h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And remember Cinnamon and Lavender .. and HOPE ..

What _would_ hope smell like, I wonder?


As for news, last time I heard, the small and gradual stuff is still going on. My aunt has been a bit distressed by him looking like he was in pain, but apparently this is part of the process, and even a good sign; my mum's (and hers) brother-in-law talked to an acquaintance who's a neurologist, and upon describing my cousin's situation she immediately knew exactly what it was, and said that two months are still a short time, in such cases, and that the pain is actually one of the stages before waking up. Something like that, anyway. Now that both my parents are back home I'm back to only hearing things second- or third-hand, so can't vouch that I'm getting everything right.

Perhaps hope would smell a little like the coffee, tea or pastries that are steaming near you as you find time to read messages and heart-felt wishes from friends on every part of this globe?

Ach. Here's hoping for a full and speedy recovery for your cousin, Lady P.

Thank you.

News is still pretty much the same as before: it's all very gradual. With this sort of injury, full recovery could take months (and even after that, there might still be some physical or cognitive problems that could persist for years). We're being patient, and hopeful, but there really just isn't much to report, in this stage. I will update if there is anything big.

Apparently, my cousin's doctor thinks he isn't actually in a coma now - she says that he has ful awareness and such, just still has trouble getting his body to respond.
During the last week, there've been a few instances when he's been trying to talk; of those I heard about (again, I only get the news after they've been passed through my aunt and uncle to my mother to us, so don't always have all the details), in one case he was asked for his sister's name, and managed to mouth it, but didn't actually make any sound, and in the second case, he was asked during physiotherapy if a certain movement hurt, and made a 'kkkkk' sound to indicate 'yes' ('ken' in Hebrew). That's all I know so far.

Is there someone there with him who speaks Hebrew? During my father's last days, we were terribly worried that he would forget how to speak German, because none of the nurses spoke Dutch.

Here is a very interesting article ..
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/magazine/can-ambien-wake-minimally-conscious.html?pagewanted=all&src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB

Mala, his parents are there, and his sister as well (she'll be coming home soon, actually, but his brother will be visiting not long after that). And occasionally other assorted friends and relatives. But yeah, the parents are there pretty much every day, so as far as language is concerned, this wouldn't be a problem.

They've also started looking into the process of bringing him over here. There's all sorts of bureaucratic stuff with insurance, and National health Insurance, and things like that, so it'll probably be a while before he can be transferred here.

Oh, and thanks for the article, Ginger. Haven't read it through yet, but it does seem quite interesting (even if I'm not sure it applies to him).

Thanks.

Reading and hoping for still more improvements

The other day, two cool things happened:
1. When my aunt asked him something, he answered 'yes'.
2. My uncle put a computer in front of him, and he reached his hand toward it.

Still haven't heard any news from yesterday, but these are good steps forward.

If he seeks re-plays of Corrie Street on the laptop though, I would see that as a serious sign of regression.

Really, it does appear positive steps and I continue to offer good thoughts and wishes.

Thank you.

Not sure what Corrie Street is (Coronation Street? That's a TV show, right?) but I don't think he can actually type or anything, just yet.
Have been wondering to myself whether typing will prove easier than talking, but I have no idea (I suppose it hard to have an idea, really, since all head injuries are different, and the brain recovers in sometimes unexpected ways). But basically, it means he's getting more control over his movements.