We had wonderfully good progress with Todd today, he is now out of sedation, and has been for the whole day (since 10 am) with no MAJOR fever incidents, now it is mostly low grade. The bacteria is responsive to the antibiotics ( a concern in the states but less common here). We are hopeful through the current bout of antibiotics the bacteria will be contained. He is also off the morphine and we are beginning to get the responses we are longing for. He is blinking in answer to questions, and we are now getting a movement in the hand ( earlier in the day this was not clearly voluntary). His eye movement is responding to cues but he is not tracking. This now is the time where we can begin to ascertain the extend of his brain injury. Still working on the apartment thing and while I would like nothing more to be home Todd’s father is confident that we are receiving the best possible care here. Tommorrow is most likely to include the tracheostoma as they say in dutch, tube out of mouth to be more straightforward….
Note to you all from Yuksel and Jockel (we call him Zander) from Berlin who have been monitering Todd’s progress over the last couple days …
hello all of you,
we are here since saturday, and guess have been lucky to see how much difference one can see between yesterday and today, and between this morning and this afternoon.. let`s start with the difference between the two days.. yesterday, when we arrived we saw Todd in much better shape than we were expecting. the fever did not raise too much throughout the day, and the doctors knew, which antibiotic the bacteria they did discover could respond to.. soo that was already one major step. and this morning(sunday), they had already taken the sedatives out… and when the nurse asked him midday if he hears her voice-blink if you do- todd was blinking, so that was great.. and then around noon time, they also stopped the morphine.. and then in the evening, when i asked him to move his hand if he understands, he did.. and he did that for three times.. but we did not get a hand movement when I asked if he knew who we were.. (alex at that moment was not there, and now i can not be too sure if i asked it in a too complicated way..) .. but anyway, i have never been so happy at the movement of a few fingers in my whole life. so that was also great. we are looking forward to better improvement tomorrow.
other than that, we are so glad that we came here. on the way to come, we thought we would have a clearer idea of his situation, how to cope, what to think.. truth is, it is not like that.. tomorrow we will be going back with more questions in our minds, curious about more things than we were from a distance..
but we go back with great hope, because we were lucky to see the improvement he makes in a day.. and we are so proud of Alex.. she is so `tapfer` as they say in german, which is not just brave, but more.. and is coping incredibly with everyting and anything… and i stop here, because she is complaining that her name is coming up too much!!! (outrage) but we say ok! anyway, we have witnessed that our company has been visibly helpfull, and that is great!
yuksel, and now its Jockel`s (Zander) turn
Yes, so for the last 2 days Alex, Yuksel, me and Todd’s dad, who we had the pleasure to meet, even if we wished it would be on a different occasion, have been around Todd’s bed. If one is not downstairs at the cafeteria fetching lunch, we hold Todd’s hands, stroke his arms, massage his feet or wipe sweat of his forehead, meaning he has one of us at each of his extremities, and we sometimes are afraid, if our treatment might too much hinder him to sleep for recreation. Sometimes we have also the impression, that Todd is very bored to be asleep too much, but in the moment all is more our interpretation, instead of information from Todd. No morfine or sedative anymore, but also no sudden awakening. But definitly noticable is some small progress. We were really surprised, how much better Todd’s appearance was this mornig, compare to last night and we hope to experience the same tomorrow morning. When we left tonight, Todd seemed to be tired after a long day. Even when the time in the hospital for us seems to pass very fast, we were tired as well. His tiredness might also have to do with our permanent wish to understand, how he feels, and every question we ask, and on which we hope, to get the (for us) most simple answer, might be a difficult exam task for Todd. So most of the time at Todd’s bed, we dont bother him too much with our questions, but simply try to comfort him and tell him from the things we recently experienced or read in your e-mails. So not too much real knowledge on our side, but a lot of hope and optimism to be shared with you … JZ
On behalf of his father and Renate:
We love our Todd & send our best to all of you.
Missing you all.
Alexandra, Dick, Renate, Yuksel & Zander
October 7, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Oh! What great news!! That’s wonderful! Go Todd! Go friends and family!! Team efforts! I, too, have been checking the site on a daily basis. Its part of my daily routine. I’m so glad that he is doing better today. Thank you for keeping us posted.
Big hugs,
Sherry Riddle (Julie, Tommy, Jake, and Ben’s friend) 🙂
October 7, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Dear Todd, Dick, Renate and Alex,
I am terribly sorry to hear of the unfortunate
accident. Please keep me posted with Todd’s
condition. Do forward my concern to him with
well wishes for a speedy recovery. He is surrounded with love and the medical attention necessary for recovery. I am grateful for that.
Todd, be strong! Remember “Harold and Maude”–I hope that brings a smile!
Fondly,
Carolyn (Hubinger) Kumpe
October 7, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Such good news lightens my heart.
Love to all,
Randal
October 7, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Wooo WHOOOOOOOOO
Mark just said “wish we had seen some of that hugh?” OMG so so so so so great.
You go my guy – you go.
Loving you from this side of the pond
Cant wait for you to come to Petaluma for that dinner we kept talking about (and Alex still wonders who will cook)
peacelovetodd!
*
A+M=JE
October 7, 2007 at 7:13 pm
YEAHHHHH!!! This is such wonderful news. We are thinking of you Todd and so happy that you are responding/improving/healing and surrounded by so much love.
