Bleeker- Waking up- 8/21/09

Rebecca talked to Jennifer earlier this evening. Jennifer shared that this afternoon Brian opened his eyes and looked around. Tonight, Rebecca and I visited Brian from about 10:45-11:15PM. After I told Jenn about our visit, she asked us to include what transpired in an update.

The nurse shared with us that Brian is completely stable and breathing on his own. After a little while I began to read Scripture to him (2 Cor. 4:16-5:9). Rebecca and I decided to sing a song to Brian called “Before the Throne of God Above”. As I sang (and throughout the visit) I maintained consistent eye contact with him. I noticed that his eyes opened up more than normal and he was blinking. I was so sure that he was aware and looking at me that I had to stop several times and just say hi. His responsiveness definitely increased when we sang to him. I continued talking to him after the song, while he continued to focus his eyes on me. He opened his mouth wide a couple times as if to say something and seemed like he wanted to communicate. I let him know that he would not be able to talk for a while, and that he should take it easy. Meanwhile, Rebecca went to tell the nurse what Brian was doing. She came into the room and began talking to him. She opened his left eye wide and asked him to follow her hand as she moved it side to side—he followed her hand with his eye, first to the right, then to the left. She asked him to squeeze her hand, but I do not think he did. It really seemed that he wanted to talk, and, for a bit, his breathing increased; he was a little worked up. I encouraged him to calm down. In response, he did calm down. After that, he continued to fixate his eyes on me as Rebecca and I reassured him that Jennifer and the kids were doing well and that their needs are being met. We talked to him a little more, prayed with him, and encouraged him to rest and let his body get strong. When we left, he was resting again.

He was definitely responding to us tonight. What a praise to the Lord for answered prayer!

Jennifer says visitors are welcome.