Thursday, April 23rd

This is Mariko updating the blog. Sorry, there hasn't been a recent update. Things have been hectic to say the least.

Brandon is doing very, very well medically. He is beyond excelling in physical therapy. His speech and occupational therapy are improving every day. Brandon is improving so well, they are going to release him on Saturday, the 25th. We still have a long way to go with recovery though. Brandon's memory is coming back bit by bit, but he thinks he is 100% and if any of you know Brandon you know there is no way of convincing him otherwise. He goes off on tangents and doesn't make sense a lot of the time still. He is beginning to piece things together though. For instance, they had him play a card game. In the card game he had to flip a card and find the cards that went in sequence with it. Brandon had a 10 and kept wanting to put the queen down. I figured out he was confusing 21, with the game they wanted him to play. When he says odd things, it takes a minute to figure out where it's coming from. He is so much like a child right now. It's tough because with a child you can control situations, give commands, things like that. Brandon is inbetween a dependent and independent phase. He knows who he was before and what things he could do, so when anyone tries to tell him what to do or change the course of a conversation or anything that you could do with a child, he gets very angry.

Brandon is taking his aggression out on his mom, dad and me. He is sweet as can be to the doctors and nurses and says yes, he will do everything they tell him to, but when he is done with them, it's constant arguing, complaining, and none of us do enough for him and we don't care about him. I know this is the brain injury talking, but it doesn't make it any easier to hear. After over a week of seeing all the things that drive me crazy about Brandon and none of the things that made me fall in love with him and stay in love with him, it's taking a toll. I hope that when he gets home, he will feel safer and comfortable and will be able to relax.

Most of Brandon's frustration and anger are because he is confused beyond on anything he has ever had to deal with, he is in pain on a pretty consistent basis, he can't sleep well, he is being forced (for his health) into activities that he knows he should be able to do just fine, but can't and because he cannot smoke. I know a lot of you are smokers, so I need to explain why he cannot; so that when you see him, you don't think this is just because he should quit. When you smoke, it constricts the blood vessels and capillaries. Which means that the blood, oxygen and nutrients that go to the brain are diminished by quite a bit. It also means that the waste that is building up in Brandon's brain cannot be cleaned out as rapidly. Therefore, if he smokes, he risks permanent brain damage. The same goes for alcohol (it just affects the brain in a different way). The doctor's tell me that Brandon's brain more than likely won't make a full recovery for at least a year to two years. This is not something that will be over in a month. I am BEGGING all of you who are his close friends and smoke to PLEASE encourage Brandon to quit smoking (if you don't smoke, please let it lie, smokers don't like being given advice on quitting from someone who has never had to deal with it), don't feed his habit, and to be a constant advocate for support to help him get through this. All of you smokers, imagine how hard it would be to be in the hospital for two weeks, have no memory of why you are there, have a hard time functioning, being constantly confused/angry and then add quitting smoking on top of it. Brandon doesn't understand why it is imperative for him to quit. He believes that smoking won't hurt him at all at this point, and Brandon doesn't like to be told what to do. This makes everything much harder. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you come to visit Brandon, please make sure you do NOT bring cigarettes or a lighter or talk about having a beer with him or can't wait to have a beer, etc. Trust me, at this point, I would buy Brandon all the cigarettes in the world to alleviate some of his frustration, but I want my husband back. I want my son's dad back. I want our life back. I am sure you want your friend/family member back as well. Thank you!

Now, that I have updated everyone about Brandon, I want to THANK EVERYONE for the overwhelming support we have received. I can't believe that so many people have pulled through the way they have been for us. Not only with the incredibly generous donations, that seem to keep coming, but for the mental and emotional support as well. As I write this, I am overcome with thanks, gratitude and love. I cannot think of anything that will come close to repaying the kindnesses that have been given to my family, but I will be holding a barbecue in the next few weeks (depending on Brandon's ability to deal with it) to thank everyone and give everyone a chance to talk to their friend again. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Friday Update

So sorry for the very delayed update.

Perhaps the best way to update everyone on Brandon's condition is to direct blog readers to Mariko's interview with KSL. The interview took place earlier today and aired about 45 minutes ago. Here is the url for the story: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=6194899

"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.
-- Tori Amos

Miks, the Amos quote is more about Amos saying it. I think you know why I used a quote by her. :)

Snowy Tax Day Update

Brandon seems to be improving more and more each day but he becomes easily overwhelmed. Some of you might have thought that Brandon was back to normal, but he is not and only time will tell if he will ever completely heal. At times he thinks he is at work: he will delcare things that he has to do to complete his jobs for the night. On other occasions, he does not recognize people. He is frustrated that he has to stay in the hospital. To compound that frustration, he has to be reminded what happened to him. Therefore, it is important to schedule visits with Miks, Ed, and/or Judy so that Brandon will not get frustrated or overwhelmed during this critical recovery period.

We truly appreciate all the friends and family who have come to visit, we just need to schedule the visits now to ensure as speedy a recovery as possible for Brandon. Thank you, everyone for your time and efforts in supporting us.

I'm going to shift the focus on this blog for a bit and talk about Brandon's wife and my sister, Mariko. Miks, please don't be mad.

Miks, anyone that has been around you for the last six days knows about your tremendous strength and courage. You are my hero, my rock, and my role model. I am so very, very proud of you, amazed by you, and grateful for you. I am sure that Brandon, once he can articulate his emotions and thoughts more, will echo my sentiments.

Love you, Miks!

"Courage is grace under pressure."
-Ernest Hemingway

Late Post

Sorry for the late update.

Brandon is still in and out of consciousness a lot but he is able to speak a little and carry on small conversations. He can get tired and overstimulated (in much the same way a toddler does) which overwhelms him. Because of this, it is important to schedule visitors so that he isn't trying to take in too much at one time. If you would like to visit Brandon, please let Mariko know so that she can make a quasi-schedule to ensure that he is not overwhelmed or overstimulated.

DO NOT call the hospital and ask for Brandon, there are security measures in place to protect him and his family. So, if you want an update check here. If you want to visit, call Miko, Ed, or Judy.

On another note, Mariko was able to feed Brandon a little broth today. YAY!

The posts will not come up until the afternoons now. So, do not worry if something is not posted in the morning.

"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love."
- Johann von Goethe

The Latest About Waking Up

Brandon tried to sit up today, responded to a few commands, recognized his mom, and kissed his lovely wife, Mariko.

At approximately 5pm, the doctors had him moved out of ICU and onto another floor where the visitor limitations are less strict.

Brandon, my friends is on his way back.

Brandon Woke Up!

The doctors are slowly taking him off the medicine that has kept him in a coma since Thursday. He can speak and move.

Brandon's initial reactions were to try to take the breathing tube out and to mumble a couple of highly appropriate expletives - the best ones to say when you wake up in a hospital room with tubes and IVs running in and out of you - and he said "help me, somebody help me."

More to come later.

Request and Easter Sunday Update

Mariko would like anyone who has good pictures of Brandon with friends and family to bring them by the hospital so that she can make picture boards for Brandon and his family.

Brandon is still in the same condition as yesterday. Mariko was able to help care for him again, which has helped her understand, a little more, what he has been through and what he will be going through once he is out of the coma.

We appreciate all of the kind comments, words of encouragement, and offers of help. Your love and friendship have made a horrible situation much easier to cope with.

Cheers on this sunny/kind of windy/Easter Sunday,
Miks, Little Guy Logan, and the Rowes