Olivia

For those of you that know Olivia, you aren't surprised that she's such a cool kid. But for those that don't know her, she's just the most precious thing on the planet. She's the perfect mixture of Jessica and Brian in looks and personality and she can melt your heart in a second.

Last night, I babysit Livi while Jessica visited with Brian. We played with "Polly" and read tons of books (Livi is really reading now!!). Eight o'clock came and that meant bedtime. So she brushed her teeth and got in bed and I asked her if she said prayers before she went to bed. And she said yes -- so she got the guardian angel figurine that someone had left in Brian's ICU room for him and we each held a wing.

And then she prayed:
Dear God,
Take care of my daddy.
Make my daddy feel better.
Thank you God for giving me a good family.
Amen

So if all of us could be as innocent and trusting as Olivia, there's no need to worry. And I know that God heard that prayer and that miracles will happen.

Brian has had a fever for the last few days and so he is not really feeling like visiting. And I think the meds are making him drowsy. So we need to all pray that he will knock this fever out so that we can hang out with him again.

And in the meantime, I think we are all learning from Olivia.
I know I am...

From Jessica

10/29/2006
By: Jessica

Brian has been moved out of ICU to Room #566. It’s on the 5th floor - follow the signs. The nurse said they are pretty lenient with visiting hours as long as everyone is quiet and respectful of the people around them- don’t have too many people in there at once and close the door if you want to play music. Thanks!


Hi Everybody,

As Jamie reported, Brian had a great day on Thursday!! It was so great to sit there and talk to him. He remembered every story I told and answered every question I asked. He was trying very hard to speak- he mouthed words and he was able to grunt “yeah” and “no”. I brought him a card Olivia picked out for him and he loved it. He kept reaching for it and once he was able to grab it he smiled and kept staring at the card and looking at what she wrote to him. It was so sweet. He kept taking my hands and lifting them up to his neck/face- at first I was worried he was reaching for his tracheal tube, but then I hit me. His face and nose were itchy- he wanted me to scratch them for him. I sat there for 20 min scratching him and putting lotion on him. I could see a look of relief spread over his face. It was so awesome to sit there and see the “real” Brian in that bed. He still has a ton of hard work to do.

It seems the social worker from Kennestone misunderstood what the liaison from Shepherd said about his move to the center. The nurse then told me about it as the social worker understood it. Then unfortunately, I reported it to all of you. Here’s the real deal: He has been accepted- even with his Medicaid pending. But there are some things that have to happen first. Brian needs to be able to withstand at least 3 hours of Physical Therapy (PT) a day. He needs to be like he was on Thursday all the time. He is still in and out of awareness- he’s not consistently able to preform commands. He finally started PT Monday. But they are starting off slow. But as the nurse said to me- imagine someone broke both your legs- and then told you to dance. He needs more time to heal and get to the point that Shepherd will take him and be able to help him.

The hospital is now saying he does not need to stay there- It would be safer (too many germs at the hospital and his lungs are still fighting that infection- it is clearing up well though) to take him home or to move him to another facility where he can continue to receive daily PT. It is not a good idea for him to come home yet. He still needs professional care at this point- and I don’t have the experience to care for him like he needs. Without insurance it will be impossible to find in home care. Now, it’s a matter of finding a place that will take him as Medicaid Pending- that will work with him diligently to provide PT as well as keep him stimulated and well cared for- until he is at what they call “Rancho Level 4-5". Once he reaches that point- we will wait for a bed to open up at Shepherd. Then he will start the 4 week program - come home and continue out- patient therapy through Shepherd.

I am confident he will get to that point sooner than anyone expects. 4 weeks ago I was told he may die- 3 weeks ago I was told he may never open his eyes again- 2 weeks ago I was told he may never do more than stare-1 week ago I was told he may not remember me- and look at him now. Please keep praying for Brian- he still needs all our prayers, good thoughts, and support.

Thank you all so much for being here for Brian, and for me. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.

Thank you,

Jessica


P.S. Please mark your calendars to head to Sidelines Grille on Barrett Parkway for The Brian Hatton Benefit Concert this Thursday November 2nd. Featuring Jason “Lefty” Williams and Dino as well as other talented musicians. I hope to see you there!

