Pics of Justin

Justin's new room

Big progress!

I am so so sorry that it's been so long!  We have been super busy at our house with work and canning, and hanging out with Justin's sisters Bethany and Natalie.  We have really enjoyed having our cute nieces here and hope that it helps Karen and Darren be able to give their all to Justin.  In the meantime, Justin has worked so hard!  He has his ICP monitor out, and the breathing tube is out as well!  He has moved to his new room in the neuro unit and is doing physical therapy and speech therapy every day.

Justin and Karen went to church at the hospital last Sunday.  Justin gave people high fives, and reached for the bread on the sacrament tray!  He is able to drink thickened liquids, but he does still need his feeding tube at this point.  His speech is limited, but he can say a few words now, and seems to understand the things that people say to him.  He can throw a ball, and is learning how to walk again.  Karen says he seems to comprehend things that he reads, so we are all excited by how much progress he has made in the last couple of weeks.  Keep him in your prayers!  Here are a few pictures just for fun!

Justin's nifty bathtub, his new wheels, and a gorgeous pair of bright eyes!

Better Days

Well, our Justin is proving you can't keep a good kid down for long!  The doctors have taken out the ICP monitor and are letting him wake up a little.  He opens his eyes and seems to know his mom.  He even grabbed the breathing tube with his left hand.  Thankfully, nurse Cody was there to keep Justin from pulling it out.  Justin wiggles his toes and opens his eyes a little.  We are all so glad to see those baby blues!  He even had some special company:

#PrayersForJustin

Justin's big sis Ashley had bracelets made so that everyone can show their support for him, and to use as a fundraiser to help with medical expenses.  If you are interested in donating for a bracelet, please email me elizabeth.ericksen@yahoo.com

Days of Waiting

So, Tuesday and Wednesday were very hard days on Justin and his family, watching his ICP creeping up, and not seeing a lot of progress.  We are all so hopeful, but we just want him to wake up RIGHT NOW and be our Justin.  It is so hard to be patient, but Karen and Darren are so grateful for all the support and well-wishes they have felt from family, friends, their ward family, neighbors, and coworkers.   We know that Heavenly Father is blessing the Mower family directly, and through the kindness of others, and Karen and Darren are so appreciative of everyone's prayers and acts of love and service.

Thursday and Friday have been better.  The doctors switched Justin from propofol (a sedative) to pentobarbital (another sedative).  Pentobarbital is heavy-duty, and has been much more effective at keeping Justin's ICP down where it needs to be.  The doctors are hoping that the increase in his ICP was just a result of his surgery, and that things will improve as the swelling goes down.  As his ICP stabilizes they will try to wean off of the pentobarbital and go from there.

In the meantime, Karen and Darren stay by his side almost around the clock.  Mom (Ericksen) has taken several turns so that they could go home, shower, sleep, and attend to a few other responsibilities.  Bethany, Natalie, and Roxie the dog have been amazing and happily gone from one relative's house to another over the last week.  They have had a blast hanging out with all of their cousins, but they never forget about Justin, and ask Heavenly Father to bless him in all of their prayers.  Bethany says he has to get better soon so that she'll have someone to fight with.  :)

And Justin used his Jedi mind powers to win a Lego!

Tuesday, July 22.

Today was so tough.  The nurses had been trying to wean Justin's sedation.  Karen said it was great to see him become more responsive.  However, his ICP started to go back up into the high 20s and 30s, so they had to turn his propofol (sedative) back up to allow his brain to rest and heal.  Today was very discouraging, but we know Justin is a fighter.

This is Deana, Justin's nurse over the weekend.  Karen and Darren loved her and are so grateful for everything she did for Justin.

Monday, July 21. Surgery!

Justin had surgery today to repair the compression fracture on the left side of his head.  The doctors also fixed a tear in the dura, the tough membrane that covers and protects the brain.  He is the owner of an awesome Harry Potterish lightning scar:

Surgery went well, and the waiting game continued to see if his ICP would normalize.  As his ICP comes down, the nurses will start weaning his sedation and pain medicine so that he can get off of the ventilator.