March 08, 2011

Tuesday March 8, 6:00pm

Garren has had a great start to his week. After the family meeting on Monday, Garren had another session with Tara (occupational therapy). Tara had Garren sitting up in bed, with his arms laying on a makeshift desk. She strapped his arm into what she called a "skateboard for his arm." It's a molded piece of plastic with wheels on the bottom. She placed Garren's arm on the desk in front of him and asked him to move it. Nancy said she could see the concentration in his eyes as he steadily began to slide his hand toward the middle.

Monday evening the nurse had to give Garren some medication with an IV. When they are done with the medication, they flush the IV with saline, which feels cold going into the arm. Nancy said she was watching to see if Garren would react. Sure enough, he lifted his entire arm up, about 2 inches off the mattress, and then back down!

And then today during his speech therapy, Wren saw Garren move his tongue. That's the first time we've seen any movement like that. Nancy also saw Garren 'smack' his lips a couple of times. These are the first steps toward swallowing.

Some very exciting baby steps for Garren. I can't wait to see what he does next!

16 comments:

Kristi said...

Great news!!

KLP

Mauri Autrey said...

Awesome! God is so good!

Don & Rebecca said...

That's awesome, he'll be punching before long.

Anonymous said...

Proof of the power of prayer!

Pam Hamrick said...

Praise God for the continued signs of healing. We're so happy to hear of Garren's amazing progress. The Hamricks

Anonymous said...

Wow! This has made me think about every time I have raised my arm, moved my tongue and smacked my lips and not even realised I've done it today. I thank God for every hard earned movement Garren has make and will continue to make. Keep making those baby steps Garren each one leads to the next.
Carol Taylor

Anonymous said...

So good to hear these reports. So incredibly proud of him for working so hard toward his recovery. We'll continue to pray. In for the long haul, The Sisk Family

Unknown said...

Such terrific news! The DeMaio family continues to pray for Garren's progress and for you as a family.

Anonymous said...

So very exciting!!! Please continue to let us in on all these wondeful baby steps!!! Be so encourged, dear family....be encouraged!!! Love & prayers, Sandy & Russ

Chris Hogan said...

Very encouraging baby steps! Continuing to lift all of you up in prayer each day. Blessings, The Hogans

JpJfsMama said...

Go Garren, we are praying for you!!!!!!! Strength, patience and trust in our Awesome God!!

Leslie & the Waldrons

Anonymous said...

We are continuing to pray for Garren and your family....Hopefully, as the months and years go by we will all see Garren "lift his arms" in praise of our awesome God.

When my mom fell and broke her hip and hit her head....she had bleeding on the brain...It was hard to watch her struggle with each movement in therapy...I only wished that I could do it for her.
It is very hard to watch someone we love struggle with anything...be it physical, spiritual or financial...we just do not want to see them hurt in any way....We will ask God today for another good day for you all and that each day will show growth in the abilities that Garren has...
What a picture God is painting for your family and for the ones who read your blog. Thomas and Lynda

Tonya Swick said...

What great news! Praying everyday for strength and encouragement. For God to continue to show off in all of your lives. When our twins were born they were in the NICU for four months and every little step is a great big step. I never chose to believe any of the "what ifs" unless they were happening and then I took that as God's will. Thank you for being so faithful to God! I thank God for each of you!

Diann said...

Is it an oxymoron if we say what HUGE baby steps?! Who cares.....Thank you Lord, for HUGE BABY STEPS! Way to go Garren....keep up the hard work, the Harvey's are so very proud of you and continue to pray for you all daily!

Anonymous said...

We can't wait to see what Garren does next either. We wait with bated breath to hear the next improvement. I have a feeling once he starts doing more and more there will be no stopping him until he is restored. So exciting to be a part of this journey in prayer. Keep the posts coming.

Donna Lochridge

wendypoovey said...

All I have to say to this is Praise God!!!