Thank you all who sent in ideas. These were great! No trapeze bar above his bed but I will see what I can request. Also loved the idea of simple coloring book, flour balloon, opposites game etc... You all had some great ideas that got me thinking. Em, I will totally hit you up on that basketball stand! I did try to take him a pad of paper and pencil today. He held the pad and pencil but kept looking at the paper like he should be reading something. Then he would say "well, um..." and get distracted by something he wanted to say. So keep those ideas rolling in!
Dad was very distracted today. Every time I tried to talk to him he would say "well, um..." then try to talk. I'm not sure if he was trying to tell me something or was just talking out loud. We are trying to give him less pain medication because it makes him tired and lethargic so today something was bothering him. I couldn't figure it out when finally he said something that made me think it was his catheter. I asked him if the catheter was what was wrong and he shook his head yes. The doctors said that they would remove it upon our request. So hopefully that is gone so that he can start focusing on other things. It bothered him so much he couldn't concentrate on his physical therapy.
When the physical therapists came in they immediately wanted him to get in his wheel chair. He was able to stand up with two girls about my age bracing him. So he is getting stronger but his right side still needs support because the knees wants to buckle. Once they had him sitting up in bed Dad started talking, so the PT's just sat there and listened to him. Every time they asked him to do something he would again say "well, um..." and begin to explain something. At one point I caught "medical women" so I think he was trying to explain something from the morning session of physical therapy.
The PT's got Dad in his chair and once he was there he kept trying to pull at his catheter. We kept moving his hands away and he started to get angry with us. He would ask "why" and we would try to explain, I don't believe he fully understood. So he started mumbling something and I heard him say "hell." So I asked Dad, "Do you want us to go to hell?" And he looked at me and said "yes!" "I can't believe you want us to go to hell, Dad," I said mockingly. Again he looked at me and very blatantly said "Yes." I told him that was great and he could be angry with us but that he was just going to have to deal because we were trying to help him.
The PT then showed Mom and I some exercises to help Dad get strength in his arms again. We have to work on his right arm and be careful that we don't let it hang because the weight of ones arm can pull the joint out of socket. She also had Dad try to lift his arms above his head. This is when Dad gets confused. His brain still doesn't register what to do when asked to complete a task, like raising his arms above his head. We have to show him first and then he will do it. The PT's want him to get to the point where he can do it without being shown. When they help Dad with physical therapy I realize still how much further his brain has to go. When he is lying on his bed mumbling stuff it seems like he is all there and just needs help speaking. Then the PTs comes in and reminds me that not all of his connections are firing properly. I still am optimistic for Dad but get worried about him being able to function by himself again someday.
By the time I left, Dad was really pissed off at Mom and I. He didn't want to leave his room but I made him wheel me out to the elevators. As we moved through the halls he kept trying to pull at his catheter again. By the time we reached the elevators I felt bad for Mom because she was going to have to deal with the wrath of Dad all the way back down the hall!! Mom said that he was piss and vinegar going back but once the nurses got him back in bed he seemed to calm down. I really hope they can get that stupid catheter out tomorrow because I will be there by myself and don't know if I can handle Dad getting mad at me! It's different to argue with your husband but to argue with your Dad...I'm afraid I'll get in trouble!!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Day 13 of Jim's Recovery
Prepare again to be amazed by Dad's recovery. Today Dad got in a wheelchair! Excellent news, I know. I will tell you more about this great news in a minute.
I visited Dad around 2:00PM and was happy to see Dad awake and propped up in bed. When he saw me his eyes went wide and he said "Hey." Yeah, Dad finally remembers me! I did a dorky little dance to this. Then I went to his side and asked him if he knew who I was and he shook his head yes. I asked him what my name is. He started to mumble some words that I could not understand. Then I asked him if he wanted me to tell him my name or if he wanted to guess. He said "guess." I thought this was great because I don't think it was so much him trying to guess my name as he wanted to try to say it. Unfortunately, the darn "J" in my name is too difficult for him right now.
Dad again, was more alert today. The bad part about that is we are now moving into the frustrated phase. Dad kept on saying "well, I need to go," in a very slurry fashion. Then he would try to sit up. Mom and I kept pushing him back. Finally, he gave Mom the serious "Jim is getting mad" stink eye! I tried to make suggestions for him like the crossword, read poetry, listen to music. He said no to all of these and when I said listen to music he just shook his head and said "oh, fine." I pretended to be offended!
Then I suggested "well ,why can't Dad get in a wheelchair?" Mom thought that was a great idea and we asked the Nursing Assistant, who in turn asked the nurse, and we were given the go ahead. So our very strong NA got Dad all situated, stood him up, then turned him, and Dad sat down in the chair. It was only one guy helping Dad which means Dad did some himself! At first Dad wasn't sure if he liked being in the chair. I think at first he was dizzy. Mom had to speak to some medical staff so I knelt down by Dad and talked to him. Dad started talking to me and it sounded like he wanted to know about his house. I told him it was all finished. He shook his head at this. He then asked me again about the house and I asked him if he wanted me to tell him what had been finished. He shook his head yes. So I proceeded to give him a list of everything that had been completed since his fall. Then Dad said "pay." I said, "Are you worrying about paying for the house?" He shook his head yes. Leave it up to Dad to be worrying about completing the house while he is in the hospital.
That is just like Dad to worry about other things instead of himself. So I told him that everything was being taken care of. I told him that we were all taking care of things and he didn't need to worry. I told him not to worry about any of us, that we were working things out and we were fine. He then said "heart" and lifted his right hand and pointed to me. I about fell over and cried. I said "I love you too Dad," and he smiled at me.
