3/19 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Today, It will be a week since the accident.  We have seen some progress, and we are very happy and positive about them.  The swelling on his face and head have come down considerably.  He has a new drainage on his head (replaced yesterday); the procedure took about 3 hours.  He has developed a mild fever, but he is a tough guy and is giving it one hundred percent!  He is still at the Neurosurgery ICU.


3/20  Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


According to his nurse, Felix had a good night.  He remains stable and he is finally getting some food (through a feeding tube).  He had the hiccups last night!  We were concerned about it, but the doctors said that it was alright.  He has moved his head, shoulders, arms and legs.  It is all good.  Thanks for all the emails, prayers and calls that we have received!!


3/21  Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


So far Felix has undergone two craneotomies. He has a broken left pelvis, nose, and both of his zygomatic (cheek) bones. He has a large laceration on his right eyebrow and another on the base of his nose. We talked to his doctor today. He informed us that they would have to make a tracheostomy on Felix next week. According to them, this is standard procedure and will accelerate his recovery process. Felix had a good day today. His ICP (intracraneal pressure) remained low throughout night and day. He continues to have a low-grade fever. Many of his friends came to visit him today. We appreciate your continued support and prayers.


3/22 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Today, Felix's ICP reached a low of 13.  The doctors have wanted a value under 20, so 13 is really good!  While dad was beside him, Felix opened his eyes and attempted to speak.  He remains heavily sedated to aid his healing process.  Doctors have recommended to keep stimulation to a minimum.


3/23 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix's fever is not going away.  The doctors have order blood cultures to determine if he has some kind of an infection.  Felix will undergo a tracheostomy tomorrow.  The time is unknown and depends on the OR availability. The tracheostomy is the best way of breathing management for patients who are in a coma.  Felix remains heavily sedated.  The Chief Resident spoke to Dad today and sounded very optimistic for the first time.  We really hope that tomorrow will be a better day for Felix.


3/24 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


The tracheostomy went smoothly and without a glitch.  Felix had a good night and a better day.  He is still running that pesky fever and the results from the cultures won't be out till tomorrow.  He has not developed any bed sores and his back is ok.  He is showing a lot of body activity: eye blinking, movement of mouth, facial muscles, and extremities.  His doctors inform us that they will start reducing the amount of sedatives.  Felix had several friends and visitors today.  We thank them for sharing their prayers with Felix and the family.  If you would like to come and see him, here is the visiting schedule: 10:00 to 10:30, 1:00 to 1:30 and the last one is 7:00 to 7:30 PM.  


Please read about the Party that Dippen and Yo are throwing for Felix.  The information is in the "friends page".


3/25 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):  


Felix made eye contact with Mom and Dad several times today during visit hours.   He had a a CAT scan done last night due to an increase of his ICP.  At the end, it turned out to be that his drainage tube was blocked.  One of the doctors flushed the catheter right after visiting hours.  The ICP pressure came down immediately to normal levels right after the procedure.  Felix opens his eyes when you talk to him. We are sure that he is listening.  Thanks to all the friends that showed up yesterday.  Right after visiting hours, Gretchen, Hebah and I were kicked-out of the waiting room (along with everybody else and their belongings) without a reason, but we were able to sneak in again after 10 PM. I apologize for not answering many of your emails.  Time is pretty scarce these days.  Don't forget to go Dippen and Yo's Party for Felix tonight!         


3/26 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Today, was so far the best day for Felix and us.  He has opened his eyes throughout most of the day and during visiting hours.  All the staples that Felix had on his head were removed yesterday.  At least 60 ot 70 of them! (I say about half a pound worth of metal).  His sedation medication has been reduced and his more alert now most of the time.   Now that he is concious, he gets agitated really quick.  If you are planning to visit him, please try not to stimulate him very much.  I know we all want to see him move his eyes or squeeze a hand, but it is best for him to remain in absolute calmness.   


