Hello:
Gary has had a busy week with continued improvement each day. Although some days are met with much agitation he has more windows/periods of cognitive and physical breakthroughs. See attached photo.
Yesterday (Friday) was one of the breakthroughs and he took another big leap in physical and speech therapy. Those that know how difficult it is for Gary to move from a sitting position to a standing position can appreciate the complexity and strength it takes him to get upright. The physical therapist has been working with him to strengthen his upper body to prepare him to use a table to help stand and for the first time yesterday he managed to do 15 very difficult table push ups. This is a BIG step!
Cognitively he continues to amaze us all. While he may not always recognize me, others or pictures/objects by name, he is able to identify via reading. He is now reading print, as well as handwriting and we pass time by reading all the cards, well wishes, hand written notes and emails. His since of humor does come out from time to time and we both laughed when he finally realized after many hours of his insisting he was correct, to his amazement No my name was not “Cheesecake”. The crazy thing is that as the day progressed I started to respond to being called “Hey Cheesecake”. However, when I left that evening I was once again Mia. I think I will bring him a slice of cheesecake today.
Other recent highlights, he is now able to perform many of the ADLs (activities of daily living) feed himself, brush his teeth, shave with an electric razor etc. And. . . . THE BIG NEWS. . . . . it looks like he will be transferred to the next phase of rehabilitation and move to a new rehab facility next week. Kindred hospital is an acute phase hospital that specialized in respiratory care (ventilated/trached patients). Thus, now that Gary is over the “acute” phase he is ready for the next step. Although it will be a difficult transition for me as I have grown to trust/love the staff and environment at Kindred, this is another HUGE milestone for Gary. The next place specializes in brain injury rehabilitation and will focus more on PT, OT, cognitive and speech therapy. We still have a few options to choose from but it looks like we are leaning toward Northridge Rehab facility as they have a very good reputation and other patients from Kindred have reported very positive results. Plus with Leah being the star goalkeeper for Northridge woman’s soccer, I’m hoping we will be able to have outings and catch some of her practices/home games which I know Gary would love. reputation, its 5 minutes from where Leah lives/goes to school and only 20 minutes from our home (and we don’t have to drive on the 101 or 405 freeways!).
I’ll write again later this week. Until then sending much love and appreciation to the amazing healing network (in multiple states and countries) of friends, family, extended families, church members, people we have not met but have prayed for Gary’s recovery. Ten weeks ago the prognosis was poor, five weeks ago they (doctors) were not sure he would come off the ventilator. Look at him now! It truly is a miracle to witness the wonderful recovery. If I could hug every one of you I would, but for now you will have to settle for a virtual hug. XOXO, -Mia
Gary has had a busy week with continued improvement each day. Although some days are met with much agitation he has more windows/periods of cognitive and physical breakthroughs. See attached photo.
Yesterday (Friday) was one of the breakthroughs and he took another big leap in physical and speech therapy. Those that know how difficult it is for Gary to move from a sitting position to a standing position can appreciate the complexity and strength it takes him to get upright. The physical therapist has been working with him to strengthen his upper body to prepare him to use a table to help stand and for the first time yesterday he managed to do 15 very difficult table push ups. This is a BIG step!
Cognitively he continues to amaze us all. While he may not always recognize me, others or pictures/objects by name, he is able to identify via reading. He is now reading print, as well as handwriting and we pass time by reading all the cards, well wishes, hand written notes and emails. His since of humor does come out from time to time and we both laughed when he finally realized after many hours of his insisting he was correct, to his amazement No my name was not “Cheesecake”. The crazy thing is that as the day progressed I started to respond to being called “Hey Cheesecake”. However, when I left that evening I was once again Mia. I think I will bring him a slice of cheesecake today.
Other recent highlights, he is now able to perform many of the ADLs (activities of daily living) feed himself, brush his teeth, shave with an electric razor etc. And. . . . THE BIG NEWS. . . . . it looks like he will be transferred to the next phase of rehabilitation and move to a new rehab facility next week. Kindred hospital is an acute phase hospital that specialized in respiratory care (ventilated/trached patients). Thus, now that Gary is over the “acute” phase he is ready for the next step. Although it will be a difficult transition for me as I have grown to trust/love the staff and environment at Kindred, this is another HUGE milestone for Gary. The next place specializes in brain injury rehabilitation and will focus more on PT, OT, cognitive and speech therapy. We still have a few options to choose from but it looks like we are leaning toward Northridge Rehab facility as they have a very good reputation and other patients from Kindred have reported very positive results. Plus with Leah being the star goalkeeper for Northridge woman’s soccer, I’m hoping we will be able to have outings and catch some of her practices/home games which I know Gary would love. reputation, its 5 minutes from where Leah lives/goes to school and only 20 minutes from our home (and we don’t have to drive on the 101 or 405 freeways!).
I’ll write again later this week. Until then sending much love and appreciation to the amazing healing network (in multiple states and countries) of friends, family, extended families, church members, people we have not met but have prayed for Gary’s recovery. Ten weeks ago the prognosis was poor, five weeks ago they (doctors) were not sure he would come off the ventilator. Look at him now! It truly is a miracle to witness the wonderful recovery. If I could hug every one of you I would, but for now you will have to settle for a virtual hug. XOXO, -Mia
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