Another 5 days go by and I am reminded by Uncle Don that the stuff I am relaying to him is not on the Blog!!
Steve had a so-so week until Friday. We tried moving the AM Keppra dose to Noon, on Thursday, and it seemed to have a positive effect. Friday was the day Steve's soccer skills returned, much to the joy of his PT therapist as well as our family. Previously we tried several ideas as to how to keep his feet from scissoring when he walks, but it turns out all we had to do was let him dribble a soccer ball. I stayed in front of him and would pass the ball back to him if it got too far ahead. He made two laps around the PT gym with minimal assistance. He was keeping his balance and maintaining control of the ball. I challenged him by saying he couldn't kick one past me. Of course he did!!!
We will try other soccer drills and keep doing dribbling for sure.
Saturday we took Steve home for the day. It was nice to see him meet Nyah, our dog, and our neighbors Gerry and Sue. Danielle, just in from Chi-Town, stopped by and made Steve's day. His other good friends, Mike W. and Brent came over as well as Jess, Lindsey and Mike. Aunt Gail and Uncle Don brought over dinner items and we cooked out on the grill. It was the first "normal" day Steve has had in a long time and His smile showed it. We sat and visited and watched Michigan take out Wisconsin. It was a very good day!!
Reducing the Keppra and changing the timing of the dose will allow Steve another chance to excel. That coupled with his sheer will and determination and your thoughts and prayers will make this next week one to remember!
Thanks
Rob
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
update #92 from Linda
Hi! Just a quick note...
We had a great meeting with a neurologist on Thursday who had taken the time to review all of Steve's files and spent a lot of time with us explaining things about his injury, CAT scans, recovery, etc. We have been hoping that the anti-seizure meds he is on could be reduced, and she agreed with that. We came away from that meeting with a wonderful feeling that we had found the perfect doctor for Steve. I have to tell you that this was the result of Rob being "hyper-vigilant" as one of the nurses has described him! He really pushed for this meeting, made tons of phone calls, emailed, gathered medical records, "rocked some boats"...a huge effort, but paid off big-time. :)
Steve had a nice weekend. Lots of rest, cards with Grandma, Saturday night movie, visits from friends and relatives, and tonight we went to Beth's to watch a movie and bake cookies. Can't tell you how nice that was. Thanks, Beth!
One little thing that happened that was so nice...I was helping Steve stand up in a small area and we would up face to face. It was pretty funny because we were so crowded, and I gave him a hug. He hugged back and we stood like that for some time...I realized that it had been such a long time since that could happen. I know a lot of his friends have commented that they can't wait until they can get a "Steve hug" and I wanted you to know that it won't be long!
Rob has some videos that he wants to post and we'll write more soon. But I just wanted to let you know that good things are happening, and to thank you for all the energy you continue to send his way.
Good night!
Love,
Linda
We had a great meeting with a neurologist on Thursday who had taken the time to review all of Steve's files and spent a lot of time with us explaining things about his injury, CAT scans, recovery, etc. We have been hoping that the anti-seizure meds he is on could be reduced, and she agreed with that. We came away from that meeting with a wonderful feeling that we had found the perfect doctor for Steve. I have to tell you that this was the result of Rob being "hyper-vigilant" as one of the nurses has described him! He really pushed for this meeting, made tons of phone calls, emailed, gathered medical records, "rocked some boats"...a huge effort, but paid off big-time. :)
Steve had a nice weekend. Lots of rest, cards with Grandma, Saturday night movie, visits from friends and relatives, and tonight we went to Beth's to watch a movie and bake cookies. Can't tell you how nice that was. Thanks, Beth!
One little thing that happened that was so nice...I was helping Steve stand up in a small area and we would up face to face. It was pretty funny because we were so crowded, and I gave him a hug. He hugged back and we stood like that for some time...I realized that it had been such a long time since that could happen. I know a lot of his friends have commented that they can't wait until they can get a "Steve hug" and I wanted you to know that it won't be long!
Rob has some videos that he wants to post and we'll write more soon. But I just wanted to let you know that good things are happening, and to thank you for all the energy you continue to send his way.
Good night!
Love,
Linda
Friday, September 19, 2008
Update#91.5 from Rob
Hope all is well with you who read this blog!
Just a small update to keep you informed.
This has been an interesting week. Steve's left hand and arm are responding to a mix of electro-stimulation and therapy. Please look at the attached video.
We have finally got through the worst part of his allergies and the weakness we saw earlier has all but gone.
