27/08/2014
**ROGER SLIFER UPDATE 8/27/14**
Hi everyone. It's Connie with a new update.
it's been almost 4 months since Roger had his "bone flap" on his skull put back in. The stitches are out, the hair has grown back over the scar (a little grayer) and life goes on. He still perks up when we enter the room, still moves his left side more than his right, and loves to go outside to the gazebo.
Today we took him to a respiratory Dr for an assessment regarding the trach. Rog sees the facility Dr once every other month, and a respiratory therapist once a month when they change out his inner trach, but he hadn't seen a specialist for over a year. We figured it wouldn't hurt to get a new assessment to see if we could ever get him off the trach. Dr Shellman said we could get him off the trach, but we could easily open him up for aspiration pneumonia, hospitalizations, and even death. With the communication part of his brain damaged, he was not sure the risks would outweigh the benefits as it is doubtful Roger would ever speak again. (those who he debated, take note!) There is no guarantee if he lost the trach he would be able to get rid of the feeding tube. He is stable and I think no Dr wants to upset the apple cart by doing anything extreme. The neurologist gave us no additional hope after the flap was put back in of any added cognitive skills.
I know what I see when I walk in the room. I also know he doesn't track with his eyes always, but does sometimes. He still looks at the scrapbook with his family and friends in it, but doesn't help turn the pages as much as he did. I put my sunglasses on him one day, and he immediately reached up and took them off. The next time, he left them on the whole visit. They took him to a movie one day and said his eyes got as big as saucers and he seemed to love it (I think the movies were one of his favorite things to do) but he didn't stay awake through the whole thing. He helps the nurses put his shirt on over his head, pulls the covers up if he has a modest moment while they change his clothes, and still loves to watch the Cartoon Network. Some visits he stays awake for hours; other times he sleeps a lot. Could that be caused by anti seizure meds? I wish I could get inside his head for 5 minutes to see what he sees but unfortunately, that's not possible.
I learned the other day Keith Giffin, who co created Lobo with Roger, has another co-creator that was struck by a car and has been well taken care of for 22 years. If you've seen "Guardians of the Galaxy", Bill Mantlo co created Rocket Racoon , one of the stars with Keith Giffin. Just your trivia for the day!
Lastly, I have kept in touch with Jim McLaughlin from Hero Initiative, the organization who helped me get Roger's "stuff" home. Jim wanted me to write a 6 panel comic page for their magazine. He put me in touch with a writer and an artist, and a story focusing on Roger was born. Keep an eye out for it. Deadline was last Monday, so I don't know when it will be available, but it was definitely a new experience for me!
Keep hoping for a miracle for Roger. He deserves it. Daddy, Linda, Mike & I thank you for all your prayers so far. It may take years but hopefully someday we'll get him back. He's been off his feet so long he may never walk again (thank you Mr Hit & Run) but I still hope and pray we can recapture his creative mind. I'll never understand Lobo with my midwestern mind, but a lot of you do and I thank you for that!
Connie