We want to thank everyone who came out last night to PAESANO"S.  Thank you Dippen and Thank you YO!      


 3/27 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU): 


Once again Felix has surprised all of us.  He is blinking now at almost a normal rate.  His central line (a tube that delivers all his medications; inserted in his subclavian vein) was replaced yesterday without a problem.  Felix is more aware of his surroundings and visitors. The nurses have told us that when he is approached by friends and family, his breathing rate increases because he gets excited and they don't want that to happen.  He was having some fever yesterday.  The results of the previous blood cultures were negative. I will try to get an update for 3/28 before the end of the day.  I hope that you can take a look at some of the family pictures that we included in the "family picture page".  Thank you all for your support.  


3/28 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix's central line was transfered to his jugular vein instead of the subclavian vein, like it was before.  Fever begun to creep up again during the morning and new blood cultures were ordered.  By 7PM, his fever was gone and all his vital signs were at normal or stable conditions.  All stitches have been removed from his face, head and body!  Felix slept most of the time during visiting hour; we managed to convince visitors not to wake him up.  Tomorrow he will start with some physiotherapy to his arms and hands.  It is all good.........


3/29 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


The ICP catheter is gone! The catheter that Felix had on top of his head to drain his CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) was removed this afternoon. The pressure in his head had fallen within the levels expected by the doctors; so they had decided to remove it.  Due to the way in which Felix has been fed, (through a feeding tube, liquid diet) he faces the risk of becoming anemic, because he doesn't get enough iron.  Felix had a blood transfusion today, he needs to have enough hemoglobin in his bloodstream.  I guess that Miguel and I are going to have to line up tomorrow at the Blood Bank! Otherwise, it was a pretty quiet day in the Intensive Care Unit. 


3/30 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


All IVs have been removed by now.  Today Felix didn't have any solutions or IVs hanging.  At the moment, he has only a feeding tube and his tracheal airway.  According to his nurses, family members and some visitors, Felix has moved his arms and fingers.  Those are very good signs.  Do not get discouraged if you come and you don't see any action.  We get to see Felix only 1and 1/2 hours a day.  That is about 6% of an entire day!  He stills get morphine and other relaxers everyday, so he is asleep most of the time.  We couldn't donate any blood at the hospital today, we were sent to the blood center somewhere near the Astrodome. We didn't make it. So we'll try again this Saturday.


3/31 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Another unremarkable day at NICU.  According to his Doctors, in the last two days, Felix has been  breathing 100% on his own!  He is assisted by a respirator in a mode called C-PAP.  That means that the machine is just there in case he doesn't get enough oxygen.  The Doctors and Nurses have begun documenting some of the body movements made by Felix.  He didn't have any fever today.  Tomorrow, It will be 21 days after the accident. 



4/1 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


When Felix opens his eyes, they are only half way open.  Today, during visiting hours, his eyes were wide open and they have begun to move from side to side.  During the second visit, Gretchen played for him some "Jane's Addiction" and that woke him up real quick. Felix had to be sedated after the last visit because the nurses had to clean the area around his tracheostomy and replace an airway.  He doesn't like one bit when the nurses suction the airway, much less when it has to be replaced.  Please read the two articles about coma recovery (go to the links page) they are great reading and they will fill anybody with  tons of hope.  According to his doctor's, Felix has been in "stable" condition for a few days now.  We have made the decision to not spend the night at the hospital anymore.  We'll resume 24/7 once he is transfered to a regular hospital room.  


 4/2 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


FELIX IS OFF THE RESPIRATOR MACHINE!!!  Felix is breathing completely on his own. Hopefully, there will be no need to get him back on that machine again.  All the swelling is also gone.  He is clean shaven and almost all of the bruises are gone too.   We saw today a lot of progress.  He slept through the entire visit time (7 PM).  He yawned a couple of times, and for the first time, they came along with a lion's roar.  Miguel is trying to set up a blood drive, I will let you know about it later on. Today was a great day for him.


