Tuesday, January 13th

Johnny had an awesome day today but almost managed to get himself into ALOT of trouble. Apparently when the doctors go into the room in the mornings Johnny ignores them and does NOTHING they ask him to do (follow commands, blink his eyes, squeeze their hands, etc.). This is very common as a patient awakes from such an injury. They are confused and respond only to familiar voices versus a stranger's voice. So, at the morning visit the doctors approached Tonya and Johnny's family about a more permanent treatment option to the ventilator called a tracheostomy. The doctors said that since he was still not following commands that they would need to perform a tracheostomy on Johnny to help facilitate in his progress. Knowing that Johnny had been responding to their commands, his family asked the doctors to come watch as they prompt him to respond. The doctors agreed and came to his bedside to assist in initiating a response. Sure enough... Johnny responded! He opened his eyes to his name, squeezed his brother's hand when asked to and even nodded his head at times to certain questions requarding his sweet baby girl. The doctor was amazed and extremely happy to what he had witnessed. They were so impressed with this milestone in his recovery that they said that there is now a possiblity that tomorrow they would take his tubes out and let Johnny breath on his own. What a fighter!!!!

This is huge step in his progress. Once Johnny comes off the ventilator he will be able to better express himself by verbalizing his needs and it should cut down on his agitation.

Everyone say a special prayer tonight that Johnny continues to follow the lead of the doctors and fight the fight! We know you can do it Johnny! We can't wait to hear that wonderful voice of yours. Addy asks everyday when she can talk to her daddy and we pray tonight that that day will be very soon!