(Sun) Rough Day

(Sun)  4/13/25

It's been a really rough day for Britt.  He woke up to his sodium levels down again.  
They just can't get it stable.  He has been nauseous all day and hasn't eaten much. He walked today for the first time with a few unassisted steps.  He is just weak and needs the assistance of a walker.

Britt and Alisa didn't get much sleep last night as nurses in and out, and Britts bed alarm going off every time he moves around in bed.  And, just for memory sake, Theo yelling next door has kept them awake almost every night! haha  That will be a standing joke in our family for years to come!

As the day progressed Britt became more irritable and very agitated.  His day continued to get worse as his emotions were getting the best of him.  Britt has been on a new antidepressant for the past 8 months.  The doctors taking care of him in ICU said that that medication along with another medication together is not a good combination because
of seizures, so they immediatly took him off the antidepressant.  

Skip forward to today... To go cold turkey off and antidepressant has sent him into a deep dark hole.  Thoughts of suicide, self harm, aggression, have begun to taken over.  We had these issues the first year or two, but medication and counseling helped him immensely.  It breaks my heart to see him go through this again.  And, poor Alisa has never seen this side of him.  

The only reason I am mentioning this publically is because Britt writes about this challenge in his book and how the outside world Does Not realize what people with traumatic brain injuries can go through.  Today as Steven and I were talking to him he started sobbing, while holding his head and said, "No one gets it!"  "No one understands what my brain goes through."  

Britten is so vulnerable in his new book and so I feel he would be okay with me sharing this.  I told him, that after people read his book, at least they will have a little better understanding of a brain injury.  It's not like a physical injury as someone on crutches or in a wheelchair.  A TBI (traumatic brain injury) is a hidden injury.  If we were to shave Britts head so your could see his giant scar, maybe someone will at least think about what could have happened.  Even people with concussions or head trauma that aren't as serious can still have a lasting effect and they don't even have a scar to show for it.  My heart goes out to them and their families as a brain injury can affect your whole life.  Our prayers go out to any of you suffering with a TBI.

One thing that helped me while in the hospital 13 years ago with Britt was to have a big support system, which all of you played a roll in.  On weekends when I just needed a break, Britten's siblings were there to help cheer him up!  Alisa is already realizing how important a support system will be for her.  We just need to get Britt sodium levels up so we can get him home to address so many issues.

The next few months are going to be a real challenge for Alisa, with Britt's mental health until we can get it stable again.  We are thinking it may take 6 months or more for his physical health to be where
he needs to be.  We are so grateful for "Britt's support team",  and Alisa will need her "own" support team as well.

Prayers for a better day tomorrow and that Britt can come home.

With Love, Steven & Karla             

The big beautiful smile we love!                                                            The effects after talking to his siblings!