Chris had to undergo another excruciating bandage change today that took nearly two hours. Also, he had to go to the “car wash”, which is essentially a stainless steel table he has to lie on so that all of his wounds can be rinsed off. He’ll have to continue this routine every day for a while, but it should get less painful each day.
Today the hospital arranged for a young man who was burned on over 50% of his body to come and talk to Chris. He assured Chris that he will be able to do anything he wants to, eventually. Chris and his parents also talked with a counselor, and will likely start attending group counseling with other burn victims this Wednesday. In addition to the counselor and the young man, Coach Branning and his family visited today.
Today the nurses also moved Chris’ IV from his leg to his arm so that he would have a better ability to move around and get up and down out of bed. If all goes well overnight, Chris will get a tube that is removing fluids from his stomach taken out in the morning. This will leave only the feeding tube, which is a huge improvement over the number of miscellaneous tubes he started with. Tomorrow morning he will also start physical therapy, first with just his legs. The physical therapy will move to his arms in a few days when the grafts have had more time to heal.
And now for the best news......Chris got out of bed and into a Cardio Chair tonight! A cardio chair is designed to lay flat next to the bed, allowing Chris to slide over into the chair. Then it can be raised into a sitting position like a regular chair. This is the first time that Chris has sat in a chair in two weeks, and despite the fact that the movement had to hurt, he did not complain at all. It seems he was too excited to get to do something different to complain about pain. He didn't leave his room in the chair, hopefully that milestone will be sometime tomorrow.
And for another piece of good news - Chris finally got some ice chips tonight, which is the first drink he has had in almost two weeks. From his reaction, it appeared that ice chips were the best things he had ever tasted!
Today the hospital arranged for a young man who was burned on over 50% of his body to come and talk to Chris. He assured Chris that he will be able to do anything he wants to, eventually. Chris and his parents also talked with a counselor, and will likely start attending group counseling with other burn victims this Wednesday. In addition to the counselor and the young man, Coach Branning and his family visited today.
Today the nurses also moved Chris’ IV from his leg to his arm so that he would have a better ability to move around and get up and down out of bed. If all goes well overnight, Chris will get a tube that is removing fluids from his stomach taken out in the morning. This will leave only the feeding tube, which is a huge improvement over the number of miscellaneous tubes he started with. Tomorrow morning he will also start physical therapy, first with just his legs. The physical therapy will move to his arms in a few days when the grafts have had more time to heal.
And now for the best news......Chris got out of bed and into a Cardio Chair tonight! A cardio chair is designed to lay flat next to the bed, allowing Chris to slide over into the chair. Then it can be raised into a sitting position like a regular chair. This is the first time that Chris has sat in a chair in two weeks, and despite the fact that the movement had to hurt, he did not complain at all. It seems he was too excited to get to do something different to complain about pain. He didn't leave his room in the chair, hopefully that milestone will be sometime tomorrow.
And for another piece of good news - Chris finally got some ice chips tonight, which is the first drink he has had in almost two weeks. From his reaction, it appeared that ice chips were the best things he had ever tasted!
24 comments:
Hey CHAMP! Just thinkin about you guys!!! Love ya GOD BLESS Meshefski's
dude looking good!!!!i just want give you a big smacker on the the forehead.hang in there,ok ,its tough but i know you can do it!!if they cant get you motor on your chair i will start making one....but i know u will be walking and crusing the halls in no time..love ya dude..walter..tiff@bigE you are the rock for chris.love u guys..
hey you dont know me but im nathans cousin. ive been praying for you for quite a while now and im amazed at your recovery rate. i hope that you have a quick recovery and i hope you can be in a wheelchair this weekend. but good luck with all this and i will continue to pray for you
Chris - You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are following your progress and are glad things are going well. You are an amazing young man and have amazing parents. With the support of them and your friends you will overcome any obstacle.
Leon, Christy, Gerald & Austin
WOW!! From seeing you yesterday and reading this tonight I cant believe how much you have improved already! I knew you would get through this just fine you are a strong boy! We cant wait to see you again and by then you will be up moving around and talking and crackin jokes like you always do! Talk to ya soon. Melisa
Hyatt, wuts up dude. I have been wanting to write this message for a long time but never knew how to do it. Now i do. I pray to God that you get to play sports this year but in the event that you dont i promise you a state ring. I promise you kid. I am glad to know that you are progressing well and to hear that you are getting a lot of loving visitors and i hope they keep coming. I wish i could come and visit and do anything i can for you but between work, money, and prior commitments it is hard. I hope you get to hear or read this message and i hope it helps you in any way possible. I will keep praying for you and your family. With love and warming thoughts Tommy V.T. #12
Dear Chris,
Our thought are with you and your family and we are very happy that you are doing well. We look forward to seeing you again soon and hearing you come into the Pizza Factory asking Tonia "where are the cookies". Good luck, great recovery, and God bless!
