Friday the 26th

Yesterday I mentioned Michael likes to stroke his whiskers. Here’s a picture of him doing it. Also, you’ll see this is one of the first pictures we’ve posted that will give you an idea of some of the facial injuries he sustained. If you look closely, you can see the scar running from his ear down to the bottom of his neck. That is where they had to do surgery to remove the shrapnel that was up against his artery. The other red spots are the numerous facial wounds he suffered.

This is Michael and one of the therapists doing a finger strength test. Michael impressed the therapist by being above the maximum strength in his hands. Because of that, they couldn't finish that test.

Here he is working on his belt project. He doesn’t like this much but it’s teaching “hand–brain” as opposed to “hand–eye” coordination. He’ll be glad when it’s over. He finished the belt in two days and the instructor said no one had ever done it that fast befiore. It usually takes more like two weeks. He asked Michael to think of some other project he'd like to do.  Michael can not think of any other thing he wants out of leather. He just doesn't want to do it at all.

His eyes continue to bother him. It got so bad today that he wet a towel and laid down with it draped on his eyelids trying to get some relief.  Last night while showering some water got into his right ear.  It hurt so badly that he laid down on his side to try and get it out so it would quit hurting.  He said he won't be getting water anywhere near it again.

Today Michael finally lost his cool. He went to the dental office expecting to get the plates out of his mouth. The dentist that saw him said he needed another appointment to see the oral surgeon. Michael went off on him and said he was told that same thing last week and now he’s hearing it again and it will cost him another week. He was so upset and irate about it that the dentist agreed to take an X-ray and look to see how the jaw was himself and decide what to do from there. He said if the jaw looked good enough, he might be able to remove the plates there today. After looking at the print however, they were shocked to find part of his jaw was still broken after all this time and hadn’t healed. Needless to say, the plates didn’t come out of his mouth and we’re now waiting to see what happens as a result of finding the break. 

All in all, most of the day was a bummer but it ended ok  It rained and he and his mom got soaked going from the dentist appointment back to the rehab center.  Afterwards, the sun came out and the evening was beautiful. He and his mom went to the Fisher House where a local group had brought in an excellent chicken dinner which enabled him to skip the hospital food. The dinner was followed by the opportunity for some quiet time to watch the Olympic hockey game on TV.  He is really looking forward to the USA/Canada game on Sunday.  After the good food and entertainment, he was ready to head back to his room for the night.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Just as the sun followed the storm there and evening proved to be the best part of the day, I'm confident that this tragedy will turn into something beautiful as well.  Michael has his life ahead of him and the love and support of so many people.  Although he's in the midst of struggling to adapt to his blindness and learning to be independant again,  I know he will come through this as he has challenges in the past - with head held high and looking forward to the future and whatever it brings.  As always, thanks for your support and don't forget to say your prayers.