Tym Stark Hospitalized - Day 13 (He’s out!)
Day 13 - Thursday 10/04/07
Great news! We’ve passed our first major milestone and got Tym out of the hospital and into a rehabilitation center. In the rehab center he will get the special care he needs and will no longer have to be restrained with jackets and wrist straps. The restraints definitely hindered his ability to focus and this often prevented him from exercising his brain.
Tym’s morning started like previous mornings, he did very well with all of his therapists, but he started to get frustrated again. After he ate his breakfast, Tym fought and was restrained to the bed. He was determined on going out to dinner and he invited anyone who walked in the room to join us. We tried to figure out where he wanted to go, but he couldn’t think of any restaurants in the area. Tym did mention his new house and that he liked the Angels baseball team. We have been talking about this to him often. It’s still a good memory whether it is from prior to the accident or not. It shows that he’s making improvement, and accessing some memory short/long term. We let Tym eat his lunch on his own with the help of the therapists.
We are learning as a family to not over-stimulate him. Too many visitors, especially at once, will hinder his ability to focus on tasks and develop his cognitive skills. Tym is only allowed to see even his family members 2 at a time.
Most of the afternoon was consumed with the transportation of Tym to the rehab center and tying up loose ends at the hospital for the family. We got to put Tym in his new clothes before dinner, and he was much happier. He was singing and dancing around his new room. He did fall twice, but luckily onto the bed both times. Tym took some medication orally to calm down, but it wasn’t strong enough or didn’t act quickly enough. His frustration began to escalate, and he was trying to get going as he still wanted to go to dinner. He started grabbing and pulling equipment and utility carts and Mitch and I were not impressed by the staff’s ability to contain Tym. We did not want to leave until they proved to us they could handle him. We did not want to see him hurt himself or any of the staff. We know they are experts, and they probably deal with this all of the time, but it wasn’t apparent to us as being demonstrated.
Thank you for all of the support! Thank you to all of the experts who have always been professional and supportive. Thank you to the heroes that saved Tym’s life at the race! I cannot express our gratitude enough. We will be in contact with you. Thank you to all the readers, friends and family who have written such great messages, it has really kept the family (and the blog) going. Thank you for the cards, pictures, posters and flowers. You have all contributed, whether you realize it or not, in getting our father, brother, and son to be able to enjoy life again. It’s a long road ahead, but we know we can make it with your continued support.
I know it sounds as if I am saying goodbye, but I will continue to update the blog as appropriate, it just doesn’t need to be daily anymore. I will always post new pictures and successes when they happen. And I WILL definitely let you know when it is healthy for Tym to have visitors. I haven’t forgotten.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Thank you so very much for the updates. It really helps to know exactly how to pray for Tym and family. When you have a chance can you post the address of the rehabilitation center so we can continue to send cards/flower/etc.
Tym, keep up the good progress and don’t give the staff too hard a time.
October 5th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
What a blessing! Thanks you so much for keeping us posted!
Love, Ron and Shaun
October 5th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for the updates - they really help us know how to pray.
Shari and I were not able to sign the Royal Family Poster for Tym, but wanted to pass along our wishes for his recovery. We’ll pray that he can reconnect with his memories more and more each day.
You’re a great guy Tym - hang in there!
Love,
Randy & Shari Heimlich
October 5th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Hi Tym
We were so happy to hear you have left the hospital and are now starting down the road of recovery.
We are praying for you, and your family. It is wonderful to get updates and pictures of you on the family website.
Keep working hard, and we will keep praying hard for you!
Your sister in Christ from FBF
Naomi
October 5th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Congrats Tym!!!
I am so glad for the updates. Thank you Jeremy for doing this. Being so far away (Iowa), it was hard getting information third hand (Kay and Zanita).
As soon as I heard about the accident, I started a prayer chain here. Prayers for Tym and all the family are heading your way.
Love to all
Tom, Chris and Katri
October 5th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Jeremy,
Thanks for keeping the site updated. I check daily to see the progress and am happy to hear that things are doing so well. Steve, Eric, and I are all pulling for Tym. We can’t wait until he is well enough to have visitors. We have already talked about a trip down to see him, it means a lot that you keep referring to us as “heroes”, but we were just the first ones there. I would like to think that anyone would have done the same thing, had they been in our shoes. Keep us informed and we will all meet soon.
Tym,
Keep up the good work, and we will all go out to dinner soon!
Take Care,
Brian
October 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Hi Tym,
Hey I like your new bed! Way to go! Praise God you were able to be released from the hospital!! I am glad you are able to watch the Angels play in the playoffs against Boston! I am also watching them play on TV. I remembered when we were at Angel stadium, and your tradition to bring luck to the Angels was to have a “halo icecream sandwich” at the bottom of the 7th inning, do you remember? Well tonight as they play I am going to have an icecream sandwich at the bottom of the 7th inning as they play Boston.
Tym I am praying for you continued healing everyday! In John 14:12 we are to obey God moment by moment. As you know Tym sometimes God sends angels with skin on to help us, and while you are in recovery I pray that you will follow the guideance of all who are trying to help you recover fully! I Praise God for your son Jeremny who has done such a wonderful job of creating this web site to answer so many questions that we all have about you. I pray that God continue to give strength and guideance to your family, Tym. It is your unconditional love that you have shown to everyone that is holding all of us together!
Huge Hug,
Dodie
October 5th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Hi Tym,
We are so glad to hear that you are out of the hospital. Gary’s out too.
His shoulder surgery went well, and he’s doing fine. Sounds like you are improving everyday, and we are so happy about that! We are continiuing to pray for good progress, so hang in there! We are delighted to hear that you are so much better. We are greateful for the updates, to keep track of how you are. So keep up the good work! God Bless You Tym!
Love, Gary and Carol
October 5th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Thank you again for all the updates. God Bless you all as you continue your work with Tym.
Tym, remember to keep those fruits and vegetables coming in! If you don’t like the taste, those juice extractor machines make some great nutrition in a drink, and takes much less time than eating a salad!
God Bless you all, again!
Carolyn
October 5th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I saw the note above from Brian. It looks like you are the ones who performed CPR on Tym. I want to thank you all so much. Not only were you “just the first ones there,” but you were obviously CPR trained. Maybe that’s something we should all think about doing. CPR saves lives. I know I’m out of date on my certification and I’ll be at the next class I can take. I encourage everyone to look into taking a CPR class. They usually offer them at your local Red Cross and I think it’s about $40 and a few hours of your time. Well worth it. Hopefully it’s a skill you’ll never have to use, but it could save someone’s life.
Tym - it’s amazing to see the pictures and all the progress you’ve made. Keep it up!
Love ,
Jess
October 5th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Hey Brian,
What’s your email address, or at least your cell #? It might come in handy if you need a place to stay during your visit. There’s always a guest room at our house for heroes like yourself.
Thank you, thank you!
Love,
Ron and Shaun Dymek
(714)272-0305
October 6th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Tym, it’s such a miracle to see how far you have come in two weeks. I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but who better to fight this battle than someone with your strong mind and body, your tenacity, but above all, your amazing faith in and dependence on Jesus. Oh, and Billy the raccoon.
Love, Diana
October 6th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Hi Tym,
What good news your family has shared about your progress. We are thankful for these updates (pictures) and for your family who are obviously taking such good care of you! Glenn was in Indonesia on a mission trip and I was in Illinois when all these events transpired, so we’re a little late in sending you a note, but Debra Vaughn kept us posted via email and we have been praying for a complete recovery - we need you back on the Central Coast!
Blessings to you and a big hug,
Linda & Glenn