YAY BRIAN!!!!!

So we are super pumped today!!!!
Last night was the best night and Brian was at his best!!!

For the first time in 4 weeks, we saw Brian -- the real Brian, the old Brian -- and it was exactly what we needed.

Greg and I went to visit him after work last night, and when I first walked in he was lying on his side watching TV, wide awake. So I went over to him and started to talk to him and he was answering all my questions. And when I told him I loved him, he mouthed back "I love you"!!!! HOW WONDERFUL IS THAT!!!!

I asked him if he wanted me to teach him a little sign language and he nodded so I taught him how to sign "yes" and "no". And he copied me and then used them properly....He said that he was hurting and I asked him where...so we went through each part that I thought my be bothering him and he signed no to everything except his head. So his head was hurting.

I asked him if he knew how he ended up in the hospital and he shook his head no so I told him. It seems like he remembers hanging out with Lee and Robbie that night but he doesn't remember the accident.

Well, Greg was just so happy to see his friend back...so he talked to him about work and what's be going on since Brian has been gone. And then we showed him all the pictures of him and Livi and Jessica. He wanted to hold each one - he actually dropped one and then picked it back up (that has to be a good sign!!). And then he wanted Greg to scratch his nose for him and afer he did, he put his hand out to shake Greg's hand. Who knows how long his nose had been itching!!!!

And he wanted to hold the foosball so Greg gave him that and told him about the foosball tournaments and raising money for him.

And then - typical Brian -- he wanted the remote control!!! :)

We put on some of his music (Sublime) and he enjoyed that...so we were there for about an hour and he was visiting with us the entire time.

The great thing is that the nurse said he was up at 6, still up at noon for a visit with Phil; we were there from 6-7 and then Jessica was there until almost 10. So he was awake all day!!

After yesterday, there is no doubt that Brian is coming back to us. He's excited about moving in with Jessica and Livi and he can't wait to see his brother Danny next week. (We could tell by his reaction that Jessica, Livi and Danny are 3 very special people to him -- but we already knew that!) He actually made us move his favorite picture of him and Livi closer to him so that he could look at it. And he sat there looking at that picture for the longest time....what a Daddy!

I hope that I have captured everything that happened last night...After so many nights of watching Brian sleep, to actually talk to him was an absolute blessing.

Unfortunately, sometimes you don't realize how special people are to you until you almost lose them. Thank God we all get another chance to tell Brian how much we love him and need him here.

Way to go Brian -- we are so very proud of you.
Keep fighting.
We're with you all the way!!

Thanks to all for your continued prayers -- God is working with Brian and bringing him back to us.

PS - I will post an update from Jessica later today. She has quite a few stories to share from last night too! :)

Let's Stay Positive!!

10/25/2006
Posted By Jessica Tougas

Things are still moving along nicely with Brian. I just spoke to his nurse she said he is a bit groggy this morning, but he is participating in Physical Therapy. I’m thrilled they will be working with him daily until his move over to The Shepherd Center.

I need to make a correction to my previous post regarding the Benefit Concert on November 2nd. Things will kick off around 7pm. The requested donation at the door is $5 with all proceeds going to a fund set up for Brian. Info is still coming in about the musical acts, but I will hopefully have some names to post early next week. There will also be a raffle where you can win some cool prizes. I will provide more information as plans progress.

Brian has so many wonderful friends and relatives who care about him so much and want to be kept up-to-date with his recovery. That being the main reason this web-site was created. There is a message board on foosball.com in which several posts have been made with love and prayers for Brian. I am so thankful that Brian has so many people that love him and care about his well being. There have also been several posts providing incorrect or negative information that is either false or stretched slightly. Information has also been posted, but then failed to be updated so that the people who only know of that site (foosball.com) are reading out-dated or incorrect information.

