Tuesday, December 13, 10:00pm

Ryan has stayed in basically the same state today. He is awake, talking, sometimes able to make a joke or get a joke, he feeds himself but doesn't eat much, can put his contacts in and take them out, and brushed his teeth. At brief times he is very present and can carry on a minimal conversation, while at other times he is confused, rambles on and on about nonsense and it's difficult to follow.
This is what we believe is the beginning of the marathon. This process in Ryan's healing, we have been told, will take a long long time and we have to be prepared for that. It's so hard to see Ryan looking so good - so normal, but not actually talking with the Ryan we all know and enjoy so much.

Today Physical therapy had him walk about 15 steps - he was very unsteady on his feet and scared us because the ladies working with him are bitty and if Ryan started to fall - we were afraid he'd take them right with him. Speech therapy had him recount his morning starting from the moment he woke up. He was able to follow the sequence to some extent, but got confused about some basic things too. He was also asked to write his name and address. He did this very well. Then, Occupational therapy had him brush his teeth, wash his face and talked with him about doing basic personal care. He was exhausted when all this was over and took a long nap. He complains of constant head pain in spite of pain medication. They tell us he is doing well. Dr. Beemer had written orders for him to be moved upstairs where the nursing care is 3 to 1 rather than the 2 to 1 he's had in CCU, but there were no beds available. Maybe tomorrow. Once they've moved him up, they will assign us a case worker who will counsel us on what will happen next. It's probable that he will be moved to a rehab facility and we will request one close to home in San Diego. We're told there is a great facility attached to Scripp's. Hope this can happen very soon.

Please keep your prayers coming for Ryan's complete recovery. We are in it for the long haul and hope you all will continue with us. We have so appreciated your love and support and will need it as this longer part of the journey unfolds.

With so much love and gratitude,
Eric, Debi, Lauren, Cameron, and ... Ryan!