{Karlton Bontrager}

Yesterday was a challenging day for Karlton. It started with his being sensitive to the light. We’ve had curtains on the window throughout his stay at ISIS, but yesterday he insisted on having the curtains closed nearly all the way. Then company arrived in the morning. This included a friend that Karlton hadn’t seen in some time. He acted casually enough, but he was excited, no doubt. With all the hustle and bustle in the room, he began complaining more strongly about his headaches. In the afternoon, he wanted the room to be kept dark. By evening, he was in misery. A nurse kindly explained to us that this was his brain’s response to all the stimulation of the day. Again we were reminded that he needs rest, not stimulation. She advised us to make the room as quiet as possible and to limit our interactions with him.

Karlton refused to take his dinner tray. He was totally focused on falling asleep. He told us that he hadn’t been able to sleep for days. By the time we were ready to say good-bye to him, he had finally drifted into deep slumber. We didn’t dare wake him up, though he’ll probably accuse us today of having sneaked out the door without telling him.

On the positive side, Karlton was able to report a score of 12 out of 12 on the PTA scale yesterday morning. Yet he continues to think there is someone in a bed next to his. Or beyond his head. Or beneath his bed. Karlton had to check with the long-time friend about who was lying in the next bed. He acknowledged that he’d asked me repeatedly, but he wanted to hear from her whether there was someone lying there.

The medical staff remarked again how quickly Karlton is recovering. They assured us that each brain injury takes it’s own course. Perhaps after the stimulation of Sunday, he’ll wake up well rested and ready to take on the routine of the new week.