We have thought long and hard about how to start the first update of the new year. Now it is already past the 3 year "anniversary" of Steve's injury. Hope this note finds you enjoying springtime!
The winter has been a trying time for Steve, as he gets better, he also seems to "get better" at catching whatever is going around. Through it all, Steve's determination is unwavering and he is making gains, especially in speech.
Looking back at the statements that were made when Steve was at Med-Rehab: "he will always need a speech machine," " he won't progress much past what he is now" we see just how wrong any prognosis can be, and it gives more proof that people do recover from injuries like this. Steve's massage therapists have also made their mark in his vocal improvement. Just another reason to encourage people with brain injuries to attempt interaction with others.
The left arm and hand are becoming more useful and definitely not as "tight". Unfortunately as these parts "come back" the associated cramps and muscle pain accompanies. This is just what happened when Steve's legs started working again and we look forward to continual improvement.
We appear to have curbed Steve's continual weight gain as he has stayed stable for two months now. Steve has always lacked cardio exercise and we have tried several types of equipment that have all proven unacceptable. We cleaned house and sold them all and finally bought a seated elliptical called a NuStep. Steve is using this regularly now and we hope it will help all of us lose some weight. We also have a Mat Table now thanks to our neighbor Steve C and it allows us to get Steve into stretching positions on his stomach that were previously not possible and to allow for a better massage.
We still believe that the weight has been the single factor in hurting his progress in walking. We now have a floatation vest that Steve wears when swimming at the YMCA and it allows him to almost walk without assistance.
After a 3 month hiatus from horseback riding, Steve is now back at Banbury Cross riding Malabar. We do this on Tuesdays now. We can tell his core strength diminished somewhat when he was away from this and are sure it will return once we get a few more sessions under our belt. His instructor had to take time off to have her first child and seems more determined than ever to make up for lost time. We should also report that "Mom" and new baby are doing fine. We realize that it takes special people to balance their personal life with patient responsibilities and we are forever grateful for those that can do this. Thanks Jess, but also Thank You to all of you that interact with Steve! Please know that whatever you do- text, visit, provide therapy, swim, golf at the outing........ these gifts you provide have helped Steve immeasurably and we would be lost without You!
We have also noticed gains with the "left neglect issue." Just last month we noticed that Steve is able to hold his head straight and move just his eyes fully left. This is a marked improvement as before, to see anything on the left, he had to turn his head left but his eyes would stay to the right. Steve is also able to recognize items on his left when he does this. For example, he can look left and hit or throw a tennis ball to Rob, or match playing cards that are put on his left with those in his hand. We have to coach him to do these things but before the last two months they were impossible.
Beth managed to come in last month and we all went to dinner at a restaurant in Brighton. Imagine our surprise when she came over to us and said that Steve ordered a beer!! The first one in 3 years! He only took a few sips and said that he liked the idea of it more than the taste, but we always enjoy those "normal" moments.
Steve's aunts, uncles, and grandma have informed us that there will be another Golf Outing this June on the 25th. We look forward to seeing all of you again and thank you for your support of our son.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, and know how grateful we are that you continue to read this blog! Love, Rob and Linda
Saturday, April 16, 2011
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