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Long Overdue Update

 I'm not sure if anyone even checks this anymore since I kind of stopped doing updates. I apologize for the gap in time. To be honest, I've been struggling with some depression over Milton's death and PTSD about Paxton. I am working on both of these and hoping to start feeling better. Enough about me. Paxton is doing AMAZING! He is done with PT. He crushed all his goals and they said there wasn't much more they could do for him. He is still in OT 1x week, mostly working on fine motor skills with his right hand. He currently does any writing or drawing with both hands. He continues with speech therapy twice a week. Speech is still his biggest deficit, but he has come so far. He struggles with bigger words or saying longer sentences. He communicates great and everyone knows what he is saying.  School is going great. They just completed state-wide testing and he surpassed all the goals that were set at the beginning of the year before his stroke. We are all so incredibly p
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Update

First, I want to apologize for the delay in this update. Life, as usual, got stressful. We unexpectedly lost Milton Menasco on March 18. He was more than my cousin’s husband, he was one of our best friends. We are completely devastated and still in shock. My brain is struggling to wrap my mind around all of this, and I feel like I’m just going through the motions of life. Milton and the entire Menasco Family have been huge supporters of Paxton’s journey. We will forever be grateful for his support and good vibes. Paxton is doing great. He still has a few sutures remaining, but he’s healing fast. He’s been crushing PT and OT goals. His PT was just reduced to 2x a month and, I think OT will follow that schedule soon. Speech is still Paxton’s biggest deficit. He continues to do therapy 2x week online. He’s still improving everyday. We are still adjusting to our new routines. We are looking forward to nicer weather and doing things as a family that feel normal. Thanks for all the continued

Home Again

 We made it back safely today. We are exhausted but good. We are so happy to be home. Thanks again for all the love. ❤️ Janell

Going Home!

 We just got the good news that we can leave tomorrow (depending on weather). The angiogram went well. It looks like they were able to remove all the abnormal vessels. There’s a chance they can grow back, but this is super rare. He will continue to have MRIs and angiograms to catch it early if that were to happen. The swelling is almost resolved and he’s feeling good. We’ve been here for a week and are ready to go home and see Bray, Dad, and Zumi.  It’s been a long journey. We are so thankful for the entire team we’ve had at the hospital. Not only did they save his life, they did everything to make sure his quality of life would be good as well. They are beyond amazing here. Pax will continue with OT, PT, and speech at home. We know he will continue to crush his goals. Thank you so much for all the love.  Janell

Feeling Better

 Pax is doing much better today. His silly personality is back. ❤️ He’s still a little swollen but much better. His jaw hurts a little less so he’s eating more. He crushed it at PT yesterday, and can’t wait to go back to the rehab gym later today. His angiogram is first thing tomorrow morning. He hates being sedated and can’t get up and move for 4 hours after the procedure. They will keep us overnight tomorrow for monitoring, and if all goes well he will be discharged Thursday. We had an appointment with the Acquired Brain Injury Clinic on March 24th and they were able to move it to this Thursday. This is a huge relief, the flights are exhausting and expensive. I don’t think we have to come back for 3 months…wahoo! He’s seriously so brave, strong, and had such a positive attitude. His attitude is the only thing that’s kept me so positive. I’m beyond proud of him and am striving to be more like him. Thank you all so much for all the support. We are so grateful for each and every person

Familiar Faces

 We finally got moved out of the ICU yesterday afternoon. As we were being wheeled into his room we saw one of his favorite nurses from last time. He wasn’t our nurse yesterday, but he came to visit twice. This morning, Peter, our favorite CA, came to say hello as he was getting off shift. Then, his favorite nurse, Gretchen, just came to say hi. Our nurse today is one of our nurses from rehab as well. She is amazing and making sure everything is in line for us and getting us all the services we need. One of his PTs from last time visited this morning and will take him to the rehab gym later. He’s still pretty swollen but better than yesterday. He’s talking and smiling a bit more today. We are working on eating and drinking enough to keep the IV out.  The neurosurgeon stopped by morning. He said things on his end were looking good. He has an angiogram on Wednesday, and we are hoping to be discharged after he recovers from that (hopefully by the afternoon that day). Again, we are so grat

Brave Boy

 We ended up having to stay another night in the PICU, but we get to move to the neuro floor today. He is very excited to get out of the ICU. It’s really bright and noisy here. Yesterday his favorite physical therapist came and helped him get out of bed and stand. He smiled so big when he saw her. Today he was able to walk around the hall a little with PT and OT. He’s slow moving but improving. His face and head are super swollen. His right eye is swollen shut, but he’s not complaining. The majority of his pain is still coming from the cut muscle which makes eating not fun. Brandon is flying home today. Pax was pretty sad to see him go but knows Bray needs dad, too. I presume Bray had a good weekend since his responses to us were limited. 😂 Thanks for all the continued love and support. We don’t have a projected discharge date, but will keep you updated. Janell