4/3 Ben Taub (T Surgical ICU):


Felix has been moved to the T Surgical ICU on the 4th floor of the hospital.  He was moved there because his condition has been more stable.  He was very active in the AM, but pretty tired and sleepy in the evening. The visiting hours in the new ward remain the same as the previous one, except for the evening hours: 7 to 8 pm.


4/4 Ben Taub (T Surgical ICU):


Felix  continues to make progress.  During the morning and afternoon visiting hours he is more active than in the evening hours.  The current ward is much bigger and busier than the other one, therefore it's  more difficult to talk to the nurses.  He is still seen by the same doctor.  Physical therapy has been in place for a couple of days, and they continue to work on his leg and feet.


4/5Ben Taub (Critical Wound Unit):


Felix has been moved again. This time he is in private room!  Now he can be visited at any hour.  This ward is also located on the 4th floor.  His condition was too stable to stay in the ICU units.  The best thing about this transfer, is that we can spend the whole day with him in his room.  Felix had a lot of visitors during the weekend and tonight also.  I asked him today to move his hand and he did it several times, he also raised his whole arm on command!


4/6 Ben Taub (Critical Wound Unit):


We spent a lot of time with Felix today.  Mama was able to to see all the movement that goes around Felix on a regular day.  She spoke to the nurses, doctors and therapists.  All of them were very optimistic about his recovery.  We really like this place.  The care he is receiving is more friendly and with more effort.  Felix's tracheal airway was replaced for a smaller one.  The idea is to keep reducing the size of the  tracheal airway until it closes by itself.  Felix was pretty active this evening!  The trush is gone. Yeah! 


I want to apologize once again for not returning many of your emails.  I spent all of my spare time at the hospital and I don't get to my PC at home until late.  Sorry again, I'll catch up one of these days.


4/6 Ben Taub (Critical Wound Unit):


Mama has learned how to conduct the physical therapy that Felix needs.  The hospital provides therapy for only 15 minutes a day!  From now on, Mama will do the therapy for Felix every two hours.  Other than that, today was another unremarkable day at the Hospital.  I want to thank the nurses at the CWU for the excellent job that they are doing. Thank you! 


4/7,8,9 Ben Taub (Critical Wound Unit):


I am very sorry for the delay!  Felix was asked to show 2 fingers, and he did.  It doesn't sound like much, but if you have been in coma for such a long time, it is a great deal.  It has already been 4 weeks since the accident.  Nothing compares to the pain that we all suffered that first week!  Thanks God those days are gone.  Felix's central line is gone too (placed in his jugular vein; but only used for medications to be injected) .  We have been able to spend several hours a day with him. We were concerned yesterday that he wasn't getting any sleep at all.  If we think about it, he has had plenty of time to catch up with some ZZZZZs in the last 4 weeks.....   Well, we we'll resume staying by his beside 24/7 starting today.


4/10 Ben Taub (Critical Wound Unit):


The doctors informed us that Felix will have two undergo two more surgeries.  The first one is next week and involves inserting a feeding tube straight into his stomach.  Currently, the feeding tube goes through his nose.  The doctors will wait one week after that procedure to the do the more serious one.  That is, to put back the skull's bone that he is missing.   It is a complicated craneotomy.  He will have to go back to the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Units for 2 or 3 days or until he recovers.  The Orthopedic doctors, will take off the 20 pounds of weight that have been pulling his leg down. That hook on his lower leg will be finally gone.  This device perforating through his leg has always looked pretty painful!


4/11,12,13 Ben Taub (Critical Wound Unit):


We have been working really hard with the rehab physical therapy for Felix.  It is not easy and it is hard work!  Felix continues to be stable and improves slowly day by day.  The date for the removal of the stabilizing weights, has been set for April 22nd.  This procedure will allow the nursing staff to provide better care for Felix.  They will be able to set his beds in different positions in order to avoid bed sores.  We will be able to do physical therapy on his legs!  In case you wonder about his nutrition, Felix gets close to 2,000 calories a day! It is a liquid diet and I bet it tastes awful! As soon as he gets out there, I am taking him out for Shawarmas, some Humus with Pita bread and Mango ice tea....


