Greetings all!!! Geoff is and is doing fantastic. We are still awaiting the results of the Neuro exam, should be several weeks. Once that is complete, he can get an appointment to do his drivers evaluation. Until then, it's left and right bipedal mobilization (that's walking folks). Besides, he doesn't have a car just yet. Geoff had been cleared to work 15 hours per week, and cautioned to take it easy. Word familiarization seems to be an issue right now. Part of his Neuro test was being shown several photo's and he was supposed to name the item. Geoff said he could see the picture, knew what it was, but could not think of the name. Simple things like Hammock, Asparagas. This will probably be his long term major issue, if you can call this major. Besides getting hung up on simple words, he is doing fantastic. Again, we have been truly blessed.

New update. Geoff came home last weekend and was looking fantastic. He gets out of outpatient on Friday, Aug 7, for good. Follow up doctors appointments and he will be good. Geoff is looking forward to starting college as soon as possible, since he will have to wait a while if the military will even take him. That is still to be determined. On a positive note, Carol got to see and hug him, okay maybe a couple of kisses on the cheek too. We will try to go see Kaylee so she can meet Geoff this weekend. More as it comes folks.

I know, I know, it's been a while. Latest and greatest news. Geoff came home this weekend for a short visit (and to pick up Michelle). Grandma and grandpa came to visit, I think both of them were completely shocked by how good he is doing since the last time they saw him, he was in Pensacola and just started standing on his own. I had him answer the door when they knocked and you could have knocked her over with a feather. He is probably 80% of the old Geoff. Uncle Steve visited and we took a trip to Baskin Robbins in search of a paycheck.

Geoff gets irritated very quickly, memory is getting much better but still having issues. Way I see it, not even 2 months after an accident and he's this good, what does the future hold. Geoff said August 7 is his last day in outpatient and he will be back for good. I for one am looking forward to his permanent return!!! The occupational therapist is going to check with the Coast Guard to see if that will be a possibility still in the future. They are also going to give him a gun safety course so he can go hunting again, as well as drivers safety so he can hit the roads again. I'm sure it will include a whole section on WEARING YOUR SEAT BELT!!!!!!!

Alrighty folks, time for an update!!! Geoff is progressing fantastically in Atlanta. The feeding tube and trach button have been removed. Geoff took a psych test Tuesday and we are still awaiting results, but he heard he did really well on it. Heck, he was doing algebra last week!!! I seriously doubt he will be in outpatient in Atlanta more than a month. Every day I talk to him, his conversational skills improve. He actually remembers his doctors name now, and he couldn't do that last week. Seems the more important the memory, the more likely he is to remember it. He is also looking forward to shaving his beard off. I told him he said he wanted it and he looked at me like I was crazy. Still on schedule to get out of inpatient Saturday and start outpatient Monday. He best part of this weekend comming up though.........Girlfriend Michelle is comming to visit!!! He is really missing her. More as I get it guys and gals!

Greetings from Atlanta!!!! Okay guys, saying Geoff is improved is like saying the sun is kinda bright. Today, they took his wheels away. Good thing everybody, he was getting dangerous in the wheel chair. They also took his trach out today, and put a "button" in it's place. Kid kept coughing because it felt so funny. Trach button and feeding tube due to be removed early next week. He looks fantastic, walking all over the place, eating like a teenager. He bathes himself, dresses himself, gets to his appointments on time. If I didn't know better and you told me he was almost dead a month ago, I would call you a liar. Now the bad..............cognative functions of the brain are slow. Don't get me wrong, he can write, he was doing algebra yesterday, uses the computer, plays video games. But, his short term memory is still poor. He complains about everything, food, rehab, even the other driver from the wreck. He is going to require cognative rehab, something he cannot get locally in Fort Walton, and, he has a paid scholarship here. So, it looks like Geoff gets discharged July 11 from inpatient and straight into outpatient, here in Atlanta. The good news is the average is 2 to 6 weeks and given his track record, he should breeze right through. Also, he can come back to Fort Walton on the weekends. Geoff was not thrilled with the prospect of staying here any longer, however he understands he is not all better and needs more work.

Alright, I've kept everybody on the edge of their seats long enough. Geoff is doing great. Spoke with him yesterday, he is bored because they don't do therapy on the weekends and no one is there with him. He said the computers are slow and he gets frustrated with them. Still on a short leash as he is about 75% of the way to walking unassisted. The trach is capped and his voice is getting much better. He can actually carry on somewhat of a conversation. Mostly he wants to come home. Projected release from inpatient care is July 11, no decision yet if he is staying there for outpatient or coming home. More as I get it.

Atlanta update!!! Geoff arrived just fine and was trying to walk into the facility. They had to strap him to the gurney to wheel him in. Initial indications are he is going to do well there. Today, he spoke most of the day with his trach uncapped. Plan is to cap it either tomorrow or the next day. If all goes well with it capped, they will remove it. They have him on a high calorie diet to put some weight back on him. Before he left, he had lost 14 lbs.

