Today was a great day in lots of ways. First, Mark did great in all the therapies again. The pool therapy was especially good. Mark's legs were completely straight and he was not "pretzel man" as he and the therapists have joked about. He was able to get both legs straight and kicking while supporting himself with noodles. It was great and Rich got to see it too.
Then he went to the Erigo and did very well on that again today. Yesterday's PT was on a special treadmill called a Loca-Mat (or something close to that) and he really did well. Everyone is very thrilled with his progress in these areas.
We had our conversation with the neurophysicologists today. They completed their first testing and evaluations on Mark and basically, he is doing much better than anyone expected. His problem solving skills, language, long-term memory, and speech are all in the average range, which is good. He was probably in the high above average range prior to the accident so this was very encouraging. He did have some deficits in the short term memory area, which everyone expected since that is the area of the brain that was most affected. He will probably have this issue for the rest of his life, but that's not to say it won't improve over the next few years. They are also teaching him how to adjust his life skills to compensate for this problem and he is getting better at that as well. Overall, we were very optimistic that these disabilities will be liveable.
There was other good news today on the floor. Our friend Anthony, who is AJ's dad and Ivonne's husband, actually ate ice cream for the speech therapist. He was able to eat and swallow it well and opened his mouth in anticipation for more. This is a wonderful step for him since he has not done this for the entire time he has been here which is coming up to a year. We were delighted for him, and Ivonne.
These are the days that make all of us happy.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Well, today it was back to work. We had a nice holiday yesterday and were able to take a drive and visit a friend and go out to lunch. Mark enjoyed another steak. He seems to be making up for lost time!
He had all the usual therapies today and Rich was able to get him squared away with each one after we returned the van and I went off to get a haircut. It was a red letter day in the Erigo department, however. Mark was able to do 1395 steps in 40 minutes which was great and was able to stand at 60 degrees upright. These were vast improvements over last week even. The real red letter was that he said he actually felt great using it, despite some pain. Lindsay, Mark’s therapist said this comment had better show up in this blog because it needed to be on the record! Here ya go Lindsay! Great job!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
It has been a wonderful weekend so far. Yesterday, Rich, Mark and I went to brunch, the mall, and the movies before heading back and having supper here at the house. Mark was anxious to have a good omelet since he tells us the hospital can really screw up the eggs in the morning. He wanted to buy a watch and get new lenses for his sunglasses, so we did that. Then we went to see the new Indiana Jones movie, which was great.
Today we moved Mark from one side of his room to the other. His roommate was discharged on Friday, so we had the option of the flip side of the room, which has a bigger dresser/closet combo and so we took advantage of the opportunity. Then we were off to a picnic fund raiser the local rock station held for the Recreation Department here at the hospital. It was fun. There was a live band, lots of food, but very hot! (Temperature as well as food.)
We have not yet made a plan for tomorrow, but we thought we would take Rich to the water somewhere nearby.
Since tomorrow is Memorial Day, we ask that all who read this note please take a moment to remember two very special young men: Dave Alvarez and Christian Skoglund. As you will remember they are the pilots who lost their lives in the crash. They were very important people to Mark who tells me they were the best of pilots and the best of men. They are missed by him and will continue to be missed by many people who knew and loved them. Remember also the four other young airmen who also perished. It is truly a Memorial Day with special meaning to us and all of you as well. We continue to thank God for Mark and the others who survived. They are true miracles.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Today was a day of running around Tampa it seemed. Jess and I were up early and off to the hospital so that she could say bye to Mark for the week. Then it was on to the airport to drop her off for her week in Canada to visit family friends. (She has since called three times!) I had to kill an hour and a half or so while I waited for Rich's plane to come in, so I forced myself to go to the International Mall near the airport and spend the time waiting there. Then it was back to the airport to get Rich and off to the next stop. We picked up a wheelchair van from the wonderful folks at Ride-A-Way for the weekend. This company is so good at letting us use their vans without charge on the weekends. Then it was on to the hospital at last.