The physical therapists came in right after that and were very excited to see Dad in the wheelchair. So they decided to wheel him out of the room and do the physical therapy somewhere else. We wheeled him to some big windows where he could look out, and as soon as he could see out he looked surprised and said "cold." We all laughed and told him it had gotten cold while he was out. The PT was very optimistic and told us he felt Dad was ready to handle the 3 hours of physical therapy required by patients. This means he may possibly stay in the hospital longer, but don't quote me on that. This is great news though because they will start working on his speech therapy. I think when he starts this we will begin to see a huge improvement in Dad.
Dad did some great things in physical therapy today. He is using his right hand quite a bit more. He will move his right hand up to his face and try to scratch his nose. He also tapped his right toes on the ground when the PT asked him to. Also, without being asked he clasped his hands together with fingers interlocking. While doing physical therapy the PT would ask Dad to give him a high five. Dad would raise his hand but then he would kiss his hand as if to blow a kiss to someone. It was like he understood he needed to smack something but his brain was sending the wrong signal and he was smacking his lips! Well, he didn't really hit them he kissed his hand! The PT didn't say he was worried about this and perhaps that is normal. Who knows, it made me a little worried though.
After the physical therapy we laid Dad back down in the bed. Dad has excellent core strength because he can push against the PT's hand from all sides. Dad was pretty exhausted after this so I left. I gave Dad a big hug and told him "I Love you," and he said "I love you" back!
So I have another request! Hee Hee. We are trying to think of things Dad can do while in bed. We need to keep him stimulated so he doesn't get bored and then frustrated and then depressed. He can't be in physical therapy all the time so we need ideas that he can do on his down time. I thought of a Nerf basketball hoop that we could attach to the end of his bed. This would also help to strengthen his arms and get his brain coordinating his movements. What else could we do? Any ideas?
I visited Dad around 2:00PM and was happy to see Dad awake and propped up in bed. When he saw me his eyes went wide and he said "Hey." Yeah, Dad finally remembers me! I did a dorky little dance to this. Then I went to his side and asked him if he knew who I was and he shook his head yes. I asked him what my name is. He started to mumble some words that I could not understand. Then I asked him if he wanted me to tell him my name or if he wanted to guess. He said "guess." I thought this was great because I don't think it was so much him trying to guess my name as he wanted to try to say it. Unfortunately, the darn "J" in my name is too difficult for him right now.
Dad again, was more alert today. The bad part about that is we are now moving into the frustrated phase. Dad kept on saying "well, I need to go," in a very slurry fashion. Then he would try to sit up. Mom and I kept pushing him back. Finally, he gave Mom the serious "Jim is getting mad" stink eye! I tried to make suggestions for him like the crossword, read poetry, listen to music. He said no to all of these and when I said listen to music he just shook his head and said "oh, fine." I pretended to be offended!
Then I suggested "well ,why can't Dad get in a wheelchair?" Mom thought that was a great idea and we asked the Nursing Assistant, who in turn asked the nurse, and we were given the go ahead. So our very strong NA got Dad all situated, stood him up, then turned him, and Dad sat down in the chair. It was only one guy helping Dad which means Dad did some himself! At first Dad wasn't sure if he liked being in the chair. I think at first he was dizzy. Mom had to speak to some medical staff so I knelt down by Dad and talked to him. Dad started talking to me and it sounded like he wanted to know about his house. I told him it was all finished. He shook his head at this. He then asked me again about the house and I asked him if he wanted me to tell him what had been finished. He shook his head yes. So I proceeded to give him a list of everything that had been completed since his fall. Then Dad said "pay." I said, "Are you worrying about paying for the house?" He shook his head yes. Leave it up to Dad to be worrying about completing the house while he is in the hospital.
That is just like Dad to worry about other things instead of himself. So I told him that everything was being taken care of. I told him that we were all taking care of things and he didn't need to worry. I told him not to worry about any of us, that we were working things out and we were fine. He then said "heart" and lifted his right hand and pointed to me. I about fell over and cried. I said "I love you too Dad," and he smiled at me.
The physical therapists came in right after that and were very excited to see Dad in the wheelchair. So they decided to wheel him out of the room and do the physical therapy somewhere else. We wheeled him to some big windows where he could look out, and as soon as he could see out he looked surprised and said "cold." We all laughed and told him it had gotten cold while he was out. The PT was very optimistic and told us he felt Dad was ready to handle the 3 hours of physical therapy required by patients. This means he may possibly stay in the hospital longer, but don't quote me on that. This is great news though because they will start working on his speech therapy. I think when he starts this we will begin to see a huge improvement in Dad.
Dad did some great things in physical therapy today. He is using his right hand quite a bit more. He will move his right hand up to his face and try to scratch his nose. He also tapped his right toes on the ground when the PT asked him to. Also, without being asked he clasped his hands together with fingers interlocking. While doing physical therapy the PT would ask Dad to give him a high five. Dad would raise his hand but then he would kiss his hand as if to blow a kiss to someone. It was like he understood he needed to smack something but his brain was sending the wrong signal and he was smacking his lips! Well, he didn't really hit them he kissed his hand! The PT didn't say he was worried about this and perhaps that is normal. Who knows, it made me a little worried though.
After the physical therapy we laid Dad back down in the bed. Dad has excellent core strength because he can push against the PT's hand from all sides. Dad was pretty exhausted after this so I left. I gave Dad a big hug and told him "I Love you," and he said "I love you" back!
So I have another request! Hee Hee. We are trying to think of things Dad can do while in bed. We need to keep him stimulated so he doesn't get bored and then frustrated and then depressed. He can't be in physical therapy all the time so we need ideas that he can do on his down time. I thought of a Nerf basketball hoop that we could attach to the end of his bed. This would also help to strengthen his arms and get his brain coordinating his movements. What else could we do? Any ideas?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Day 12 of Jim's Recovery
Holy Cow, I can't believe what each new day brings. I walked in the room today and completely stopped in my tracks. Dad's bed had been raised up like a chair and Dad was sitting up! My jaw dropped. Dad was sitting up in a chair where yesterday he could hardly sit up with the physical therapist. Okay, the fact that the bed converts into a chair helps but he wasn't falling forward or trying to move. He was just sitting up, looking around, and listening. Amazing!
