Latest Update

Here is another update from Steph and Todd.

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Dear Friends and Family:

Thank you all for your interest in Preston’s progress and your concern for his welfare. It’s time for an update.

The last time I wrote, Preston was on the Acute Therapy floor uncertain how long his stay there might be. Estimates were as long as two weeks. In reality it was four days. We moved him to the Downey Rehabilitation Center of the Barrow Neurological Institute late yesterday. Today was his first full day at the center. (Barrow is attached to St. Joseph’s Hospital) Together we decided to stay here for rehab, partly because Barrow is one of the best rehabilitation facilities in the world, but also because during this intense rehabilitation period he will gain the skills, knowledge and strength he needs to be functionally independent… The very skills he would need to return home in his current condition.

We’re told Preston might expect to be here four to six weeks. Our team of therapists, his doctor and caseworker, will meet early next week to discuss his situation and make better estimates. Preston has made significant progress in this short time. But make no mistake. This is hard, at times extremely hard, a thousand little details hard. Which is why we appreciate your thoughts and prayers so much.

We’ve had a couple tough days since the last update, marked by pain, nausea, long sleepless nights… more pain. And though today first appeared that it might be another day of struggling, as the day came to a peaceful end, we realized it was a high water mark since leaving Critical Care.

It started early with our Occupational Therapist, Janet, waking us and introducing herself. She dressed Preston for the day and oriented us on what to expect. We met our Recreational Therapist and spent time with our Physical Therapist, Barbara. With some assistance Preston maneuvered into a wheel chair for the first time. He spent a couple hours in the gym stretching and lifting weights along with maybe a dozen other spinal injury patients. And with the help of Robert, our tech, Preston had his first shower since the incident. (Yes it was much needed and left him two shades lighter and squeaky clean.)

I’m extremely impressed with the staff here. From the doctors to the technicians, I want to tell you a little more about them, especially, Robert, but that will come in another letter.

Today I want to tell you about Luis, a former patient.

He stopped by this afternoon to visit and we were fortunate enough to spend some time with him. Luis had worked as a fireman, a police officer and most recently, a federal agent. One day, during in a high-speed pursuit of a criminal, his vehicle rolled 6 times, during which his neck was broken just below the base of his skull. Though he survived the accident it left him completely paralyzed. He could not eat. He could not breath. He could not move. He actually died 4 times. (His rehab nurse was with him today and she affectionately refers to Luis as her “train wreck.”)

He’s been out of rehab for 7 months now. He is in a wheel chair, but has movement in his arms and upper torso (I guess the eating and breathing on his own part goes without saying.) Though his physical recovery is nothing less than miraculous, it is his spirit and energy that inspired everyone who listened to him share his experiences and thoughts. A man of obvious faith and determination his message was of hope and promise. The room seemed to vibrate on some unseen frequency. And it appeared to me that Preston and his roommate were tuned to that very frequency. They were totally engaged, mesmerized by his message and, I think, inspired. I know I was. Thank you, Luis, for being part of the best day yet.

More later.

Todd, Stephanie & Family