News on Thomas Shibler

Thomas was moved from Trauma ICU to the Trauma Transitional Unit. He's in a room with three other people. There are two nurses in the room at all times.

Yesterday, he had the oxygen tube just near his nose, but now he's all on his own.

He was sleepy yesterday. He may have been up all night fighting with the nurses, trying to get out of bed etc. They had to explain that he couldn't get up until he had a helmet. Of course, he didn't understand anything. They were brushing his teeth, and he informed them that they were doing it wrong.

He's talking, although most of the time it's about nothing and you can hardly understand him. Sometimes he speaks clearly and answer questions. Sometimes we can tell what he's talking about, but he'll mix in different stories and years. He can be funny too! He tries to sit up and we say "Thomas, what are you doing?"

"I'm getting out of the bed."
"No, you can't get up."
"Why not?"
"Because you might fall and hit your head."
"No I won't. I won't hit it hard."
"Yes, you will. You can't get up."
"Yes, I can, just watch. I'm experienced at this."

We kind of chuckle, but then convince him to lay back down.

He's still slow with his left side, but he can move it.

It's sure going to be a long haul, but signs are positive. One day at a time.

He was measured for his helmet already, and it should ready tomorrow morning. Once he gets the helmet, therapy begins. He will have a therapist for walking, talking, swallowing etc.

Tomorrow, if he's swallowing, and learning to chew properly, they might start him on solids.

Right now, it's a liquid diet. We were feeding him jello and soup today. Even getting him to suck out of a straw for his juice was tricky. The juice would go up and down till he finally got it. Yesterday, I guess he was blowing in the straw instead of sucking.

He still thinks he's in high school. And he recognizes some people, but not others.

When his cousin Gabriel Shibler walked in, Thomas lit up and smiled. It was very encouraging to see him light up. He knew Gabriel's name too.

But then, he knew his sister Louise's name yesterday, yet today, kind of comically, he knew she was a Shibler, but said "No. That's not Louise." Later we asked who she was, and he said "Louise".

We hope that with time, perseverance and prayer, he'll come back to normal.

Thank you for the prayers and support. God bless you!