I was assigned as a safety sitter for this young man who was involved in a car accident. He was unresponsive for a very long time. (I just met him) and when I met him, they were JUST finding out that he was responsive. I come to learn from report that his mom was by his side and was told to go home and get some rest and take care of some house duties and come back after rested. I was also told that they didn't think he would "wake up" and remember anyone....at least for a very long time if it did happen.
When I got there he had just woken up. I introduced myself and said why I was here adn asked him a few simple questions we always ask our head trauma patients. "Do you know where you are" " what is your name" etc...
His responses were slow...like someone who was getting used to responding again but they were sure. His movements were slow motion and calculating like he was learning how to use his body again...or at least remember he had one to maneuver. He was just learning to be confident back in his body.
We had a plan to suprise mom after we got done bathing for AM care. His mom came in (he was always awake just not responsive) She came in and she already knew he was improving but didn't hear him speak. I said. "He has something he'd like to say to you." with that she took a slight offense becuase she hadn't heard him speak since before the accident, but she asked him...."What did you want to say honey?"
"HI MOM!!!" Were the first words out of his mouth with a big clumsy grin looking right at her.
She turned to me and she cried "He said 'Hi Mom!'!!!"
I couldn't help but have this big cheesy, almost weeping grin on my face. I was so happy for her AND him!
Little by little he got better and was transferred to a rehab facility to get stronger mentally and physically. He was a young man but that had to be one of my favorite moments working in a hospital.
"I'm not here. Leave a message!"