Alfredo Francisco Flores

Alfredo Francisco Flores
Alfredo

Alfredo Francisco Flores got in a car accident on April 30th, 2000. When the ambulance came, he was already unconscious and blood was coming out of his ears. He was airlifted to a hospital where he was put in the Neurological ICU. He had severe brain swelling but no cuts or broken bones. He just had bruises, mostly on his face. It appeared that he hit his head on the side of the car when he crashed because he had a bruise around his left ear area. His brain got pretty scrambled too, just from the accident (he flipped his car, end over end). The CAT scan didn't show any damage except the swelling and torn vessels, but there wasn't any bleeding or hemorrhaging.

Originally, the doctor said that he had brainstem damage. He had some of those problems, but not the worst part of them. He definitely moved and he didn't have the respiratory problems that goes along with brainstem damage. He was breathing on his own ever since he got in the accident. However, the doctors still put a trach tube in his throat with the respirator to help him out and to lessen the pressure on his brain. He also had an ICP in his head too.

After a while, the doctors ruled out brainstem damage and said that there wasn't really any damage to the brain other than torn vessels - and that those should heal in time.

Alfredo still has all of his knowledge (like recognizing people and knowing things) but he just can't get it out and show it. It's like he's stuck somewhere and he's trying to get out.

It's now been three months since his MVA took place. He is now at home. He was discharged from the rehab center 3 weeks after he arrived (mostly because he wasn't cooperating w/ the rehab). He has been home now for probably a little over two weeks. My goodness what an improvement!!! The rehab center felt that he would do better at home being around familiar surroundings and boy were they right! Alfredo has been progressing extremely well since he's been home. Alfredo knows everything and remembers everything. He's been tested by people telling him to point at things or other people and by giving him math problems with multiple choice answers and picking out sentences by reading them. He's aced every challenge that's been given to him that's based on his memory. The only thing that he doesn't seem remember is his accident. That may come back in time though - who knows. Who even knows if that's a good or bad thing though!?!? He said his first word after he arrived home. His father was holding him up in a way that was uncomfortable for him and he managed to say "Oowww!" That was exciting, even though everyone felt bad that he was being hurt. He is doing okay with trying to walk, that's a training thing done every day - along with standing up, sitting up straight, etc. The rehab center put casts on both of his legs for probably three weeks to help his feet go back to the natural position - he had his toes pointed downwards (posturing). It actually did help him though - as weird as that sounds. His left side of his body is working very well, but his right side is really far behind his left. The damage is obviously done to that side of his body - arm and leg (injury on left side of brain). He can somewhat feed himself and he can drink out of a cup. He still has his feeding tube in though to give him the right amount of food - making up for what he doesn't physically eat. The home help doesn't know that he feeds himself and eats what he does. All of Alfredo's food is supposed to be pureed, but it's not anymore. They don't know that either.

Alfredo didn't say any other word until yesterday, but it of course was a bad one, which won't be repeated. He was frustrated and gave his brother a piece of his mind. Alfredo's still got a long way to go, but everyone is extremely proud of how far he's gotten in the last three months. Especially since the rehabilitation part hasn't really been three months, more like almost two! Everyone has a lot of faith that Alfredo will come through this probably almost all the way if not all! Every day, Alfredo is able to show people something new that he didn't do before.

God help Alfredo. He's got so many people right there beside him willing and ready to help. Everyone is just waiting for him to do what is needed. God bless his family too for their time and patience - this is ruff!

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