September 28

Tom is home.  10 1/2 weeks in 3 different hospitals, and he is HOME!

Bryan showed him the private blog that he started in July, to keep a log of what was going on while Tom was in a coma.  He thought someday Tom would like to be caught up on what he missed.  Bryan stopped writing the day that we had news that Tom might not ever wake up.  (Close to the day that he had me start this blog to send out prayer requests).

Bryan showed Tom a few entries this afternoon, and Tom seemed to understand how sick he really was.  Please pray for him as he becomes more aware of the past 10 weeks, and the time it will take for him to get back to who he was.

Please pray for the transition to being home, for Tom and Nancy.  Please pray for his day therapy that starts next week.  Please pray for peace, joy, and patience.

Thanks so much for your prayers!

Praising God for miracles,

Brenna

September 25

Tom had a great visit at home today.  Bryan and his mom picked him up this morning, and they spent the day together at home.  Tom understood he needed to go back to the rehab hospital for a few more days, and there was no trouble when they brought him back this evening.

They had a nice time together, going over old estimates for their company (Tom knew all the customers), playing with Tom's birds, watching football, and eating meals together.  Tom went up and down the stairs a few times!  I am sure he will be tired tonight, but Bryan said he did very well.

Thank you for your prayers.  Bryan actually said it was a restful day for him personally, which in itself is amazing.

I  will update later in the week when Tom is home for good!

Please continue to pray for the transition home, and for the transition to the  new 3 days a week therapy plan.

And again -- thank you for praying and helping this day go so smoothly!

Brenna

September 23

Tom will go home for a few hours this weekend.  Please pray for a good visit for him, and for him to understand that he needs to go back to the hospital for a few days until he can come home for good.  Please also pray for clarity about what he will need when he comes home next week, so that we will be able to communicate that to the doctors and therapists, and get the assistance we need before he is home.

Please pray for the transition into home and to his new 3 day a week therapy at another rehab facility.  We have a few options at this point, but would like to start up as soon as possible. 

Please continue to pray for progress in his cognition.  Somedays are better than others.  Progress will be slow.  We are really hoping it only gets better and better as he gets home.

Please especially pray for Nancy, since she will be his primary caregiver.  Please give her extra strength and patience for this long road ahead.  And pray for the rest of us to know how we can best help her and Tom right now.

I will probably only update weekly or even monthly, once Tom moves home.  Thank you for all your prayers for Tom and our family.  We have truly seen God do miracles in his life these past 2 months.  Thank you for helping us through this season with your prayers and encouragement.

Eternally grateful for all of you,

Brenna and the Kozor family

September 20

We met with the doctor today for the family meeting.  He said that Tom is very strong physically, but still weak cognitively.  The doctor said that they believe that he will do best now in a structured home environment where he is familiar. Tom will get a short visit home this weekend, to get used to being home again, and to get ready for his return home next week!  The staff do these "day pass" visits so that they will know what he will need when he is home, and they can help prepare us a few days before he is home for good.

The doctor also tried some medication for Tom's anxiety in the evenings today, and it seemed to work well tonight.  Thanks for praying for this issue!

I had the pleasure of meeting the speech therapist today.  She was very impressed with his progress from last week, and was quite positive about his recovery.  It will take time, but he is definitely making progress. 

Please pray for the visit home this weekend, and for continued progress over this next week.  Please also pray for wisdom for the next phase of therapy for Tom.  He will need outpatient therapy to continue the progress that he has been making at this rehab facility.

The doctor mentioned Tom being alive as a miracle a few times during the meeting today, even hinting Someone was looking out for him.  Thanks so much for praying!

AND -- please all of you who live close by --- please do not come and visit Tom this weekend, or right when he returns home.  He will need time to adjust to being home again.  Though we all know it will be great for him to be at home, we also know he will need lots of rest.  Too many visitors will not be good for him or the family.  Please honor Tom and the family in this way, by giving them some time to just be together.

Thanks so much for praying with us,

Brenna

September 19

Tom continues to improve physically.  He walked quite a bit this weekend with the family, and he had a good day of therapy today.  Cognitively, he is making slow progress.  When he is tired, he is confused and sometimes irritated.  He  just wants to go home. 

There is a family meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 1 with the case manager and doctor (I think).  Please pray for clear communication at this meeting.  We have some concerns and questions.

Please also pray for Tom in the evenings.  He had a really good day today, but he starts getting more homesick, tired, confused, and sometimes angry in the evenings when the family is not there.  Please pray for Tom's peace and patience as he gets better, and pray for the nursing staff as they figure out the best way to care for him, give him independence, and keep him safe.

I will update after the meeting tomorrow. 

Please pray for more improvement in his cognition, and for him to get the rest he needs to continue to make progress.

Thanks for praying,

Brenna

September 16

Bryan's mom sent this simple text this morning:  Dad can see.

Praise God for healing!
Thank you for praying,

Brenna

September 15

Tom's surgery went well this morning.  The blood was drained from his eye, and fluid was added.  He was back at the rehab hospital a few hours later for his full day of therapy!

He has still been doing very well with his physical therapy.  He was able to walk up 15 steps, which will be necessary when he goes home.  He gets to have a "day out" next week, where he gets to go home (or somewhere else) for the day, to better see what assistance he may need when he does go home in a few weeks.

Thank you for praying for his eye surgery.  Please continue to pray for complete healing without complications with his eye.  Please continue to pray for improvement with his therapies, especially his cognition.

All of the brothers may be in town this weekend, so we may have a little family reunion at Tom's rehab place.  Please pray for good family time for us all.

Thanks so much for praying,

Brenna