We got back here just to see Mark in PT. He was very anxious to have Rich see him walking in the harness. Now, when we say walking, you must understand that this is just the beginning of the exercise. He has to have his right leg put into an inflatable cast to keep it as straight as possible and he moves his legs rather slowly. After ten steps or so, he rests and then does about ten more. He is doing very well with this, much better than he has been and was able to walk ten steps, turn around and go back. He does need the help of the therapists with his legs a good part of the time, but today he needed them less than before.
After PT it was off to get a haircut and get back into regulation mode. The colonel in charge came by last night and was delighted to see so much progress in Mark, but she commented that his hair was a little on the long side. She then got after the sergeant major about the length of the other patients hair as well. So everyone got haircuts today. Mark's sergeant major is a wonderful woman who was a battlefield nurse and she does cut the guys some slack when it comes to the length of their hair. No one wanted her called on the carpet, so they all complied.
After he looked neat and trim again, we signed him out and took him out to dinner in the van. He finally got to have that steak and mushrooms he's been craving for months. It was wonderful to see him eat it all.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Sorry that it has been few days since a post. I arrived back yesterday to find Jess, Mark and the other patients on their way to the movies. The outing and the movie was enjoyed by everyone. Being alone, I unpacked and headed to the market for some supplies.
Today was a regular day of therapy for Mark. He did very well on the Erigo. On Tuesday, he had done 1153 steps in 30 minutes and today it was 1200 in the same amount of time, but they were able to lift him to 60 degrees which was a steeper tilt. The pain is being managed better and he was quite comfortable which is great. Being more in control of the pain means he can tolerate the therapy and they can do it longer and get more benefit out of it. He also had a consultation with the representative for the Dynasplint. They determined it would be beneficial for him and measured him for one of their braces. It will be adjusted to extend his leg more than the cast can at the moment. Eventually, when the leg can stay straight for a long enough period of time to cast it, they will do that and make the bi-valve for it. Hopefully, this new brace will accomplish what they want.
We are looking forward to Rich's visit and Mark asked to be put in the walking harness tomorrow so that he can show his Dad the progress.
We have a van for the long weekend and have some tentative plans. One plan that is a must is a picnic being sponsored by the 98 Rock radio station here in Tampa for all of the staff, patients and both sets of families at a park near here. They are providing everything, including live music. The disc jockeys at this station have taken our guys and their caregivers to heart and have gone out of their way to be available. This is the station that has had our two young wives and AJ on their morning show twice. All of us are looking forward to it.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Today started out as a normal workday for Mark, but wound up turning into a fun day. Of course he had all his usual therapies, but after the pool therapy, he was given a reprieve from the "rack" to go to the hospital auditorium. There was an Elk's sponsored art show and Mark had entered a pair of elephants he made out of plaster and painted. The crafts were all done by the veterans and were judged in certain categories. Mark's elephants were made during his rec therapy sessions. He uses these sessions to develop his coordination and use of his hands, as well as cognitive progress. Well, long story short, Mark won first price in his category!!! (See Mrs. Pusti, your guidance continues to pay off!) His entry now goes to the state level and will be judged again there.
This evening we attended the Operation Helping Hands monthly dinner. We were joined by Brigadier General Skjaerpe of Norway who is the commander of the international coalition forces here at Central Command for GWOT (Global War on Terrorism) here at MacDill AFB. He was the most pleasant man and invited us to join his family some weekend and get out of the hospital for some fun.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
We moved rooms today. . . again! Mark was moved to a double room for the second time since we have been here. We have been back in the single room for the last month and now we have been moved again. Mark's current roommate is being discharged next week, so who knows what will happen then. Mark is technically an isolation patient because he has MRSA in his nose. He can only room with someone with the same condition (and there are quite a few). They are allowed out of the rooms and mingle in the population, but if a nurse or anyone goes into the room they are supposed to gown up and put on gloves. It's kind of a goofy rule, but the object is not to spread it from patient to nurse to another patient. Anyway, I always joke about Mark having to room with someone with the same "cooties" as he has. I am just waiting for the day when they need another double room for two clean patients again, and put us back in a single. It's goofy. Jess and I have redecorated several times already, and it's starting to get old.
