What a wonderful Thanksgiving. Today, we want to express what we are thankful for. First and foremost, Marty's health and amazing recovery. Secondly, we are thankful for our families, for we would be nowhere without their love and support. We are also thankful for the community of Mannford and all our friends.
Marty is doing amazingly well. His physical therapists tell us every day how much improvement he is making. He talks all the time now and his memory is mostly intact. His reasoning skills are very sharp and he rarely gets confused or forgetful. For anyone not familiar with a brain injury, this is remarkable, especially in the 8 week time frame.
He is very quickly moving towards his in-house rehab program, and everyone is hopeful he will be home by Christmas.
Thanks to everyone for the continuing prayers, support and love.
The Smiths
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, November 19th
Marty was out of bed today and in a wheelchair for over 1 1/2 hours. He is doing fantastic with his physical therapy. He is getting stronger every day and his right side is responding well to the exercise.
All of the Smith, Smith and Remington families want to express their thanks during this Thanksgiving season. Without family and friends like all of you, this would have been such a harder ordeal than it has been. We will have so much to be thankful this year and want to send out our good wishes to everyone.
Brian, Rhonda, Matt, Michael and Marty Smith
All of the Smith, Smith and Remington families want to express their thanks during this Thanksgiving season. Without family and friends like all of you, this would have been such a harder ordeal than it has been. We will have so much to be thankful this year and want to send out our good wishes to everyone.
Brian, Rhonda, Matt, Michael and Marty Smith
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 18th
Marty is making huge steps towards real physical rehab. They have been coming by twice a day now. They have gotten him to stand by himself, with no one holding his arms for balance, for 4 minutes before he gets tired out. He also took a step by himself.
They took off the vent and took out the trach. They have replaced it with a much smaller trach that can be capped off so he can speak. The speech therapist got him to say “Hi” yesterday. It is just a whisper at this point, but that is a huge step.
His motor coordination is improving rapidly. He was able to write his name on a sheet of paper. It is squiggly, but it says “Marty”. He is now able to raise his right arm to his shoulder height. He still can’t grasp anything in his right hand, but this is great progress.
The therapist has asked that they bring Marty’s shoes up so they can get them on his feet for therapy. They want to get him used to wearing shoes again in preparation for getting him walking.
The neurologist and therapists are going to begin meeting every Weds. afternoon to assess his condition so they can determine when he will be able to go to the in house rehab.
They are going to put the bone flap back in place the week after Thanksgiving.
Please keep saying prayers for Marty. He is healing rapidly, but still has a long way to go.
Also, PLEASE do not come visit Marty if you are ill. It would be devastating to his recovery for him to catch anything at this point. If you are ill, please either call the family or leave a post on this site. Rhonda and Brian are passing along any messages or well wishes to Marty.
Thanks to everyone for everything!
The Smiths
They took off the vent and took out the trach. They have replaced it with a much smaller trach that can be capped off so he can speak. The speech therapist got him to say “Hi” yesterday. It is just a whisper at this point, but that is a huge step.
His motor coordination is improving rapidly. He was able to write his name on a sheet of paper. It is squiggly, but it says “Marty”. He is now able to raise his right arm to his shoulder height. He still can’t grasp anything in his right hand, but this is great progress.
The therapist has asked that they bring Marty’s shoes up so they can get them on his feet for therapy. They want to get him used to wearing shoes again in preparation for getting him walking.
The neurologist and therapists are going to begin meeting every Weds. afternoon to assess his condition so they can determine when he will be able to go to the in house rehab.
They are going to put the bone flap back in place the week after Thanksgiving.
Please keep saying prayers for Marty. He is healing rapidly, but still has a long way to go.
Also, PLEASE do not come visit Marty if you are ill. It would be devastating to his recovery for him to catch anything at this point. If you are ill, please either call the family or leave a post on this site. Rhonda and Brian are passing along any messages or well wishes to Marty.
Thanks to everyone for everything!
The Smiths
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thursday, November 12th
Marty is doing so much better today. They are really getting in to the physical therapy now and getting him upright and excercising every day more and more. He is starting to get his strength back into his arms and legs again. His motion on his right side is improving daily.
They have moved him to a private room now which is very small, so please be aware of this when you visit. Now that Marty is more aware of his surroundings, he will enjoy the visits more, but still gets tired out very easily.
Please keep Marty and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you!
They have moved him to a private room now which is very small, so please be aware of this when you visit. Now that Marty is more aware of his surroundings, he will enjoy the visits more, but still gets tired out very easily.
Please keep Marty and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you!
Thursday, November 12
Marty is now settled into his new room and ready to get really started on his healing process. He will be in this room until he goes into the rehab center.
They are hopeful that he will have vision in his right eye, but won't be able to be sure until he gets the trach out and can talk to them. Keep saying prayers for this last miracle.
So far, Marty has responded correctly to every command given by the doctors and nurses. His spirit is good and he is more aware of his surroundings every day.
There is no doubt that the prayers and love that have been given by all of you have helped heal Marty and his family will be eternally grateful to have such wonderful family and friends.
The Smiths
They are hopeful that he will have vision in his right eye, but won't be able to be sure until he gets the trach out and can talk to them. Keep saying prayers for this last miracle.
So far, Marty has responded correctly to every command given by the doctors and nurses. His spirit is good and he is more aware of his surroundings every day.
