October 18

“I haven’t been outside for 8 weeks!” the scruffy bearded man walked slowly down Madison Ave, step by step finding each one a new step as a new man in a new world in New York. It’s a lovely October day, breezy, warm, and sunny.

Brian and Emily are upstairs in Mount Sinai, working hard towards recovery. It’s been quite a day! This morning Emily was whisked away to an OB/GYN appointment, one that her psychologist was able to get for her immediately. A good thing, we were having a little trouble getting one before. But certainly an experience! In order to get looked at immediately, they got her an appointment in the emergency OB section; so the doctors thought there was some dire emergency. She was hurried into the appointment; furiously asked questions met the confused stare of the attendants when they realized she just wanted a routine checkup- kind of. Once the doctors heard Emily’s situation, the immediately got her check up, and spread the story. She got lots of visits from nurses and doctors, many in tears who came to pray for her and read encouragements to her. Of course this is all quite an experience but the best is yet to come…. During the actual check up (in a room with a curtain separating other patients) another woman was wheeled in and gave birth to twins in the bed beside Emily. HA! Not exactly what you would expect from your routine appointment!

Good news from the appointment though, the baby is doing great and she is not under stress though the mother is. She is healthy and right on track.

It is really interesting to see this group of spinal cord patients in rehab. They do have camaraderie, each with their own heart-wrenching stories of why they are also spending a good long time in spinal rehab. There are so many individuals stories, so many who have had to seriously take a good look at their lives; who they are really inside, and what they choose each day. The group watched a movie today, called “Murder ball,” a documentary film about a quadriplegic sports team and the stories of all the team members. It was interesting to see and especially touching, as each story unfolded and we got glimpses of what the lives of such people are- what its like to come home and to start over. Brian was particularly touched by the story of a man who was also in a dirt bike accident, and the challenges of coming home and seeing the bike and the old house he used to live in, the challenge of knowing that nothing is ever going to be the same. Yet, it was a story of hope, and the embracing of a new life. The secret, one that we saw with individual after individual is the choice to embrace life, and to continue to walk in hope. This is something that Brian has chosen, and chooses each day.

From the perspective of one who has just met Brian days ago, I am touched by the sheer sweetness of his spirit, and the gratitude he has for each moment of his life and each person that comes in. He has chosen the path of thankfulness, and that is a path of refreshment and life. A soft “thank you” comes from his lips each time someone comes to serve him, and gentleness towards this crazy New York life that warms the hearts of many that come in his path.

Progress:
Brian is working hard in rehab, especially on the upper extremities. He comes back from each session very sore, but with determination to work as hard as possible. There has been a buildup of fluid in his lungs that Emily suctions out. Two nights ago was a particularly rough night, up frequently to clear his passage. The doctors ordered X-rays and will be looked at ASAP. Though there is concern that pneumonia might return, it seems likely that right now because of his sitting position and lack of muscle in the abdomen, the lungs aren’t able to fully expand causing the bottom part of the tissue to be compressed. The doctors who came in are hoping to change his trache, putting one in that won’t cause as much irritation in the throat and helping keep the fluid levels down.

Some condition, perhaps a reaction to medication or nerve reaction has caused a rash to break out on Brian’s face and body. Right now we are working on various different medications to cure it. Not sure what the cause is specifically and not wanting to take a medication (like Benedril) which seemed to be the cause of slowing down his heart rate too much during the night.

Emily: God bless her. She is at Brian’s side constantly. Although I was able to convince her to go out the other day and fed Brian myself. Both laughed, considering that I had just met him and was feeding him already. Em and I went for walk in Central Park yesterday, a mere block away. The view of the skyline that we can see from a reservoir is really amazing. It was good to get outside and have a chance to talk and get some fresh air. (YES, believe it or not, this fall is absolutely beautiful here!) The park is quite an experience: horses trotting along, school teams playing soccer and ladies in pick parkas walking miniature dog triplets also wearing matching pink parkas with glittering collars. What a sight!

We are taking each day as it comes, seeing what the needs are of the day and figuring out what is the best thing to do.

PRAY:

For good rest for Brian and Emily

A solution for the rash on his face

Good spirits and continued hope

Progress in Rehab

Good care for Emily and the baby

Thanksgiving
There are many who have been praying and supporting this couple. Emily was overwhelmed to hear that one of her distant cousins put on a benefit concern with his band in Norwood- THANK YOU. The support, love, prayers and concern of many is really wonderful.
Katie has been able to stay with a wonderful family across the street. Thank you Graham, Rebecca and little Elizabeth. (Katie) had dinner with a bunch of people from their Church last night and more are praying for the couple and surrounding them. It's been much more than "coincidence" that has happened. We are certainly being carried on the wings of prayer!

NOTICE:

Brian’s birthday is this Friday. Please send cards or emails. Either post them on this site or you can send them to me kaile79@hotmail.com and I’ll get them to him.

Mount Sinai Hospital
1415 Madison Ave
KCC 2 South Room 210
Brian Keddy
New York, NY 10029

Also, if you have stories, pictures, updates or other things that you think would be a good addition to this blog, please send them to me! I feel like this is more than just one person's story and perspective, it would be great to expand all our views of what this has been for many. Thanks
-katie