It came to my attention this morning that the following post was made: “All information about Brian Hatton has been removed by the request of Jessica Tougas. Below is a website that you can visit that was made by her for specific information about Brian Hatton.” I did not and would not ever make such a request. My request was that incorrect, negative information not be posted. I have tried very hard to keep everyone informed on Brian’s condition. Having to do damage control for things that people read or hear about this message board is not helping the cause. I appreciate everyone’s love and concern as well as willingness to spread the word of how well he is progressing. However, I want people to be informed correctly and fully.

It is very important to stay positive for Brian. He can sense what people are feeling when they visit him. I love him very much and want nothing more than for him to come home and live a complete fulfilling life. I want Olivia to grow up with her daddy. In order for those things to happen we all have to stay positive. Brian has already beaten the odds and I know he will continue to do so.

Thank you,
Jessica

FYI: Visiting Hours

I should have posted this at the beginning so I apologize to those that have needed this information. (To the sweet guy last night, this is so you don't end up all over the 3rd floor again!)

Visiting hours:
EVERYDAY
8:30 am to 7:00 pm
8:30 pm to 7:00 am

Shift change occurs during the breaks (7-8:30).

The ICU is located on the 4th floor (4 North).

Please remember to wash your hands before you visit so that Brian doesn't catch any germs! :)

So those that would like to see Brian, bring your smiles and funny stories. Brian would expect a (quiet) party in his hospital room!!

More Good News!

10/24/06

By: Jessica

Brian went in for a CT scan last night. He was showing some signs of blood clots- so they wanted to run some tests to be sure. He tested negative for blood clots- but he has some pneumonia. He is producing a lot of secretions. They are keeping him on antibiotics and monitoring him often.

Aside from that, he is doing well. I just got off the phone with his nurse and she reported that he is doing great this morning. Doing everything he has been asked to do. She said it even looks like he is trying to speak- and making tons more facial expressions and moving his mouth and eyebrows.

She did say she spoke to his Dr. this morning and they agreed to keep him in ICU until he makes the move over to Shepherd. Because of all the secretions, he needs to be suctioned often, and the nurses in ICU can cater to him better because they have fewer patients to watch over.

That’s about it for now- keep looking at the positive and praying that Brian will make a full recovery and be home very soon!

Thanks so much,

Jessica

From Jessica

10/23/06
By: Jessica Tougas

Hi All,

I went to see Brian today. He looked great! His eyes were wide open and he waved at me several times as well as squeezed my hands. I gave him a bunch of kisses on his cheeks and nose- when I stood back he was making a kissy face at me- I asked “are you giving me kisses?” and he nodded his head “yes”! Aw!!!!

Last week he did have a bit of a lung infection. On Friday they had him in isolation for several hours - but when the infectious disease Dr. came in to check on him, he said the infection was not so bad - so he was off isolation. This type of infection is very normal for the type of injury Brian sustained. Being on his back and not moving for such a long period of time allows fluids to build up insdie him. His not smoking for several weeks also plays a huge part in all the build up in his lungs. Everything just wants to come out now - so he has been coughing a lot. He is on antibiotics and they seem to be doing the trick. He's doin gmuch better. I'm so proud of him for all the hard work he has been doing! He has been fighting very hard to come back to us and I am confident that all his hard work will pay off.

On Thursday November 2nd there will be a Benefit Concert at Sidelines on Barrett Parkway in Brian’s honor. Everything will get started at 8:00 PM and admission is $5 at the door. All proceeds will go to help Brian and our family. Four bands will be playing and it is sure to be a great time. I hope to record it so that Brian can enjoy it as well. He loves live music so much and will be so touched and grateful to know there was a concert just for him!

Special Thanks to Mikie and Rupert for all your hard work putting this together. We are currently trying to plan other events and tournaments (Foosball, Golf, Disc Golf) in Brian’s honor as well as to raise money to put towards all the up coming
expenses. We will keep everyone posted as plans start to come together.

Thanks again for everyone’s prayers and good thoughts! I’m sure Brian can feel all the love being sent his way. It has been fueling his trip down the Long Road to Recovery!

Thank You!!!!!

Jessica

P.S.

Brian,
I love you! Get well soon! Olivia and I miss you sooooooo much!
Sending BIG love your way always and forever!!