4/14,15,16 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix's had been in stable condition until the 15 when he started to run a high fever.  Since he was staying at an intermediate level care unit and his fever was spiking up, it was necessary to transfer him to a place where he can be monitored 24/7.  The doctors explain that this is just part of their protocol and is routine treatment....... When a patient is in Felix condition, they rather have him in the safest area.  We were told that he will go back to his regular room as soon as the fever is gone.  The results from Thursday's chest x-rays and head CT scan, were all negative.  His surgeries have been postponed until the fever disappear...


4/17,18 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix's high fever was caused by a tracheal infection.  The doctors ran several tests (cat-scans, blood and sputum cultures and a painful spinal-tap).  Everything came back negative, except for the sputum that came from his tracheal tube.  Only close relatives are allowed to visit him.  To visit him, we must wear a gown, gloves and a mask!  Felix's doctors are ready for his craneoplasty (fix his skull). After they finished with that, they are planning an aggresive treatment to make him more active.  He will remain in ICU until all these procedures are done.


4/19 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix had a pretty active day. He has touched his face, his hands and scared everybody when he reached and grabbed his catether!  His fever has begun to recede and his more alert.  I'd like to make something clear... in medical terms, when the result of a test is NEGATIVE, that means that nothing was found.  I had many emails from friends wanting to know what was wrong with the results.  Don't worry now, negative can be a good thing.


4/20 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix is using his arms and hands for discovery.  He follows his feeding tube with his thumb and his index fingers.  He pulls his oxygen tube down to his stomach.  He also reaches towards the person who speaks to him.  Today, he moved both his legs for the first time !  Tomorrow the weights come off.  No surgery needed for his pelvis!  He still had a minor fever last night.  Este fin de semana pondre la pagina de español al dia.


4/21 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Felix developed a faint body rash caused by the antibiotic that he gets through his IV.  His fever is not going away at all.  Several friends have asked me if Felix can be visited now, the answer is: not yet.  He is still fighting a serious infection and cannot be exposed to any germs.  The doctors are ready to put his skull bone back as soon as the fever is gone.  The feeding tube will be repacled later.  Tomorrow the weights are off!


4/22 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


The weights were taken off this afternoon.  Felix sustained a fracture to his right pelvis during the accident.  The doctors had put a hook through his legs and attached 20lbs of weights to it.  The weights pulled his femur away from its socket. This 6 weeks procedure allowed for both bones to heal. Now they are gone.  Cello, Lory and friends are planning a fundraiser for Felix, click here to read about it: Fundraiser


4/23,24 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery ICU):


Everything is going well at the hospital; Felix is position in bed is changed every two hours.  He has been able to rest on his side and give his back at deserved break.  His legs can now be moved and strecht in different positions.  He continues exploring with his hands.  Felix remains in isolation due to his fever that doesn't seem to go away.  The staff is keeping strict control during visiting hours in order to avoid another infection.  I will inform you when you can visit him.   Check out two new pics of Felix and two of his best friends in the family pictures page. 


4/25,26 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


Felix is back at the Wound Unit "D" again.  However, his fever continues.  This time the culprit is a UTI (urinary track infection).  We are happy he is back in this ward.


4/27,28 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


Felix seems to be a little dehydrated. Hopefully, he will get a big IV to get him re-hydrated. He is getting two kinds of antibiotics and his fever does not seem to go away.  He is now wearing Anti-spasticity splints (patients who cannot move must wear this devices in order to not lose the mobility of their extremities) for his both hands.  He was awake must of the day and seems to be paying attention to what we say.  His eyes drifted a lot towards the TV set.  Last night when we walked in into his room, we were surprised to hear the TV real loud.  The nurses do this to many patients in Felix's conditions... However, his had the Spanish Soap-operas on! The ones he never liked.......   Thank you Lori for organizing a mass prayer!



