Connor has been progressing a more and more every day. He has spoken more this week with the nurses and therapists than the whole time we've been at the Shepherd Center. And it's music to my ears!! He has had two left arm casts and two right knee casts; all to extend his range of motion for both. So far, the casts have done just that but the doctors want to see more. The therapists will  take another look at both on Monday and will probably recast them both again.

Connor's storming and pain levels have slowly subsided and he seems to be managing better everything that is going on...from the casts to the therapies to botox injections for his knee and shoulders and everything in between. He's also been receiving a medication that keeps him from storming which has really helped him. It's a nerve blocking medicine that hopefully after his surgery, he won't need it anymore. 

About his surgery...so on Friday the 21st, Connor is scheduled to have his bone flap (part of his skull that was removed on the day of his injury) put back in. The surgeons tell me that once this missing piece is put back, his brain can begin to pressurize back to normal. It sounds like his brain has been fighting against itself with this piece missing, hence the reason for the doctors wanting him to remain flat except when he's in therapy. Remaining flat has incurred its own set of issues in that with a feeding tube, you have to remain at a 30 degree angle for digestion and to keep from aspirating. So several weeks ago he had another feeding tube inserted into the jejunel valve just below his stomach. Everything including meds goes thru this J tube so that he can stay flat with no residual affects. He has done very well with the J tube. 

Please know that every bit of Connor's personality is intact; from his facial expressions to the words and phrases he says. Just this morning his nurse asked him if he was uncomfortable (in order to get a reply for pain meds). He replied back "uncomfortable, in a manner of speaking". He had to say it a couple of times before we figured it out, but once we did, I told her that is so my Connor!! She said that is so promising that his personality is coming through!

We have only our Amazing, Lord and Savior to thank for the small steps forward we are receiving! Everything and I mean everything is manageable right now. The greatest gift God has given, especially to those that love Connor so so much, is the gift of him being alive!! Everything else can and will be fixed! Thank you Lord! Amen!