We miss you Brian.

Short post today -- Things are still the same with Brian. He has his eyes open everyday but we are ready for him to really wake up. We really appreciate your comments. And we know Brian is enjoying them too.

For those of you that can and will, please pray for Jessica tonight. She seems overwhelmed. She's doing such a great job looking out for Brian and she still finds the strength to keep life normal and fun for Olivia.

Life is moving forward but we know she misses her greatest friend...

__________
"I was waiting for such a long time, he said. I thought you forgot.
It's hard to forget, I said, when there is such an empty space when you are gone."
StoryPeople 2006

We love you Brian.

HE GOT IN!!!!

Jessica found out tonight that BRIAN GOT INTO THE SHEPHERD CLINIC!!!

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

The nurse told her that he has been accepted and will be going in 2 weeks. He will be at the clinic for 4 weeks and then he'll come home and be in out-patient care for as long as it takes.

So it looks like Brian will be home for the holidays!!!!

He continues to get better everyday. He is still battling some infection in his lungs -- they have him on antibiotics and he's doing a good job coughing. Apparently this is very common for people that have been immobile for awhile. And his helmet came in and it has a rainbow strap!! So I'm sure he's not very happy about that. He'll have to wear the helmet until the doctors put his skull back into place, but the nurse told Jessica they're going to try to get him a better-suited strap. :)

I think everyone is excited that he's doing so well...The doctor even said that he's made real progress -- and coming from a doctor, that's a big statement!!!

So now, we're all staying put and waiting until they move him to Shepherd.

Thank you all again for your prayers and your comments.

Please continue to pray for Brian --
And for Jessica, Livi, and all of us here,
Thank you for keeping Brian close to your hearts!!

If you'd like to check out the Shepherd Clinic and see how wonderful it is, go to www.shepherd.org.

Jessica's Update:

10/18/2006

First I’d like to apologize for taking so long to update this! Things have been pretty hectic lately. Brian is really doing great. He continues to surpass all expectations. Yay Brian! He is still in and out. He may be very responsive one minute and very lethargic the next. I have been one of the lucky few who have seen those brown eyes opened up all the way. Monday night I was up there asking him yes/no questions and he was able to answer with a nod or a shake of his head. (In case you’re wondering, he’s ready for a Disneyland vacation too!) It’s so exciting to be able to communicate with him! Tonight he seemed very sleepy, so I couldn’t get too much out of him. But he has been through a lot, so I am going to give him a little slack.

I met with a representative from the Shepard Center yesterday afternoon. I really want him to get accepted into this program. They are among the best brain rehabilitation centers in the country. And it’s right here in Atlanta! Their success rate is very high. They only have 20 beds in the Brain Trauma part of the center. So there is, of course, a waiting list. It is a 4 week program so the turn around is pretty quick. There is also the dilemma of Brian not having health insurance.

His brother (Danny) and I filled out all the paper work to get the process of Medicaid started.. We also applied for Social Security and Disability. But it takes up to 5 months before you get approval. Wouldn’t you know it, but you have to get approved for Social Security before you can get approved for Medicaid.........I was on the phone with several different people this morning. Most giving me the run around or telling me I had to speak to the person I just spoke to who told me to call the person I was currently talking to...... ( I hope that made some sense!).....it’s very frustrating. I did finally get someone who took the time to help me (THANK YOU PHYLLIS!!).

The good news is the center will accept Brian even if his Medicaid is pending. The big thing is what is in his chart. If the Dr. notes in his chart that he will be disabled for a year or more, that will basically guarantee his acceptance. But at this point it looks as though everything is in order (Keep your fingers crossed and pray) . It will be 2-3 weeks before a bed becomes available. He will remain at Kennestone until that time. I’m not sure if he will continue is stay in ICU or if he’ll be moved to another room. After he completes the 4 week live-in portion of the program he will be coming home!!! He may even be home for the holiday’s. There is another out patient program in Decatur in which he will go to daily (M-F) for 4-5 hours of physical therapy and rehab. It will be a ton of hard work- but it will be very worth it.

