George Melendez (MVA/Near Drowning - 1/98 - 28 years old)

January 9, 2003 - 1^st Treatment at home

George’s Mild Chamber is finally here…  We got it all set up and gave George a treatment for one hour at full pressure.  We had given him an Ambien about an hour before the treatment.  In the chamber George was extremely alert and mouthing words.  He was very relaxed and did not fuss once.  He followed commands, as moving his contracted arm.  His legs were very straight and his head was mid line.  After the treatment he slept for a while, that could have been a normal reaction to the muscle relaxant medication.  After the Ambien worked its way out he was still relaxed and comfortable in bed.  Around 7:30PM we gave him another dose of Ambien and boy did it wake him up.  He went to town mouthing words, laughing at Del's silliness, and arm wrestling me.  I called him a cheater, so the next time he let me beat him then he smiled real big.  It was awesome. 

2^nd = Did very well, exercised both his legs by picking them up and bending at the knees.  He was very concerned about his left hand, pulling at the fingers and lifting it up.  He also was stretching his right arm clear to the top of the window.  He was very curious, touching all the knobs inside.  At one point he held on to the frame trying to pull himself up.

4^th = 7 hours later I was fanning him with a CD cover, I put it in his hand and after looking at the cover intently he decided he wanted to see the back.  He took that CD cover against his face, turned it to the other side and looked at it as if he was reading the titles.

January 17th, the day that changed our lives forever.  Five long years waiting for the miracle that will bring George out of this nightmare.  Many small miracles along the way, but the big one eludes us, still in my heart I know George will be healed.  Thank you Jesus that George is still here, for where there is life there is hope.

20-24^th = His contracted fingers are looser.  He is consistent that he is 13 years old.  Does not tell us he’s 23 anymore.  Last Saturday he was somewhat combative, not letting us change his diaper.  Amanda gave him an old valentine message from a friend to read, he became very possessive and did not let any of us read it or look at it.  It was so precious he was blushing and acting appropriately to the age he thinks he is.

25-29^th = George is pulling himself to the right side of his bed a lot.

35-40^th = We’ve just completed George’s first 40 treatments and it’s time for an update.  His personality is coming through more and more.  This past week he was pretending not to know mom and dad with a big smile on his face.  When we pressed him wondering if it was true that he didn’t know us he mouthed mom when asked who I was with even a bigger grin on his face.

We’ve started PT and Speech at home.  Last week the physical therapist called me at work all exited because she asked George to write numbers 1-10 on the board and to her amazement he did and she was thrilled.  Speech is talking about putting that therapy on hold and add Occupational therapy so they can build up his stamina.  George gets tired after 15 minutes with speech and shuts down, she believes is due to his endurance level.  But, she was quick to add that once we build his energy level she wants to come back and work with him.

We’ll give him a 2 week rest before we start the next round of 40.  Please continue to pray for him.