4/29,30, 5/1 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


I've just got the latest update from the hospital a few minutes ago, I have not been able to visit Felix in the last 4 days because I have Flu like symptoms.  So, I can't show up until I am 100% again.  I asked the nurses about dehydration, they told us that Felix gets approximately 2 glasses of water a day.  They are administered through his feeding tube.   Dad spoke to the doctors today, they won't do anything until seven days after the last day of him having fever.  The fever is not going away! and it is putting everything on hold.  All kinds of treatments are on hold until this fever is gone.  He has gotten a third type of antibiotic. Hopefully, this one will work.  He continues to be in an otherwise stable condition. Visits are still limited to family members.  I will inform here when he can have more visitors.  Felix continues having physical therapy by the staff and family members.  He continues exploring with his hands and eyes. He was quite alert today as Miguel played Bob Marley for him.


5/2,3 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


No fever today!  After two whole weeks with elevated temperature, Felix spent the day without any fever.  Now the goal is to stay this way for 7 more days, so he can have his two operations and other treatments that were on hold. 


5/4 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


Surgery tomorrow (5/5) at 0700!  The doctors are not wasting any time, since Felix hasn't had any fever for two days, they are operating on him tomorrow.  Felix will have a feeding tube placed in the stomach (through his abdomen).  His feeding tube right now goes through his nose.  It is more manageable to have the tube directly to his stomach; the new location will help to avoid further infections.  The surgery will start right at seven and it won't take long.  He will be sedated for a while.  After 12 hours, the doctors will remove the nose tube.  


5/5 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


The Surgery went without a glitch! It started at 0600 and by 1100 he was back in his room.  His nasal tube should have come off at midnight.  Finally that nose is gonna take a deserved break.  His new feeding tube will be used tomorrow at noon.  Felix face is now free of tubes, bandages and tapes.  I still have not been able to visit Felix because I still have a cold.  Felix did not have any fever during the day.


5/6,7 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


I have just spoken to my parents and the updates are pretty positive. The feeding tube is working pretty good in its new position.  There is nothing else on his face, it is now pretty clean and his hair has grown back to his normal lenght.  His tracheotomy's cannula has been reduced to an smaller size.  This is done gradually to slowly close the breathing hole in his neck.  My parents brought him his glasses!   He has worn contacts for a long time and has always had back-up glasses (when his at home).  Felix is spending more time awake and he is more alert now, he pays a lot of attention to the TV set.  So we decided to that it was time for him to get his glasses back.  Hopefully that will make him feel better.  


I hope that everybody has gotten a flyer for Felix's Fundraiser Party.  It will be a lot a fun! Live presentations by BasicLee and Margaret!  If you have not gotten one, please email me so I can send you one.  I will scan it this weekend and post it here.   Thanks Lory, Cello and everybody else involved.


5/8,9 Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


Here is the latest update from the family (I haven't been able to visit because of my coughing and runny nose).  Felix had an excellent week. No fever and no other complications.  He will undergo surgery at the end of the week.  The doctors told my dad that they are ready for the craneotomy, maybe by Friday.  Anabella showed Felix one of the fliers for his party and he stared at it for a long time, the nurse told her that he was reading it!  His eyes seemed to be following the text.  In another incident, the doctor pinched Felix to check for reflexes, to everybody's surprise, not only he made the desire reflex, but in a real fast move, he got hold of the doctor's hand!  He seems to be more alert and the movements of his hands and arms are more accurate.  Dad and Gretchen swear that he smiled at them several times. 


5/10,11,12,13  Ben Taub ( Wound Unit):


Believe (please click on the believe link).  See some new family pics.