The big news is we finally met with our third neurologist and have a plan. It is a wonder what can happen when you break the rules and go get someone who will take an interest in your son. Steve now has another chance to excel as before and we have already seen small improvements today. We look for good things to happen next week and beyond.
Please keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming his way.
Thanks,
Rob
Just a small update to keep you informed.
This has been an interesting week. Steve's left hand and arm are responding to a mix of electro-stimulation and therapy. Please look at the attached video.
We have finally got through the worst part of his allergies and the weakness we saw earlier has all but gone.
The big news is we finally met with our third neurologist and have a plan. It is a wonder what can happen when you break the rules and go get someone who will take an interest in your son. Steve now has another chance to excel as before and we have already seen small improvements today. We look for good things to happen next week and beyond.
Please keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming his way.
Thanks,
Rob
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Update #91 From Rob
Hello Everyone.
Steve has been continuously battling the effects of anti-seizure meds as well as bad allergies and true to his nature, trying to overcome all! The 12th was one of Steve's best days. It is the start of Steve's left hand and arm coming back! Steve was able to bat a balloon back and forth with one of the therapists while standing on a tilt table. He was strapped at the knees to insure against falling forward and was able to direct the balloon back to the thrower. Look for a video soon!.
I was OK watching this, but what really hit me is a little thing that happen previously. Here we are in PT almost 7 months since the accident. Steve is sitting on a mat between Mike, the guy that was throwing the balloon, and me. He is totally upright, his arms are on his thighs, sitting there staring over across the room. I looked over at him and it hit me that if you just walked in, you would never know what he has been through! He looked totally normal, sitting there and smiling! He must have had a great thought or someone, on his mind. For some reason this event turned me into a "blubbering idiot".
Oh well, onward!
We are currently dealing with a new neurologist recommended by Steve's neurosurgeon. She is reviewing medical records and we will consult with her regarding future med use etc...
and, as a relief to our family, Dr. Armonda has asked that she contact him as well. This is a great development, again having his expertise involved!
Steve was invited by Beth to attend a viewing of the movie Casablanca on her new wide screen TV last night. She had several of her friends over and wanted to have her brother there as well. Lin and I dropped him off at the condo and spent a nervous two hours close by at Big Boy. All worries were for naught as Steve had a really good time and actually managed to get down at least one chocolate chip cookie without any problem. Just another attempt at some form of normalcy.
I have noticed postings about visiting on the blog and we want you all to know that Steve loves to have visitors. I would suggest you call first however, as we are often not in the room, and away during the weekend. 248-568-6092(Rob) 248-568-6091(Lin). If you want to chance it, he is on 6A room 111. Seeing him in therapy isn't a problem either, but later in the evening is really better and of course you can always text.
Thank You all for your continued thoughts and prayers,
Rob
Steve has been continuously battling the effects of anti-seizure meds as well as bad allergies and true to his nature, trying to overcome all! The 12th was one of Steve's best days. It is the start of Steve's left hand and arm coming back! Steve was able to bat a balloon back and forth with one of the therapists while standing on a tilt table. He was strapped at the knees to insure against falling forward and was able to direct the balloon back to the thrower. Look for a video soon!.
I was OK watching this, but what really hit me is a little thing that happen previously. Here we are in PT almost 7 months since the accident. Steve is sitting on a mat between Mike, the guy that was throwing the balloon, and me. He is totally upright, his arms are on his thighs, sitting there staring over across the room. I looked over at him and it hit me that if you just walked in, you would never know what he has been through! He looked totally normal, sitting there and smiling! He must have had a great thought or someone, on his mind. For some reason this event turned me into a "blubbering idiot".
Oh well, onward!
We are currently dealing with a new neurologist recommended by Steve's neurosurgeon. She is reviewing medical records and we will consult with her regarding future med use etc...
and, as a relief to our family, Dr. Armonda has asked that she contact him as well. This is a great development, again having his expertise involved!
Steve was invited by Beth to attend a viewing of the movie Casablanca on her new wide screen TV last night. She had several of her friends over and wanted to have her brother there as well. Lin and I dropped him off at the condo and spent a nervous two hours close by at Big Boy. All worries were for naught as Steve had a really good time and actually managed to get down at least one chocolate chip cookie without any problem. Just another attempt at some form of normalcy.
