UPDATE SUPER BOWL SUNDAY  February 3, 2008

It's a new record!  Weston stood at the walker for 13 minutes!  The exciting part of that, though, is seeing him standing TALL!  He appears to have grown another inch and a half taller!  He is so much stronger today than yesterday!  He stood for the 11 minutes he stood yesterday, then he was asked what he wanted to do next.  He replied "I want to stand for another minute."  He said that the longer he stood, the easier it was to keep his balance.  I really had to control myself to keep the video recorder in the drawer.  His determination is really showing.  He said that he is really going to start pushing himself.  Soon I will get more video for my brother Ken to post so you all can see how remarkably far Weston has come!  If we are still on the 4-5 week schedule they originally gave us, we have 2 weeks left to go as inpatient!  They did tell us this week that Weston is a candidate for their outpatient day rehab program.  That would be another 3 weeks or so.  That doesn't seem like enough time, but at the same time, it seems like a lifetime!  But for THIS day, I will rejoice in a standing tall Weston!

This evening, we are watching the Super Bowl.  It's not over yet, but it is a good game.  This was supposed to be a blowout, but the Giants are playing a good game.  (That's what I'm being told.  I really have no idea.:D)  My cousin stationed in Afghanistan, Ricky, sent some pictures of the "Pray for Weston" bumper sticker on his humvee.  I've posted those at the carepages.  Take a look!

Keep praying!

We love you all!

Debbie and The Boys

"I expect to see him walking by next week."  Those are the words the doctor left the room with last night.  Graham sat there with his jaw dropped.  I am being the ever pessimistic optimist and thinking, "Don't tell him that!"  But, let's review:  Weston was not supposed to survive 24 hours, but he did.  Weston was not supposed to breathe on his own, but he did.  Weston was not supposed to survive surgery to clean the wound, but he did.  Weston was not supposed to wake up, but he did.  Weston was not supposed to be able to experience any kind of meaningful recovery, but he does.  So, should I express doubt when I hear that he will be walking?  I shouldn't.

Weston is experiencing what looks like leg tremors.  Whenever his brain tells any part of his body to move, his legs begin tremoring.  The doctor last night was telling us that the tremor is a perfectly normal reaction to the neurons reconnecting.  The tremors interferred with some of his therapy today, so they have given him a very minimal dose muscle relaxer.  It seemed to really make a difference in the afternoon sessions.  The doc said that the tremor is a good sign, and then dropped the crazy words, "I expect to see him walking by next week."  But, that is next week.  We can rejoice in THIS day!

On THIS day, we celebrate that when suspended in what can only be described as a paratrooper's harness, Weston can take 15 steps!  We can celebrate that, at one point today when Graham was transferring Weston to a chair, he stood on his own!  Graham said that the weightlessness of that lift was absolutely amazing!  We can celebrate that Weston has taken his recovery into his own hands.  He has decided, on his own, that he will answer all 'yes' or 'no' questions with a head nod or head shake to strengthen his neck muscles.  We can celebrate that Weston has taken huge steps in his "activities of daily living" towards maintaining his dignity!  We can celebrate that each day, he is sitting up straighter and with a little less assistance than the day before!

It was a real joy to hear the encouragement from Beach Church last night.  It has been posted at youtube.com.  Just search for "Weston Brewer" video, and you will see three:  Weston the Miracle Man, the Beach Church greeting, and a special message from my brother Ken.

Pray for a good nights sleep for all of us.  Weston's leg tremors made it very difficult to sleep last night.  Pray for safe travel for the family members that are coming to see us this weekend.  We miss our Myrtle Beach family very much.  We'll be back with you soon, hopefully by Easter.

Keep Praying,

We love you all!

Debbie and The Boys