Update #12
I just returned home from visiting Adam in his new room in the Neuroscience Observation & Assessment unit (NOA). Yes, he has been moved out of the ICU and we look forward to working with this new team of medical professionals as they care for and evaluate Adam.
Adam spent a relatively quiet sleepy week - a sloooooow week in making forward gains. He did not begin eating on his own so a feeding tube was reinstalled. He had fluid build up in his head this past week (hydrocephalus) which made him relatively unresponsive so they put a drain plug back in also. They administered a broad spectrum antibiotic to combat a variety of potential infections.
Adam's response has improved as a consequence of these actions. I expect this will be a week of getting Adam back on track to resume responsibility for dietary functions - he could use some of the weight back, and regaining verbal responsiveness. I guess some forward and some backward or some good days and some not so good days is what seems to be the case - isn't that just the way for most of us!
Thanks for being there and caring - it helps us all.
Update # 11
He was helped to his feet to walk a few steps and he took a tour of the ICU in a wheel chair to find the new bed - he chose one with a nice window view - he liked the tree! He had some funny and interesting thoughts on his whereabouts - for example, he thought he was in a boxing ring - maybe connected to us saying things like "you can fight this Adam" or "your strong and can fight this" anyway, some comic relief in this situation was helpful for us. He has shown remarkable progress and it appears he should be functioning stably on his own within days. Then the assessment period begins. Thanks to all for your continuing support, we will continue to send periodic updates.
Requests for donations to make adam awesome (again) funds:
With the incredible news that Adam is doing so well, some thought has turned to his recovery. While the process of recovering will be long and testing. Adam will need treatment and physiotherapy which the government does not cover. We make a plea to you his friends to help him out.
A fund has been set up online for anybody willing to help out Adam and his family to cover the costs of his recovery. The entire amount will go directly to Adam and his family for his recovery costs and any amount would be very much appreciated.
You can donate by going to the following link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R4SEXTVK2WTZS
Please forward this link to anyone else who may have known Adam and would be willing to donate.
There is also talk of having a fundraiser for Adam here in Ottawa if you have any thoughts or ideas please could you forward them to Alex Reshitnyk.
Update #10
Dr Sinclair the neurosurgeon informed us Adam had a bad reaction to the haldol. As a result he is still spaced out. The surgeon feels confident that" Adam" will be back 100% as soon as the drugs wear off. The rehab needs will involve muscle strength.
He will be moved to NOU as soon as a bed is available. The assessment will be done there.
All the positive thoughts and prayers came through!
Love Tracey
Update #9
Hi its Adam's Dad. Adam is operating on his own without support systems today and his nurse says the drugs are wearing off. He is returning to a state of consciousness and I look forward to seeing him today. We'll keep you informed of material change. Thanks for all the love and support!
Update #8
So this is the latest and greatest on Adam.
He is not really resting comfortably anymore, he's absolutely spaced out! It will be a while before the drugs leave his system. He spent most of yesterday trying to pull out his feeding tube. He succeeded in the middle of the night, mission accomplished. He seemed more settled, he knows us, responds, was even asking for his phone! We are in the "re orientation" phase. It may take a few days. As a family we are extremely grateful for all the love and support from everyone. Thank you
Update #7
The wheels have been set in motion to step down the drugs and bring him to consciousness. All the test thus far have come back great. Things are looking good. We will update tomorrow when he's up.
Update #6
This morning Adam went for a catscan.. the doctor wants to continue monitoring adams brain.thus far, the findings have been remarkable -good and stable.Adam is still sedated and resting.He continues to respond to doctors instructions such as grip my hand,open eyes,stick out tongue is there pain and any other requests.While he has seen us and heard us we are not sure how much he is digesting and retaining.We tell him why he is there and where he is and that they have fixed the problem and right now he needs rest.We hope to see medical surgeon and ICU doctor today for an update.We are anxious and hopeful we will recieve good news!Thank you all for your love and support!
Update #5
10 am: Adam is now awake. Earlier he removed breathing tube himself. The Dr. was not concerned, the "decision was made for them". Still somewhat sedated but aware.
