Callum continues to progress very slowly, with some days bringing more responses than others. On good days he’s able to stick his tongue out when asked, turn his head towards voices as well as scratch his stubbly chin with his hand. These periods of activity have been very brief around a minute or so before returning to his rest. Most recently I’ve seen what I thought was him trying to mouth words, initially thinking I could be seeing what I wanted to see, but nurses have also seen the same from him a couple of times.
Mum and I spoke with a registrar about the results of Callum’s recent MRI scan, showing the infection in his brain wasn’t causing any adverse effects, no swelling, no collection, and nothing to be too concerned about at this time. It also revealed that Callum has sustained small amounts of ischaemic damage. As a result of the accident, there was some bleeding on his brain, and although these areas are small in size they are in important areas of his brain. The impact of this cannot be determined until Callum comes round more fully and the medical team can do an assessment. A little stunned by this neither Mum, nor I had the inclination to ask what these areas were at the time. In hindsight that may be a blessing as without being able to tell the impact, knowing the areas could only bring more worry and upset.
During Callum’s third week, his responsiveness has declined slightly, as he appeared to sleep and rest peacefully. Last Tuesday morning his anti-seizure medication dosage was increased, and shortly after the doctor assessing him was able to get Callum to nod his head, push his tongue out and obey a couple of other commands. Such amazing news, and an end to worry we all shared about his progress stalling. This does mean that Callum almost certainly suffered from “subclinical” seizures during this time, meaning he’d be having a seizure without the outward signs of him shaking etc, and this, in turn, would be exhausting resulting in him sleeping so much. Thank fuck they’ve put that to an end, and he’s more responsive as a result.
Last week Callum also had his PEG fitted, where a small valve has been put in his stomach wall and allows him to be fed directly. His face is now tube free, which I know Callum will be delighted about seeing as though he’d pulled it out so many times.
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Pete
x
Thank you Pete, as always my thoughts are with Callum, yourself and the entire family. Loads of love pal.
Thanks Louis x
My heart and prayers is with Callum and family, have faith he will pull through. It will take time but will be all worth it ,lots of love to you guys from Castara retreats family.
Thank you Keisha, much love to you all in Castara x
You have gone through a terrible time and I sincerely hope you pull through very very soon. Get well soon.
Thank you mate x
Congratulations Pete on the website with its positive and appropriate name !
So ,so glad to have an update on dear Callum , with varied but encouraging news
of his condition. It means so much ,he continues to be in my thoughts and heart .
Love to you and Sue
Thank you
Thanks Sally, glad this new place is being well received.
Much love to you too x
Hi Pete, thank you for sharing all this information at such a trying time for you and the whole family. I really wish Callum a full recovery, if anyone has the positivity to get through this then it’s Callum. Something that did come to mind, and it’s probably small fry at the moment as well as I’m sure things in hospitals have improved since my accident, but I developed two pressure sores, one on my sacrum and one on the back of my head, which were absolutely avoidable. Do you know if he is one an air pressure regulated mattress? It blows air up and down the mattress continually so to relieve the pressure on all parts of the body that are in contact with the mattress. If you don’t know then something to ask when you next visit. It hampered my rehabilitation by about 3 months as I wasn’t allowed to sit up or get in a wheelchair until they had fully healed. Like I said I’m sure the QE have already got him on one, I’ve had spinal surgery twice there and I was on one but I had to say just incase.
Anyway sending so much love and positive thinking to you all. Big hugs xx
I’m not sure if he has one the mattresses you describe, but I’ll check with the medical team when I go up tomorrow. I do know that they “turn” him every few hours to shift his position in his bed, and I guess that is to prevent pressure sores from developing, and I’ll check to make sure.
Thank you for bringing that to my attention though, and you’re right in saying that if anyone can come through the other side of this its him.
xx
Thanks Pete. It’s great to hear Callum is making small steps in what is seemingly the right direction. My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family. If anyone can, Callum can.
