Home again

Marc indeed did come home on February 15.  He's since been to long therapy sessions at the hospital, but he is home most of the time.  He's eating food, walking around, and seems to be doing well.  He still can't hear well out of one ear and has double vision.  He's also tired a lot of the time.  But, as always, progress is being made.

Marc is scheduled to come home tomorrow (Feb 15).  He's eating on his own for the most part now, but is still being given water via tube. 

Email from Monica

"Dad continues to progress.  He is eating now - a modified diet puree and soft foods and thickened liquids.  He is however still being tube fed at night to get enough calories in him.  The stuff they feed him is high in carbs and sugar so his blood sugar has been high.  He is still scheduled for discharge on Wed the 15th.  I guess he will probably come home with the tube and I will get to feed him his "formula".  He is still suffering from double vision.  This affects his ability to read and write and balance.  He has an appointment with a neuro-opthamologist on Thurs the 16th at the Moran eye center.  They say the appointment will take about 5 hours."

More progress

Marc is getting stronger.  He's in therapy for about 6 hours a day and is making good progress.  He's thinking more clearly now.  He wears an eye patch to help his double vision.  An optimistic estimate for when he could come home is February 15th, however, he has to start eating on his own first or that won't happen.  Not much new is happening, just continued progress.

Email from Monica

"Dad Moved to the Univerisity of Utah acute inpatient brain injury rehab program today. It is in the old part of University of Utah Medical Center so you just enter like you would the main hospital, then ask for directions to the inpatient medical rehab. He is in room number 2631. There is a phone in the room Phone number 801-585-8295. The visiting hours there are M-F 4-8 p.m. Sat and Sun 12 noon - 8 p.m. He will have three hours of rehab every day except Sun. and he may have one hour on Sunday also. He is still being tube fed, but on a schedule to simulate eating a meal. We hope to have him eating soon. He has made great improvement in the last few days. He walked unassisted twice around the hallway loop and back to his room yesterday. He still tires easily and too much stimulation is not recommended so visitors should limit their visits to ten min. or so. Thanks to all for your faith and prayers we feel like he is being greatly blessed and aided from on high. Thanks also to so many who continue to shower our family with help and kindnesses."

Mailing address

Marc A Clemens
c/o Rehabilitation Center
University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics
50 North Medical Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84132

Appointments and possibilities

Marc has an evaluation from the U on Monday and then an appointment with a neurologist on Tuesday. If all is well, he could be in their rehab by Wednesday. He's still not allowed to eat, but they're working on that.

A test of swallowing

Marc passed the Barium swallow test today, but it was close. Speech therapy wants to work with him some more before he gets to eat regularly again. For now, he's still hooked up to a feeding tube. His sleeping schedule is also closer to normal now, he's awake more during the day and thus more able to hold a conversation. Short visits are welcome. He's in the South Davis Community Hospital in Bountiful.