Robert and I safely arrived back in Boulder today after a fairly harrowing journey. We were accompanied by a wonderful Paramedic based in Houston named Joe Barnes. I am so glad I decided to bring Joe along. He was indispensable and accompanied us all the way to the the hospital in Boulder before returning to Houston. Robert was admitted today into the Mapleton Center inpatient rehab program at the Boulder Community Hospital (BCH) on Broadway and Balsam. They recently moved the inpatient rehab program from the Mapleton Center at 4th and Mapleton to the main hospital on Broadway. It was a difficult trip with Robert on drugs that both sedated him and left him very agitated and jumpy and even hallucinating at times. I'm not sure how the clinic in Lima felt this was the best combination of drugs.
It was quite an adventure getting through the very complicated and crowded airline check-in, airport tax payment, and immigration processes at the Lima airport. Having Robert in a wheelchair helped a lot, although it was quite a task to keep him in the wheelchair and not over stimulated as we went through all this. The six hour 15 minute flight, 12 midnight to 6:15 am was very difficult. The plane was packed. Robert, who's a big guy, couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep even though he was tired and sedated, so this left him agitated and wanting to get up all night. Suffice it to say I didn't sleep. We couldn't get Robert to take any more medication until shortly before arriving in Houston. Getting through immigration and customs in Houston was another adventure, somewhat facilitated by wheelchair transport.
Robert was calmer and slept most of the 2 hour flight from Houston to Denver. He seemed even more relaxed on the drive to Boulder from the Denver airport. Nonetheless, upon arriving at the 4th floor rehab center at BCH, Robert decided he didn't want to be there and fairly loud pitched battle of wills ensued for 5 hours with Robert, I and the hospital staff all involved until Robert finally fell asleep around 4 pm. Having not slept in over 30 hours, it took everything I had to hang in there with it. Robert was calmer tonight after sleeping a couple of hours, but still not happy about being in the hospital.
I am very relieved though to have Robert at a facility where I know they will get him on the right program for his recovery and rehab. At the Mapleton Rehab Center they are committed to getting him off all the powerful sedative and psychoative drugs they had Robert on in Peru and supporting his recovery through effective rehab. At this point, we don't know how much of Robert's challenging behavior is related to his brain injury and how much is the result of the powerful drugs they have had him on in Peru. Robert's doctor at BCH is Dr. Julie Stapleton. She has headed up the rehab program their for over 20 years and has really good reputation nationally. I met her for the first time today and felt very comfortable with her.
Many thanks again from Lola, Robert and I to all of your for your amazing support, kindness and love,
Fleet
Supporting Robert Maull's Recovery
Our son, Robert Maull, was the victim of a brutal assault on February 28, 2008 in Cusco, Peru. Robert remained in a coma for the first six days. He is now able to talk and has all physical movement, but remains sedated in the ICU unit for his own protection, because his brain function is still very confused and he doesn't know where he is or why he needs to remain in the ICU and in bed. Robert suffered severe head injuries including two skull fractures, two brain contusions, a subdural hematoma, brain edema, and defuse brain lesions.
Robert's medical expenses alone (not including legal bills and his father's travel expenses) have already reached $15,000 (as of March 12th) and are continuing at a rate of about $350 - $500 per day. We do not know how much longer Robert will need to remain in the ICU or the hospital, but it could be several months.
We have set up this website for Robert's family and friends who would like to contribute a Medical Fund for Robert's care, follow Robert's progress and enjoy Robert's art. We sincerely appreciate all the concern, support, prayers and strong intention for Robert's recovery expressed by so many of you already.
If you would like to donate to Robert's Medical Fund, you can use the Chip-In feature at right which involves a PayPal transaction. This will not be a tax deductible donation.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please email me at: fleetmaull@comcast.net and I will send you the information on how to make a donation to a Community Foundation that will accept donations on Robert's behalf.
With love and appreciation,
Fleet Maull and Lola Solis de Maull (Robert's Parents)
Robert's medical expenses alone (not including legal bills and his father's travel expenses) have already reached $15,000 (as of March 12th) and are continuing at a rate of about $350 - $500 per day. We do not know how much longer Robert will need to remain in the ICU or the hospital, but it could be several months.
We have set up this website for Robert's family and friends who would like to contribute a Medical Fund for Robert's care, follow Robert's progress and enjoy Robert's art. We sincerely appreciate all the concern, support, prayers and strong intention for Robert's recovery expressed by so many of you already.
If you would like to donate to Robert's Medical Fund, you can use the Chip-In feature at right which involves a PayPal transaction. This will not be a tax deductible donation.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please email me at: fleetmaull@comcast.net and I will send you the information on how to make a donation to a Community Foundation that will accept donations on Robert's behalf.
With love and appreciation,
Fleet Maull and Lola Solis de Maull (Robert's Parents)
Monday, April 14, 2008
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