November 14, 2011
Jim started PT today with Brady Engelstead. He did a few evaluations then had Jim walk on the treadmill for 10 min and then do a rowing machine for another 10 min. It really wore him out. After he had to do an obstacle course, which really challenged his balance. He did extremely well but was ready for a nap when we got home. Days are filling up quickly with PT, OT, speech, neuro and other dr visits. Jim is going to be busy recovering and is hoping to see progress soon. I know this has all been very difficult on him but am so proud of his positive attitude and determination to overcome.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Jim
November 12 and 13, 2011
This weekend went by quickly. It is so nice to be home but we are both realizing how tired we are. The kids have been so happy to have us home that they have been crazy! I am hoping getting back to school and adjusting to having us back will help them mellow a little. Jim is getting around the house well and is trying to be very independent. We went to Stake Conference and it wore him out. It was very difficult for him to sit that long (but he was more reverent than the kids, even with his wiggles). Conference was very good. One of the talks really hit close to our hearts. Elder Russell M. Nielson talked about the heart and about being grateful for each part of our body. He talked about how we recognize more when a part does not function well for some reason. He told us to take time to pray and thank Heavenly Father for each part of our body from our head to our toes.
Jim was worn out when we got home and slept most of the afternoon. He had a few visitors in the evening. Alan Jones, Greg Schmidt, and his brother Spencer all came to visit.
This weekend went by quickly. It is so nice to be home but we are both realizing how tired we are. The kids have been so happy to have us home that they have been crazy! I am hoping getting back to school and adjusting to having us back will help them mellow a little. Jim is getting around the house well and is trying to be very independent. We went to Stake Conference and it wore him out. It was very difficult for him to sit that long (but he was more reverent than the kids, even with his wiggles). Conference was very good. One of the talks really hit close to our hearts. Elder Russell M. Nielson talked about the heart and about being grateful for each part of our body. He talked about how we recognize more when a part does not function well for some reason. He told us to take time to pray and thank Heavenly Father for each part of our body from our head to our toes.
Jim was worn out when we got home and slept most of the afternoon. He had a few visitors in the evening. Alan Jones, Greg Schmidt, and his brother Spencer all came to visit.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Jim
Friday November 11, 2011
Today Jim had therapy in the morning and we planned to leave around 12. They took his walker away yesterday and had him work with a 4 pronged cane. Today they gave us a regular cane and Jim did really well. We are both so excited to go home but feeling very anxious at the same time. My emotions seem to vary by the second today and I am not sure exactly why. My sister, Alisha came and picked us up from the hospital. n We went to get something to eat before we headed home and Jim had his first chance "in the real world". He was very worried about how people would look at him and felt very nervous about getting out of the car but he moved around without incident and seemed a little more relaxed going back to the car. He is so worried that others will look at him differently, especially in a work environment. He worries that he has lost his edge and will not be able to perform at the level he did previously. We spoke to the speech therapist today before we left and Jim talked with her about these concerns. She said he should expect complete recovery but to give himself the time he needs to recover. He mentioned to her that he is worried about having a deficit, but she said a deficit is only there when you do not try. She did not feel that would apply to Jim and I completely agree with her. Watching him work so hard this week and improve in huge measure daily leaves me feeling very confident that he will fully recover also. Our kids were so cute when we came home. They started singing a song when we walked in the door. They had made a cute banner and cards for us too. It was so nice to be home and see them all again. I think one of the best things was sleeping in our own bed....so nice to not have someone coming in at all hours of the night turning on lights and waking us up. Jim has done really well around the house and even sat up and played a gmae with the kids. As we read scriptures last night with the kids it was talking about miracles and that God does not change and therefore miracles are still possible. I shared with the kids my testimony of what we experienced these last couple weeks and the many miracles that I witnessed. I am so grateful to all who have prayed and loved and served us during this time. I cannot express in words my gratitude to all our family and friends for all that has been done in our behalf. I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Today Jim had therapy in the morning and we planned to leave around 12. They