Dad was even more awake and aware then yesterday. It is just little steps and little differences but to me and my family these are hugely significant. Today Dad was really trying to communicate. He can't move his tongue to form words and can barely move his mouth so we have to listen really hard and decipher what he is saying from the sound of each word. We would like to announce that Dad has officially said his favorite cuss word! Yes, I thought you would all be quite pleased with him for those of you who know which bomber that one is!
While trying to communicate to us tonight he seemed like he wanted to tell us about how he fell. Now, we are not sure but we heard a few words and can only speculate how these things fit into the equation. Dad began to talk and somehow I thought perhaps he was trying to tell us about his fall, then he shook his head yes. As he continued to try to explain I heard the word "faint". So I asked Dad if he fainted and he said "yes". Now, when one faints I'm not sure if they can remember that they did, so perhaps he only thinks he fainted. Either way we wonder if that is how he fell. Dad then continued and it sounded like he said "vacuum" and "smoke." So I asked, "Was the vacuum smoking?" Again he shook his head yes. After that we could not understand what he was trying to explain but he gave the expression of surprise on his face. This made me think he was surprised to see the vacuum smoking. My interpretation is that he was kneeling and chipping away at the tile, perhaps he looked over and the vacuum was smoking which surprised him so he stood up fast, the blood drained from his head and he blacked out. Or perhaps he got up to use the vacuum, it began to smoke, he went to unplug it and he got electrocuted, which made him pass out. Such a mystery. I hope that when this is all over he can still remember. I have a feeling as his old memories come back the accident will be lost.
While I was there the physical therapist came in again. They worked with him again having him move up and down from his elbow in a sitting position. The PT didn't work so much with his hands but worked more with his core. She had him bend forward and backwards, this will help him learn to stand again. She also got him to stand, with help of course. Dad has a really hard time with his right side. He can't squeeze with that hand, or raise that arm, or move that foot. He does feel pain on that side which is excellent, but his brain is not recognizing the right side of his body. In essence his brain doesn't think the right side is there. So what happens is the stronger left side pushes against the right side and is meet with no opposition so he leans towards the right. When he is standing the left side pushed off and leans on the right side, which is bad because he can't hold himself up. So the PT wants to teach him to use the strong left side. She wants him to lean to use that side so that he can hold himself up with the left side. As soon as he can do that then they will begin to strengthen the right side and start working on those brain pathways again.
However, as I have watched Dad I have seen him use his right side. It's like he uses it when he is not concentrating on using it, if that makes sense. For example, I was doing some crossword puzzles with him this afternoon. I am awful at crossword puzzles and have to cheat my way through. Anyway, as I was reading one clue, Dad reached his right hand to me as if to take the pencil I was holding. So I gave that to him in his right hand. Then he reached for the paper with his left hand, again I handed him the paper. Then (and this is such a Dadism) he lifted the paper up and looked over the top of his glasses to see the paper and with his right hand he moved the pencil up to his mouth as if he were thinking! It was great. It was just how Dad always would look at the crosswords. Unfortunately the moment was over too quickly because some visitors walked in. It's just amazing how little idiosyncrasies are coming out.
Sadly though you can tell that Dad is extremely frustrated. He will try to talk and gets frustrated. You can see in his eyes that he is so mad at himself. You can tell he knows what is going on and what he wants to say but his brain won't let the words come out. Also, when he was working with the PT she said something and he gave her the stink eye and then looked up at the ceiling as if he were say "no duh!" Then as she asked him to kick her hand, I could tell that he was trying but the connections in his brain were not firing to put two and two together. There were a few times that he cried today. I am really afraid of Dad getting depressed. He already is but I don't want him to loose hope. Driving home from the hospital I began to cry, not because of my loss, but because I could feel the frustration Dad was feeling. I just want to jump in his brain and help him out. I hated leaving his side.
Keep sending Dad your positive energy and prayers. He now needs it to have the will power to keep trying. I know he wont give up but I hate to see him miserable. Again, love you all, and thank you for reading. Just because you haven't signed up as a follower doesn't mean we don't know you are reading! I love you all your reading this gets me through another day.
Dad was even more awake and aware then yesterday. It is just little steps and little differences but to me and my family these are hugely significant. Today Dad was really trying to communicate. He can't move his tongue to form words and can barely move his mouth so we have to listen really hard and decipher what he is saying from the sound of each word. We would like to announce that Dad has officially said his favorite cuss word! Yes, I thought you would all be quite pleased with him for those of you who know which bomber that one is!
While trying to communicate to us tonight he seemed like he wanted to tell us about how he fell. Now, we are not sure but we heard a few words and can only speculate how these things fit into the equation. Dad began to talk and somehow I thought perhaps he was trying to tell us about his fall, then he shook his head yes. As he continued to try to explain I heard the word "faint". So I asked Dad if he fainted and he said "yes". Now, when one faints I'm not sure if they can remember that they did, so perhaps he only thinks he fainted. Either way we wonder if that is how he fell. Dad then continued and it sounded like he said "vacuum" and "smoke." So I asked, "Was the vacuum smoking?" Again he shook his head yes. After that we could not understand what he was trying to explain but he gave the expression of surprise on his face. This made me think he was surprised to see the vacuum smoking. My interpretation is that he was kneeling and chipping away at the tile, perhaps he looked over and the vacuum was smoking which surprised him so he stood up fast, the blood drained from his head and he blacked out. Or perhaps he got up to use the vacuum, it began to smoke, he went to unplug it and he got electrocuted, which made him pass out. Such a mystery. I hope that when this is all over he can still remember. I have a feeling as his old memories come back the accident will be lost.