I have noticed postings about visiting on the blog and we want you all to know that Steve loves to have visitors. I would suggest you call first however, as we are often not in the room, and away during the weekend. 248-568-6092(Rob) 248-568-6091(Lin). If you want to chance it, he is on 6A room 111. Seeing him in therapy isn't a problem either, but later in the evening is really better and of course you can always text.
Thank You all for your continued thoughts and prayers,
Rob
Sunday, September 7, 2008
update #90 from Linda
Hello! I hope you all had a nice weekend.
Beth's 25th birthday was Saturday...Happy Birthday, Beth! So on Friday we took her out to dinner. Steve gave her a DVD player, which was an interesting gift since she didn't own a TV! We had a great evening. On Saturday we saw a movie ("Traitor"...Steve said it "held his interest all the way through"). Today Steve, Beth, and I went TV shopping :) and then to the mall for lunch and a haircut for Steve. That was lots of transferring in and out of the car, but that is no problem. We're SO thankful that he's comfortable going out and doing things, despite being in a wheelchair.
Allergy season has hit in full force, so we've been working to get him on appropriate meds for that, and also bought an air filter for his room which really seems to help. They did a chest x-ray a couple days ago because of the coughing, but there's no pneumonia...just allergies!
I'm back to work, which means I miss seeing therapy. But Rob and my mom keep me informed, and say that Steve continues to work harder than you can imagine. It shows in his strength and size. He has put on weight and muscles are reappearing. Today he squeezed Don's and Gail's hands (tightly) with his left hand and shocked the heck out of them. :) He did that to me a couple days ago and it took my breath away...just a few weeks ago that hand didn't do much of anything. All amazing, hopeful things. I just watched Danielle's video again. It's such a wonderful reminder of how far he's come in a few months, and doesn't even touch on the early days when we were excited if he could do things like hold his head up!
He has gotten back to texting, so please feel free to communicate with him in that way!
I hope life is good for all of you.
Love,
Linda
Beth's 25th birthday was Saturday...Happy Birthday, Beth! So on Friday we took her out to dinner. Steve gave her a DVD player, which was an interesting gift since she didn't own a TV! We had a great evening. On Saturday we saw a movie ("Traitor"...Steve said it "held his interest all the way through"). Today Steve, Beth, and I went TV shopping :) and then to the mall for lunch and a haircut for Steve. That was lots of transferring in and out of the car, but that is no problem. We're SO thankful that he's comfortable going out and doing things, despite being in a wheelchair.
Allergy season has hit in full force, so we've been working to get him on appropriate meds for that, and also bought an air filter for his room which really seems to help. They did a chest x-ray a couple days ago because of the coughing, but there's no pneumonia...just allergies!
I'm back to work, which means I miss seeing therapy. But Rob and my mom keep me informed, and say that Steve continues to work harder than you can imagine. It shows in his strength and size. He has put on weight and muscles are reappearing. Today he squeezed Don's and Gail's hands (tightly) with his left hand and shocked the heck out of them. :) He did that to me a couple days ago and it took my breath away...just a few weeks ago that hand didn't do much of anything. All amazing, hopeful things. I just watched Danielle's video again. It's such a wonderful reminder of how far he's come in a few months, and doesn't even touch on the early days when we were excited if he could do things like hold his head up!
He has gotten back to texting, so please feel free to communicate with him in that way!
I hope life is good for all of you.
Love,
Linda
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Update #89 from Danielle
Hey everyone!!
Things have been very busy lately. As some of you may already know, I have decided to move to Chicago. Almost seven months ago now, these were my original plans and it's been very difficult to follow through.
I want to take this opportunity, however, to thank every single one of you who still follow this blog and frequently touch base with Steve and his family. Your support throughout this whole process has truly been amazing.
Even though I may be farther away in distance, Steve will continuously be with me in heart. I look forward to keeping in touch with him and everyone else as much as I possibly can.
With that said, I had many random little videos of Steve still on my computer and was trying to figure out a way I could make sure everyone got a chance to view them. I figured out how to make short videos on my computer and put one together. Unfortunately, the file is too large to post on the blog so I posted a link to direct you.
A couple video tips:
#1: Be prepared and willing to download Quicktime or another viewing source.
#2: You may want to give the video enough time to load before you play.
#3: Make sure your sound is on!
#4: If you'd like this video for yourself please press the download button on the link to download onto your own computer. I believe I only have the subscription to the service for 2 months.
.
.
I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I enjoyed making it. It really is incredible to watch just how fast Steve is improving over such a short amount of time. =)
All my best,
Danielle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)