took his walker away yesterday and had him work with a 4 pronged cane. Today they gave us a regular cane and Jim did really well. We are both so excited to go home but feeling very anxious at the same time. My emotions seem to vary by the second today and I am not sure exactly why. My sister, Alisha came and picked us up from the hospital. n We went to get something to eat before we headed home and Jim had his first chance "in the real world". He was very worried about how people would look at him and felt very nervous about getting out of the car but he moved around without incident and seemed a little more relaxed going back to the car. He is so worried that others will look at him differently, especially in a work environment. He worries that he has lost his edge and will not be able to perform at the level he did previously. We spoke to the speech therapist today before we left and Jim talked with her about these concerns. She said he should expect complete recovery but to give himself the time he needs to recover. He mentioned to her that he is worried about having a deficit, but she said a deficit is only there when you do not try. She did not feel that would apply to Jim and I completely agree with her. Watching him work so hard this week and improve in huge measure daily leaves me feeling very confident that he will fully recover also. Our kids were so cute when we came home. They started singing a song when we walked in the door. They had made a cute banner and cards for us too. It was so nice to be home and see them all again. I think one of the best things was sleeping in our own bed....so nice to not have someone coming in at all hours of the night turning on lights and waking us up. Jim has done really well around the house and even sat up and played a gmae with the kids. As we read scriptures last night with the kids it was talking about miracles and that God does not change and therefore miracles are still possible. I shared with the kids my testimony of what we experienced these last couple weeks and the many miracles that I witnessed. I am so grateful to all who have prayed and loved and served us during this time. I cannot express in words my gratitude to all our family and friends for all that has been done in our behalf. I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Jim
Thursday November 10, 2011
Today was filled with therapy. They added a couple extra since we are going home tomorrow. Jim is progressing very well and has more movement in his left fingers than he had previously. It is still extremely frustrating for him to use his left hand though. We are both so excited to go home but getting nervous for what changes that will bring. Jim has been so exhausted after his therapy that he sleeps for a few hours after. He is frustrated by his lack of energy and stamina but I can see improvement even in that daily. My parents came to visit today and took me out to lunch. It was nice to get out again, though it seems like stimulus overload after being in the hospital environment for almost two weeks.
Today was filled with therapy. They added a couple extra since we are going home tomorrow. Jim is progressing very well and has more movement in his left fingers than he had previously. It is still extremely frustrating for him to use his left hand though. We are both so excited to go home but getting nervous for what changes that will bring. Jim has been so exhausted after his therapy that he sleeps for a few hours after. He is frustrated by his lack of energy and stamina but I can see improvement even in that daily. My parents came to visit today and took me out to lunch. It was nice to get out again, though it seems like stimulus overload after being in the hospital environment for almost two weeks.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Jim
Wednesday November 9, 2011
Today has been an insightful day. Jim is doing well in all his therapies. He is very excited to go home but is becoming a little worried too. Today in occupational therapy they had him practice typing and it was incredibly frustrating for him. He could not get his left hand to cooperate. He used to type at around 75-80 wpm and could not even get one wpm. I could see how hard he was concentrating and could see the frustration building. He also did a peg game, where he had to put pegs in a hole while he was on his hands and knees. He was so focused and trying so hard but using his left hand was so frustrating. As I watched it reminded me of when my kids were small and would try to put Lego's together and how frustrated they would get. It was amazing to think about all the things we learn as children and all the things we take for granted as adults. Jim is having to start all over to train his hand to work correctly again. He is doing well but is realizing that it is going to take some time to get back to normal. We look around at the others in therapy and feel so grateful for the extent of his injuries. We both know we have been so blessed and that things could be so much worse. My mom and sister came in to visit today and took me out on the town. We went to IKEA and wandered around for a couple of hours. It was fun to get out with my mom and sister but felt so strange to not be with Jim. It will be so nice to be home and be with our kids again. We have both missed them so much.