Hello all. Geoffrey is in Atlanta!!!! Of course, he had to leave on a positive note. After text messaging his girlfriend for half an hour, he was sitting in the chair and made a noise through his mouth. We asked if he wanted to try to talk, he said yes. Gloved him up, told him to take a deep breath, cover his trach, and try. He did and his first word......"what". We asked him what time the ambulance was supposed to be there, he said "8:30". The nurse came in and asked him what his name is..."Geoff". Between that and Geoff constantly trying to get out of the room (under his own power on his two feet), we couldn't have had a better send off. I'll be visiting next week from the 1st through the 4th. More as I get it!!!

Evening all. Last post before Geoff's big Atlanta adventure!!! I couldn't have had a better fathers day today. When I went to see Geoff, he had a card for me, with "Happy Fathers Day" hand written by Geoff himself. Geoff had 15 visitors today so he was quite awake. He even wanted to get into his recliner for a while. Still not eating too much, but it's mostly because of the trach and trying to swallow. He tends to cough a lot while trying to swallow and that puts an end to it. They should remove the trach soon after he gets to Shepherd. I intend to continue the blog and keep everyone updated as much as possible, but I probably won't have daily updates. I'm already looking forward to going to Atlanta next week to visit him. With any luck, within the next few weeks, I hope that Geoff will take over updating this blog and keeping everyone updated. Fear not, if he doesn't, I will!!

Evening all. Not much to report today. Evidently Mr Geoffrey decided to try a little walk about last night. Today he was sporting a bed alarm and a sitter. Geoff didn't have much of an appetite, as lunch was still untouched and dinner soon arrived. During our visit today, Geoff slept the entire time only waking as we were leaving. A note on his tray from friends showed we were not the only ones to visit a sleeping Geoff. No worries, supposedly he was up all night last night. TYpical for those of you who know Geoff!!!

Howdy all. Atlanta is a go. Geoff leaves Monday morning at 9 AM by air ambulance from Pensacola. Geoff is in room 245 for anyone interested in visiting before he leaves. On the days events, Geoff ate REAL FOOD for the first time in almost a month. OK, it was hospital food so that's as real as it gets at this point. Geoff had rice, fish, banana, and a dinner roll, washed down with ice tea. Kinda weird is that everything has to have blue dye added to ensure it goes the right way and nothing blue comes out of his trach. Geoff was even able to use the spoon to feed himself. Photo's coming!!! (He is so done with the dad and photo thing, but what's he going to do?). Nurse asked mom to bring in shoes because his feet are getting issues associated with laying in bed for prolonged periods. Threw his socks to him, he put them on for Grandma and Grandpa, needed help with the shoes though. Then Geoff decided since we were dressed we may as well get up for a bit. Geoff sat up, put his legs over the side of the bed, and started to stand up. After we addressed his desired final rest location (the recliner, duh, dad) he put his hands on my shoulders and stood up. Moved the padding to the recliner and after several steps to the recliner, sat down. Looked quite proud of himself. He should be, I was!!!

Good evening all. Geoffrey's writing skills improved immensely since yesterday. Yesterdays writing was barely legible at best, today, he was spelling and writing words, names, and short sentences. Still not 100% sure about the rehab location, Atlanta is possibly going to offer him a scholarship for his time there past 3 weeks. At and are approval of the scholarship, and getting Geoff there. Air ambulance is actually less expensive as insurance will pay most, but we are not sure yet if the Neurosurgeon will allow Geoff to fly. Ground ambulance, along with being a 5 hour drive, is $5400, with insurance covering $400. If all goes as planned, he will go to Atlanta, otherwise we will stick with the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center plan. Not sure what Geoff thinks about this as every time I tried to talk to him about it, he looked away. Kinda thinking he would rather stay here, we'll see though. Will try to upload photos of his writing skills for the slideshow.

Hello followers!!! What a day Geoff had today. Geoff was very alert and almost his old self, laughing at Comedy Central on the tv. Physical Therapy came in and Geoff was being prepared to get out of bed. Nurse Lori started to put his socks on until I stopped her. I threw a pair of socks to Geoff and he put them on himself. Photos will be posted!!!! Next, he stood up. Folks, I haven't been so proud of Geoff standing since he was somewhere around the 9 months old range. Geoff sat in the high back chair for almost two and a half hours until the coughing wore him out. Geoff is now off of the antibiotics and has been cleared to go to a rehab facility. 23 days after his accident and he is leaving the hospital. For all of the local folks, he is most likely going to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Shepherd in Atlanta has accepted him also, however FWB would allow family and friends an opportunity to visit. When Geoff receives visitors, his face lights up. Initial game plan is 3 weeks in house rehab, followed by an undermined amount of out patient. When we know more, we will let you know.