Within the next month Olivia and I will be moving into a larger ground level apartment. In case Brian is in a wheelchair temporally or struggles with stairs he will be able to navigate the entrance to his home. He will have his own space to rest and heal. I will most likely need lots of help when he comes home. I’d like to try to work out a schedule with people who will be able to stay with him when I have to be at work and so forth. There is a lot of time to work all that out, but I did want to put that out there. So if you’re willing, and have a week day free every now and then, please let me know! :) I’d also like to let everyone know we are trying to organize a fund raiser. I will provide more info as it becomes available. Also, if you know ways of pushing along the Social Security approval process, I will be forever in your debt if you share the secret with me!

Thank you again to everyone who has been there for me through this all. Brian and my families, friends, acquaintances, anonymous strangers....everyone. I am so touched, and grateful for all your support. Every form of support. Please keep praying and staying positive for Brian. He really is doing so great. He is very strong. He wants to live. He wants to get better. He wants to be here to see what an amazing beautiful woman our daughter is going to grow up to be. Every person reading this want all of those things for him. He wouldn’t have come this far this fast if it weren’t for everyone being behind him. So keep up the good work everybody!!!


Thank you again,
Jessica

Small Steps Forward....

Yesterday was a big day for Brian…after work, Lindsay, Sampson and Melissa, and I went by there before visitation ended at 7. They were there when I walked in and Brian was wide awake!! He was looking from person to person. Lindsay asked him if he had a good day and he nodded yes. He was moving his mouth and eyes/eyebrows like he was trying to talk so he was getting a little frustrated. But he was holding my hand and it felt so much stronger.

And we know that he’s still got his smart aleck ways to him because Melissa was commenting on Sampson’s phone ringing so much …. She told Brian, “He thinks he’s so popular doesn’t he?” And Brian looked at her and nodded his head!!! :)

So Brian is definitely coming back and we could not be happier. We are so proud of him because he is fighting hard everyday. And we know he’s tired but he just keeps on trying.

I read this last night and thought of Brian:
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was within me an invincible summer.”
How true – we knew that Brian was a fighter but he’s got the opportunity now to really show the world what he can do.

Keep fighting Brian!
We all love you!

--Jessica will post more about his condition and the Shepherd evaluation later.

Shepherd Clinic Evaluation

So today, someone from the Shepherd Clinic is coming to evaluate Brian. This clinic is tops in the nation for rehabilitating people with brain and spinal injuries, so we are really hoping he'll get in. Jessica is going to meet with them around noon today so please pray for Brian at that time. Pray for him all the time....

He's doing really well -- Jessica will post an update and any news we get from today.

Thank you to all that have left comments. We will print them out and read them to Brian so he knows everyone is cheering him on!!!

And special thanks to those that continue to pray for Brian, Jessica, and Livi -- keep up the good work!

The Latest News:

I'd just like to add some things about Brian's condition. My name is Jessica. I'm Olivia's mom and Brian is my Best Friend- but he is so much more to me than just that.

I found a foosball message board that has some incorrect info on it, I've also heard some rumors that I'd like to try to clear up.

When he arrived in the ER at 5am Sept. 30th they rated him at 3 on a scale from 1-15. Anyone who enters the ER unconscious is rated at 3%. He did suffer from severe brain trauma and swelling. The Dr. said it usually takes 2 days for a brain to swell as much as Brian's did in just a few hours. There was also a period of time when he did not get a lot of oxygen - BUT he was breathing. Just not well. I was basically told he was going to die. Then another Dr. suggested a surgery that they would remove part of his skull to allow his brain room to swell. Brian did NOT have a part of his brain removed. That surgery saved his life. It changed everything. The Dr's have NOT told me nor anyone in his family that he had a 50% chance of survival. The truth is no one knows what to expect. It is all up to Brian now. That said, there is a very good possibility that he will make it through this just fine. Brian is a very strong-willed warm-hearted person. He has an amazing love for our daughter. Anyone who really knows him already knows this. I love him dearly and we all need to stay positive for Brian. He needs everyone to root for him so he can pull himself through this. Since it is up to Brian, I have faith that he will pull through this. Brian needs EVERYONE to have that same faith in him. He opened his eyes on Friday October 13th after being in a coma for 13 days. He has given the thumbs up sign, raised his hand and pointed a finger. I spent most of the day yesterday staring into his eyes talking to him. I know he could hear and understand me. He's squeezed hands when asked, made facial expressions, and all his vital signs are excellent. Plus, he is breathing on his own now. He will have a long road to recovery, but he will recover. He may need to re-learn simple things that we all take for granted everyday such as -learn how to walk again, speak again, read and write.....etc. But what ever he needs, I will be there for him 1000% to help him, push him, or to do whatever he needs to help him get better. I hope that other people will be there for him as well. Please pray that he will come back to us. There is power in prayer and Brian needs everyone's support. Don't give up on him please. His body has been through a lot and it needs to heal.

