[ Notes by Ildefonso Cruz, MD.  Sammy's Father. ]

Yesterday Friday August 27, 1999

• Observations

  •  Dr. Lifshultz excitedly told Belinda his delight on seeing how good Sammy came out on the CT Scan. Gave no details.

  • We still do not know how his occipital lobe looks. For that matter, how about the frontal lobe, and the rest of Sammy's brain. The more I see how Sammy is responding, the least I think that the cerebrum is much more than a glorified spinal cord.

Saturday, August 28, 1999 3:55 PM

• Observations

  • Opens his eyes widely when he hears that I am in the room. Kisses me several times. When I lean over him to hug him says "that's enough", as if fearing suffocation by my weight.

  • Laughed when Ilde showed him Cartman of South Park.

  • Has to pick his nose, and blow his nose. Laughs when hears Rosie laugh about him "digging for petroleum". Kisses her repeatedly.

  • Received visit of young people from the Asian church, Sammy requested to sing "In His Time" and sang along

• MEDICAL FRONT:

  • The tall blond neurosurgery resident reports that the CT Scan showed the ventricles noticeably smaller in diameter. Not markedly so.

Saturday, August 28, 1999 7:09 PM

• Observations

  • Having fun throwing the beanie bag baby to whoever he is called to throw it at. Throws hard. "I can do better than that.", he says as he throws again and again.

  • So much talk, we need to record him. Having a ball, laughing and carrying on.

  • Sings "Blessed be the source of my salvation." as he claps his hand against Belinda's.

  • Upon being prompted to use his right hand he says."I'm moving it ... It hasn't moved ...". ( First time I hear from him a word of discouragement. )

  • "I know he's able, I know my lord is able to carry me through". And works on his hand. Then sings and his thoughts are turned away from his hand.

  • Talks freely.

  • When Joseph wants to move his hand, Sammy refuses.  

    • Joseph says "I am helping you move your hand."

    • Sammy answers "But I don't want you to move it."

  • Prompt: "I can do all things through Christ ... "

    • Answer: "who strengthens me."

  • When his right arm is rubbed and he objects he uses the sound "Shew ... " like Mr. Evil shutting up his son.

  • When asked by the nurse if he has a headache:

    • "Yes".

  • When asked if headache was bad:

    • "No".

  • After a pause:

    • "Just a tiny bit."

    • "A tiny tiny bit."

    • "A tiny tiny tiny bit. Ha, Ha!"

  • Right UE:

    • Joseph got him to move his right hand:

  • Shoulder:

    • Some abduction now. Had adduction and internal rotation earlier.

  • Elbow:

    • Some extension now. Had flexion earlier.

    • Some pronation and supination.

  • Wrist:

    • Flexion and extension there.

  • Fingers:

    • Moves some all five fingers.

    • At times doubts that he has moved them.

    • Has to be shown that he can do some movement without assistance.

    • Responds to congratulations.

• GOAL:

  • To eschew him from becoming self centered.