Hi Everyone,
We are at Week #3.
I “Love” the end of the week, because I get to tell you all the great things that Nicolas has accomplished.
At the start of the week, his oxygen levels where awful, his lung kept collapsing…physio worked on him so hard that he was exhausted most of his days.
Then Mitchell and I would make him do his exercises…poor bugger has worked very hard.
Yesterday I arrived with a doctor telling me that they were going to transfer him to Barrie. I almost had to be rushed to the 5th floor to have a coronary. I had no idea that that was an option. We have started a new life in the city…he needed to be here I thought.
Then they tried to transfer us to Bracebridge, which at the time I thought may be a good idea as long as he could get the same care. Well that didn’t happen as they can’t care for a spine injured patient on a ventilator.
So last night after a long exhausting day, Dr. Alberto, shared that he did not know we had changed everything in our lives for our Nic, and that he will make sure that the needs of Nic, Mitch and I will be paramount in his decisions and influence. He will make sure we stay here at St. Michael’s Hospital. I wanted to hug him…
I joked with Nicolas to start breathing on his own because we are getting kicked outta town. So he went 8 hours yesterday and as I write this he is at 11 hours today. They are going to let him try to go all night and believe he will be off the ventilator completely by the end of the weekend.
My Amazing Overachiever!!! Everyone here is so impressed… in awe of Nicolas’ strength and determination.
He was slated to have his feeding tube moved from his nose to his stomach this afternoon. It is for long care patients and makes it more comfortable on Nic’s throat. Today they decided to wait until Monday am, and see if he is off the ventilator, and how he swallows. If all goes well and he swallows well, they will remove the feeding tube all together, and yes my friends…Nic will speak, eat and drink again.
Thrilled about the eating and drinking, we will see about the speaking…it has been very quiet around here!
The other benefit of being here is the influence that St. Michaels will have at getting Nicolas into Lyndehurst Rehabilitation Center. The best rehab facility for spinal cord injuries. The space Nic would be using here is too valuable to our system to have him here for long I would think.
Parker’s Point is up for sale, between David and Mitchell the dogs are together and happy for now.
Now we will continue on as we do, day by day, as our days serve us very well.
Warmly,
Tammy
Wow Tammy – you are an amazing mother. I cannot even imagine everything you have gone through and are continuing to go through. I was a secretary at Muskoka Beechgrove when Nic was there and my daughter Samantha Tomkinson was in the same class as him. I always have had a soft spot for Nic – no matter what! That smile of his, I am sure could get him out of anything. I am so glad you are doing this blog so that the correct information is heard. Ever since the night of the accident we have been hopping for the best and trying not to believe all the stories. Sam has messaged Nic a few times but I haven’t and thought this was my chance. If anyone has the determination to get himself through this, it is Nic. My heart is with you both and I pray for you both. I do have a card for Nic from Mrs. Piche that we were hopping to get to Nic-I am not sure how we can do this? Can he have visitors or would it be better to wait. I know Sam and Caitlyn Strength really want to see him but that it your decision-and I understand if you want visitors to wait. If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to email me or Nic can message Sam. I do work at Gravenhurst Public School now but I have Thursdays off and would do things that need done here. I know you really don’t know me but I know if the situation was reversed Nic would do anything to help my daughter Sam. So please call for anything you need. Hugs to both of you!
Happy belated birthday Nic! Show em’ doctors what Muskokans are made of!