Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Here is the promised photo of Mark on the Lokomat. He will do this for 60 minutes three times a week. The premise is that by simulating the exact walking motion (done correctly), the brain rewires exactly how to do it. Interestingly enough, when Mark got off the machine and was put on the parallel bars, without a harness, he walked better than he ever had. Now there was some dragging and it was extremely awkward, but it was decidedly better than anything he had done previously. And this was after only one 45 minute session. He will use the Lokomat again tomorrow and then the parallel bars.

Today he did five laps back and forth across the pool. He did three, then they stretched his legs and pelvis, then he did two more laps. They felt he walked better in the pool than he has before as well. These are obviously steps in the right direction (pun intended).

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Hi everyone! The last couple of days have been very productive. Mark is moving along in therapy and we are amazed at the improvement each day.

On Thursday, he was standing in PT and managed to get himself up with hardly any aid and without a walker. On Friday, he did the same, but added a little "dance" move when the CD player blared out "Shout". His OT was happy that he put his hands up to shout.

Friday saw Mark off on a golf outing. He went to the driving range again and did very well with the help of some adaptive lessons from the pro. He was also shown how to putt from the wheelchair. Then it was off to Taco Bell for some fast lunch before coming back to the hospital with the rec therapist. He was able to squeeze in a couple of short naps so that he would be ready for the Brooks and Dunn concert on Friday night. For those of you who are not country music fans, Brooks and Dunn are country music! The included photo is of Mark at the concert. A group of us went and we had a great time, despite the rainy weather at the beginning of the evening.

Today we had lunch out after pool therapy and were joined by one of the rec therapists, as well as JT and Chris, Mark's roommate and his mom. We were all amazed when Mark finished an enormous taco salad at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Things here have been going very well. Mark continues to work hard at all his therapies and the hard work is paying off. He would love to see results faster, but I think he understands that he has to persevere for a while yet.

Today, he spent his first half hour on the Lokomat which is a robotic treadmill that mimics the exact walking gait he should have. By doing this mechanically, it etches the pattern of walking in the brain so that he will have a proper gait (hopefully) when he is walking on his own. It also stretches the muscles in the legs and hips where he is overly tight. All in all it is a wonderful piece of equipment. There are only two of these in the country and we are fortunate to have one here. He will be using it three times a week and we will post photos. Here is a link to the company's website for those of you who would like to see what it is like:

http://www.hocoma.ch/web/en/products/features_functions_lokomat.html

Mark also had some additional neuro-psychology tests today. They are trying to track his progress in the cognitive areas. He did very, very well. Last month, he was able to get 50 percent of the questions, tasks right. Today he was able to get 90 percent correct. They had to take him off the Aricept because that was what was making him nauseous as well as losing his appetite. They put him on a drug for attention instead and he feels better and the results are good. Hopefully, they will continue, but the doctors are very happy and so are we.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

It has been a busy week here with the usual therapies and lots of work on Mark's part. He is such a cooperative patient (surprise to those of you who know his pre-accident crabby side!)

This week saw him transferring himself from the bed to the wheelchair and vice-versa via his slide board. For those who are PT-naive, basically, the slide board is a wooden (or plastic) plank that he wedges under one of his lower cheeks and it extends to the surface he wants to transfer to. He then uses his arms and upper body to scoot himself over to the other side. One of us stands in front of him for protection, but he does the maneuver himself with minimal assistance, if any. Last night, the rec therapists were showing a movie in the family room and Mark decided it was time to sit and watch it from a recliner. Soooo, he maneuvered his chair, got his board, and with a little help, parked himself in a Laz-E-Boy. He was very happy to be there!

Today we went out to lunch with one of the rec therapists with the intention of checking out the local YMCA which has offered free memberships to the Fisher families. Unfortunately, when we were leaving the restaurant the ramp in the government van chose not to work and our favorite therapist had to go back to the hospital and switch it for another. We just sat in the restaurant a while longer and they very nicely gave Mark a cannoli for the road! We decided that we would just head back to the hospital since Mark decided he wanted a nap! Nothing like resting up for dinner and dessert!

One of the pieces of medical information that we had this week was not the greatest. They had scheduled a test for Mark to determine whether he suffered any nerve damage to his legs. When we had a consult with the doctor (which was the same doctor who did his Botox injections) he was a little confused about why the test was ordered. He indicated to us that it was evident that Mark did suffer nerve damage, not from the brain injury per se, but from the fractures in his back and the shattered pelvis. He said that had Mark not broken any bones, he would have done the test to determine whether the brain injury caused nerve damage to the legs. However, with the extent of the fractures and where they were, there was no question in his mind that there was damage to the nerves.

This was the first time that it was explained to me that Mark's problem with his legs was not due solely to the brain injury. Since the test is very uncomfortable (electric shocks and needles) Mark chose not to have it. The nerves can regenerate, but only to a point and it should not further hinder is ability to walk, although it may take a while longer than we would like.