Adam, Casey, Daniel, Ken and I thank everyone for your love and support. It makes a HUGE difference!
We will keep you informed of Adam's progress.
Love Tracey
Update #4
It is 6am and I am sitting with Adam. He is sleeping peacefully
now...although the sleeping Bear got away last night and pulled out his feeding tube...he is restrained now. He wakes easily..
Please send all your positive energy this way as Adam will need it today.
They are planning, if all things remain equal, to remove the breathing tube and wake him up today. The Drs say recovery so far has been excellent and ahead of schedule. Being young and healthy helps.
Update #3:
Note from the family:
Hi its Adam's dad. We (his mothers, sister brothers and myself) Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Adam is resting quiet today in preparation for removal of breathing apparatus perhaps as early as Monday. This will be his next challange to resume control over his body. During this process we will be better able to see how he is - we all are hoping there has been no long term effects. I'm sure however he will be needing your help and support in the days, months ahead & I look forward to meeting many of you at that time.
Update #2:
Adam made it though the night it's been a good 24 hours. He's still not out of the woods yet but its looking good. For people wishing to send cards please send them to:
29 Pelee St
K2M 2V5
Ottawa, On
Remember no flowers.
An event was created on FB those who wish to follow his progress please join. If you can't join msg Me or Jay Lyon. His phone will be off for the next little while. If you wish to leave him a message please leave it on facebook he will be able to read them once he's back on his feet.
Update #1:
On Thursday, November 18, 2010, in the evening, Adam collapsed at the gym and was rushed to the Ottawa Civic Hospital. The Doctors in Emergency thought he suffered a brain aneurysm and he was bleeding into his brain. This was confirmed by Dr. Sinclair, a Neurosurgeon after he reviewed the two cat scans. We were told that Adam was a bit responsive and likely knew we were there. We gathered around his bed for the laying of the hands and prayer for safety and strength. The Surgeon placed a tube in his brain to drain the fluid and after that he did get a “thumbs up” response and a hand squeeze during his testing and so that was good sign.Ken and Tracey made the monumental decision to allow Adam to have brain surgery on Friday November 19, 2010. There was no choice. The Neurosurgeon performed the surgery with his team at 8:00 am and was finished around 3:30 pm. He came and spoke to the family after the surgery and told us of the following successes:
1. He removed a large clot from Adam’s brain ½ to 1/3 of the cerebellum in size.
2. He found the problem that caused the bleeding and it was an
ArterioVenous Malformation (AVM). He fixed the part that had hemorrhaged.
3. He had the bleeding stopped and under control.
His brain will respond to the surgery by swelling and therefore the next 72
hours are extremely critical. For now Adam is not allowed to have visitors
other than his immediate family. We will inform you as it changes. The
Neurosurgeon has told us the brain is already swollen (expected), but the
removal of the clot and some bone will give room for the brain to expand
over the next couple of days. They will use all of their techniques to
combat the swelling during this time. They will send him for a CAT Scan tonight to get a new baseline after today’s surgery. Sunday or Monday they will attempt to bring him out of sedation to see how well the body handles this. If things go well they will move forward on the awakening and if not they will sedate again and allow the body more rest.
They will perform a Catheter Angiogram on Monday to see if the AVM is gone completely. So far the Neurosurgeon believes that it is gone.
Now what are the good things in his favour:
1. He just moved back to Ottawa and is near his family.
2. There was a Doctor on site at the Gym that worked at the Civic. He
made sure the ambulance did not go the QC Hospital first and then transfer him. He sent them straight to the Civic where he needed to be.
3. He is young and has a strong body.
4. The 3 successes he had in surgery today.
5. He has an awesome set of family and friends who are praying for him.
So how can we all help? Please give Ken and Tracey your support by not
sending flowers. Phone messages and emails add up quickly and they are too exhausted to answer them at the moment. Please join us by sending these updates out to all those who love Adam. For those of you who are allowed to see him, please be aware of the dangers of infection and use the masks available to us. We will keep you posted on any ways that you can be of help as we do understand the need to be involved in the successes. For now what the family needs most is your prayers and healing thoughts. With lotsa love always,
Adam’s Auntie Bert
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