While I was there the physical therapist came in again. They worked with him again having him move up and down from his elbow in a sitting position. The PT didn't work so much with his hands but worked more with his core. She had him bend forward and backwards, this will help him learn to stand again. She also got him to stand, with help of course. Dad has a really hard time with his right side. He can't squeeze with that hand, or raise that arm, or move that foot. He does feel pain on that side which is excellent, but his brain is not recognizing the right side of his body. In essence his brain doesn't think the right side is there. So what happens is the stronger left side pushes against the right side and is meet with no opposition so he leans towards the right. When he is standing the left side pushed off and leans on the right side, which is bad because he can't hold himself up. So the PT wants to teach him to use the strong left side. She wants him to lean to use that side so that he can hold himself up with the left side. As soon as he can do that then they will begin to strengthen the right side and start working on those brain pathways again.
However, as I have watched Dad I have seen him use his right side. It's like he uses it when he is not concentrating on using it, if that makes sense. For example, I was doing some crossword puzzles with him this afternoon. I am awful at crossword puzzles and have to cheat my way through. Anyway, as I was reading one clue, Dad reached his right hand to me as if to take the pencil I was holding. So I gave that to him in his right hand. Then he reached for the paper with his left hand, again I handed him the paper. Then (and this is such a Dadism) he lifted the paper up and looked over the top of his glasses to see the paper and with his right hand he moved the pencil up to his mouth as if he were thinking! It was great. It was just how Dad always would look at the crosswords. Unfortunately the moment was over too quickly because some visitors walked in. It's just amazing how little idiosyncrasies are coming out.
Sadly though you can tell that Dad is extremely frustrated. He will try to talk and gets frustrated. You can see in his eyes that he is so mad at himself. You can tell he knows what is going on and what he wants to say but his brain won't let the words come out. Also, when he was working with the PT she said something and he gave her the stink eye and then looked up at the ceiling as if he were say "no duh!" Then as she asked him to kick her hand, I could tell that he was trying but the connections in his brain were not firing to put two and two together. There were a few times that he cried today. I am really afraid of Dad getting depressed. He already is but I don't want him to loose hope. Driving home from the hospital I began to cry, not because of my loss, but because I could feel the frustration Dad was feeling. I just want to jump in his brain and help him out. I hated leaving his side.
Keep sending Dad your positive energy and prayers. He now needs it to have the will power to keep trying. I know he wont give up but I hate to see him miserable. Again, love you all, and thank you for reading. Just because you haven't signed up as a follower doesn't mean we don't know you are reading! I love you all your reading this gets me through another day.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Day 11 of Jim's Recovery
I can't believe how different Dad looks today. I haven't seen him for two days and he looks like Dad again. No more black and blue eyes, in fact you can hardly tell he fractured his skull. His face is not so drawn and strained. All his tubes are removed from his face so no more awful tape or nose bleeds. The only thing on Dad's face now is the breathing mask. Plus, today the nurses shaved Dad and gave him a bath so he looks and smells great! But, it is Dad's eyes that are the most amazing! I wanted to cry as I walked in the room and saw how bright and open Dad's eyes were. He was looking around and raised his eyebrows as we walked in. The last time I saw Dad he still had the foggy eyes. I am on my knees with gratitude for all the powers that be and for Dad's strength and determination.
When we walked in the room Mom spoke to Dad first and asked if he knew who she was. He nodded his head yes and you could tell by the look in his eyes that he meant it! Then I went up to Dad and asked if he knew who I was. He shook his head yes but I could see the confusion in his eyes. Now, I don't feel too bad because today was a bad hair day and I was wearing my hat and eyeglasses. So I went and pulled down all the pics of me around the room. I took them to Dad and pointed to myself then the picture. I think Dad got what I was trying to say, but still was having trouble remembering. It was funny because throughout our stay because I would catch Dad looking at me but as soon as I meet his eyes he would look away. I don't know if this is because he was embarrassed he didn't know me or because he just didn't want me to catch him staring.
Mike was there and Dad definitely recognized Mike. Erin came later and I believe Dad recognized her also. Yesterday, Erin asked Dad if he knew who she was and he nodded yes. Then (the stinker Erin is) she said "I'm Diane" and Dad shook his head yes! So we still have a long ways to go before Dad can remember everything but I will never doubt again.
At one point Mike, Erin, Mom, and I were standing around the bed talking to Dad and he was trying to mumble something. He kept trying and we finally heard him mumble "I'm Sorry!" My heart was broken, here he is trying to get a grasp on life again and he is worried about us. I knew Dad would start doing that as soon as he came around. It's just like Dad to have to be the strong guy, always.
We were also there to cheer and watch Dad do some physical therapy. The physical therapist had Dad sit on the side of the bed and try to hold himself up. At first he had a hard time, albeit he had just been given a dose of heavy pain relievers, but eventually he was able to hold himself up. Dad tends to lean to the right, this is the side that he has extreme difficulty with. He won't use his right hand or his right foot. Even if he tried I don't think the brain is connecting yet to move that side. His left side is much stronger but Dad still needs help in relearning basic movements. The physical therapist asked Dad to raise up his left hand and to give the PT a high five. It took awhile before Dad could understand what the PT was asking, but then finally Dad lifted up his hand and gave the PT a high five! After that he repeated it three more times. This was incredibly awesome to watch. It made me hurt just to watch his brain and muscles struggle to reconnect and work together as a team.
Then the PT had Dad lean down on his elbow. Can you imagine how hard it would be to hold your body weight up by your forearm when you have hardly any muscle strength? Crazy, but he did it. We had a funny moment because he looked over at Erin and she gave him this cheesy smile and he cheesy smiled right back.
It was fun to just sit back and observe Dad. Some of the things he did that I thought were amazing were just some of his idiosyncrasies, like the way that he scratched his nose, or the way he rubbed his cheek, or the scrunched face he would get when he would say no. All these were so fabulous to see. At one point during physical therapy the PT was moving his right leg, which is incredibly sorry, Dad said "Owy Owy Owy," such a Dad phrase.
