Some Pictures

Friday, March 16, 2012
9:45PM DST

Nothing really new to report. Cole went through his daily therapies today. Rhonda says he's doing really well and really pushed himself. As part of his physical therapy, he got to ride a tricycle up and down the hallways. Judging from the short video Rhonda sent and the smile on his face, he had a lot of fun. Cole also used a walker today and walked up and down some stairs (not with the walker). Cole also used his right hand a little bit to feed himself. That's a major improvement. Rhonda will be going home tonight to get some much deserved rest. Tom will be gladly be staying with Cole tonight.  Attached are some photos of Cole since he's been in the hospital.

Tom trying to get Cole to use his right hand

A meaningful hug

Physical therapy with Tom leading the way

At CHLA

Falling asleep during speech therapy session

Physical therapy 

Learning to use a walker

Another Day

Wow!!! What a change in Cole. If you see Cole everyday you'll see all the small subtle changes and signs of improvement. But you don't realize the sum of all those improvements until you see him after not seeing him for a few days. That's what happened today when I saw him for the first time since he moved to CHLA. I saw the sum of all those improvements that have occurred over the past few days and wow. It really gives you hope and makes you believe that everything is going to be OK.

Probably the one thing that stands out the most about Cole today is that overall he just looks a lot better. Even though he still sleeps a lot allowing his brain to heal, and still gets tired pretty quickly, he's more alert and responsive when he's awake. He talks more, asks questions, smiles, makes jokes, eats a lot more and is walking a little better. He all but busted out laughing once today when he saw his mom dancing in the room to the tunes of Adele.

Cole underwent a marathon of therapy sessions this morning and then had lunch. He tries very hard during the sessions but usually about half way through gets tired and can't continue. This was demonstrated during the afternoon speech therapy session when Cole abruptly put his chin on the table and closed his eyes as the therapist sat across the table from him. And then later, during the same session, leaned back and put his head on the back of his chair and closed his eyes. Cole had had enough. These 2 episodes sparked laughter from everyone in the room. It was really funny.

Cole is doing better and better everyday but no one is under the illusion that the road to recovery will be anything less than a long one requiring a lot of hard work. Even though the MRI's show that Cole's injuries are severe, the doctor doesn't give them much value and believes that based on his current progress, he'll be walking and running around in the next 6 months. He even ventured a guess that by the end of 2 years, Cole could recover to the point that, even though he might have some issues, it would be difficult for even doctors to know that he had an injury at all. The doctor added that Cole will be at CHLA for the next 4-6 weeks.

Cole finished out the night with dinner, a shower and watching cartoons in bed. Sounds like a normal teenager already.

Smile on His Face

Wednesday, March 14, 2012
9:35PM DST

Cole rested comfortably in his own room throughout the night until about 9:00 this morning when he was served breakfast. Rhonda attributes his restful night to having a comfortable bed to sleep on. But there's no breakfast in bed at this hotel. As part of Cole's therapy, he has to get out of bed and sit in his chair if he wants to eat. And eat he does. Tom keeps telling the staff once Cole regains his appetite, the hospital won't have enough food for him.  Today they realized what Tom was talking about. Cole ate all of his omelet for breakfast, had pizza for lunch and a hamburger and fries for dinner. Cole chooses his meals from a menu kinda like room service. That could be a recipe for disaster.

He's going to need all that food for energy though because tomorrow Cole starts a regiment of physical, occupational and speech therapy. He was given a wheelchair today but was told not to get used to it because he won't need it for very long. And there's no getting out of school either. Cole was evaluated academically and it was determined that he can begin school work tomorrow too. After about a week, Cole's progress will be evaluated in all areas and it will determine how much rehab he will need.

Today, when Cole wasn't resting or being evaluated, he watched a little TV, talked on the phone to his brothers, familiarized himself with an iPad, visited with his cousin Angelie and her boyfriend Joaquin and read the blog.

Rhonda said Cole seemed to be more alert today. His words were clearer and he stayed awake a little longer. When asked what sort of accident he had been in, Cole told the therapist he had been in a motorcycle accident.  He named the days of the week, some of the months and named some fruit. Rhonda  said he still spends a lot of time sleeping because he's exhausted and that he gets tired pretty quick.

Perhaps the most memorable event of the day was when Cole received a poster and card from friend. After looking at it, Cole giggled and had a big smile on his face. :)

Finally On His Way

Tuesday, March13, 2010

3:30 PM DST

After getting an MRI this morning and eating a little lunch this afternoon (he's on a regular diet now), Cole is finally on his way to Children's Hospital in a medical transport vehicle with momma following in her vehicle. Once they arrive, Rhonda expects to just settle in for the evening and then begin Cole's rehab program tomorrow. Rhonda plans on sleeping at the hospital for the next couple of nights until Cole gets settled in and then maybe staying at a nearby friends house or using the Ronald McDonald facilities after that.

