Dad's Update III - 9/7/09

Dear all-

While Bryce had gained good strength into the weekend, he had a setback starting yesterday.  He had a tough night last night.  He has continued to struggle with coughing up phlegm from his lungs and now has a lung infection and fever.  He has been sedated with some additional lung therapy until Wednesday morning so that he can get needed sleep and solid oxygen for the next two days to help clear the infection.  He continues to be a "street fighter" through all this, but he is very tired.  Please pray for his lungs to heal so all can focus on physical therapy. As his body slowly adjusts automatically to this new reality, there will be ups and downs like this - we are told this is the "new normal" for the near term.

Keefe came over Saturday and had some good quality time with him touring around the facility and grounds in his wheelchair.  We all were getting really excited about a quick recovery and were disappointed by this new event.  Some of you have suggested people with similar disability to talk to.  Thanks for those suggestions.  We were just about to think through some phone calls and other research when this event happened.  Since tomorrow will be a quiet day, we may be able to follow up with those calls.

I have now joined Facebook as Bryce's friend and will begin posting on Bryce's wall for more frequent updates.  They will be kept general for confidentiality, but over time, we'll add pictures and movies and ongoing updates.  Patience though, all this will take time.  His Mom is helping him read his Facebook each day and helping him respond.  His first read and response was a very tearful exercise given all the love he received, but he has been strengthening mentally through the process and really appreciates everyone's comments and good wishes.  It's amazing how many friends Bryce has!

I was originally planning on coming back this week, rather than my scheduled 9/14, but have decided to stay until Bryce emerges from this lung problem.  Hopefully, it will clear this week so I can come back on time and get back to some other important responsibilities (job interviews and US rehab research.)  The center has studio efficiencies next door that are quite nice at reasonable rates so we are well taken care of here.  Food is very expensive though.

John