Thanks mate, all small steps, but all in the right direction x
As always Pete we appreciate the updates. We still want and need you and all the family to know Calum is still firmly in our thoughts and hearts. We continue to support from a distance, but know he is forever surrounded by our love.x
Thank you both for holding us all in your thoughts and hearts, but most importantly Callum! x
Good to hear there’s progress.
Hold on in there Callum mate, your making it back to us.
Thanks Richie x
Pete! Great site! Thank you it’s good to know what’s happening!. You guys must
Be worn out! It’s all sounding pretty positive even if it is small steps, it seems to be in the right direction.
Please give me a shout if you need anything! I am just down the road. In the meantime
Sending you all much love.
Thank you Annie, and thank you for your offer of support. In some ways we are worn out, but in others we persevere onward as that is what Callum needs from us right now.
Much love to you x
Thanks for keeping us all updated Pete. Really appreciate it. Let us know if you need anything xx
Thank you both x
Hi Pete – sending Callum and all your family our best wishes mate.
Harris xxx
Thanks Harris x
This site was a great idea! Thank’s for sharing, and keeping everyone updated. Few realize the gravity of what you do.
On a positive note! – I love the clean, simple website design! Less is more with some things in my humble opinion…
I hope they keep you all nice and warm wherever you are this winter… It’s occasionally getting nippy this side of the pond…
Love, Nick & Fam xx
Thanks Nick. I chose a clear and simple design, as that’s what we want right now, clear and simple information that we can all process and understand.
xx
Thank you Pete. I’ve passsed this site on to his neardest amd dearest from Brooks. Take care x
Thanks for passing this site onto all of his friends from Brooks. I’m not in touch with anyone but you, so I’m glad you’ve all got a point of reference for how Callum is doing.
xx
Hi Pete – I’ve commented on the previous update – like a tit. Would you have a gander please.
Ta
X
Pete you are amazing. Lots of love big mans x
Thanks Josh x
Sending all my love and positive energy to you. It’s truly beautiful to see what an awsome family you guys are. X
Thank you Jo. Awesome family, surrounding the awesome Callum! x
What a thoughtful, lovely and easy way to communicate to all. You are all always on my mind. Thinking of you and sending positive prayers. Hannah xx
Thank you Hannah, glad you’re able to keep in touch x
All our love to Callum and you guys. Thinking of him daily
AnyFX
Thanks Will x
I am sending absolutely enormous maximum love vibes to you! You are going to pull through this with such strength and courage, I know it! So much love Amy x x x x x x
Callum really is surrounded by love everyday, by so many people near and far. Thank you for sending yours his way.
xx
Thanks so much for writing this update, it must be so hard for you all to be asked over and over so this stops me hassling James for a while 🙂 Glad to hear he is still fighting and progressing, slow is good if it gets him well. If you get a chance to send him love from Emanation I’d appreciate that, and love to you and Sue and everyone in the family, you brave bunch xxxxxx
Get well soon mate, these things take time but luckily Callum is young and has plenty of time to get better ♥ hang in there ♥
Callum mate thinking ov u buddy hope u make a full recovery hang in there buddy all my love Steve and Josie
Thanks Pete for the info on Callum it clears my mind a little from worrying so much. I would continue to send up my prayers. Please continue to whisper my love to him. Love you all dearly.
Thanks Pete. Thinking of you all.
pete, derek (deli) has just sent me the link to your callum blog. thank you so much for keeping us all up to date. i’ve wanted to let you and sue especially know how much lovely callum has been in my thoughts since the accident but not known how to contact you, now i do! my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
christine
Hi me lovely Bauldy Headed one, don’t know where you get that from!
Mark here from when you were just a wee lad at Upperflisk, playing longjump.
Called in randomly to see your dad the other weekend, and he told me of Callums accident.
So sending deep deep love, thoughts and prayers to Callum, Sue and yourself,
All my love,
from one chrome dome to another, xxx
Gentle moments of healing, sleeping, healing
like scottish rain seeping, healing, sleeping
Heal well, heal well, in gentle moments
Surrounded by b(r)eacon’s of love