Saturday, May 29, 2010

Day 52 Update

I finally got to see Booger in his new room today! When we pulled up to the hospital, Jack asked us, 'Oh, they moved the hospital?'. We had to tell him that it's a different hospital. I think he was pretty concerned about not going back to the 'old' cafeteria.

Anyways, Scott was sleeping when we got to his room and within about 5 minutes, OT was there to work with him. It was pretty interesting to see what they had him do. First, he got up and went into the bathroom. She put numbers and letters on the wall (the bathroom wall was the only blank wall thanks to all your letters and cards to him!!!) and had him point with his left and right fingers to the letters. She said this worked on his vision and makes him scan with his eyes for things. After that he sat on the edge of the bed and she worked with his muscles by doing exercises like reaching and stretching.

It was really good seeing him, especially since I hadn't seen him in over a week. I know I haven't been posting as much but then again, I'm not there as often to see him with my own eyes. It's a great thing to have him in Wenatchee though. Back home where family and friends can come see him. Even if all you've got is 5 minutes, I know he'd appreciate your visits.

~Betsy

Friday, May 28, 2010

Day 51, Diane

I guess I should just mention that Scott and I are working on doing the daily posts now. Basically he tells me what to report about and it goes up in my words... which usually means books, too bad for you lol!

Today was a good day, there's lots to share! I had Coby skip school so him and Cora could see what therapy is like for Scott. I have had to change plans on the kids everyday since we have been home. I feel horrible about it and even worse, I know that it will happen again... So I decided they need to understand why this happens. I'm not one to shield my kids from reality. Scott and I have always taught them that each family is different. All parents set different rules and allow/don't allow different things, so why would I shield them form the reality of Scott's situation. I need them to know that after a shower, getting cloths on and brushing teeth, he is so tired he has to sleep for awhile. I wanted them to see that where he use to go to the Y for over an hour to workout, he now can barley stretch or even walk down the hall and when he's done he is back in bed. It was a great experience for them to see and Scott loved having them here. The therapists were the best each finding ways to involve the kids, which helped so much.
Occupational Therapy: After getting ready, we worked on arm exercises. Me, Coby and Cora all stood around the bed and did them too. The kids got extra exercises to do while Scott rested. The best was Cora's push ups in her red cowgirl boots!
Physical Therapy: Scott did a lot of stretching/stabilizing exercises. It was funny how many of them I do in the Power Toning class I taught...once upon a time.... The kids got to help in a resistance exercise. Coby did great just the right amount of resistance. Cora however thought it was a 'let's see how strong I am' and used all her weight. The kids really liked PT because today was therapy dog day, so there was a pug to play with. There was also a patient earlier that had the wii fit out so the kids go to use it.
Speech Therapy was the best for me. Today was work sheets day, no fun but... Coby climbed up in the bed with Scott and learned how to cue him on finding things he may have looked over. He has neglect on the left side along with the vision issues. So he has to often be prompted to look all the way to the left of the paper. It was so fun to have Coby looking over his dad's shoulder at his 'school work'. They were so cute....crap how did I miss getting a picture of that? Oh well she left homework for Scott and made copies for the kids to work on it with him. The funniest was when Scott was doing addition problems. Coby says "dad you got that one wrong" and Scott saying "no I didn't". Then Coby looks again and says, "oh I looked at the number wrong. You're right." Scott's says, "Oh you're just trying to prove me wrong"
I have a feeling I'll hear that phrase often in the coming years when Coby's a teenager :)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Day 50, Diane

Let's see what to report today...
Occupational Therapy is still working on getting ready for the day.
Physical Therapy did the full balance test today. He got around 30 points he needs 45 points to get off of fall risk status. the goal is to get to 56 points that is the number to be functioning at pre-injury level.
Speech Therapy is full of tests. Scott is starting off in a good place mentally. He is a little slow to answer but his answers are right on! Some of the things he had a hard time with were things I had a hard time with lol.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Day 49, Diane

Scott is going to be working hard to get home fast that's for sure!
He made it through 3 hours of therapy with flying colors. It was hard work though.

Occupational Therapy: had him get ready for the day. They were assessing how well he can do normal getting ready things on his own. She said that he is starting in a really good place. He was able to do almost everything on his own and with very little queuing.

Physical Therapy: He went up to the gym to work. 1st I got past off on helping him to the bathroom any time I'm there visiting. This entailed her walking with him showing me what to do. Then Scott and I walking to the bathroom. It was not close. After this he went over to this little stepper. He was able to do 40 steps with one break. It was pretty heavy resistance, i tried it out too. Then after a small break it he did a balance test. Weight on one leg while moving the other front to back and side to side. His range of movement is small and his left side is defiantly weaker. I did not get a result from this test. As far as I'm concerned he did much better then I would expect given his injury.

Speech Therapy: Once he was back in his room he started the tests on his memory. It was a lot of questions like: How many days are in a week? name them. How many months in a year? Name them. What holiday is in this month? Then it was scenarios: What would you do first in the situation at home? Theses answers came slower but they came and they were always good answers. Of course I didn't get a answer to where he is based on this test, but he is SO MUCH better than what the doctors prepared us for. Of course doctors always give worst case, but given how much he went through I really expected some kind of major brain issue.