He did real well in physical therapy today. He was able to slide himself out of the wheelchair and sit on the side of the mat. Then he was able to get himself down to his side and roll over to his stomach. He did the whole maneuver without any help from the therapists. Unfortunately, he was still in a lot of pain during the mat work, but getting there was a wonderful step to see.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Well, today we found out that they are not going to do the manipulation of Mark's knee to straighten the leg. He has osteoporosis in his legs from not using them, so if they were to put him under anesthetic to push the leg straight, there would be too great a risk that the leg would break. This would put him back six months while they had to wait for it to heal, not to mention all the rest of the complications a broken leg would mean.
Because of this, they will have to go back to the original plan of straightening the leg slowly by serial casting again. They have not been able to get it past -35 degrees from straight. They are now going to have him wear the cast all the time, even in the wheelchair. They have added an additional muscle relaxer and will continue with the stretching. Keeping it in the cast all the time will help keep the hamstring from tightening through the day. Then they will slowly stretch the leg and hopefully, be able to recast it straighter. They are also going to look into a brace that will keep the knee covered and be able to be adjusted straighter. The current braces he has like that allows the knee to come through the center of the brace and because the muscle tone in the leg is so great, it just pops the knee out and defeats the purpose.
Please keep your prayers coming that this will work. He will not be able to walk again if they cannot get the leg straighter. He is being very brave through all of this horrific therapy since it is so painful, but today was discouraged and annoyed at the pain. They are going to change his pain medication again so that he will be able to tolerate this therapy.
As always, we appreciate your continued support.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
As most of you know, we were planning our big outings for this weekend because a group called Ride-A-Way offered us the use of a handicapped accessible van for the weekend. It was a Grand Caravan that is fitted with a special automatic sliding door and ramp so that we can put Mark in the car wheelchair and all. It is then hooked into the floor and you’re ready to roll. I picked it up Friday along with one of the other moms who got one as well.
Saturday afternoon Jess and I got Mark in his new, small wheelchair which he likes to call the “Ferrari” (as opposed to the original one which is more like a Hummer). We rolled him out to the van and managed to get him in, bolted in, and buckled up. It was very hot and humid and the two of us were drenched by the time we were ready to go. But we were not deterred and off we went. Mark wanted to head to the bookstore so we went to Barnes and Noble where he shopped for an Eric Clapton CD. Then it was on to dinner at the Bonefish Grill. Mark has been dying for seafood, and although the hospital does serve fish, you would probably prefer dying over eating it. Mark’s new chair is very accessible and he was able to sit at the table just fine and ordered salmon, salad, garlic potatoes and then had Key Lime pie for dessert! He said he felt like an escaped convict. Personally, the best part of my meal was when he asked for his credit card and paid the bill!! It was a wonderful Mother’s Day treat and Jess, Mark and I really enjoyed ourselves. We packed him back up in the van and headed back. Jess and I kind of jumped around for joy after we got back and Mark gave us high fives for a job well done.
Today, we ventured farther by going to my family’s for the day. My cousin, her husband, daughter and son-in-law, son and daughter-in-law and all their children had a wonderful cookout at her daughter’s home. We surprised my aunt by being there. No one told her we were coming, not even the kids. She was delighted. My cousin’s new son-in-law went above and beyond by building a ramp for Mark’s chair to get into the house. It was so much fun for him to see his cousins and their young children. It has been several years since he has seen some and met others for the first time. He especially enjoyed being around the guys, since here he is often overwhelmed by women. They all enjoyed meeting Jess and she didn’t feel strange at all even with the whole crowd of us. Fortunately, she has met some of them before, so that made it a little easier. She thought I was lucky to have such a fun family. So do I!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Today, as most of you know, marks the six month anniversary of Mark's accident. I keep saying it's hard to believe each month, but this really is. Half a year that seems like a lifetime and an instant all at once.
Today's trip on the Erigo was again a very big improvement over Tuesday's. He was able to do 840 steps in 22 minutes. Due to better management of his medication, he was in less pain than previously, although it is still very, very uncomfortable and that's putting it mildly.