I do feel Mark is getting more used to the idea of the wheelchair and he is propelling himself better each day. I think if he gets himself independent with the use of the chair, it will do a lot for his self-esteem and then he can concentrate even more on his walking. The use of his legs in the pool are very good and today the Poly Trauma director, Dr. Scott, came down to see Mark in action. He was very pleased with what he saw and was very encouraged.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

WHEW!!!! After the last eight months and all the trials and tribulations, I did it---made it through my 60th birthday!!! It was a good day yesterday, with a very nice surprise party here at the hospital. The family group social worker/psychologist arranged for a huge cake and everyone attended; nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers, families, and patients. I enjoyed myself tremendously. Then Mark, Jess and I went out to dinner with our Fisher House family and we had a good time all over again. We missed Rich, Pete and Deb, but it was great to have so many good new friends to share the day with. I want to thank all of you who sent cards, messages, emails, etc. I was overwhelmed. Sorry I haven't yet been able to get back to all of you that I missed during the day, but I will get to you sooner or later, I promise.

Today Mark had a "therapy" outing for most of the day. The rec, speech, and physical therapists took a group of the patients to a nearby mall for the day. They took family members as well, but they were encouraged to go off on their own and let the therapists evaluate the guys mingling with the population in the mall on their own. Mark did well, but was exhausted when he got back. Jess went with him and I went off on my own to visit my good friend, Olga, who wanted to celebrate my birthday with me and then had dinner with my aunt, Norma, who lives in the same town as Olga.

All in all, it was a busy two days, and a fun break in the regular weekday routine.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Okay, so we learned how to do car transfers on Friday and we did really well. Fortunately, Mark does most of the work, I just guide him and create a barrier so he won't fall. Jim, the PT, was quite surprised at how well Mark managed it, since my car seat is a bit higher than the wheelchair.

Then we were on our own. Saturday, after pool therapy, we held our breath and headed toward the parking lot. Our first transfer into the car worked well, and it was off to the mall. We managed to get Mark out of the car smoothly as well. There we had a wonderful big lunch and did some shopping. Mark and Jess went their way and I went mine. I felt a little lost without my sidekicks, but we met up in time for some gelato. Then it was back to the car and our third transfer. Again all went well, as it did when we got back to the house. Boy, did I give a sigh of relief. The only drawbacks are that we do not yet have a handicap plaque for the car so we have to pull up in front of the store, do the transfer and then I have to go park. Or we pull into a handicap spot, do the transfer and then move. Then we have to disconnect the backrest on the wheelchair, take off the cushion (both of which do not fold) and then fold the wheelchair and put it in the car. Then reverse the procedure. Whew!!

Today, we were more confident, but had a little harder time with the first transfer than we did yesterday because we didn't allow enough room for me in front of Mark. We managed okay, and the other transfers into and out of a restaurant and then into and out of Wal-Mart and home went just fine. By the time we were getting the chair in the car at the restaurant, Jess and I were all over the folding bit and just took the footrests off the chair and chucked the whole thing into the back of the car without folding it.

For a very rapidly approaching "old hen" I did quite well in the strength department but I must say I slept very well last night and figure I will again tonight!

Please wish us luck tomorrow. The Undersecretary of Defense and a fact-finding committee are coming to the hospital to discuss the Poly Trauma Unit with the patients and families. They want to hear our concerns and suggestions. We have gotten together to make a list of issues we would like to see improved, etc. and will be meeting with them for several hours. We will let you know how we make out.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Sorry that it's been several days since the last posting, but the days seem to be getting away from me. It is a little like living in some kind of time warp over the last eight months. Can you imagine, it's eight months since the accident (or as Mark likes to say, his "incident with gravity").

Mark is doing very well, although his new schedule of getting up earlier than 8:30 a.m has him a little cranky (surprise, he's returning to normal)! Anyway, he just has to get his day started earlier, eat breakfast in the day room and get to PT at 9 am by himself. Of course, the first day, he checked his PDA and went to the craft room and started painting, instead of going to PT. The schedule had changed and he hadn't changed his day timer. The therapist and I had to go looking for him after he hadn't gotten to her by 9:15!

Pool therapy is going very well. On Tuesday, he used the new braces again, and walked about 80 feet. The regular therapist was away last week at a conference and hadn't seen him do this, so she was absolutely delighted. It was by far his best effort. He did this again today and again did very well.

He also has gloves now, and with them, can propel his chair much more easily. Although I must say his problem solving skills are very good and he does use his left leg a bit and the handrails on the walls to get places more quickly. One of the new nurses escorted him to the pool this afternoon, and was instructed not to let him cheat with the railings! He did fine.

Tomorrow the physical therapist is going to train us how to get him in and out of my car. Keep your fingers crossed that I can handle this. It will be much better, since we will have the use of my car all the time and won't have to rely on the van. Hopefully, this old gal will be able to master the technique.

This evening saw yet another patient get discharged and move out of the room Mark is in. Since both of us have had our fill of revolving roommates, one of the other Moms and I went to the nursing administrator and asked that our sons be moved in together. She agreed, so Mark's new roommate is JT who I believe I have mentioned in older posts. His mom Chris lives here at the Fisher House and is part of our little "family". It made perfect sense since we have both been here since January and will be here for some time yet. We do things together and it sure beats having a different roommate every two weeks or so. JT, like Mark, and more so, is not able to get up and around and they usually have the same nurses. Having them together looks like it will work out very nicely.