We did ask Dad if he wanted visitors and he did say "No". I think Dad is really embarrassed to have his friends see him this way. But the doctors feel that it is best if he has friends come so that it may stimulate his brain. I felt awful again when I saw his worried face. You could just see behind his eyes the embarrassment he felt. So we will just start small because this is such an important part to his recovery.
I can't wait to go back to see Dad tomorrow. I don't want to miss one day, and by golly he will remember me (I'm his favorite daughter after all, right Ebs?) Hee hee, Love you sis!
P.S. Mom wanted me to thank whoever it was that dropped off the delicious chicken soup today. She was in the tub and obviously could not make it to the door! She wanted me to let you know so that whoever left the soup knows she was not trying to avoid answering!
When we walked in the room Mom spoke to Dad first and asked if he knew who she was. He nodded his head yes and you could tell by the look in his eyes that he meant it! Then I went up to Dad and asked if he knew who I was. He shook his head yes but I could see the confusion in his eyes. Now, I don't feel too bad because today was a bad hair day and I was wearing my hat and eyeglasses. So I went and pulled down all the pics of me around the room. I took them to Dad and pointed to myself then the picture. I think Dad got what I was trying to say, but still was having trouble remembering. It was funny because throughout our stay because I would catch Dad looking at me but as soon as I meet his eyes he would look away. I don't know if this is because he was embarrassed he didn't know me or because he just didn't want me to catch him staring.
Mike was there and Dad definitely recognized Mike. Erin came later and I believe Dad recognized her also. Yesterday, Erin asked Dad if he knew who she was and he nodded yes. Then (the stinker Erin is) she said "I'm Diane" and Dad shook his head yes! So we still have a long ways to go before Dad can remember everything but I will never doubt again.
At one point Mike, Erin, Mom, and I were standing around the bed talking to Dad and he was trying to mumble something. He kept trying and we finally heard him mumble "I'm Sorry!" My heart was broken, here he is trying to get a grasp on life again and he is worried about us. I knew Dad would start doing that as soon as he came around. It's just like Dad to have to be the strong guy, always.
We were also there to cheer and watch Dad do some physical therapy. The physical therapist had Dad sit on the side of the bed and try to hold himself up. At first he had a hard time, albeit he had just been given a dose of heavy pain relievers, but eventually he was able to hold himself up. Dad tends to lean to the right, this is the side that he has extreme difficulty with. He won't use his right hand or his right foot. Even if he tried I don't think the brain is connecting yet to move that side. His left side is much stronger but Dad still needs help in relearning basic movements. The physical therapist asked Dad to raise up his left hand and to give the PT a high five. It took awhile before Dad could understand what the PT was asking, but then finally Dad lifted up his hand and gave the PT a high five! After that he repeated it three more times. This was incredibly awesome to watch. It made me hurt just to watch his brain and muscles struggle to reconnect and work together as a team.
Then the PT had Dad lean down on his elbow. Can you imagine how hard it would be to hold your body weight up by your forearm when you have hardly any muscle strength? Crazy, but he did it. We had a funny moment because he looked over at Erin and she gave him this cheesy smile and he cheesy smiled right back.
It was fun to just sit back and observe Dad. Some of the things he did that I thought were amazing were just some of his idiosyncrasies, like the way that he scratched his nose, or the way he rubbed his cheek, or the scrunched face he would get when he would say no. All these were so fabulous to see. At one point during physical therapy the PT was moving his right leg, which is incredibly sorry, Dad said "Owy Owy Owy," such a Dad phrase.
We did ask Dad if he wanted visitors and he did say "No". I think Dad is really embarrassed to have his friends see him this way. But the doctors feel that it is best if he has friends come so that it may stimulate his brain. I felt awful again when I saw his worried face. You could just see behind his eyes the embarrassment he felt. So we will just start small because this is such an important part to his recovery.
I can't wait to go back to see Dad tomorrow. I don't want to miss one day, and by golly he will remember me (I'm his favorite daughter after all, right Ebs?) Hee hee, Love you sis!
P.S. Mom wanted me to thank whoever it was that dropped off the delicious chicken soup today. She was in the tub and obviously could not make it to the door! She wanted me to let you know so that whoever left the soup knows she was not trying to avoid answering!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Day 10 of Jim's Recovery
UGH, I just got finished with a really long post and I hit publish and it didn't work! So now I have to type everything over again. I'm so sorry if tonight's blog is not that great because I have been sitting here now for a half hour and can't handle it anymore!!
Okay, So first off when I sat down to write I was very overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed Dad was getting better. I was overwhelmed because I can't go see him due to my cough. And also, I was overwhelmed by all your emotional responses to yesterday's blog. I can just feel all of your joy at the news of Dad's responses. I am so happy to share that with you and to be able to fill that love pour through this measly computer.
So all of my information is second hand again today. Mom was with Dad all day and said he was doing the same things as yesterday. Though it seems like Dad is saying yes to everything. Mom said that he will say yes if she asks if he knows who she is but she still gets the feeling that he still doesn't know. Erin also said the same thing. I think it is like when you speak to someone who only knows a foreign language, they say yes to everything you say because they don't understand what you are asking. It is like Dad is saying yes because he doesn't know what people are saying. Mom is going to take him his hearing aides tomorrow but those are a little tricky because they will also amplify annoying sounds i.e. heart monitors.
The physical therapists also came in to work with Dad today. They had him chew on ice shavings. Sometimes he would chew them and swallow. Other times it would just slide down his throat and he would cough on it. He wasn't perfect at chewing ice but it's a start! His brain has to relearn simple tasks like how to chew and swallow.