5/14 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit A):


I was finally allowed back in hospital. Finally the flu symptoms are gone!  Lets talk about Felix. Last night, he was transferred to a lesser care unit.  Still in the 4th floor.  He is in a tiny room and no more electronic monitors.  Felix has tested positive for some bacteria in his phlegm, for that reason, we are still required to wear mask and gloves all of the time.  No visitors yet.  Since I had not seen him in 2 weeks, I noticed some changes in his appearance, most notably was the loss of weight (he's been in a liquid for two months) and also, his hair has grown a lot.  His skin seems very fresh and moist (lack of sunlight).  There has been a hint that he might be discharged from the hospital in about  3 to 4 weeks.  I will inform you later.   


5/15 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit A):


We visited with Felix today but we were not very happy with the care he received during the time.  There was no care!  No one came by to check his vital signs, no one came to check on him either.  He was schedule to have a CT scan of the head, but it took 5 hours for him to make it to the radiology department.  The nurse assistant and the person who were to take him downstair could not figure out how to transfer the oxygen tube to a portable cylinder! No excuse, that is elementary care and they can't provide it.   Felix is schedule to have surgery (his craneotomy) Monday at 10:00.  Finally!  Tomorrow is the big party for Felix, we'll be there, come join us!


5/16 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit A):


Surgery tomorrow at 10:00.  After that, Felix will spend the next 3 days at the Neurosurgery ICU "C" on the 4th floor. 


We want to say thanks to everybody who participated and attended Felix's party!  He would have loved it!  It was great! (read more in the friends section tomorrow). Cello: you are our brother too!


5/17 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery Unit "C"):


The skull bone is back and Felix looks great!  The surgery started late as usual, but it went without a glitch.  By 5:00 PM he was rolled into the Neurosurgery unit.  His head finally looks normal.  Only half of his head is shaven, so he needs a good haircut.  We are all pretty excited with the results.  He will remain there for the next 3 days.  Felix has lost a lot of weight.  The big guy went from close to 200 to 147 lbs.  This is significant because before the accident, he was in great shape .  I am sure that he won't have any problem getting some of those pounds back.


5/18,19 Ben Taub (Neurosurgery Unit "C"):


I visitited Felix today.  He is recovering from the surgery.  He is still heavily sedated due to the roughness of the procedure.  The doctors made a cut in the old scar, stapled the bone (ouch...) together and then stapled his scalp.  We are hoping that the wound won't get infected.  Felix had low grade fever yesterday and today too.  At 7:00 PM he had 38.0 C. (100.2 F.) degrees.  Felix will remain in this unit until his fever comes down again.  In case you don't know, Felix was born in Guatemala city during a Soccer World Cup Game.  My parents had a small colition in their way to the hospital!  Everybody was fine.  He is named Felix after our paternal grandfather and Enrique after one of dad's friends.


5/20,21,22 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


The doctors keep playing "musical wards" with Felix.  Today he was transfered to a different unit.  This one is unit "B" on the 4th floor.  It is a regular ward, that means that he is stable again and he doesn't need monitoring 24/7.  This is very frustrating to us, well, at least it is for me! he gets moved every other day and everytime it happens, there are different nurses, aids and staff.  If he gets a good nurse, he will lose her.  Today we got stuck with a male nurse with an attitude problem and a nurse aid that doesn't know the visiting hours!  What does that tell you? she doesn't even know what she is doing there to begin with.  Nobody can keep a regular track of Felix progress (grrrrrr.................................).  Yesterday we were scared because a nurse said that Felix had had a seizure, but we couldn't get any information whatsoever.  We finally spoke to his doctor and he doesn't believe that Felix had a seizure.  Felix is doing OK.  Soon, he will start some treatment so he can be more alert.   If you would like to visit him, here is the schedule: 1:00-3:00 PM and 6:30-8:00 PM.   You will be given a mask and a pair of gloves.   Does anybody know how to cut hair?  Felix needs a haircut, actually, he needs only half a haircut! one side of his head is shaven and the other not.