Once again, I truly believe all the friends & family we have following this situation that have been praying and sending uplifting thoughts our way, have made the difference in how Scott has recovered. I can never say Thank You Enough!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Day 48, Diane

Well I'm sitting here in the Wenatchee Valley Hospital. I didn't actually know that the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center was also a Hospital.
Physical Therapy (PT) was here and waiting when he came in. Once he was settled, she began working the range of motion in his legs. A little bit later he was up and walking without a walker (a person on each side helping of course) He did great! He's walking even talker today than yesterday.
Occupational Therapy (OP) worked on upper body & coordination.
Speech Therapy (SP) checked him over to see that he is eating well.
By this time he was beyond exhausted! They all had lots of questions to help set goals for his therapies. Each therapy has tests they'll run him through this week to see where is currently is and what they need to do to get him on with life. He is really going to be working while he's here!

Visitors: He is in room #349. Come in through the doors at the Emergency Room & Hospital, use elevators at the back wall up to the 3rd level. Check in desk is off to the right.
As much as he's excited to be in Wenatchee and wants to see people, therapy is kicking him in the face. We are asking that only family comes during this week, but starting Saturday, he's taking visitors any day between 10am- 7pm. The hospital asks that if he's in therapy, while we are welcome to watch, we are not welcome to interrupt. Sundays are a great day for visits, it is a day of rest even at the hospital:)
We both are extremely over joyed to be back in Wenatchee! The next step is Scott at home with me and the kids.
Thank you for all your love, support and continued prayers! I could not have done this without each of you! Knowing there were so many people who care about Scott lifted me up & kept me going through this whole experience...It's not over though. Scott has lost around 30lbs and it is mostly muscle! He has a long & slow road to complete recovery ahead.
Diane

Bye Bye Swedish....Hello Wenatachee!!!

It's official....they are heading to Wenatchee right now! Scott will go to an acute rehab center by the Wenatchee Valley Clinic. I'm not sure of the exact location, so I'll post that later. He had to ride in a cabulance, since he does still need medical attention. Diane gets to follow in their car. The rehab center wanted him there by noon. So exciting that he'll be closer to home now for the duration of his recovery!

~Betsy

Monday, May 24, 2010

Day 47 Update, Diane

It is official. Wenatchee Valley Medical Center Acute Rehabilitation has accepted Scott and we are heading home in the morning!


I can't believe it's finally here! We're leaving Swedish Cherry Hill Hospital after 6 & 1/2 weeks of in-patient care. Wow no wonder his insurance was so helpful in approving an out of network rehab center in our home town... Whatever you want just leave the hospital lol...my thoughts exactly!



3 not so happy, but not so bad things:

1st - the JG tube/feeding tube stays in until June 3rd. They want it in the full 6 weeks to be sure the scare tissue has built up enough that no stomach acid can escape into his body... Ok good reason to keep it.

2nd - He has to go to Wenatchee in a cabulance. He is very unhappy about this because he remembers the ride over. Not a pleasant memory...massive head pain mixed with a bumpy ride from snow covered roads.

3rd - I will no longer be at his side 24/7. This will be a huge adjustment for both of us! But the kids will be able to see him daily instead of weekly.



So HOORAY... 'Cause he's leaving in a cabulance, don't know when he'll be back again, oh babe I don't hate to go! Leaving Swedish Hospital!
(I hope you read this with a the 'leaving on a jet plane' song in your head cuz it's in mine!
OH SO HAPPY! Diane

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Day 46 Update, Diane

A lot of things have been happening for Scott since he's whole again.
He's eating real food! No more nasty looking tube feeding liquid. Let's see what has he had: toast, bagels, turkey, potatoes (mashed & roasted red), applesauce, pudding, pancakes...his favorite things are the milkshakes with protein, chocolate, strawberry & vanilla all are great. He has atleast 2 a day. How fun it that, wanting high calorie foods so tasty. He also drinks about 4 cranberry juice/lemon lime mixes a day. It's like a cranberry lime aid...Oh so tasty!
As long as he can maintain good calorie intake through the weekend, he'll be getting the feeding tube out tomorrow. No problem there, now that he can eat, I'm having fun getting him to eat all he can.

His PICC line will be coming out today. I don't know if we ever talked about this line. He's had it since April 9th. It's basically an IV going into the major vain that stops right before the heart. They are able to draw blood from this very easily and give all IV meds. Unlike the begining, it is not being used much now so they are taking it out. Because any thing going into the body is a source of infection and if they can take it out they do. YAY all the tubes he's had for so long are finally coming out.

Today Scott got OKed leave the room in a wheelchair! Occupational Therapy came in did some stretches with him and took him up to their Acute rehab center to look around. While we were up there Physical Therapy took him to walk down the hall and then work on posture with the parallel bars and a mirror. He is moving so much better now that his head is whole. He is still shaky and it is very hard to stand up straight but he is improving everyday.
He has not sustained much if any at all, cognitive damage from this injury. This is a huge! His biggest challenges will be his body. He does have a slight difference in strength on the left side. But it is minimal from what the doctors told us to except. He also has to recover from being in bed for 5 weeks. He has lost a lot of muscle mass and although he is stronger than I expected, he still tires easily.

With so many steps forward, I can feel the end of our hospital stay coming soon. Hopefully we'll have that info early this week. We have to wait for the doctors, insurance company and rehab centers to see his progress this weekend, get an OK to advance, and find out where that will be :)
Diane