So I just found out that Dad has been moved to the Nero Acute Floor. Now don't you all go rushing up to the hospital, he will get overwhelmed. We will tell you where he is in about a week. For right now we are just asking close friends and family to come visit Dad. Don't get me wrong you are all great friends of Dad's but again we don't want him overstimulated. We aren't sure how long he will be there. The case manager told us that he would be going to a nursing facility on Monday but the Doctor told us he would stay on the floor for 30 days. Again, we aren't sure what will be happening but will keep you updated.
Though, we do have a gigantic request of all of you. The doctors and nurses told us to fill up Dad's rooms with things he is familiar with. So we want pictures of you and pictures of you with Dad! Mail us a copy of your pictures to Mom or Me if you have our addresses (I'm not going to post that on a public blog)! Or e-mail me pictures at jimsrecovery@gmail.com. I am going to create a CD with pictures and music that we can put in the DVD player and Dad can watch on his TV. We want to fill up his room with pictures so that he doesn't have to look at boring hospital walls. The more photos the better!! Don't be a stranger to regular old mail. We need those pictures just as much as we need the ones for our CD. So don't just take the easy route and download what you have on your computer. Go scrounging through those old photos and find that funny one of you and Dad! Or that great picture you have of yourself from five years ago!
Lastly, Mom wanted me to say something for her. She wants to thank all her friends, family, and coworkers who have been helping her this week with bringing food over, to helping fix and pick up her house. You have all been a wonderful support to her and she feels that Thank You does not relay the gratitude she has towards all of you. Thanks again.
Okay, So first off when I sat down to write I was very overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed Dad was getting better. I was overwhelmed because I can't go see him due to my cough. And also, I was overwhelmed by all your emotional responses to yesterday's blog. I can just feel all of your joy at the news of Dad's responses. I am so happy to share that with you and to be able to fill that love pour through this measly computer.
So all of my information is second hand again today. Mom was with Dad all day and said he was doing the same things as yesterday. Though it seems like Dad is saying yes to everything. Mom said that he will say yes if she asks if he knows who she is but she still gets the feeling that he still doesn't know. Erin also said the same thing. I think it is like when you speak to someone who only knows a foreign language, they say yes to everything you say because they don't understand what you are asking. It is like Dad is saying yes because he doesn't know what people are saying. Mom is going to take him his hearing aides tomorrow but those are a little tricky because they will also amplify annoying sounds i.e. heart monitors.
The physical therapists also came in to work with Dad today. They had him chew on ice shavings. Sometimes he would chew them and swallow. Other times it would just slide down his throat and he would cough on it. He wasn't perfect at chewing ice but it's a start! His brain has to relearn simple tasks like how to chew and swallow.
So I just found out that Dad has been moved to the Nero Acute Floor. Now don't you all go rushing up to the hospital, he will get overwhelmed. We will tell you where he is in about a week. For right now we are just asking close friends and family to come visit Dad. Don't get me wrong you are all great friends of Dad's but again we don't want him overstimulated. We aren't sure how long he will be there. The case manager told us that he would be going to a nursing facility on Monday but the Doctor told us he would stay on the floor for 30 days. Again, we aren't sure what will be happening but will keep you updated.
Though, we do have a gigantic request of all of you. The doctors and nurses told us to fill up Dad's rooms with things he is familiar with. So we want pictures of you and pictures of you with Dad! Mail us a copy of your pictures to Mom or Me if you have our addresses (I'm not going to post that on a public blog)! Or e-mail me pictures at jimsrecovery@gmail.com. I am going to create a CD with pictures and music that we can put in the DVD player and Dad can watch on his TV. We want to fill up his room with pictures so that he doesn't have to look at boring hospital walls. The more photos the better!! Don't be a stranger to regular old mail. We need those pictures just as much as we need the ones for our CD. So don't just take the easy route and download what you have on your computer. Go scrounging through those old photos and find that funny one of you and Dad! Or that great picture you have of yourself from five years ago!
Lastly, Mom wanted me to say something for her. She wants to thank all her friends, family, and coworkers who have been helping her this week with bringing food over, to helping fix and pick up her house. You have all been a wonderful support to her and she feels that Thank You does not relay the gratitude she has towards all of you. Thanks again.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Day 9 of Jim's Recovery
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE HAVE MADE CONTACT!!!! Yes, yes, yes, it is true Dad was finally responsive today! It's been nine days but it feels like nine months!
Okay, so on with the excellent details. Well, when Dad woke up from anesthesia he was very alert. Mom brought his glasses today so that he could see things when we showed him pictures. I don't know how long after he woke up but Dad started looking at people. So Mom said "Hey Jim, do you know who I am," and he shook his head "yes." The nurse was surprised so she said "Jim, look at your wife," and he did!! From then on Mom and the nurse would try to ask him questions. Some questions he could understand and shake his head yes or no. Others he seemed confused or would close his eyes, or even seem distracted. Dad was also getting very frustrated because he would try to say something and he could only make sounds not words.
Mom tried to do different things to see what he could understand. She held up a picture of Sage (my daughter) and he would say "ahhhh." Then at one point she was standing at the end of the bed and she asked with a silly voice "can you shake your head yes? Can you shake your head no?" Dad just smiled at Mom!
I guess he also can show that he is uncomfortable more. Mom said that he was moaning like he was sore somewhere so she asked him if he was sore on his neck. He shook his head no. She asked "are you sore on your arms." Again, he shook his head no. Then she asked if he was sore on his back. By then he either couldn't concentrate on what she was asking, just lost interest, or was too frustrated to respond because he just closed his eyes.
Sure this is the one day I can't make it to the hospital because I'm getting a cough and I miss all the action! I'm so mad. However, Mom called me before she left the hospital and I asked her if she would put the phone up to his ear so I could talk to him. When she did I said Hi and he said Hi back!! Then I told him I was sorry I couldn't visit today but I would try tomorrow. Mom then took the phone and said Dad was trying to mumble something then did his face scrunch when he is frustrated and shook his head.