5/23 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Felix will be released from Ben Taub next week or the following one.  The doctors will close his tracheostomy within the week and will get him ready to go.  Felix will be transfered to a new facility: Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) here in the medical center.  TIRR is a hospital specialized in the rehabilitation of traumatic injuries of the brain and the spinal cord.  We are excited about this because Felix will finally get the appropiate rehab care that he needs.  Ben Taub's staff got him out of the woods and their job is pretty much done.  I will place a couple of links for TIRR in the links page.   Felix birthday is coming up next month! We are going to celebrate it!  more details coming,,,,,,,   Does anybody have pictures from the party at Red Star?


5/24 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Felix tracheostomy was reduced to a size 4 today.  He tolerated the smaller aperture without any problems.  The doctors goal is to close the trach at the end of the week.  The amount of paper work that has to be done to get Felix transfered is overwhelming!  I did Felix's legs therapy; I feel like I went to the gym and worked-out for hours!  Felix was visited by staff from the speech and physical therapy departments.  He will be visited by some staff members from the new hospital on Friday.


5/25,26 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Today was a quiet day at Ben Taub.  We continue his physical therapy, and we are preparing for the big decision on Friday.   The doctors from the rehab hospital will decide Friday if he is a good candidate to enter the rehab program.  If he is not, Felix will go home for two months and will be reevaluated again (to enter the program) every two months consecutively.  if he passes the assessment, off he goes to the new hospital  We are still not sure of what is it that the doctors are planning  to do on Friday.  Felix has begun making noises and is moving his arms a little bit more.


5/27,28 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


The Nurses at unit "B" are doing a fine job and are very nice and friendly.  The doctors told mom that Felix will have his trach closed tonight!  These guys work all night and all day, if they tell you that they will do it soon, that could mean maybe tomorrow or within 24 hours.  We have learned to be very patient when doctors talk about time.  It feels like their biological clocks are a lot slower than yours or mine.  Felix is doing fine and remains stable.  His awaited assessment was not done today, maybe tomorrow.  We are not required to wear the gloves and the masks anymore.   If you would like to come and visit, please feel free to do it.  The visiting hours in this ward are: 1:00-3:00 and 6:00-8:00. 


5/29,30 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Felix's trach was not closed as the doctors had indicated.  He developed fever again yesterday and is getting all that antibiotic treatment all over again.  I guess that all the infection precaution have been reestablished once again.  Hopefully, we'll get to talk to his doctors tomorrow and find out what we should expect foe next week.  Felix hand's movements are becoming more refined and he is reacheing for objects.   


5/31, 6/1,2,3 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


I apologize for not updating earlier.  Felix is pretty stable, he hasn't developed any fever or developed any other complications.  We are still waiting word from the TIRR rehab hospital.  This week has been pretty emotional for the family.  Another month has gone by, it will be almost 3 months since the accident.  On June 2nd, Olga (our beloved sister) would have  turned 43.  For those of you who don't know, she passed away 2 years ago.  Dad will speak to Felix's doctors tomorrow morning.  I will let you know what they said as soon as possibe.  Felix trach is not closed yet.  Check out some pictures from Believe


 6/4,5,6 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Felix developed fever again yesterday.  This time a UTI is suspected. So, once again, no more visitor until the fever is gone. 


6/7 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Felix's tracheostomy was closed today! He is coming home next Monday.


6/8,9 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


We are getting the house ready for Felix.  He did not qualify to go to the rehab hospital Felix will be reevaluated in a couple of months again, if he doesn't, the hospital staff will try every two months.  Felix is dealing with his closed tracheostomy in an excellent way, he doesn't require any oxygen lines at all.  We have already found a nurse and a therapist who will come to take care of him at home. 


6/10,11,12,13,14 Ben Taub (Nursing Unit "B"):


Felix is coming home Tuesday!  We are picking up his hospital bed, medical equipment and supplies tomorrow.  Felix will get to spend his 30th birthday at home.