After his first meetings with his neurologist, everyone was
feeling appropriately optimistic. Austin
would be able to have surgery soon, and after reviewing his CT scans and
speaking with Austin, the family was told that he was recovering at a good
pace especially considering the extent of his injuries. His father Gerhard says, “he stated that Austin’s
capabilities and how he looked were comparable to what he would see in a
patient about 3 months post-op.”
“Then, after about four and a half great weeks of almost daily
progress came the rough spot we were warned of many times,” says Tina. Austin had severe difficulty sleeping, unable
to sleep more than an hour or two at a time, and going for many days with less
than ten hours sleep total. This means
that his parents, who are caring for him 24/7 also were not sleeping.
 |
| Hospital Hug - Photo by Allie Hilkemeyer |
Austin had two visits to the emergency room in one weekend,
the second via ambulance after experiencing his first seizure since his surgery
on August 4th. Austin returned home
after extensive examination and testing – with some medication changes and the
need for even more attention -- his equilibrium was skewed and he had lost a
great deal of the cognitive progress he had made in the past 3 weeks. But he
was finally able to get the sleep he needed, and his surgeon determined him
ready for the cranioplasty on September 20th.
Austin’s neurosurgeon reported that the synthetic piece used
to replace the piece of his skull, missing since the surgery following
his accident, had a good fit, and that it “went very well technically.” Everything went so well that the doctor has
already released Austin from the hospital.
There still remains some loss of cognitive skills, but not to the point
he was at directly following the seizure. His motor skills are improving, his vision has
enhanced again, especially in his right eye, and his balance is improving as
well throughout the course of the day.
The swelling from the surgery is going down, and Austin will soon resume
his outpatient therapies.
The cranioplasty is an important milestone of recovery on
many levels: physically, the brain
becomes protected by the skull; and psychologically, patients often report
feeling whole again. Up until this
point, the emphasis has been to love and care for Austin and help him prepare
for this surgery. Soon, the family will learn more about what
lies ahead for Austin as he continues his intensive physical, occupational and
speech therapies.
 |
| Just after surgery 9/20/12 - Photo by Tina Hilkemeyer |
It is hoped that Austin will ramp up his recovery now that
he has completed this phase, and that the journey will be smooth. All of the prayers and well wishes, all of
the love and financial support, have been very much a part of Austin’s road to
recovery. With so many people supporting
him and his family, Austin will be able to continue his mantra of “Get work
done – then have some fun,” with the hope, patience, and persistence needed to
fully heal and joyfully celebrate his accomplishments.