There is many healing thoughts being sent to you from the Bay Area to Amsterdam.
love,
Tiffany, Ken & Odessa
October 7, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Delightful! Am on pins & needles until I see your newest post. Love it when the news is as exciting as today. Realize there is a long way to go, but it does help when the progress gives hope to all of you at bedside. I marvel at your strength…..I know the love is always there. More love to Todd and you all from A.J. & Bob. My friend, Jeanette (Tucker…..Dick you’ll know who I mean) sends her love, hopes, best wishes.
October 7, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Dear Alex and Todd, I am so very happy to hear the news today! My dear doter I can only imagen how you and Todd’s father must feel!
I guess all the love and the preyers from all over the world has made a difference.
We will continue to pray that everyday brings more changes and improvement. We all know of course that with the kind of injuries he had, he needs to take his time to heal.
I can understand that you would love to be back in the states and close to yours friends and people you love. It must be so hard for you! I am so incredible amazed by your innerstrenght, but of course not surprised. That is my daughter!!! Todd is so very lucky to have you in his life!!!I know that with your love and determination he will recover! I am relieved that Todd’s father thinks that he is getting the best of care in this hospital I know that his opinion is important for you!
My love and prayeres for you and Todd
Mummy
October 7, 2007 at 9:03 pm
So good to hear it!!!
For some reason thinking of you guys makes me want to cook. Totally random, I know. I hope I will soon have a chance to make carmelized pears with dulce de leche icecream for you. I tested it out today and it’s tasty!
Keep up the strength!
Love, Jessica
October 7, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Yay! Blinking is good! Cognition! Boredom!
All is better than sedated feverish wondering.
For Todd:
You missed a party! There was a nice b-day for Amy – it was at T-Rex off Gilman – they have a $1 oyster happy hour. Not exactly as good as Dingle doing them on the grill, but there were fancy cocktails and mac and cheese, which isn’t usually on the Jenkins menu. Everyone missed having you there, and we’ll have to do a reprise party when you return… there needs to be a good reason to grill oysters! Hopefully your head injury hasn’t damaged your taste buds, I think you had better test those first. Maybe we can put together a care package of good coffee and burritos so when the doctors let you eat you can have some familiar tastes. Just tell Alex as soon as you can what you crave and we’ll send it over. Big love from the bay area!
October 8, 2007 at 6:38 am
Alex & Todd-
I stumbled onto this site weeks ago and have been following Todd’s progress daily. What wonderful loving and caring family & friends and especially Alex he has by his side. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.I think about you all often, Todd sounds like an incrediable person that ALWAYS has a smile on his face. Glad to hear that things are improving.
A reader from Michigan
October 8, 2007 at 7:26 am
every morning when I first go on-line, I open the site to find out how Todd is doing. today I’m so thrilled at Todd’s progress in the last 24 hours. I’m sending much, much love to Todd and to all of the wonderful team there with him, and prayers for his continued recovery.
October 8, 2007 at 7:45 am
Dear All,
Well, I usually don’t like Monday’s but this one started out with such great news!!!
I must look at this blog at least half a dozen times a day. If there is no new news, I read all of the wonderful messages coming your way. We love you and send every good wish and prayer to you. Keep up the good work and to my dear cousin~I love you and I know you can fight your way back. You always have.
Love from Georgia,
Joni
October 8, 2007 at 8:31 am
In my dream last night I went back to amsterdam to find todd with alot (maybe 25) of his friends around him, and he was awake and smilin gand making snarky comments.
here’s to that dream coming true.
October 8, 2007 at 8:43 am
Todd,
you are so dearly missed and loved here. I have asked North to give me the information on SMART materials class and I will continue from where we left off: contacting companies for samples, etc.
Move your fingers if you approve.
love love love
chelsea
October 8, 2007 at 9:37 am
YEAH! I so hope that todd is out of the woods and will be coming home to us soon! I, like many, check in several times a day, listening closely to any small improvement, but this seems like a biggie. I hope it is and a I hope it signals the turning point for the return of todd and alex. alex, you are such a total rockstar keeping this whole thing together, keeping us informed and being there when todd needs you the most. major kudos to you.
as always, love, m.
October 8, 2007 at 9:43 am
I think I’ve re-read this entry about 5 times, it’s such good news. I am so impressed by your strength Todd. We all knew you could do it. Keep up the good fight.
October 8, 2007 at 10:17 am
Yeah, we’ll rebook a park party with grillin’ anna chillin’ when you gets back in town 🙂
Love hearing the good news, and know your momma is in good hands. xoxA&BJenkins
October 8, 2007 at 10:40 am
Yay! Keep your minds on the oysters everyone wants to feed you guys when you get back home. Hand squeezes and love from Oakland…
October 8, 2007 at 11:11 am
Hey!!
Great..
Love, Toetsie
October 8, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Alex and Todd….It brings gladness to my heart to hear that the awakening process has begun!! You guys are in my thoughts daily and will contniue to send positive thoughts your way.
Wendy
October 8, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Alright Todd! Great news to hear the fever is down and the Drs. are taking you off the heavy meds. Take your time and heal, we’re all sending our love and waiting to see you again.
October 8, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Hooray!!
No rush – go at your own healing pace, Todd.
And Alexandra – Penny is on her way right now bringing with her lots of love, hope and cooking skills….
XOXO-
Terre