Howdy all! Geoff did great again today. I'm really glad he stopped all the hurdling. Today, he again had Physical Therapy, where the tech stated that his "deficiency" on the right side is gone. Geoff rested on the edge of the bed and held himself up nicely. He didn't fall asleep immediately afterward either, staying awake in his recliner for a visit. Later, Nurse Terry made a ball out of a pair of socks and Geoff, Terry, and Angela played ball. Not a lot of power behind that pitch right now, but give him some time. You can see the frustration in his face, I think his mind is running like before in the processing department, but the do it department is not up to speed. Geoff did noticed his hair cut again today, and in the process felt the scar. Dad helped him follow the scar and he got a little upset. I asked him if he wanted a hat to cover it, he shook his head yes. I asked him if he wanted a stocking cap, he made a gesture like he was grabbing the bill of a baseball cap. Settles that!!! Speaking of gestures, he told his friend Tony how much he loves him. Do ya'll know what a Jersey crotch grab is?? The boy is going to be all right!!!!

Good evening all. Well, Geoff had quite the day again today. Shortly after I posted the last update where Geoff didn't want to converse much, things changed. First, he got his bath early, and he chose what he wanted shaved. Left the Goatee and Mustache, got rid of the sides. Oh yeah neck brace is now gone as well. Nurse Enid called us in to watch physical therapy. Watch.......not me......Geoff didn't want to hold his head up for the therapist. Dad voice came out, head came up. Spent about 10 minutes holding his head up, sitting on the edge of the bed with his feet flat on the floor. Evening visit was good too, as he got another cool bed. This one folds into a recliner. Geoff seemed much more awake and wanting to look around. He was reminded that today is his and Michelle's aniversary. He looked at her, puckered his chapped lips, and got his first kiss in 3 weeks.

Early afternoon edition. The vent has left Geoffs room. He is strictly on filtered air now. Geoff was very awake this morning, but was liking the cartons on the tv more than visiting. Well, he is still a teenager after all. Shave coming tonight during his bath. Speech Therapy came by to work on his swallowing skills as he had the ET tube out for 4 days now. Had a little trouble at first as he didn't want to open his mouth, but when the first ice chip made it's way in, he was ready for more. Geoff wasn't really conversant so far today, but they did say he would do this. Time, more time. Geoff has orders to PCU (Perioperative Care Unit), a little less intense group that is not quite ready for a regular bed. 4th floor, visiting hours are, UGH, the same as where he is now.

Geoff made it almost through the night off the vent but had to be put back on for a bit. Back off today, and Nurse Angela said if he can stay off of it through tomorrow, he may get moved to a room and out of ICU!!! Physical Therapy came by again and had Geoff on the edge of his bed, which wore him out for his visits. He again was answering questions with yes and no nods of his head, and waved to his nurse at one point when she walked by his room. I'm looking forward to the move so I can stay in his room and visit more. These 30 minute visits every three hours are rough. He's doing great folks, small steps at a time.

Alrighty guy's, latest and greatest on Geoffs recovery. Geoff has been off the vent all day and the respiratory doctor wants to leave him off all night to see how he does. So far, so good. Physical therapy came by to assess Geoff and start working with him. They determined Geoffs weak side is his right side. They had him sitting up on the edge of the bed even!!! The nurses removed Geoffs arm restraints so he has full mobility now. He is still wearing the neck brace, but that should go soon as well. Geoff is now adjusting himself in bed to get comfortable. It shouldn't be too long before he steals the remote and cleans out the nurses fridge at 2AM.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we truly feel blessed by Geoffs condition and his progress so far. We appreciate the letters, notes, cards, and well wishes we have received so far, and greatly thank you all for your support during these times. God Bless you all.

To the moderators at Police Wives, the flowers are beautiful. Hopefully Geoff will be in a regular room soon so we can take them back to him. For now, we are enjoying them at home. Thanks to all the ladies who are leaning posts for my leaning post.

I'm sure you have all seen the "happy dance" snoopy does in the Peanuts comic strip. Well, if you had been in the ICU unit this afternoon, you would have seen a 300# white guy doing the happy dance!!! Geoffs surgery went well, he now has a trach tube to breath through and a feeding tube to his stomach through the abdomen. I really didn't expect him to wake up, since he had only been out of surgery for 40 minutes. Geoff opened his eyes with about 10 minutes of visiting left. You coul tell the kid was clear, he looked right into my eyes. Okay, so dad has this figured out, he still can't talk so we will use eye blinks right?? Wrong, after squeezing my hand on request, he began moving both legs up. I leaned over and asked if his stomach hurt. Eye blinks, not Geoff, he NODDED YES. Dad was dancing, crying, Geoff probably thinks i've lost it, with the nurses all cheering. You go boy!!!!!!

Good afternoon. Geoff continues to leap small buildings in great bounds! Off the Diprivan this morning, bottle is gone. Vent back down to allow him to breath better on his own. Geoff was much more aware today, giving thumbs up and hand squeezes upon command. Doctors are hopefull he can come off the vent all together otherwise they are going to have to perform a tracheotomy on him. Geoff is very much aware of his surroundings and is very emotional right now. You can see the fear in the kids eyes. This will be it for tonight unless they call with more info, pop is home and getting some rest before my doctors appointment in the morning. Thanks again for all the support and prayers, and keep those prayers coming.