Better

Rosi and I had a good visit with Michael today. We went to Barnes and Noble and loaded up on stuff we hope will help him to learn. A number of educational books, puzzles, and whatnot. Michael loves academics in general and is like a sponge now. He is very strong in math and Rosi has him reading basic stuff. We put together a puzzle tonight of the US, but he has a problem with abstract things as far as understanding what the map means. (Kinda like Rosi, - oops, did I say that?)

The rehab has made some significant changes in Michael's meds and the result has been great. He is much calmer now and more what I would call normal. He shows little signs of aggression, and in fact leans much more towards his loving side. He wants lots of hugs and affection, which we are glad to provide.

Michael is also showing some early signs of being able to remember some things. He remembered the first and last name of the tech staying with him today, which is a first. He is also beginning to remember family names. Repetition.

The only negative is that it is difficult for us to leave because he wants to go with us and gets emotional. We are hoping he will accept it and not beg us to leave. It is hard, but we are truthful and he will learn. That will be a sign we are closer to him being able to come home.

It also came a huge thunderstorm and rain here this evening. Its been awhile since we have seen that in Texas.

Baby steps

Well, we are on plan D for Michael and it is called Touchstone. He has been here for 2 weeks and after a rocky start appears to be settling in somewhat. Every time he is moved, it is very hard on him. I'm hoping that this Rehab has the staying power to be "The Place" that gets him back on the road to recovery. The staff are very friendly and can already see what kind of person Michael is. His aggression is beginning to decrease and at times he can be talked down when he is getting upset. The trigger is always his lack of understanding of where he is and wanting to go home. He seems to think that he has done something wrong and is being punished. We are constantly reassuring him that he is in a very good place and that he has not done anything wrong. What is different from before he started the cytoxan is that he will listen and take the info in [which is progress]. However, the problem is that he only remembers it for a couple of minutes. The short term loss is devastating. Until he knows Mike and I consistently, we cannot safely bring him home. Of course, we are hoping that the cytoxan will help with that issue, but only time will tell. My gut feeling is that because the HSV had simmered in his brain for a good 8 days before his friend, thank God, found him, it is the result of the HSV and not the NMDA.
I often wonder how Michael's boss feels about what his own personal lack of concern for Michael, has done to him and our family. It is probably a good thing I don't know who he is. Some of you may be saying, "Rosi sounds angry" and let me assure you, that I am. I watch my beautiful, bright son struggle every day to remember how old he is and how to find the restroom. He was recruited to go to work for this company and this is what he got from them. He could afford his own apartment for the first time in his life. He was so excited to be able to buy nice furniture of his own. Over these last 8 months, we've been paying it off for him so he could enjoy it again one day. I am going to change gears because I know I sound negative.
My nephew came this past weekend and had a great time with Michael! He really enjoys when family and friends spend time with him. I would like to encourage those friends of Michaels who haven't visited, to do so. This is not the time to abandon a friend in need. We have a 2 bedroom apartment and car here for anyone to use while they visit. Mike and I would like to spend more time in Nashville with family but we need someone to be here for the weekend. It is all down time and is boring and lonely for him if no one is here. Rajib is coming for the 2nd time this weekend so Mike and I can get home. He is so good with Michael. Thank you Rajib! Let me finish on a positive note. Michael is asking very good questions now that point to continual awareness which is a phase of healing. He leaned over to me at dinner and said "The bad thing about me is that I can't remember anyone's name."
Post from Mom

Conroe

Rosi and I moved our Dallas apartment stuff to an apartment in Conroe today. Not sure if it was the right thing to do, but at this point we make short term decisions. After we got our stuff inside, we went to see Michael and he appears to be doing very well. We aren't seeing too much aggitation and he is learning more each day. If his memory can decide to kick in it will be a game changer. Patience.

I think our final tally at Uno tonight was Michael 7, Rosi 7, and Dad 2. Not sure how that happened. I think they cheat. Rosi says she has a strategy but we didn't want to hear it.

We shot a bit of basketball today, too. Michael still has his touch. He was very complimentary of our efforts and kept saying how much he loved me and his mom. I think he realizes what his family means to him now.

The end of the days are tough, cause he wants to go 'home' with us. He took it very well tonight, though, and we said we would see him tomorrow. Also, his cousin Seth is coming in from Michigan for the weekend. They will have fun.

All Ok. We love our boy and he makes sure we know he loves us too.

The apartment is not too far from his rehab and is available to whomever wants to visit Michael. Just let us know.

Quick Update....

Michael has moved to his new rehab outside Houston (Touchstone). So far, so good. It was a huge relief to find a rehab that could take him, insurance accepted, and it is the type he needs. All big things that happened the day after the love bomb. Accident, I think not.

Mom is flying down today to meet Dad and spend some time with Michael this weekend, then they will both head back home (Gallatin) for a much-deserved and much-needed break.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Hope emerges

First, let me thank you all for the "LOVE BOMB". It was amazing and meant so much to all of us! I had no idea that such an organization existed, so thanks so much. The last few days the social worker, Mike, and Jordan have been at work finding an appropriate facility for Michael. He will be transferred to Touchstone in Conroe, TX Monday morning [yeah]. Today, he is getting the second round of Cytoxan [yeah]. I dare to hope! Please pray that this will be the place where he can heal and recover. Let me finish on a funny note. About a week into his stay at the hospital, they decided to put him in a vale bed[netting enclosing the bed]. Overnight he managed to systematically tear it down and then helped to carry it out of his room, saying, I think I did something bad. we kind of love that fight and determination in him! That is our "Michael Sluder". Post by Mom

Limbo (again)

Well, here we are again in limbo. There are quite a few folks searching for an answer as to where is the best place Michael can go, but this takes time. I expect it will take another week. Meanwhile he is in the hospital, which is not the best place for him.

Michael sometimes recognizes me/us and sometimes doesn't. When he doesn't, he will constantly ask if we know his name and how old he is. This is to convince himself that you know him and he is Ok to be with you. The doctor is familiar and gave this a long name. He says there are ways to try to cope with this and will get me some more information. That is what happened the other day when we brought Michael to our apartment. He could not recognize our faces and then didn't trust us, so he fled. It isn't unusual for him to be with me and then ask me if he can speak to his dad. I just say sure and go out in the hall and call his room. He is OK with my voice on the phone but just cannot put the face with it. Temporal lobe problems.

We are currently in the taking two steps backward phase. I have to only hope that this will all work out, but it is far from over.

Pops