Man, I have been shaking all day. I couldn't wait to get everything done and kids in bed to run and tell all of you about the fabulous day. Do keep in mind though that we still have a long road, but it looks like the road will be brighter for us to travel!
Later this evening Mike was heading up to the hospital so I made him call me back as soon as he left. Mike said that he walked into the room and saw Dad with his glasses on. When Dad looked up he said "Oh, Hi." Mike was totally taken back! He didn't know what to do. Also as Mike sat with Dad and talked to him he said it sounded like Dad was mumbling "I can't..." I can only imagine how frustrated Dad must be right now.
I wonder if the anesthesia is what helped Dad come out of the "sleepy comma." Mom said that is what the nurses think. They think that because of the anesthesia it helped to lower his blood pressure and helped his brain to relax. So all the fears we had of the negative effects of anesthesia were completely reversed!
Well, happy to say Dad will be moved to a nursing facility either Friday or Monday and we will be so happy to let everyone go visit him. He will still need a lot of support to get through this. We were told tonight as we looked at a couple facilities that Nero (head trauma) patients tend to get very agitated and depressed as the brain begin to heal because they remember or learn more and more, but can't quite do things. So we will need all the help we can get in keeping Dad's spirits up for this long journey.
There will be bad days and good days, but man I just can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!
P.S. I knew I was right about Dad rubbing my arm when I hugged him yesterday!
Okay, so on with the excellent details. Well, when Dad woke up from anesthesia he was very alert. Mom brought his glasses today so that he could see things when we showed him pictures. I don't know how long after he woke up but Dad started looking at people. So Mom said "Hey Jim, do you know who I am," and he shook his head "yes." The nurse was surprised so she said "Jim, look at your wife," and he did!! From then on Mom and the nurse would try to ask him questions. Some questions he could understand and shake his head yes or no. Others he seemed confused or would close his eyes, or even seem distracted. Dad was also getting very frustrated because he would try to say something and he could only make sounds not words.
Mom tried to do different things to see what he could understand. She held up a picture of Sage (my daughter) and he would say "ahhhh." Then at one point she was standing at the end of the bed and she asked with a silly voice "can you shake your head yes? Can you shake your head no?" Dad just smiled at Mom!
I guess he also can show that he is uncomfortable more. Mom said that he was moaning like he was sore somewhere so she asked him if he was sore on his neck. He shook his head no. She asked "are you sore on your arms." Again, he shook his head no. Then she asked if he was sore on his back. By then he either couldn't concentrate on what she was asking, just lost interest, or was too frustrated to respond because he just closed his eyes.
Sure this is the one day I can't make it to the hospital because I'm getting a cough and I miss all the action! I'm so mad. However, Mom called me before she left the hospital and I asked her if she would put the phone up to his ear so I could talk to him. When she did I said Hi and he said Hi back!! Then I told him I was sorry I couldn't visit today but I would try tomorrow. Mom then took the phone and said Dad was trying to mumble something then did his face scrunch when he is frustrated and shook his head.
Man, I have been shaking all day. I couldn't wait to get everything done and kids in bed to run and tell all of you about the fabulous day. Do keep in mind though that we still have a long road, but it looks like the road will be brighter for us to travel!
Later this evening Mike was heading up to the hospital so I made him call me back as soon as he left. Mike said that he walked into the room and saw Dad with his glasses on. When Dad looked up he said "Oh, Hi." Mike was totally taken back! He didn't know what to do. Also as Mike sat with Dad and talked to him he said it sounded like Dad was mumbling "I can't..." I can only imagine how frustrated Dad must be right now.
I wonder if the anesthesia is what helped Dad come out of the "sleepy comma." Mom said that is what the nurses think. They think that because of the anesthesia it helped to lower his blood pressure and helped his brain to relax. So all the fears we had of the negative effects of anesthesia were completely reversed!
Well, happy to say Dad will be moved to a nursing facility either Friday or Monday and we will be so happy to let everyone go visit him. He will still need a lot of support to get through this. We were told tonight as we looked at a couple facilities that Nero (head trauma) patients tend to get very agitated and depressed as the brain begin to heal because they remember or learn more and more, but can't quite do things. So we will need all the help we can get in keeping Dad's spirits up for this long journey.
There will be bad days and good days, but man I just can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!
P.S. I knew I was right about Dad rubbing my arm when I hugged him yesterday!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Day 8 of Dad's Recovery
Alrightly, so this morning I was thoroughly depressed, as I know most of you were, about the news from yesterday. I can't quite wrap my mind around not hearing Dad sing again. I didn't sleep well, and wanted to head up to the hospital as soon as a could this morning.
Well, I have decided I'm done listening to what the doctors say "might" happen. I'm tired of that kind of bull crap talk. There are so many "mights", or "maybes", or the darn "possibles"!! In my opinion I'm not going to expect the worse and the wait to be happily surprised when something good happens. I'm going to be hopefully optimistic and then if something bad happens then be sad. I can't continue to be sad, sad, sad, and wait to be happy.
This is why, like I said this morning I was depressed, well when I got to the hospital Dad was awake more then I have ever seen him. He was not squirming around like he was uncomfortable or in pain. We seemed very comfortable and relaxed. His eyes were open and he was looking around a lot. I asked the nurse how he had done during the night. She said he had slept all night and that this morning he stood up twice with the help of the physical therapists.
Okay, so that is great news. So, I sat down next to Dad and talked to him about my day. He would look at me, then turn away, then look back, then fall asleep, then look at me. To me that is pretty cool because all he has done was close his eyes or scrunch up his face. Then I put some earphones in his ears and played him some music. I played him the song that the BCC Hour of Incense Singers recorded for Dad last Sunday (this is a singing group Dad is a part of at the Bountiful Community Church). He listened and murmured at a point in the song. Then I played the songs Dad wrote for him. He closed his eyes and I thought he had fallen asleep so I took out the earphone. As soon as I did he would open his eyes. So I put the earphones back in his ears and he listened and closed his eyes again. I think he was concentrating on listening to the music. I know he doesn't understand language so I tried to hum the songs and tap the beat to the rhythm with him. No response yet, but I'm hopeful!
