December 27, 2002
Dear Friends and Family;
Noah has had a rough week. The injury remains the same but complications from the paralysis have made him miserable. Basically he is totally blocked up. This leads to nausea, spasms in his legs, and nerve pain. There is also evidence to suggest he has a mild flu. He has eaten little and been bedridden for the last 4 days.
Yesterday, his appetite returned but his weekly conference had to occur in his room. The staff pretty much informed us that these problems are typical in the first 2-3 weeks of rehab, especially in patients who come to them soon after their injury. Other than extending Noah’s discharge to approximately 6 weeks from yesterday, there was no further assessment made.
Christmas Day Noah bottomed out. There have been just too many little miseries one on top of another. His appetite did return on Thursday and he had many visitors. He still did not tolerate being upright but was cheerful and delighted to have no less than 6 girlfriends watching him eat a burrito!
Meanwhile the nurses are coming and going, poking and prodding him at every end. It is fortunate he is an actor and can tolerate lots of attention and exposure. In spite of his inability to do vigorous therapies he is working hard on the little things like feeding himself and his handwriting. His determination is strong and his spirits are good when the persistent nausea subsides.
Noah has a good roommate named Lee who keeps things lighthearted with an endless stream of one-liners. Both Lee and Noah are conspiring to hide their Metamucil but the nurses are on to them.
I hope to have a true progress report next week.
John
