We spent this evening with Chris as we will be returning to the States tomorrow. We plan on driving to Jacob early tomorrow morning to say good-bye for this visit and return to the flat to catch the Underground at Earls Court to Heathrow.

For the first three days Chris was exceptionally aware and smiley and laughing, appeared to be really enjoying our visit. The next three were sort of so-so days where he looked troubled or uncomfortable. Today was a better day. He seemed much calmer, gave out a lot of smiles and laughed a few times. This was following his physio which wasn’t done till later in the afternoon due to most of the staff being off. A - the physio manager and K an assistant did his physio with him today. It has been several days since his last treatment so this one was extremely stressful for him. I worked with them to try and calm and comfort him but there doesn’t appear to be much you can do to relieve the pain during physio. A - indicated that during their next PDT meeting that he was going to discuss possibly increasing his liquid baclofen medicine. Any effort to relieve his spasticity and the pain it causes would be a huge milestone. He bounces back quickly from his treatments though.

I’ve been trying to assess Chris’ improvements over time. It’s very difficult as changes are very small and progress is very slow. If there is one thing I have learned through this horrific tragedy is that you have to have a lot of faith, hope and mostly patience to see progress. From what I’ve been told by all of the caregivers and family members of patients with brain injuries at the four hospitals that Chris has been in is that we must have a lot of faith and patience as progression in this type of injury is frustrating and slow to the family. While I would like for him to talk to me tomorrow, as unlikely as that may be; I see him continuing to move forward and as long as it’s forward I’m here for as long as it takes.

Probably the biggest change since his injury has been the increase in his alertness and awareness level. Maybe that’s the first thing to heal ? Now, you can talk to Chris from the other side of the room and he will turn his head and focus on you. He could not do that a year ago, he could only focus on you when you were in his line of vision. It proves that he hears you and hopefully is recognizing voices and faces. I guess only Chris knows the answers but we are encouraged that at least we know he hears something and he sees something and is aware.

I spent some time in the lounge today chatting with Chris and caregiver K. I kept prompting him to lift his right arm, and prompting him. I stuck my finger in between his hand so that he could feel it. No pressure on my part and no pain from Chris, I just kept nagging him to raise his arm. He raised his arm, not once but twice, all the way up to his chest. Was it spontaneous, I’m not sure? However K witnessed it and appeared to concur that it was a response. He probably got tired of me haunting him and said ….“OK Dad, here I lifted it,… are you happy now!!!” I noticed also that he moves his right leg up when he is struggling in, what appears to be, saying something to us. Sometimes I think his grinding of teeth may be related to his frustration in not being able to respond..or.. that’s how he’s trying to respond???

The staff that we have met this week are wonderful people at the Jacob Centre. Donna commented today that all the families that we have met this week have the same attitude. They are sad that these situations have happened to their loved ones and they cannot control these events as they have happened, but they will support and care for their loved ones no matter what the outcome of their disability. Their love is strong and lasting for their family member, whether it is a child, spouse, sibling or friend.

It’s a long journey and I am rooted in my commitment to Chris and the vision of Chris as he was, and that hopefully one day, in time, he will achieve some quality of life for his son, wife, siblings and for his parents who never, ever, lose that special bond they have with their children. Prayers and science.