Then I picked up a picture of our family and held it up to him to look at (Dad is as blind as a bat). He looked at it and it seemed like he was concentrating on the picture. Then to my surprise he reached up and took a hold of the picture. He held it and looked at it before dropping his hand. I tried this again and again but he didn't ever reach up for it again. If I put the picture near his hand he would hold it but never reached for it. I spoke with Mike (Dad's brother) and he also said he held up a picture to Dad this evening and that he did reach up to take it. Who knows, perhaps he is thinking there is some recognition to those pictures.
Okay, so to the most exciting part. As I was saying goodbye to Dad I bent down to give him a hug. I put my head on his chest and wrapped my arm around his waist. At this Dad put his hand on my arm and rubbed my arm up and down. This is what Dad always did when he gave me hugs. It wasn't an automatic reflex like squeezing a hand or holding something that is put in front of him. I have watched his hand movements and he grabs his blankets, clutches his hospital gown, squeezes fingers, pushes down on the bed, but I have never once seen him flatten out his hand and rub something. I know that Dad was giving me affection back. I know it. Yes, it could be wishful thinking, but you know what screw wishful thinking. I'm done with wishful thinking. I will continue to BELIEVE that Dad is slowly getting better and then two years down the road if he is the same, then, and only then, will I accept the reality of Dad staying the way he is. For heavens sake we are only in this one single week! It's not like it has been 6 months and we still haven't seen anything positive happen.
So tomorrow between morning and one o'clock (nice time frame, eh) Dad will go into surgery for the stomach feeding tube. Sorry I keep forgetting the appropriate name. So send your prayers, and positive healing energy Dads way!
Also in case people didn't catch my comment on the "comment" board. I just wanted to say thank you for all your comments. The more a see and hear that people are reading this, the better I feel. This blog has been so helpful to keep me grounded. If I didn't think people cared enough to read this I don't think I could keep writing it. Plus, just to know that so many people from Florida to California are reading this makes me so happy. Just to know you are all fighting for Dad is such a comfort to me. Keep up those comments and keep adding followers! I know Dad will love to read this when he wakes up.
Well, I have decided I'm done listening to what the doctors say "might" happen. I'm tired of that kind of bull crap talk. There are so many "mights", or "maybes", or the darn "possibles"!! In my opinion I'm not going to expect the worse and the wait to be happily surprised when something good happens. I'm going to be hopefully optimistic and then if something bad happens then be sad. I can't continue to be sad, sad, sad, and wait to be happy.
This is why, like I said this morning I was depressed, well when I got to the hospital Dad was awake more then I have ever seen him. He was not squirming around like he was uncomfortable or in pain. We seemed very comfortable and relaxed. His eyes were open and he was looking around a lot. I asked the nurse how he had done during the night. She said he had slept all night and that this morning he stood up twice with the help of the physical therapists.
Okay, so that is great news. So, I sat down next to Dad and talked to him about my day. He would look at me, then turn away, then look back, then fall asleep, then look at me. To me that is pretty cool because all he has done was close his eyes or scrunch up his face. Then I put some earphones in his ears and played him some music. I played him the song that the BCC Hour of Incense Singers recorded for Dad last Sunday (this is a singing group Dad is a part of at the Bountiful Community Church). He listened and murmured at a point in the song. Then I played the songs Dad wrote for him. He closed his eyes and I thought he had fallen asleep so I took out the earphone. As soon as I did he would open his eyes. So I put the earphones back in his ears and he listened and closed his eyes again. I think he was concentrating on listening to the music. I know he doesn't understand language so I tried to hum the songs and tap the beat to the rhythm with him. No response yet, but I'm hopeful!
Then I picked up a picture of our family and held it up to him to look at (Dad is as blind as a bat). He looked at it and it seemed like he was concentrating on the picture. Then to my surprise he reached up and took a hold of the picture. He held it and looked at it before dropping his hand. I tried this again and again but he didn't ever reach up for it again. If I put the picture near his hand he would hold it but never reached for it. I spoke with Mike (Dad's brother) and he also said he held up a picture to Dad this evening and that he did reach up to take it. Who knows, perhaps he is thinking there is some recognition to those pictures.
Okay, so to the most exciting part. As I was saying goodbye to Dad I bent down to give him a hug. I put my head on his chest and wrapped my arm around his waist. At this Dad put his hand on my arm and rubbed my arm up and down. This is what Dad always did when he gave me hugs. It wasn't an automatic reflex like squeezing a hand or holding something that is put in front of him. I have watched his hand movements and he grabs his blankets, clutches his hospital gown, squeezes fingers, pushes down on the bed, but I have never once seen him flatten out his hand and rub something. I know that Dad was giving me affection back. I know it. Yes, it could be wishful thinking, but you know what screw wishful thinking. I'm done with wishful thinking. I will continue to BELIEVE that Dad is slowly getting better and then two years down the road if he is the same, then, and only then, will I accept the reality of Dad staying the way he is. For heavens sake we are only in this one single week! It's not like it has been 6 months and we still haven't seen anything positive happen.
So tomorrow between morning and one o'clock (nice time frame, eh) Dad will go into surgery for the stomach feeding tube. Sorry I keep forgetting the appropriate name. So send your prayers, and positive healing energy Dads way!
Also in case people didn't catch my comment on the "comment" board. I just wanted to say thank you for all your comments. The more a see and hear that people are reading this, the better I feel. This blog has been so helpful to keep me grounded. If I didn't think people cared enough to read this I don't think I could keep writing it. Plus, just to know that so many people from Florida to California are reading this makes me so happy. Just to know you are all fighting for Dad is such a comfort to me. Keep up those comments and keep adding followers! I know Dad will love to read this when he wakes up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)