Saturday 25th

I can't believe that it has been nearly a week since the accident. Mum and us girls agree that this week seems never-ending, which means it must feel like a lifetime for Dad.

Uncle Ed, Aunty Ros, Nan and Pop came to the hospital today to spend some time with Bryan, talking to him, massaging his hands and most importantly just standing beside his bed assuring him that we are here.

The ICU waiting room has become crowded over the past few days with some additional patients being admitted. One of whom is another Toowoombian. Hospitals are gloomy places and it will be a relief for both Dad and the rest of the family when we can finally get him out of intensive care.

As I said last night they put Dad back on sedative medication for a couple of days. So as expected he was a little more sleepy today, but still aware of what was going on around him. Erin and I explained to him all the gadgets that he is attached to... one that measures heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide, an aspiration and circulation machine (which measures the airflow through his ventilator and can detect if Dad needs a little extra help breathing - truly amazing!!), plus an IV drip, fentanyl for pain, electrolytes and a food tube in his nose. All of which beep at different times for various reasons. Every patient has these so as you can imagine the ICU is constantly beeping!

Todays x-rays showed that Dad's chest is improving significantly. At this rate his ventilation tube will come out early next week. The splints made specially for his arms are put on and off in 2 hour cycles, but we kept them off a bit this afternoon so we could massage and give his hands a bit more physio. Mum put some moisturiser on his hands and feet, as his skin was getting dry and scaley.

Erin got a message from Dad on the ABC board today to "BE STRONG". She can't handle being in the ICU for long amounts of time and I think Dad can sense that she might be scared. Dad also pointed to himself, meaning that he is being "STRONG" too. I try not to show too much negative emotion when I'm in with Dad because I know that it wouldn't be good for him. Concentrating on positive steps and re-assuring him that he is making progress is the only chance we have of speeding up his recovery.

I could tell his neck was very sore and stiff today because he was trying to move it and stretch it with a grimace on his face. Bryan was exhausted when we said goodnight to him. He was just given some extra pain meds to help him sleep a little better.

Goodnight all
xoxo