Today has been an insightful day. Jim is doing well in all his therapies. He is very excited to go home but is becoming a little worried too. Today in occupational therapy they had him practice typing and it was incredibly frustrating for him. He could not get his left hand to cooperate. He used to type at around 75-80 wpm and could not even get one wpm. I could see how hard he was concentrating and could see the frustration building. He also did a peg game, where he had to put pegs in a hole while he was on his hands and knees. He was so focused and trying so hard but using his left hand was so frustrating. As I watched it reminded me of when my kids were small and would try to put Lego's together and how frustrated they would get. It was amazing to think about all the things we learn as children and all the things we take for granted as adults. Jim is having to start all over to train his hand to work correctly again. He is doing well but is realizing that it is going to take some time to get back to normal. We look around at the others in therapy and feel so grateful for the extent of his injuries. We both know we have been so blessed and that things could be so much worse. My mom and sister came in to visit today and took me out on the town. We went to IKEA and wandered around for a couple of hours. It was fun to get out with my mom and sister but felt so strange to not be with Jim. It will be so nice to be home and be with our kids again. We have both missed them so much.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Jim
Tuesday November 8, 2011
Today has been a fantastic day. Jim started his therapy today about 8am and was busy until 3pm. He met with Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Dietitian, Psychiatrist, and Doctor Ryser. He told the therapists that he wanted to go home by the weekend and he worked like he meant it. He walked with a cane, walked up a flight of 14 stairs and worked a great deal with his left hand. We found out today that we will be headed home on Friday. Jim was so excited about that. He did not like being told that he could not be back to work on Monday and had to be cleared by the doctor or that he couldn't drive until he was cleared either. He has been very upbeat and worked so hard today. I was so proud of the progress he made today.
Today has been a fantastic day. Jim started his therapy today about 8am and was busy until 3pm. He met with Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Dietitian, Psychiatrist, and Doctor Ryser. He told the therapists that he wanted to go home by the weekend and he worked like he meant it. He walked with a cane, walked up a flight of 14 stairs and worked a great deal with his left hand. We found out today that we will be headed home on Friday. Jim was so excited about that. He did not like being told that he could not be back to work on Monday and had to be cleared by the doctor or that he couldn't drive until he was cleared either. He has been very upbeat and worked so hard today. I was so proud of the progress he made today.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Jim
Monday November 7, 2011
Today has been pretty low key. Jim had therapy for a while today and walked farther than he has previously. We are both pretty tired today. We just found out that we are approved to stay here for therapy. This brings me a great deal of relief to know that we will still be here in the hospital close to the medical team that has been working with him, since we still do not have an answer as to where the clots originated. We should be moving to the twelth floor sometime this afternoon.
Today has been pretty low key. Jim had therapy for a while today and walked farther than he has previously. We are both pretty tired today. We just found out that we are approved to stay here for therapy. This brings me a great deal of relief to know that we will still be here in the hospital close to the medical team that has been working with him, since we still do not have an answer as to where the clots originated. We should be moving to the twelth floor sometime this afternoon.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Jim
Sunday November 6, 2011
Today has been a fantastic day for Jim-likely one of his best this week. He woke up refreshed and feeling happy. We got him showered and shaved and he was excited to see the kids again. He was really pushed by his therapist today. She made him use his left hand to put pegs in some small holes. He did well but his hand was really shaky today. His therapist told him to walk over to the table. He began walking fast and she said do it in about 6 steps. He said "well, you tell me to do it in 6 and I will do it in 5." It was good to see his fighting spirit back today. The kids came about noon and were more relaxed today. Jim had many more visitors today. It was really funny as we were sitting and visiting, the cleaning lady came and asked "Is this guy the mayor or something?" "He is so popular, i thought I better check to make sure I am doing a good enough job." She then said "He must be a very good man." We replied "yes, he is." That gave Jim a big smile on his face. His aunt Elo and uncle Shane and their son Joseph came today. His Grandpa Douglas, Trevor and his mom and grandparents (Dennis and Jan) all came to visit today too. He even had some visitors from Loa-Gaelynn and his wife Ramona and their son Nate all came to visit too. His friend Russ and his wife Tamara and their kids Sam and Rachel came to visit. The girls both colored cute cards to give to Jim. Dane Leavitt called and visited with Jim and brought a smile to his face. Jim has received many cards, flowers, and a funny balloon from my mom. He loves looking at the gifts and I catch him smiling every time he looks at them. He has been walking really well today and walked the kids to the elevator, which made them very happy. His spirits are improving and he is making great progress. We will find out tomorrow what the plan is for rehab. I will update as soon as I can. Thanks again for all the love and prayers. I know they are making a difference.
