Bryce is back (almost)

It doesn’t take much to make some people happy. Just a look is all they need.

Young Bryce, who has been in a medically-induced coma for the past few days, following a serious accident Saturday, awoke briefly from this prolonged sleep shortly after 12 noon Wednesday and recognized his family.

And minutes later as that sensational news made its way across the hall to where grandparents and other extended family were gathered in an ICU waiting room at the Foothills Hospital Calgary, boy, I don’t think you could have traded the joy of that moment for even a lifetime worth of winning Loto Max tickets.

ICU nurses were cheering, and family members of other ICU patients generously applauded the moment they themselves were still waiting to feel.

Realistically, the teenager who banged his head and nearly drowned in an ATV mishap in the mountains of southeastern B.C. is a long way from packing his bags and heading home, he still has to recover from a serious head injury. But he was awake. He was unable to speak because he was still hooked to breathing, feeding and monitoring apparatus, but he could communicate.

Although his hands were restrained he still managed to give his dad, Mark, the two-thumbs up sign, and another glance brought tears of relief to the eyes of his mom, Joan, and there was an affectionate look for sister Kendall, who stood there with the baseball cap that rarely leaves his head. And there was a special wide-eyed greeting as he set sights on his best friend Josh, who has been his confidant in life for 16 years and was with him on that fateful tumble down the steep embankment, a few days before.

And after four days of some of the most intense strain of worry that parents, grandparents, family and friends never wish to experience, seeing his eyes open, having him nod his head and watching him wag those enormous feet, was all they needed for the moment. They were tangible signs that prayers and medical science had got him to an early, but important step on the road to recovery.

He wasn't awake long today before doctors decided to sedate him again, to help deal with a fever. It is a reminder there will be ups and downs, and minor setbacks along the way, but the important point is that all signs are pointing in the right direction.

It is way too early to tell when he will be back at school or hunting elk, loading ammo into an awesome potato gun, or grooming another steer for the Wasa 4-H Club show and sale. And maybe even a tad longer before his Mom agrees he’s ready for another ATV ride. But that will all come in time.

He was awake and just a look from those young eyes,even for a few minutes, restored the hope and promise of plenty of good and many better days ahead.

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