Partaee!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had an awesome party for Michael on Saturday! My sisters and Chelsey were here to liven things up. Of course, all were invited and one by one they strolled or rolled in for the festivities. We started out with some Marvin Gaye on the boom box to get us in the party mood. As you all know Michael and us Samson women, we had to bust some moves! Lots of smiles and laughter. We probably spent 30 minutes alone just hitting balloons at each other. Michael thought it was hilarious when one would hit him in the head and crack up. Michael had a special Birthday hat that he proudly wore during the entire party. We played pin the features on Michael, and we think he was peeking when he took his turn (what a surprise)! We all sang before he blew out the candles, but he made a wish first. Interestingly enough, he knew what that meant and did so without telling what he wished for. I think the funniest thing that day was the cakecapades. Everyone got a large slice along with ice cream, and he ate his without wasting any time, then reached over and took another. When I had my back turned, he dug in with his own fork to take his third and last piece, because we whisked it away while his eyes followed it out of the room!
 It was so heartwarming to bring some joy and laughter to these young men who are facing a difficult recovery. Just wanted to thank the Edwards family for the gift they sent. Michael really enjoyed it. Also, Michael received his first memory from Logan Redden and it was so sweet. He listened to every word, and we were all teary eyed by the time it was finished. We are putting it a memory box for him to read later. Thank-you so much Logan. We are seeing improvements daily and are very encouraged. He couldn't be more loving and affectionate. I am so thankful for that. He is starting to remember his brother and sister's names. He is also starting outings off campus once a week. Post from the "Partaee Animals" I will post pics when Loren shows me how.

Out and About

Michael had his first off-site outing yesterday. Went to a local park and played basketball. It went great! Next week he is going to go out to a restaurant. This is huge. It is a step towards his homecoming, which we are all pumped about. I hesitate to guess at a timeline, but I think it is pretty safe to say that this Christmas will be a MUCH better one than last year.

Memories

It seems like I'm always asking for help, but I just got an idea, that should be easy to do. Heres the thing. Michael doesn't have hardly any memories, so he basically needs to start over. He really doesn't know who he is as a person. So that is where ya'll come in. If any friends and family would write to him with a memory of your own, something you did together, an event or experience you shared, maybe something he did for you that shows him his character, or places you've been. Anything that might help him recall who he is. I think it haunts him to not remember if he is a good guy or not. We can read these letters to him now, and down the line, he will be able to reread them himself. Make your memory letter simple to understand and short. This would be such an awesome thing for him to have. This is his address: Touchstone Neurorecovery Center; 9297 Wahrenberger Road; Conroe, Texas 77304-2441 He also can take phone calls anytime on the weekend between 9-9 or after 3:00 pm. on weekdays. The number is (936)788-7752 ext. 251 or ask for the Winsor House The code you may need to have if asked, is 17078 To his friends who have been unable to visit: this is something all of you can do! PLEASE help Michael remember who he is! Post by Mom

Reflections

Aaron and I got to spend this past weekend in Conroe with Michael. It was a great weekend, I will update you all about his progress, but I have been doing some reflecting this morning and want to share.

I have read two books in the past month about people who died, went to heaven, and were sent back. One was about a little boy "Heaven is for Real" and one about a grown man "90 Minutes in Heaven". Now, I know that some of you are rolling your eyes at this and thinking "Whatever, crazy talk." And that is ok. I believe it. I can tend to be the cynical type about certain things too, but these stories rang true to me and really, why would I choose to not believe? I am going to be (really) honest and tell you that there have been times over the last 9 months that I have wondered and asked God why He let Michael live. He has been through so much pain and his quality of life is so drastically changed, why did God send Brandon Hively into that apartment to rescue him? Brandon told me in the days after Michael got sick about that day. He felt a strong urge and almost a voice in his head saying "Get Michael out of there!" That is not an accident.

After spending some quality time with him, I am more than convinced that Michael is not done here. Maybe it is to provide inspiration to others, to cause his friends to reflect on their lives and love people better, maybe it is for our family to become closer. All of those things are true. I like to think it is because God has a miracle in store for Michael. Maybe not that he will magically wake up one day the old Michael Sluder, but that he will become someone different, stronger, more fully alive because of what he has experienced. Faith is a choice, and I choose to have faith in God to do something miraculous in Michael's life, and I choose to have faith in Michael's ability to overcome. Otherwise, he would be in heaven right now.

Ok, so here are some progress notes:
8 months ago, Michael's speech was almost pure gibberish. Today, he is speaking clearly 90% of the time. He can communicate his needs and wants, pour out affection on others, and have a full conversation.
8 months ago, Michael had lost a ridiculous amount of weight, had no idea what food was and wasn't, and had almost forgotten how to eat. Now he is putting away three square meals a day and they are having to limit him to that! He is healthy and strong physically.
2 months ago, Michael was violent, verbally abusive, and sexually inappropriate. His behavior is radically different today. He is loving, gentle, apologizing profusely for accidentally stepping on your toe. He is no longer inappropriate. (Although I am curious to see his reaction to some of his upcoming female visitors that are not his mom or sister.) I don't know if it is the medication change, the cytoxan, or just time to heal, but he is a pleasure to be around.
Michael knows Mom and Dad almost all the time and loves them SO much. He can identify Jordan and me in a picture.  He can put together complicated puzzles and do addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in his head. He can read on about a second-grade level. He can write. He can make 3-point shot after 3-point shot. Get him started with "I said it's great... and he will finish "to be a Tennessee Vol!" I love that. Some things you do not forget.

Michael's short-term memory remains the greatest struggle and obstacle to coming home safely. We have to know that he will accept mom and dad as his parents, cooperate with them, and recognize that home is home. Pray for that.

I love my brother. I miss who he was, but I am grateful that he is still here with us and love who he is now too- sweet, smart, still handsome and still a fighter.  Just gotta keep the faith as we move forward.

Lets Party!

Michael's birthday is coming up on September 15, so my sisters and I are going to throw him a party at the Windsor House. If anyone would like to send him something for the special occasion, here is his address; Touchstone Neurorecovery Center 9297 Rahenberger Road Conroe, TX 77304-2441 [Windsor House] To Michael's friends, just use your imagination. Ya'll know what he likes. He is starting to look at all the posters and pictures in his room of friends and family, and is amazed that I know everyone's name. He may have to start over with friendships, so I hope that ya'll are up for that. He has to relearn so much, so lets all pray that the part of his brain that stores new information will heal. It may have to be a miracle, so PLEASE, everyone that believes in miracles....pray without ceasing! When his cousin, Seth was here, we bought him a cheap digital camera so he could take pictures. He is helping me make a book of everyday objects that he will be using, to memorize. Michael has made great improvements since he has been at this facility. They have pretty much changed his meds and between that and the cytoxan, things are getting better. The staff at Windsor House are very compassionate and great with Michael. They can see that he is a wonderful guy and I am so thankful for that! We also have several people coming out to give Mike and I a break, over the next couple months. So thank-you to Loren, Aaron, Jordan, Ashley, Chelsea, Maisie, Rajib, Aunt Lynda, and Aunt Peggy. We appreciate you so much! Post from Mom