Going to Hollywood

Monday, March 12, 2012

5:00 PM DST

Well it’s been another monumental day for Cole. Today he was wheeled out of his room to the PT room where he performed more mental and physical exercises, which included multi-tasking. He’s doing so well that he’s being released from Loma Linda tomorrow, transported by ground (sorry Cole no helicopter ride this time) to Los Angeles and admitted into Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where he will undergo more intense physical, occupational and speech therapy. He’ll be in therapy sessions from 9am-4pm several times a week.

Cole hasn’t eaten all day because he’s been waiting to have an MRI. He told his mom all he wants to do is eat and have a shower. Cole is getting more talkative and able to carry on more of a conversation. He had a conversation with Grant about the RC car he’s getting and about the new racetrack in the backyard. Cole is very excited about it. He also talked to Aunt Andrea on the phone told her he loved her and   wanted her to come visit him again.

Just a reminder, if you want to make a comment on any of the posts, you will have to open a Google Account. The directions are on the Sunday March 11 1030 post. 

Sunday, March 11, 2012

10:30 PM DST

Cole had PT a little late today, which started with the therapist asking him a series of questions. The therapist pointed to Tom and asked who he was. In a quiet sort of raspy voice, Cole said "My Dad". The therapist then pointed to Rhonda and asked Cole who she was. In the same voice Cole replied "My momma". Cole even told the therapist their names. Next Cole was asked the names of his brothers. He very confidentially recited all their names. When asked if he had fun with his brothers Cole said "No." (what would you expect from the youngest of 4 boys). Cole was also able to tell the therapist he lived Apple Valley. 

Next was the walkabout. Today Cole would set a record.  Being supported in the upright walking position by the therapist, Cole slowly shuffled his feet forward as he exited his room. Left then right then left then right. He was followed by Rhonda and Grandpa Dick who joyously looked on like parents watching their infant taking steps for the first time.

Occasionally Cole got off balance because he was in a hurry so the therapist slowed him down or stopped him. With Tom a few feet in front of Cole walking backwards blazing the trail repeating "Look at me Cole, look at me.", Cole worked hard as he shuffled out of his room, all the way around the nurses station and to the entrance of the corridor where Uncle Jay and Aunt Sheree were watching and waiting. From there, Cole was rewarded for his hard work by getting to sit in a wheelchair and being wheeled down the corridor to a large window which over looked the front of the hospital and the mountains. Prior to arriving at the window, the therapist asked who I was. He replied in the same quiet raspy voice "My Uncle Jay." Then the therapist asked who Sheree was and he replied "My Aunt Sheree" After standing up from the wheelchair and looking out the window for a few minutes, the therapist pointed to Grandpa Dick and asked Cole who he was. Cole replied "My Grandpa". Cole was totally exhausted by this time and was wheeled back into his room for a well deserved  rest.

It was pretty impressive!

I've been told that some people are having difficulty posting comments on the blog. I found out that you have to open a google account in order to post a comment. Here's how you do it. It's really really easy and it doesn't cost anything.

1. Go to the website-www.colestheman.blogspot.com

2. Select the post from the right column of posts that you wish to comment on

3. Enter your comment in the comment block

4. Click "Select Profile"- if you don't already have an existing Google Account you will have to open one. It's really really easy.

5. To open a Google Account Click "Google Account" after you click "Select File"

6. Click Publish.

7. You will be taken to the Google Account screen. 

8. Click the "Sign Up" icon in the upper right corner and follow the directions. 

9. After completing the Sign Up page (it's really easy and doesn't take long) your comment should be published. 

Sunday, March 11, 2012

1:30 PM DST-Just a quick update on Cole. Last night when his brothers arrived in Cole's room, Cole obviously was excited to see them and was very alert.  During the visit with his brothers, Cole spoke on two occasions. Once was when Stieler asked him if he could see him, Cole answered "yah". The other time was when Cole was standing up hugging Garrett. Cole told Garrett that he loved him. When Garrett and Stieler showed Cole a video of the RC track they built in the backyard for him (someone donated a RC car for Cole), he cried. This morning when a friend visited Cole, Cole recognized him and was able to say his name and say hi and goodbye.

Cole continues to make small subtle improvements everyday, in everything he does. He seems to understand when spoken to but only occasionally responds or initiates speech--and this really has only occurred in the last couple of days. During PT he needs a lot of assistance from the therapist and seems more alert when he's on his walks. He still is not able move the right side of his body very much and although the neurologists thinks that Cole can make a good recovery, everyone recognizes that it will be a long and difficult process.

For Tom, Rhonda and his brothers, it continues to be one day at a time. Cole will remain at Loma Linda until he can eat on his own and actively participate in PT for at least 3 hours. It's unknown how long it will take for this to happen.

As always, thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!