I went up one night to see him. As I was talking to him, I asked him to squeeze my hand if he could hear me. Within seconds he did. The doctors explained to me that if he did come out of the coma, he was going to be a totally different person. There was a good chance that he wouldn't know who any of us were. At this point I didn't care how he would be. The doctors wanted me to try and prepare myself. The chances were that he would be like a child again, having to learn all over. The extent of the brain damage would not be visible for some time later on.

Trevor stayed stable for six days. On May 1st his mother and I went up to visit. The doctors explained that Trevor was in trouble. They were not sure exactly what was happening. We had to wait one hour for the results of the CAT scan. That was the longest hour of my life. I knew this was it. I finally spoke to the doctors again. They told us Trevor was brain dead. At that point I felt I'd died along with him or at least, wished I had. That special person I'd waited all my life for was now taken away from me. It wasn't fair. I couldn't figure out why or how this had happened. We had just brought a new life into the world, we were so happy. The family and I had to decide whether to take the life support off of him. That was the hardest decision I had to make in my life.

I knew in my heart that he wouldn't want to live as a vegetable. I went in to say my last words to him. I could not believe he was gone. He seemed to be the same as he'd been for the last six days. It was hard to accept that this was the last time I'd ever see him again.

Well, it's been five months now and I often wonder if I made the right choice. I miss him so much.

Background Information

This story is about a terrible tragedy. Talk about car accidents and how easy it is for someone to be hurt very badly or even die. Also talk about the decisions family have to make when a person is close to death. Have you had someone close to you die because of an accident? If you can, describe what you felt and how you reacted.

Questions

1. Who did Linda call to check on her husband?

2. Why do you think Linda had to call all the hospitals herself?

3. What does hysterical mean?

4. What was Trevor's condition?

5. What is the frontal lobe?

6. How did Linda know that Trevor was making progress?

7. Why do you think the after effects of the brain damage would take so long to become visible?

8. How many days did Trevor stay stable?

9. What does brain dead mean?