Day 32 Tuesday

Zach continues to make great strides. This morning after all of his action from the night before he layed still and (as we think) played opossum. Mom and I had asked the nurse to contact rehab doctors for us to speak with concerning Zach's latest progress.

We were fortunate that when rehab arrived Zach was awake and alert. One of our main concerns was that we were bugging him so much with commands, that he would be resentful with us later down the road. The doctor assured us that this was not the case and that we would know if he was getting over stimulated. The doctor suggested that since Zach was doing so well that he would be put on some neuro meds to stimulate his brain. Right before the rehab doctor left I made sure she knew how much progress was making and had Zach stick his tongue out at her.

Later in the afternoon the nurse called mom at work to have her come see how good he was doing. When she arrived at his room he was sitting up (with the help of the therapists) on the edge of his bed; feet hanging off. They asked him to swing one leg out at a time which he did with no problem. Amazing!

At the 3pm visiting hour his bed was in the chair position and Zach was alert again. This time focusing more on people who came in the room and things that were going on. However Zach was getting agitated. You could tell that he knew how to kick his leg but could not muster up the strength to do it. His face would get red and mouth would scrunch up. Almost like he wanted to say "F--- Y-- leg MOVE". When we think he's asleep he will creep his hand up his chest towards his trach as if he wants to rip it out. I don't blame him.

He has so much determination and will power and you can see it in his eyes. I can feel that this is just the beginning of the hard work and intensity that Zach is going to put towards getting better!!

Ang and Jo

P.S.- Chapel Hill Folks! I held up the large card you gave to him today. He looked all around it with wide eyes! Thanks again.