Update #25

Ryan was taken this morning for a EEG. This scan will determine if Ryan has had or is prone to having seizures. Ryan was on anti-seizure medication as prescribed by the ICU at Walter Reed. This was do to his brain injury and his possible likelihood to develop epilepsy.

Speech Pathology came to assess Ryan this morning. The allowed me to be in the room, but requested that I not "cheer" Ryan on. They wanted to do a completely objective assessment of his abilities.

Physical therapy came in and moved Ryan into a wheel chair that reclines and adjusts in nearly every direction. They used a really cool lifting machine to get Ryan out of bed and into the chair. Ryan was wheeled into the therapy room where they asked him to do a series of tests. He was able to complete all of their requests including bicep curls, leg kicks and pulls, and to turn his head to the left and right.

Ryan still has very little movement on his left side and limited movement on his right side. He is working on building his neck strength. But, since he was admitted to Walter Reed on March 7, Ryan has come a long way in a short time. :)

Occupational therapy co-treated with physical therapy today. At this point they are both trying to achieve the same goal. That goal being increased strength, range of motion and control.

They left Ryan in the chair for about 4 hours. After therapy, Ryan's super-fun nurse decided to wash Ryan's hair. The EEG test left a lot of gunk in Ryan's hair. She also shaved Ryan and brushed his teeth before putting him back in bed.

The resident doctor informed me that the results of the EEG confirmed that Ryan has not had a seizure and is not likely to have one. At this point they had already taken him off the anti-seizure medication since a side-effect of the medication is drowsiness. The doctor's want Ryan to be as awake and aware as possible during the day.