The Sparks Family
Dear Chris,
Our thought are with you and your family and we are very happy that you are doing well. We look forward to seeing you again soon and hearing you come into the Pizza Factory asking Tonia "where are the cookies". Good luck, great recovery, and God bless!
The Sparks Family
Chris, You don't know me pal but I have known your folks a long time. I just want you to know that I admire your strength and I am praying for your recovery. Take care, stay strong.
Hi Chris, Earl, & Tif: We want you to know you have been in on thoughts and prayers!!!! Keep up the fight and good spirits!!! You are an amazing family and wonderful example to all us! My 40mile walk for Breast Cancer is soon and I plan on putting your picture on my shirt and carrying you with me!!!! I WALK FOR CHRIS!!
We all love and miss you and hope to see you soon. Love KANDI
PS Thank you Melissa for keeping us all posted!
Good Morning Hyatts,
The first thing i do when i get to work is read up on how Chris is doing. Im glad that you got to move around. And have some kind liquid today that is great to hear. Well i will write you tomorrow. I have a letter on the way.
Talk to you soon,
Shanda
Hi Christopher, Tif and Big E,
You are an amazing family! We miss you all! I think peanut misses you too. She is doing great and is getting spoiled by The Bower's and of course Rachel. Well, you are in our thoughts daily and your strength is incredible! Glad to hear that you finally got at least an ice chip. We love you all and miss you! Keep up your great attitude Christopher! Our prayers are with you all!!
Love always,
Becki & D.R.
It's amazing how much the little things can mean -- ice chips, sitting up, etc. I'm sure none of you will ever take these things for granted ever again.
I'm thrilled that Chris was able to enjoy those little things today. I know there are lots more little and bigger things to enjoy that are coming your way.
Stay positive and focused. Your good spirits, strength, courage, and perseverance will carry you through.
Melissa's Mom
HEY CHRIS READ YOUR PROGRESS TODAY AND VERY PROUD OF YOU BUDDY YOU ARE GETTING THERE JUST WANT YOU TO NO IM THINKING OF YOU AND I LOVE YOU. REMEMBER TO LEAVE THE NURSES ALONE. CHRIS I REALLY LOVE YOU BUDDY. GRAND PAW
heya chris looking good.stay strong and keep up the good work.youll be up and around before ya know it.we all love ya and want the best for you.earl &tiff our love and and all our strengths to you.love you,all very much talk to ya soon.
love
uncle jerry
Just wanted to let you know i just heard about what happen to Chris, I am so sorry. I am truley touched at how brave you all are and how far Chris has come. What an amazing young man you guys have. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Keep taking care of each other.
Wend Prescott
Hey Christopher this is your cousin Alexis. Your progress is wonderful. Grandpa taught me how to put up siding on the house. I love you tons, and miss you tons. I'll write again soon. I love you.
I'm thinking about you Chris. I'm up in Washington and been keeping up with all the good news. I am praying for you. You look so good today! Hang in there.
Vikky.
Chris, and Family,
We are gald to hear and see the great progress that you are making. If anyone can make it through this it's you! Both of us are behind you as for others 110%!! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hang in there buddy! We all miss you around town!
Take care with love kyra and eric!
Earl and Tiff- You are such strong and loving parents with you by his side he can get through anything! Let us know if we can help out in anyway! Take Care!
Hi Chris,
Today is 7/1/08 and from the news on the blog it sounds like you are making remarkable strides in your recovery. I bet that you didn't think that ice could taste that good did ya? I was so glad to hear that you were able to move around a little. Keep up the good work and before you know it you'll be chasing the nurses down the hall in your wheelchair.
Keep your spirits high and your thoughts positive as we are all still praying for you. I rush home from work every day to check to see your recovery and was I surprised today. I know it has to be very uncomfortable for you when they change your dressings but that is when you need to put your mind somewhere else and not think about what is going on around you. Just a suggestion - it has worked for me in the past.
You have a great set of parents and I know that you will have the family support that you need but in case you need something else, just let me know and we'll see that it get's to you.
Take Care - Love and Prayers
Aunt Faye.
hey chris you don't know me, but I met your friend Tommy while i was in Texas. He told me your story and sent me your website and i was heartbroken. Wishing you a speedy recovery all the way from Boston :)
Hi,
Chris, Tiff and Earl. Things are sounding great Chris. Your strength is amazing. Keep up the good work and remember we are always thinking about you. I am walking in July for Breast Cancer but I plan to walk for you as well. God bless you and your family.
Mrs. A
man you were full with good news
:]]
so yeah your just amamzing
i got to say
:]]
man your a little solidier i alwasy new you were though
well your always on my mind !
i think that is a song but
anyways i am glad to here such good news
of cousrse your in my prayers
:]]
Chris, Earl, and Tiff,
What amazing strength and progress you are showing...catch those positive vibes coming from Carlin...think, day by day I am getting better in every way! You are! We think of you all the time and keep praying for you!
Rachel and Gary
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