I am swiping some of Cindy’s notes to give a short update… Please forgive me Cindy…. Adam has had both physical and speech therapy today… we will include some videos of those in a while.
Thank you again for EVERYTHING
July 27, 2012
It’s 3:15 am, and I just spent the last 45 minutes trying to get Adam to urinate on his own. His Catheter was taken out at 3pm today and he hasn’t gone since. The doctor on shift tonight says if he doesn’t go soon or at least by 8am they will have to put the catheter back in. Adam and I tried everything we could think of. He is unable to speak to me except for simple words said one at a time. He gets irritated with his inability to say what he wants to say. He is aware of his surroundings and what is going on but just can’t communicate well yet. He also gets annoyed if you talk to him too much or speak to fast. His brain doesn’t seem to be able to keep up and process the information. He is so sweet though, and has been so compliant with everything he is asked to do. He was sleeping quite heavily when the doctor woke him up to tell him he needed to try and go….he sat up…we unhooked him and he pushed himself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I stood there with him for 30 minutes but nothing happened… he was patient though and tried so hard to do what he was asked to do but his body just wouldn’t function in that way yet. I said a little prayer and still nothing happened. The doctor said that if he is up and moving around more it could help him go. I asked Adam if he could walk around the hallway and he said okay. The nurses had to hook him up to a mobile monitoring device before we could go for a walk. Once hooked up, off we went and I was surprised at how fast he wanted to walk. I think he was walking fast because he wanted to hurry and get it over with. He walked the whole loop. That was the first real walk that he has taken except for going to the bathroom. To me it seemed to be a small victory… at least his motor skills are still intact. We made it back to the bathroom but still no luck…poor kid, he hates that catheter. I hope and pray that his bladder and urinary tract system starts working soon.
Adam’s main deficits right now seem to be speech and processing. It’s as though he is living in a fog and he can’t find his way. He is searching and trying as hard as he can to break through to the clear.
As I look at him I think about how much he has been through in his little life. He is my sweet boy Adam who was so full of energy. Now he lives in a haze of confusion trying to make sense of the world around him. Adam I am so sorry you have to go through this…my heart aches…I want to take it all away. I love you so much, more than you will ever know. I pray that this fog will pass and you will be you again soon.
Adam Sleeping Day 2 After Surgery
Cindy Reading To Adam; Working on His Speech
Resting
Adam Hawkes 
I just finished reading your blog and the journey you are all on and are facing. The long nights in the hospital…the thankfulness for so much…your uncertainties..but know your being guided thru this all..is so meaningful to me. In regards to Cindy’s comment re: Adam.. emerging a beautiful butterfly..what a comfort knowing that is a goal to work towards. I will share with you this from my own experiences with my son and husband…any accomplishments above and beyond where they are now…are all “plus’s.” and so greatly appreciated and knowing the guidence from which it comes from. We are here if we can be of help in anyway. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Dear President Hawkes & Cindy,
Thank you so much for sharing. Words cannot convey what it means for those of us ~ out here ~ who await each & every word of yours & Adam’s journey. Thank you, too, for making it such an intimate one & taking the time required to do so. Mark & I have the highest admiration for each one of you & greatly appreciate the opportunity to get to know you better ~ both during our hospital visits & reading your daily updates. You can’t know what an inspiration you & Adam are to us; just as we can’t conceive your individual trials. All we know to do is continue to pray without ceasing. We trust it goes without saying, if there’s any other way we can help, let us know immediately. We continue to believe all things will work together for good because of your faith, hope & love. Our hearts will be aching with yours over the next day or so, if Dr. B’s predication holds true; but our hearts will be bursting with pride & thanksgiving, as yours will be, with each new victory. Give Adam a gentle hug & our love.
We love you & hope to see you soon when Adam is feeling a bit better.
Mark & Marylin
Cindy & Mike, I just saw Cathy’s post on Facebook about Adam’s Everest climb & read your posts here. Adam is so grown up from the time I visited you in Florida! A few weeks ago I started working at Advanced Brain Technologies in Ogden, UT. I want to tell you about it because I think it can help Adam.
The company produces listening therapies with psychoacoustically modified classical music. The systematic training is provided through listening to this special music; it trains the brain to process sound more efficiently. It provides engaging brain stimulation to impact a wide range of abilities, such as sensory processing, brain fitness, communication, learning and memory; moving a disorganized system into an organized one.
The Listening Program combines decades of clinical research in several fields, including neurology, physiology, psycho-acoustics, auditory processing, music theory and more. Numerous studies worldwide have provided empirical evidence that substantiate The Listening Program’s efficacy.
Info from the website (www.advancedbrain.com): “The Listening Program stimulates (exercises) the different functions of the auditory processing system. This enables the brain to better receive, process, store and utilize the valuable information provided through the varied soundscapes in our lives such as music, language and the environment in which we live.”
Depending on the person, you listen to the beautiful music 15-30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. I’ve met so many people that this has helped. It would be wonderful if it could help Adam with his speech and to help his brain to organize faster. Let me know if I can help in any way. I love you guys so much. Adam and your family will be in my prayers.
Lots of love, Michelle (Noack) Feller (801)803-2796
Michelle, AWESOME.. Thank you so much for this information… we will look it up. Great hearing from you. Mike
Keep up the good work adam. . Uncle wink. . Love you guys
Dear Adam,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. You have such a brilliant mind and courageous spirit. One of my earliest memories of you was when you were about 3 or 4 years old. At such a young age, you had already learned much about dinosaurs and knew many of their names. I was amazed at your gifts and abilities. Now you are working hard to have your mind renewed and regain connections of knowledge. I know this can be done! I have witnessed it first hand many times. I have worked in the hospital now for 8 years and have worked with many patients suffering from various brain injury, anoxia, stroke, and trauma. I have witnessed first hand the miraculous ability of human body and brain to recover and regain function. I know there is great hope for your recovery and future!! We are all praying for you and I truly feel my faith is strengthened as I read your story through your parents expressions of faith. Thank you for sharing it, God bless!
– Jessica Kuculyn (aka Rodda)
Yes, we continue to pray— All Systems Ahead ! Love , M.& S.
As parents, we always want the best for our children. I am sure you would gladly take his place. Sounds as if he is doing quite well considering the seriousness of this surgery. Don’t give up! He will come back and be even better than before! He is still the focus of our prayers. We wish all of you the best there is. Our thoughts are always with you and the helplessness you feel. Good luck, Adam! We love you. Zoeann Graham
Cindy, You are an awesome Mom!