Another Victory For Hixon - Leaving Tampa

[Guest HowieP1]

Another Victory For Hixon - Leaving Tampa

MARTIN FENNELLY

Published: Oct 6, 2004

A thumbs up.

The football team his dad helps coach, the Washington Redskins, is 1-3. The team that plays home games not far from his Tampa hospital room, the Buccaneers, is winless. The last team he played, the University of South Florida, lost Saturday. Monday, USF head football coach Jim Leavitt stopped by the hospital. One last time. To see Drew.

``I'm sure you want to win,'' Rebecca Hixon said Tuesday morning. ``I'm sure the Bucs want to win, the Redskins want to win. But there are other things in life that are more important.''

Such as life itself.

Or a mother asking her son for a simple thumbs up. If you love me, Drew, give me a thumbs up. The mom waiting. Two minutes, three minutes. The hand rising off the bed. A thumb in the air.

``That's what matters,'' Rebecca said.

Tuesday `A Very Good Day'

Forget lost football seasons.

Here's what matters:

Drew Hixon went home Tuesday.

Or at least closer to home. Hixon, the Tennessee Tech receiver in so many prayers, left St. Joseph's Hospital for a medical flight to the Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center in Charlottesville, Va., about 90 miles from his family's Leesburg, Va., home.

Tuesday morning, Hixon's mother stood outside the emergency room her son was delivered to Sept. 11 - of all dates - after he crumpled from a brain injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit by a USF defender at Raymond James Stadium. Now he was leaving.

``We're considering this a very good day,'' Rebecca said.

Every day is a good day.

Any progress is progress.

Rebecca Hixon's son is out of a coma. Last week, his condition was upgraded from critical to serious. Drew Hixon keeps his eyes open for periods of time.

``He responds sometimes, very< slowly, but he gives indications that he can hear us,'' Rebecca said. ``Mainly like a thumbs up, or he'll point his finger sometimes, like if I was trying to put a lemon swab in his mouth, and I'd say `Open your mouth, Drew,' and he would open.''

Rebecca wore the same T-shirt Tech players wear for pregame warm-ups. The front reads IN OUR PRAYERS. The back reads 7 - Drew's number.

``We're still encouraged Drew will fully recover,'' Rebecca said. ``We have no idea what kind of time frame, but we trust God that it will be in good time.''

Sunday, Drew Hixon fully opened his eyes for the first time. He squeezes hands. He yawns. The room lights up. Yeah, Drew, you yawned!

``We're happy for every little thing,'' Rebecca said.

Many People To Thank

She could have stood there all day thanking people. The doctors and nurses. Leavitt and the USF family. The e- mails, cards and letters. There was even one from somebody in Idaho.

``We've had concern, prayers, especially prayers from all over the country, and we can't tell you how much we appreciate it,'' Rebecca said. ``And we want to give glory to God. We believe in an almighty God, and he provides you with good people, and he has all along.''

Drew Hixon responds better on his left side than his right. He is lifting his left leg. He gets updates on Tech's season. The Golden Eagles beat Tennessee-Martin 49-20 on Saturday.

Rebecca smiled.

``He responds to certain things quicker, like his girlfriend.''

Some things never change.

You can't take the kid out of a kid. Or the mom out of a mom. Drew loves his music. But mom always has a rule: No rap music in the house. If Rebecca had her way, that stuff wouldn't be played anywhere. But she has sat in that hospital room, CDs rapping away, happy for her boy.

``He really seemed to relax,'' Rebecca said.

Want music to your ears?

Drew Hixon left Tampa on Tuesday.

Thumbs up.

http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB7F9YSYZD.html

[No_Willie_Jokes_Yet]

God speed Drew!

We wont forget about you.

[usfbulls2004]

You'll always have a place in my heart Drew. God Bless and get well soon!

[E.T.]

Get Well Soon Drew.

GOD Bless.