love on stuart

Please read the following from Dana,  Stuart's fiancé :

To those who don't know, my Stuart was in a car accident on 3-2-18. After close to 70 days of hospitalization at UAB, we came home about 10 days ago. He has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. I haven't wanted to talk much about it, and kinda still don't. There are a lot of questions I can't answer...only time will tell us the amount of healing and recovery he will have. I am his full-time caretaker, and it is a 24/7 job. I am sad, lonely, tired, and a mix of a million other emotions. However, I do have a wonderful family and church family who have helped us tremendously thus far. He is safe and comfortable and well taken care of here. He makes progress every week. 

Does that mean he will walk soon? I don't think so, but I also don't doubt what God can do. What it does mean is that his right foot is starting to move a little more than 2 weeks ago. The dried blood finally came out of his ear today. He remembers my name sometimes (although heartbreakingly, I don't think he remembers who I am/was to him). 

He knew his best friend's last name. He thinks he's in his 20s and it's 1999 a lot of times. He has to remember how to swallow again but is doing well with ice chips. He has regained a little neck control and can move the right arm some...not much muscle control anywhere else. That being said, you can get an idea of where we're at and how long this recovery road is going to be. 

Financially, we will surely struggle. I have 4 kids, a mortgage/bills, and Stuart's needs that are now put solely on my shoulders to take care of and figure out. I want to thank Stuart's good friends who are doing this benefit for him/us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I also want to thank my mom, Susan Segers,  for all of her incredible help. It would not have been possible for me to get the things done for Stuart without all of her help.  She takes my kids to do things daily.  She has made it possible for me to stay with Stuart while she also helps me take him to his weekly follow up appointments. She does laundry, helps me bathe him,  helps me keep the house clean and stays with Stuart  while I run to get groceries. Needless to say, she has been my lifesaver. 


Now, on the humorous/good side...Stuart can read...go figure. The brain is a strange thing! He remembers that Nick Saban is Alabama's coach...I guess no die hard Alabama fan forgets that. He remembers Prince and told me a few nights ago that Prince was a porn star (not too far from the truth, lol) and that his favorite food was not pancakes, but starfish. I guess he knew Prince deeper than I thought  :). 

Don't tell Stuart your deepest, darkest secrets because he mimics a lot. I watch a lot of lifetime movies in the bedroom with him, and sometimes he'll repeat what they say...He's probably learned a lot about how to steal the neighbor's spouse, have an affair with the nanny, and kill-off family members but only before forging a change on their will. Gotta love these movies though! I know you ladies agree at least 

;).

Anyhow, thanks again to you all for doing this. Although he doesn't show emotion, I see it in his eyes that it made him happy when I told him what you're doing for him.

Love,
Stuart and Dana