Stephen Murray Update Tues 24/7/07

[murray]

So much has happened since Stephen arrived its hard to imagine we have only been here in Denver for less than 1 week.
Stephen's clincial team are amazing. His Primary Doctor has everything under
control and is taking care of all the underlying problems Stephen has had in
the last 4 weeks to enable Stephen to move forward and really start his
rehab.
Stephen has seen an ENT consultant for his trach, gastroenterologist for his
stomach problems,Respiratory consultant for his lungs, dieticians, speech
and languate therapists besides his regular nurses, phyiso,occupational therapist.
Everyone is so caring.
On Friday he had a 3rd tracheostomy as there was a problem with air leaking
from the previous 2. This one is successful and has made his breathing so
much more comfortable.In fact they started weaning him gently of the
respirator on Saturday. They disconnected it for 2 mins and Stephen breathed
on his own. Yesterday (Sunday) he breathed 4.5 mins on his own.This is an
enormous fete and we are very encouraged and hope that each day he increases
this more until finally he will be able to do without.Of course this takes
time but we are hopeful that if everything goes to plan he will be off his
vent in 4-5 weeks.
Fingers crossed.
Also Stephen's blood count has been quite low and so today (Monday) they are
giving him a blood transfusion which will stop him from being so lethargic
and will bring the colour back into his cheeks and renew his energy.
Amongst all of this he passed his swallow test today and had vegetable
soup,ravioli,roast potato,melon and strawberrys and 2 cups of tea and
ofcourse vanilla and chocolate icecream!.
This has been a huge boost for him now that he can eat nornally again and
they are hoping that if he continues to improve he may be able to actually
speak again by the end the week.
I'm not sure whether it was eating which was the highlight of today or the
fact that he had physio and used an automatic exercise bike for 6 mins.
His eyes lit us as he watched his legs move with the pedals. The physio then
took him to see the FES bikes. These are similar to exercise bikes except
elctrodes are attached to your legs which stimulate the muscels to move your
legs themselves and pedal the bike. The physio there said that normally
patients who used these bikes were not on a ventillator but if Stephen
passed a stimulator test then she would start him off. Guess what. Test
passed and Tuesday 10.00am he will start using these amazing machines.You
have no idea how much this has motivated him he has never stopped smiling
all afternoon.
We hope to continue with the updates about twice a week giving you a report
on his progress.
Stephen has asked that we send his thanks for all your well wishes, he is
amazed by the support that you all have shown and looks forward to your
emails each day.

Thanks

The Family

[xtrememom]

We are so happy to hear this good news, and look forward to more! Our hearts and prayers are with Stephen and your family. Our family and friends will continue to help support your family any way we can, for as long as we need to.
Thank you so very much for the updates; you all are on our minds constantly and it's comforting to know how you all are doing;
STAY STRONG!!!

[mook]

Wow..

Thats really is fantastic news, and I can honestly say it's made my day!!

Keep up the fight and stay strong

Mark

[Ivesy]

This is excellent news. Stay strong!
All the best
Ivesy

[GREENI]

Thanks for the update, please keep them coming.

Keep it up Stephen, all the best. The Rourkies lads.

[mike AQL]

GO ON KIDDA! KEEP AT IT YA RAJI!!

[missmelanie]

THIS UPDATE HAS BEEN WORTH THE LONG HARD WAIT!!!
Great news all round.
I'm so happy for you Stephen, that you can eat-the food must have tasted amazing but not as good as your mom's Yorkshire puds I bet(!), and awesome news that you have been on a bike again. You continue to amaze us with your strength and determination.

This is Joseph's message to you: He is excited to know that you have been on a bike again. He asked if you are going to be pedalling to England? (Okay - he is a bit weird but lovely). He wants to know what colour is the bike you are on. He asked if you, Seth and Mason can come and ride the Clarkson Dirt Jumps with him(our local 'watering hole' for his daily fix of dirt jumping). He told me that if you just close your eyes and think about riding again, you will get better. He says that is all he has to say to you now. He is just too funny

Way to go cuz! Keep up your hard work.
All our love, and our thoughts constantly,
Melanie, Joe, Emma-Jae and Joseph

[mike-at-dialledbikes]

Martin, every new update brings a lump to my throat, but none more so than the one today.

It's great that Stephen is taking steps forward and passing new milestones each day.

All the very best of progress.

Mike

[Ben DUPLOYER]

Hey stephen,
U know what, the first thing I did this morning was to have a look at bmxtalk.com to read the updates, and let me tell u how happy I felt when I read the news: that's sooooooooooooo good to hear it. I can't imagine how good u felt when u ate, when u've been breathing by yourself, when u went on a bicycle (even if it had no slambar...). I hope the coming days will bring u, your family and us the best news. My family and I wish you once again the best for the coming days: keep up da fight.
See ya later man.

Benoit DUPLOYER

[Lee Dell'Isola]

Fantastic news, you can't believe how happy we all are to hear some good news at last.
Just keep going and keep believing and STAY STRONG and it will all come together
Big hugs and kisses to you all
Lee & Mimmo

[cyclist]

Yaba-daba-doo

Go Steve says Mad Ady.

[m400dan]

Hey all! We are all thinking about you and your family and hope you keep getting stronger every day! Keep the updates coming its good to hear how Stephen is getting on! Take care all!!

The Pattersons England Formally of the Tyneside Chargers

[vicki-preston]

Really happy for stephen and the rest of the family, its made me smile so god knows what it must have felt for you.

[Ross' Mum]

That was a long, informative and very happy update Martin. As it was from you does that mean you are back in US or did you send it from UK? So delighted to hear that things are moving forward, realise it will be a long haul for Stephen but what better than to put him back on a bike!!! Keep you strength up now with plenty of food and drink (presumably non-alcoholic at this stage).... there with you every bit of the way and love as always from Shirley, Ross and Lindsey xxxx

P.S. How you doing Cinders?

[MrsG]

Such good good news. Its seems an age for us hear to get some news and when it came it brought smiles and cheers from everyone.

I am going on holiday tomorrow and I will really miss logging on for updates so will be phoning home for news.

Keep Strong Stephen and keep that smile on your face.

The Gunners

[cheesecake]

Excellent news all the way around, especially the FES bike.
Go Forward,
B~

[Carlos]

Awesome, awesome news!

Its great to hear how everyone there is helping and being amazing.

Cheers
Carl

[dan the man sun tan]

Great news.
Keep up the good work Stephen its fantastic news to know of your improvements, Keep your determination and stay strong geordie boy
Big love
From the Finck Family

[chrismasonic]

back on a bike...sound...
keep on rehab'in...and get well soon...

[lee_bromfield]

thats amazing! back on the bikes already!!
KEEP STRONG YOUR ON YOUR WAY!