We'll keep ya posted!!!!!!!!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Hello everyone! It's been a fun weekend here. We left off with us going to see fireworks on the 4th in the breezeway at the hospital. It is a second story cross walk across the main road where the hospital is located to the medical buildings at the University of South Florida across the street. Makes it easy for staff and patients to go back and forth. There are tables and chairs on our side and people eat their lunch there, etc. Well, we all decided that was the place to watch the fireworks from Busch Gardens which is just down the road. A group of us went and found the automatic doors not operating.

When we called down to the administration desk, we were told that the doors would remain locked and that we were not allowed out there. We asked for an escort, but they wouldn't comply. Two of our "walkie-talkie" soldiers (as we like to refer to those guys well enough to get around) said they went out there all the time after hours and were able to open the door. So, our group of long timers and families (about 20 of us) got ourselves settled and watched firework displays all along the horizon, not just from Busch, but from many of the surrounding communities as well. It was wonderful, especially for the kids. We have two new little boys staying here with us and their dad is new to our ward, and we had the niece and nephew of one of our soldiers, who were visiting for the weekend with their parents. At about the end of the displays, one of the VA police came up and strolled around and then told us we had to leave. Some of the group were a bit disgruntled with him, but I went over to him (ever the peacemaker that I am) and thanked him for waiting until the displays were finished. He shrugged and said he had tried to hold out as long as possible, but he was required to follow the rules even if he didn't agree with them. Thankfully, we were able to see some very nice displays and the day ended well.

Yesterday, Mark, Jess and I went out for lunch and a trip to the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs. Tarpon Springs is a beautiful old community on the Gulf and was settled by Greek sponge divers over a hundred year ago. It has antique shops and Victorian houses along the inlets and estuaries. It is very picturesque. We walked up and down among the touristy shops on the docks and when it got too warm we got back in the van and tooled around the nice neighborhoods before coming home. We were going to go out to dinner in Ybor City, which is the Cuban part of Tampa, with our "family" group, but Mark was very tired and so Jess went along with them alone. Mark and I stayed back, had dinner and watched the Yankees (okay, okay) with a new patient and his family who are from New Jersey. At least they beat the Red Sox, so everyone was happy.

Today, the Tampa chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America hosted a cookout for the patients and families staying here at Fisher House. It was a wonderful lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and all the trimmings. That is until the storms rolled in. Currently, we are waiting for them to pass and then we are off to see Wall-E, which Mark is looking forward to very much.

Hope all of you enjoyed your three day respite, since as Mark says, "It's back to work tomorrow."

Friday, July 4, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! We hope all of you are having a great Fourth. We have had a rather quiet day here. There was a group who came in from Central Command (for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) and served up barbecue, but Mark had a different plan in mind. I took him to the supermarket this morning for some supplies and he decided he wanted prosciutto and mozzarella sandwiches for lunch. When I mentioned that they were not exactly all-American fare for the fourth, he commented that Columbus was Italian. Couldn't argue.

We have just kind of hung around the house today with our group of friends and their husbands/children. We have a new guest in the house and she decided to bake, so we also had lots of delicious oatmeal bars and sweet rolls. We will be heading up to the second floor breezeway here at the hospital to watch the fireworks from Busch Gardens, which is just down the road from us. That is if the good Lord doesn't put on his own show first, which is looking very likely.

Mark had a very interesting pool therapy yesterday. He was fitted on Wednesday with plastic braces for his legs which extend under his foot. We then put water shoes on over the brace and he was "walking" in the pool with weights on his ankles and holding on to a floating frame. He did really well. Naturally, the left leg did a little better, but the therapists were very happy with the result. They will have him use these every time he has pool now.

We do have a van this weekend and are planning to go out and about tomorrow and Sunday. Today was a little too warm for Mark to be outside for any extended length and tomorrow is supposed to be a little cooler. We thought we would head for the water again. Sunday we plan to see a movie. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Hello everyone! It's been a few days more or less, but I am back now after a brief week at home. It was good to sleep in my own bed and sit in my favorite chair. Mark and Jess did beautifully in my absence, but they seemed glad to have me back today.

They went to the Army Ball on Saturday night and had a ball! They enjoyed themselves very much. They said the food was delicious and they had lots of fun with our new friends and "family" here. Everyone who went, looked absolutely fabulous in their fancy dresses and tuxedos, but more importantly everyone had a great time.

I noticed changes in Mark after a week away. He gets from the wheelchair to the mat in therapy and is sitting very well. He now has a new physical therapist named Jim, as it was time for Lindsay to rotate out of the Poly Trauma unit. Mark likes him and sometimes a change is good for the progress. The therapists have to rotate around the entire hospital in six month increments and Lindsay had actually been on this rotation for a year. We'll keep you posted on the progress!