It also looks like they are going to go ahead and do a sedated manipulation of his right knee. This is what we thought they were going to do two months ago when they did the MRI of that knee and then the doctor didn't. His knee just is not getting any straighter and so they are going to take him to the OR under anesthetic and straighten the knee and cast it. This is, naturally, going to be very painful for several days, but it should break up the scar tissue behind the knee and finally make his leg straight enough to walk properly. The cast will remain on for four to five days and then be cut in half and become a bi-valve splint. This means that they will have to keep the pain medication high for a few days to get him through it.
For various reasons, they didn't do this the last time but we have come to a standstill in the progress in that leg. Until it is resolved and the leg is straight, there will be no further progression. I hate to see him go through this, but I know it is necessary and we need to just get it over with. I am pushing for them to do it Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Hopefully, it will be over and done with once and for all.
Please keep praying that they go ahead with the procedure and that he tolerates it well. Thanks to everyone for the support.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Tuesday and Thursday are Mark's favorite days and most dreaded days all rolled into one. He absolutely loves the pool therapy but hates the PT that follows. He has to go onto an Erigo table, which he lovingly refers to as the "rack". He gets strapped onto it and his feet are put into foot forms. His thighs are strapped in place and then a computer extends his legs and moves them in an actual walking motion. This mechanical walking actually mimics the exact movement of the legs when you walk. Then the table is tilted upward gradually and the extension of the legs is increased. As you can imagine, it is extremely painful. He hates it and everyone knows. It is very difficult to watch, but I must help by distracting him as much as possible. The pool therapy is very relaxing and the warm water helps stretch the muscles and joints. That is why the therapists work with him on the Erigo after the pool time.
He did so much better today at this than last Thursday so at least when they were done he had something to compare. Last week he took 291 steps in 15 minutes and today he was able to do 640 in 23 minutes, which as you can tell is quite an improvement. It is hard for him to gauge his improvement from day to day, but he is making lots. It's not easy of course, but he knows he has to do it and keeps a positive attitude until he is actually in the painful situation. I don't know that I could under the circumstances.
He is also progressing very nicely in speech, vision and occupational therapy which is wonderful. We are just about to the six month mark and the fact that he has come this far in that time is remarkable. Unfortunately, there is still a way to go so we have to keep his spirits up.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Friday was a beautiful warm day with crystal clear skies and low humidity. The perfect day to view the Airfest at MacDill AFB here in Tampa. We took the bus and two vans with the patients and enjoyed a preview performance at the airfield. The recreation department packed a picnic lunch and we had ringside seats for an absolutely spectacular view of paratroopers, jets, and vintage planes all performing above us. The fellows really enjoyed themselves and Mark was in his element. He knew every single plane and its history and was able to answer everyone's questions. (Again, all that stored up knowledge just coming to the surface.)
We had a fun Saturday as well. We had a wonderful visit from some friends from Cleveland and Atlanta who were here in town for a few days. It was especially good to see them all. Then the boys in the unit and the rec therapist put on a cookout with one of the fellas cooking chicken, steak and hot dogs. Needless to say, Mark had his share and more to eat.
In the evening, two other moms, one of the wives, and I were invited to a fund raiser for Operation Helping Hand which was put on by the Republican Club of Wellington. OHH is a huge benefactor for the Fisher House and the VA and especially recognizes active military personnel here. When we were invited we had no idea we would be the guests of honor. We were introduced, given flowers and presented with letters from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Peake. Our hosts were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman, who live in Wellington. He is the Chief of Staff of Veterans Affairs. They are a lovely couple. We were also honored by Rep. Virginia Bowen-Waite, who is the congresswoman for the district and a fierce advocate for veterans rights and benefits. It was good for us to get out and enjoy an evening socializing, since so much of our time is spent at the hospital. They even had a karaoke "idol" contest and one of our own decided to sing. She was by far the youngest person in the room, and won first prize! We do think she was given extra consideration, however.
Today was warm and we enjoyed a quiet day just doing next to nothing. We are planning an outing for next weekend since we have been given the use of a wheelchair accessible mini-van and plan on spending Mothers Day with my family. It should be interesting to go off on our own for the first time. We'll keep you posted!