I am so grateful for everyone who has helped our family. This has been a very difficult time for me. Brian is a huge part of my life. He really is my best friend. He has always been there for me when I really need him - and I will always be there for him. He is a great daddy to Olivia. They have such a special bond. She needs her daddy. I need her daddy. I can't and won't picture our future without him in it. Knowing that I have so many wonderful friends and family to help me with Olivia so I can spend as much time as possible at the hospital with Brian, or to be there with a hug and a shoulder to cry on, to just listen when I cry or need to talk, or to offer to do my laundry or clean my apartment. I am also deeply grateful for the financial help. Brian will be out of work for several months if not years- I don't want him to have to worry about anything but getting better. The thought of having to support our family on my own is very nerve-wracking. But a lot of the burden has been lifted after all the people who have donated to help us It's just been amazing and

Thank You so much to everyone.

So, please spread the word. Brian is NOT brain dead. He does NOT only have a 3% chance of survival. He did NOT have part of his brain removed. He DID open his eyes. He WILL get better if we all support him and stay positive.

Thank You,
Jessica

Welcome Back, Brian!

So it's true -- Brian is waking up!!! After 13 days of sleeping, Brian has finally decided to come back...He is opening his eyes and even gave us the thumbs-up sign when we asked him to. He is completely off the ventilator and they are talking about getting him to a rehab center as soon as they can.

Everyone is so happy....what a great day!!!! When I left, he was resting again. The nurse said that they had been stimulating him all day so he was probably tired. But now we know that he is going to get better.

So many people are praying for him and we thank you all for that. We just ask that you continue to keep Brian, Jessica, Olivia -- all of us -- in your prayers.

What a great Friday the 13th!! :)

Life before September 30...

We are starting this blog in order to keep all of Brian's family and friends -- from California to Dresden Germany!! -- aware of his progress and to allow people to post their thoughts and prayers.

First, life before the accident was always a party with Brian -- he is carefree and fun. For those of you who do not know Brian, he is just vibrant. He works very hard with his friend and mentor Phil - who is teaching him carpentry skills and how to make fine pieces of furniture. He also works at Sidelines Grille as a cook and bartender, so he is very busy. He is probably best known for being the most obnoxious foosball player ever -- completely annihilating me on the first day I ever tried to play. That's why I hate the game ... thanks Brian!! But I'll leave the foosball posts to those that know what they are talking about. But he is most proud of being Olivia's dad. She is 6 years old now and just the coolest kid on the planet -- probably due to her mom but we'll give Brian a little credit :)

So how do I know Brian... well I met his roommate Greg over 2 years ago and became their 3rd roommate for over a year. We had so much fun living in that house...even though it was a little loud and messy for a girl. Foosball night was every night, but luckily Livi came to stay regularly so that I could have another girl in the house. And that's where I came to love the Hatton family -- Brian, Olivia and Jessica (even though she's not technically a Hatton). Greg and I got married this August and Brian was our best man and Livi our flower girl. And we think of them as family. So when he got hurt, it was like a part of our family was hurt. Actually, there are a lot of people that felt like that....Brian is a part of a lot of families :)

So that is the background on Brian.....all anybody really needs to know about Brian is that he is the life of the party. And the party's on hold until he wakes up.....