Almost two weeks home and doing great

I don't know if anyone is still following the blog but thought I should update you a bit. Tim is doing so well and working so hard. We are busy! Last week we saw two doctors, had a Cat Scan and had 7 therapy sessions. This week we have two doctors' appointments and 6 therapy sessions. We also do some exercises at home and walk up and down the sidewalk over at the ward parking lot, when we can get it in and the weather permits. Fortunately, he gets in and out of the car easily as we have lots of appointments. He is still at risk for falling so it is a fine line between how much independence to allow and safety issues. Every so often he goes somewhere in the house or does something he's not supposed to. I try not to scold. He is so agreeable and appreciative of my help. I'm sure it's hard to have someone controlling your every move. I can't allow him to do all the things they do in therapy because I'm not trained in "spotting" him and am not as strong as these young therapists are.

Today in therapy he walked down about 5 flights into the dungeons (his word) of the LDS Hospital, up and down ramps, frontwards and backwards, then side stepping. He also pushed a FULL shopping cart outside on the sidewalks. (There was even a skeleton's arm in the cart.) He also picked pennies up off the floor (to check his balance which seems to be quite good), balanced a checkbook (can we all do that?) and worked on mind puzzles with the speech therapist (after they have worn him out physically.) Some days he works on various machines.

Tim's vision is still kind of blurry for reading. It is a neurological thing, not an eyesight deficiency. The ophthalmologist thinks there is a good chance it will improve. He is

encouraging Tim to read even though it is hard. It will strengthen his eye muscles. So we are praying that will improve with time.

We spent this morning at Liz' enjoying Macy (and the other kids who were still out of school for UEA). He loves to hold Macy. She is truly beautiful and so fun to just sit and watch her. Liz is doing well, but of course, she doesn't get much sleep. Wish I could help her more, but we can't time these things.

Thanks to all of you for your interest. We feel your love and support. Tim and Peggy

Tim is Home

Tim came home yesterday. He is so thrilled to be here. It's funny how we don't appreciate the little things like sitting on your couch, sleeping in your own bed, just walking around the house, eating your own choices of food. I am so happy to have him here. Things just seem normal again.

We did have a doctor appointment this morning with the radiologist who put in the stents. It was long including an ultrasound, but he did fine, getting in and out of car, walking, etc. It was so nice having Joyce come down and go with me. We have a bunch more appointments in the next few weeks plus therapy, but we are glad he is getting such wonderful care. We start physical therapy tomorrow.

Everyone who sees him is amazed at how well he gets around. He went downstairs today and worked at his computer. Things are definitely looking good!

He's got a release date!

Tim is coming home Tuesday -- almost another week, but it seems close! We will make a home visit with therapists, etc. on Friday to check out stairs, bathrooms, etc. They assure me I won't have to get a one-day bathroom remodel before Tuesday. I actually had a guy coming today from Bathcrest to get some ideas. Things would be easy with a bench, etc. if my bathrooms weren't so TEENY. But, he is stronger, so we have some other ideas.

He is walking backwards AND bouncing a ball. I don't think he could do that before.

The last three days have seen huge improvements. We feel so blessed, and we know he is making the progress he is because of the priesthood blessings he has been given and all the prayers that have been said for him. We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father and to our wonderful friends for your support! Love to you all, Peggy

Monday

Great progress! He is sounding more and more like himself. They put him flat on a mat on the floor and he got up without ANY help. They thought he would need some assists. I think he was most thrilled about this, because he said it made him feel less helpless.

Swallow test with barium -- passed with flying colors so it is back to thin liquids. He was back on the thick on the weekend. The nurse who does the lectures with him said the thick liquids would gag a maggot. He thought that was a good description. (one tip -- he had barium by spoon and also on a cracker before the swallow test. He said he does not think that barium on crackers will ever make it as an h'ordoevre (sure that is nowhere near close to the spelling ) .

Another problem has been his posture and he has more strength, and that was better today -- more stamina in the p.m.

He appreciates all your good wishes and love.

Saturday P.M.

Great news! Feeding tube is gone. Now he just has to eat enough calories so it can stay out. Isn't that the worry we all have -- that we won't get enough calories! He is drinking regular liquids -- not that thickened stuff which he hardly drank. He had his first coke today -- was so thrilled -- and it is not even DIET -- calories again. Actually soda is helpful with the swallowing process. Always knew it was good stuff!

He has started to work on transferring from chair to bed, bed to chair, chair to toilet (I know, you didn't need to know that but it's a BIG thing), walker into bathtub, and getting up from chair to standing with walker. He works hard but by the last therapy session he is so tired, I just feel sorry for him. He doesn't complain (except for the dressing and mildly about the thickened liquid). We still need your prayers to give him the strength to accomplish his tasks to be independent. And that the platelets stay under control.

But, the progress is good. However, we will probably be in the Rehab for another two weeks or so. The report I got on Wednesday wasn't quite accurate. Love to you all, Peggy and Tim

Wednesday

Tim went to rehab a week ago and really began work on Thursday. He has made a lot or progress in that time. The hardest thing he does is to get dressed. He is very patient although it is SO frustrating. I just want to help him, but I sit quietly as the Occupational Therapist watches and makes an occasional observation. I know this is how he will learn. I'd probably scream or hit the therapist. He says he is considering becoming a nudist, so he still has his sense of humor. The nurse asked us if we knew the difference in a terrorist and a therapist. --- You can negotiate with a terrorist.

He is walking with a walker or with therapist holding onto a belt that is around his waist. He walks all around the halls this way, but is exhausted when he is finished. He is climbing the stairs in the therapy room, bouncing balls, etc. He is now able to eat three meals a day (soft foods) but still can't have liquids except the thickened ones, which he hates. He gets some extra supplements and liquids through the feeding tube.

The team of specialists met today and feel it will be at least another week and a half before he will come home. I don't know how fast he can achieve independence, but I think that might be a little optimistic. I hope he will be able to come by then but don't want to get my hopes too high.

He is more interested in things and even reads a little.

Once again, thank you for your concerns and prayers. Peggy

Wednesday