Seton Specialty Hospital

Hi Everyone!

Eric had a good trip back to Lafayette yesterday. He kept talking about how good it was to smell some fresh air while they moved him from IU to the ambulance. I got to sit with him in the ambulance, which was really nice. Eric was able to sit up and see the snow out the back window along the way. The snow around here didn't start till late last night, so we missed any complications from that. Which is wonderful, considering I couldn't get out of the neighborhood this morning. The beauty of living a mile from the hospital was that I was able to walk here. :) It was actually kind of nice, since it wasn't too cold and the snow was pretty.

Before we left IU yesterday, Eric had us reading the blog posts to him. We started at the beginning and got to about the end of January before we had to leave. He took the news really well, and said that he hadn't realized how sick he was. He really enjoyed hearing from everyone and understands a bit more why everyone is so excited to see him. :)

Now we are trying to settle in to the new routine and staff. I guess there is always the adjustment period: we're getting used to new protocols, and the staff is trying to catch up on everything that has happened to him in the last two months. We're really hoping to make a plan with all of the rehab people to set goals for us. It helps knowing what needs to happen before we can get to the milestones we want.

Stay warm out there, and be safe in the snow!

Love,
Melissa and Eric

Moving to Lafayette!

Eric's making the move to Lafayette this afternoon! He'll be going to Seton, which is located in St. Elizabeth Hospital off of Union. There, he will get a lot more attention for rehab and getting stronger. I'm really excited to be close to home again. My mom already drove up to the house yestserday with our dog, so I'll get to see him, too!! I need to finish packing everything up (you tend to accumulate a lot of stuff in the hospital rooms when you stay there for 2 months). I'll be sure to write a post this evening on how everything went!

Love,
Melissa

Super Bowl Sunday

Eric is planning to watch the Super Bowl with his dad and brother, Adam, this evening. This entire city is over the top in favor of the Colts. Eric really likes the Colts also, but has a lot of interest in Drew Brees due to his Purdue years. So he had his nurse add "Go Saints" to his trach collar (a clear plastic item that directs moist, oxygenated air into his trach). It has stirred up some controversy this afternoon. He also has his Drew Brees jersey over one of the chairs!

Eric's health is improving steadily. He is able to use his hands much better today, and the voice is coming back. So much easier to communicate when he can talk! He is off all IV medications, and is only hooked to a feeding tube. What freedom! He sat up for 1/2 hour again today, and seemed stronger as he did it.

Hope you all enjoy the game tonight! (For those of you that aren't football fans, enjoy the evening anyway.)

Kathy