should honor that. They have been so selfless through this whole process and it is up to the rest of us to step up right now, continuing to push him, love him, believe in him, and most importantly to recognize him as... well... Michael. We will all experience doubts and fears, and ups and downs, but we hold on to hope because we have to.

We can’t afford to look at the big picture right now- 6 months ago vs. today. We must look at small improvements he makes, however minimal.
In my short time with him and sporadic phone conversations, he has improved. His conversational skills are noticeably better than one month ago when I was in Dallas. It is a step forward.

I know this journey has been 1 step forward two steps back, 1 step forward 10 steps back... but it’s not even close to over.
There is ABSOLUTELY still hope for improvement.

Perhaps I will post short updates once every few weeks if the blog stays alive. I plan to spend a few weeks in Dallas next month. Hopefully good things to report after that.

This blog has over 30,000 views.
I know there are people reading this, hoping and praying for Michael and his family whom they will never even meet. Thank you so much for keeping the light.
Let’s try and spread it. 

Maisie

send him goodies!! pictures!! Sports magazines!! posters!!
14700 Marsh Lane APT 113
Addison, TX 75001

Can't sugar coat it.

I haven't posted lately because I really don't know what to say. Rosi and I are past trying to be strong or trying to be positive, we are simply down to the point of just trying to get through the day. You simply become very numb and don't care about much of anything. Rosi cries through much of the day and even though I try to go to work I cannot focus. I get asked 20 times a day about Michael by folks who I know mean well, but have absolutely no idea what they are asking.

All we know right now is that Michael is only a sliver of his former self. He stays aggitated much of the time and I spend a lot of time trying to hold him with him kicking and spitting at me. Eventually it stops but it may take over an hour. He has little memory of it later, but actually has little memory of anything. He doesn't know who Rosi and I are most of the time, even after all this time. Medically he is fighting infections, black eyes, etc. from his flailing. He can play simple card games and likes to throw the football. I have given up any hope of him returning to anything close to his previous capabilities.

I guess what is getting to us is that this has gone on for so long now that we see little light at the end of the tunnel and we have nothing left. Our sadness for our son runs very deep and it is always present. There is nothing anyone can do to change it, and it is impossible to understand why this happened to him and why he has never been able to catch a break. We will hang in there but you have to try to imagine the pain of watching someone you love so young reduced to nursing home status. I know many of you have experienced similar situations so I don't mean to try to throw out a pity towel, but this is my blog.

I don't think I will blog anymore or come back to this. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to be part of this living hell. Thanks for everyone's support.

Mike