I just realized I need to update everyone on "the kid"! Ok, I tell a lie, I realized it last week, but last week was crazy, so I put it off until now.
Brian had a little seizure last Sunday, August 8th. He was running a fever, and his temperature spiked really quickly, causing him to have a "febrile" seizure. That just means it was temperature related. With a brain injury, it's important to avoid fever, so we'll know the next time! Poor Jonathan was driving Brian at the time, and he got a really bad scare, but they're both doing well now!
Brian spent a couple of hours in the Emergency Room, but was released once they figured out he had a mild chest infection. From what I hear, he was quiet the "pepper" in there, so I'm sure they were only too happy to release him! Shane was brave enough to call me and tell me what happened. You know when the conversation starts with a full disclosure - "everything is fine now, but Brian spent the last couple of hours in the ER", that your day is completely turned upside down. I always say to my family; "I'm just a day way, if I have to come home". Look, if you're not within 10 minutes of where you want to be in an emergency situation, you're just too far away.
Several weeks ago, Brian went to Dun Laoghaire (a little outside Dublin), to be evaluated for intense rehabilitation. The facility is where Brian would have gone, had his attack occurred in Ireland. They were really pleased with his rehab in Limerick, so basically turned him down as an in-patient. It was neither good, nor bad news, just a little disappointing. Then, Friday, my parents received a letter from Dun Laoghaire, telling them that "Brian was accepted to their in-patient rehabilitation facility", and that they should have him there by Monday (yesterday). Talk about roller coasters of emotion!
If there's one thing that Brian is, it's determined. Hard work never scared Brian. He could turn his hand at anything, and if something needed to get done, Brian would always figure out a way to do it. So, this opportunity is a fantastic one. He will be kept busy from one end of the day to the next with all types of therapies. We're thrilled, but a little apprehensive at the same time. Right now, Brian is only 20 minutes from family, at any given moment. Dun Laoghaire is 2 hours away. Fortunately, we have friends who don't live too far from where he'll be, so he'll be kept busy. From everything we hear, he'll be in bed early, and asleep early, due to all the workouts! Maybe he'll stop calling me at 6, 7, 8am (that's 12, 1, 2am US time) for a "chat". When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it's enough to scare 10lbs off your body. And you can't pretend to be anything less than thrilled. One night, he had me singing "Wild Thing" at 2am. I hope the neighbors didn't hear it!
By now, most of you know that we've pretty much settled on China for Brian's Stem Cell Treatment. We've researched all the options, and the facility in China is where we're heading. The facility comes highly recommended by a several people. The facility has been written about in the well respected Medical Journals, so we're confident this is the right place for him to go. Of course, there are no guarantees, but we're going to try everything we can. You can keep an "eye" on Brian through his blog at
http://helpbrian.blogspot.com for additional updates too. Please feel free to pass this update to anyone and everyone. Awareness is key, and every contribution, no matter how small, is fantastic.
I'm not sure of all the visiting times, but I know that during the week, they start at 6pm, and go to 9pm. Brian gets tired in the evenings, so if he falls asleep on you, don't be offended! It'll be your chance to "escape", and visit again! The weekends are more open, but I'm not too sure of the times. I couldn't find them on the website, but you can call the facility if you'd like to know for sure.
If you'd like to send Brian a card or letter, you can send it to the following address:
National Rehabilitation Hospital,
Rochestown Avenue,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin,
Ireland.
Brian would absolutely love to hear from you. "Fan mail" has slowed down, but now that he's away from home, this is your chance to send him a little encouragement! Thanks in advance!
We're not done with our fundraising, of course. We would love to hear your ideas, if you've had success with fundraising in the past. If you have any ideas, shoot them my way.
Thanks to every single one of you for your love and support. The first year was tough, and we're hoping it was the toughest, but we don't know what's around the corner for "the kid"!
I promise I will send another update soon.
Much love to all our friends & family, old and new!
Hogan Family xx