There is no doubt that the prayers and love that have been given by all of you have helped heal Marty and his family will be eternally grateful to have such wonderful family and friends.
The Smiths
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 10th
Another Red Letter Day for Marty! He is being moved to the Long Term Care Unit in the morning. He is also off the vent, which is so wonderful. The next step is to get the trach out so he can speak.
Even though he is blazing through all the phases of healing, he is still a long way from being ready to leave the hospital/rehab. Please keep praying for him to get his strength back quickly and heal completely. Also, please keep praying for Brian, and especially, Rhonda. Rhonda has only been away from the hospital a hand full of days since Marty's accident, almost 6 weeks ago. She is holding up like a champ and we are all so proud of her, but she is getting tired of hospital food and atmosphere. Please keep giving her the encouragement she needs to finish this marathon race.
Thanks to everyone!
The Smith, Smith and Remington families
Even though he is blazing through all the phases of healing, he is still a long way from being ready to leave the hospital/rehab. Please keep praying for him to get his strength back quickly and heal completely. Also, please keep praying for Brian, and especially, Rhonda. Rhonda has only been away from the hospital a hand full of days since Marty's accident, almost 6 weeks ago. She is holding up like a champ and we are all so proud of her, but she is getting tired of hospital food and atmosphere. Please keep giving her the encouragement she needs to finish this marathon race.
Thanks to everyone!
The Smith, Smith and Remington families
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday, November 7
Marty is having a great day today. He has been sitting in a chair all afternoon and watched the OSU game. He is progressing well with his physical therapy.
More important, he is responding to questions. He is blinking his eyes to respond to questions.
His friends came to visit today, and he ended the visit by blowing them a kiss. He has truly turned the corner on the road to recovery.
He still tires out very easily and can be overwhelmed by noise and activity, so the hospital has requested that no more than two visitors at a time and when you visit, no more than one person speaking to him at a time.
The Smith and Remington families want to thank everyone for their prayers and help during this difficult time.
More important, he is responding to questions. He is blinking his eyes to respond to questions.
His friends came to visit today, and he ended the visit by blowing them a kiss. He has truly turned the corner on the road to recovery.
He still tires out very easily and can be overwhelmed by noise and activity, so the hospital has requested that no more than two visitors at a time and when you visit, no more than one person speaking to him at a time.
The Smith and Remington families want to thank everyone for their prayers and help during this difficult time.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, November 6
Marty is settling down well in his new room and new physical therapy regime. He still gets very tired out and sleeps alot, but he is making progress.
The hospital has asked that there only be 2 visitors at a time for now, so if you want to see him, please keep that in mind. He still gets overwhelmed by noise and activity, so the quieter they can keep him for now the better.
Thanks to all,
The Smiths
The hospital has asked that there only be 2 visitors at a time for now, so if you want to see him, please keep that in mind. He still gets overwhelmed by noise and activity, so the quieter they can keep him for now the better.
Thanks to all,
The Smiths
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday, November 5
Marty was moved to his new room last night This is an exciting step towards his recovery.
He still has a long road ahead of him, but it is wonderful to be through the first phase of his recovery.
The Smiths
He still has a long road ahead of him, but it is wonderful to be through the first phase of his recovery.
The Smiths
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday, November 4
RED LETTER DAY!!! They just told Rhonda they will be moving Marty to the Step Down Unit as soon as they get a bed ready for him! They are trying to accomplish this today.
He has been off the ventilator since 3:00 yesterday. He went for a CT Scan this morning and they are very pleased with his results. He has been doing so good, they feel he is ready to go to the next phase of recovery.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone that has been praying for Marty and following his progress. The family can't tell you how much this means to them.
The Smiths
He has been off the ventilator since 3:00 yesterday. He went for a CT Scan this morning and they are very pleased with his results. He has been doing so good, they feel he is ready to go to the next phase of recovery.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone that has been praying for Marty and following his progress. The family can't tell you how much this means to them.
The Smiths
Wednesday, November 4
Great news! Marty was able to get off the ventilator for a couple of hours yesterday and sit in a recliner. They are going to slowly wean him off the ventilator until he can do without it completely. They are hoping he will be able to move out of ICU sometime this week or early next week.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers!
Thanks to everyone for their prayers!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, November 2
God is truly wonderful! Your prayers have been heard, and Marty has been healed. They removed his chest tube today and during therapy, he actually stood on his feet for a few seconds with the help of the therapists. The doctors, nurses and therapists are delighted with his progress.
He still gets worn out easily and has spent alot of his time sleeping. They are trying to build his strength up slowly and carefully, so he won't be skipping down the hall anytime soon but remember, slow and steady will win this race!
God in his infinite wisdom and mercy has heard our prayers. Please continue praying for Marty through the next phase of his recovery. The next hurdle is to get him well enough to go to the Step Down Unit.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers and love.
The Smith Family
He still gets worn out easily and has spent alot of his time sleeping. They are trying to build his strength up slowly and carefully, so he won't be skipping down the hall anytime soon but remember, slow and steady will win this race!
God in his infinite wisdom and mercy has heard our prayers. Please continue praying for Marty through the next phase of his recovery. The next hurdle is to get him well enough to go to the Step Down Unit.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers and love.
The Smith Family
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