Blaine’s TBI Journey

08/30/2025

Keith & Marissa visited today. Little brother to the rescue, Keith gave Blaine a much-needed trim and even put some beard oil on him.

08/29/2025

I received a TikTok message from one of Blaine's old coworkers wanting to send a card and I realized Blaine would probably love to receive cards. He reacts when I read messages to him. When I read him things from Jacob, he moves his lips like he is trying to talk 🥰

So if you would like to mail a card:

308 Richmond Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938

08/29/2025

It was a big day for Blaine today.
1. He was wearing shorts and socks lol
2. We used our new electrical hoyer for the first time, it was AMAZING!
3. We went outside!
4. We tested how he would fit in the van.

Then….
Then therapy started electric stimulation therapy on his legs!

08/28/2025

Rotary Club of Mattoon blessed us with a wheelchair ramp for the house today. They showed up about 8:30 this morning and was leaving anout 1:30 pm. So thankful they have this service prohect!

08/28/2025

Sneak Peek at what is going on this morning!! ❤️

08/26/2025

Blaine responds best to his speech therapist. Today they worked on chewing and swallowing, vocalizing, and face washing movements.

08/26/2025

We have a wheelchair van!!

Huge thanks to my ex-husband Brian for getting it financed and handling things. Its been a huge relief!

08/25/2025

8/25/25
Blaine is not able to move or get up on his own. He requires the use of a hoyer lift to get him up, insurance only covers a manual hoyer lift. The manual lift does not go high enough when getting him out of bed and we have had to deflate his mattress when we try to get him up. With Blaine being 6'3" we have struggled with his long legs when moving him from the bed to the hoyer as his legs hit the hoyer. We have been using 3 people to get him in the hoyer and transferred safely his wheelchair. Today we were BLESSED to receive a loaner electric bariatric lift that should eliminate some of those issues and make it easier to get Blaine out of bed. Thank you to Illinois Assistive Technology program!

08/25/2025

Please share,

The expenses have been more than I can keep up with, being out of work and him needing 24 hour care, so any amount helps. There are so many things he needs that isn't covered by insurance.

You can donate as little as $5. Every bit helps.

Tamie

Blaine is 27 years old. On May 26, 2025, Blaine had a motorcycle accident that lef… Tamera Stuttle needs your support for Support Blaine's Journey to Recovery

08/18/2025

Day 84/ Week 12

Today OT/PT helped me get Blaine into his chair and out of the bedroom for a few minutes. He handled it well. It is quite the process!

I can’t believe we are 12 weeks into this. Praying every day that he wakes up.

08/12/2025

Blaine was approved for in home care service hours through DRS.

I will be looking for someone to do hours. Pay is 18.75 an hour.

Message me if you are interested.

08/09/2025

With all the great achievements, along comes the worst neuro storming night we have had in awhile . The bad thing about Blaine’s brain injury is his brain can only handle soo much stimulation, so with each visit, each therapy session we have to do hours of lights off, no noise stimulation free time. He obviously had too much stimulation yesterday and had horrible storming for hours last night. But today he is calming down and we are keeping the stimulation light today.

What is neurostorming?

Neurostorming, also known as paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH), is a condition characterized by episodes of excessive sympathetic nervous system activation following a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It's a secondary injury, meaning it occurs as a consequence of the initial brain trauma, rather than being the initial injury itself. Neurostorming can manifest as a cluster of symptoms including high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, rapid breathing, and muscle stiffness. It can be a serious complication, potentially worsening the initial brain injury and impacting other organ systems.
Key aspects of neurostorming:
Cause:
Neurostorming is thought to be caused by a disruption in the brain's ability to regulate the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. This disruption can lead to an overactive sympathetic response, causing the characteristic symptoms.
Symptoms:
The most common symptoms include:
Fever: Temperature exceeding 101°F (38.5°C).
High blood pressure (hypertension): Significantly elevated blood pressure readings.
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia): Heart rate exceeding 130 beats per minute.
Rapid breathing (tachypnea): Breathing rate over 40 breaths per minute.
Excessive sweating (diaphoresis): Profuse sweating, often noticeable on the face, neck, and chest.
Muscle stiffness (hypertonia) or abnormal posturing: Including rigid muscles, arching of the back, and toe pointing.
Restlessness and agitation: Increased restlessness and irritability.
Dilated pupils: Enlarged pupils.