Today has been a fantastic day for Jim-likely one of his best this week. He woke up refreshed and feeling happy. We got him showered and shaved and he was excited to see the kids again. He was really pushed by his therapist today. She made him use his left hand to put pegs in some small holes. He did well but his hand was really shaky today. His therapist told him to walk over to the table. He began walking fast and she said do it in about 6 steps. He said "well, you tell me to do it in 6 and I will do it in 5." It was good to see his fighting spirit back today. The kids came about noon and were more relaxed today. Jim had many more visitors today. It was really funny as we were sitting and visiting, the cleaning lady came and asked "Is this guy the mayor or something?" "He is so popular, i thought I better check to make sure I am doing a good enough job." She then said "He must be a very good man." We replied "yes, he is." That gave Jim a big smile on his face. His aunt Elo and uncle Shane and their son Joseph came today. His Grandpa Douglas, Trevor and his mom and grandparents (Dennis and Jan) all came to visit today too. He even had some visitors from Loa-Gaelynn and his wife Ramona and their son Nate all came to visit too. His friend Russ and his wife Tamara and their kids Sam and Rachel came to visit. The girls both colored cute cards to give to Jim. Dane Leavitt called and visited with Jim and brought a smile to his face. Jim has received many cards, flowers, and a funny balloon from my mom. He loves looking at the gifts and I catch him smiling every time he looks at them. He has been walking really well today and walked the kids to the elevator, which made them very happy. His spirits are improving and he is making great progress. We will find out tomorrow what the plan is for rehab. I will update as soon as I can. Thanks again for all the love and prayers. I know they are making a difference.
Jim
Sorry for the lack of updates. I did not have access to a computer but have found one at the hospital I can use now.
Saturday November 5, 2011
Jim did not sleep well last night-his cpap was very difficult to get used to. He was so excited to see the kids but very nervous too and wanted to be on his best. We got him up to the bathroom and as I was putting him back in bed I noticed his right arm was swollen very badly. We had called for the nurse about 7 to get his cpap turned off and it was now 8 and we had still had no response. We called again to let them know about his arm and it was another 45 min before anyone came to check on him. I was not very happy and went to the front desk and spoke to a head nurse about the situation. This solved the lack of attention for the rest of the day. They did an ultrasound on Jim's arm to see if there were any blood clots. They did not find any so they had him wrap it in warm cloths to bring the swelling down. They then removed the IV and figured it was a bad IV. he has not had to have one put back in because he has been drinking enough water. He had many visitors today. Our kids (minus Trevor), my parents, my sister Carisa, his parents, his brother Dan and his son Jake, and Nate and Jenny all visited today. we also received a visit from some of our friends from Cedar City-James and Gaylynn Froyd. The kids were very nervous to see Jim at first and you could see the apprehension in their faces. After they visited with him for a time they relaxed and enjoyed their time with him. They played balloon volleyball with him and loved being part of his "therapy". Zack asked me when we went down to lunch at the cafeteria if dad had been down to eat with me. I told him no and he said" but mom all he has to do is walk to the elevator." Ellie asked Jim why his gown said "central laundry" on it. Jim teased her and said "they gave me a job at the hospital cleaning clothes".. being gullible like her mother, she believed him and said "that is cool that they let you work while you are in the hospital." Jim really enjoyed the time with the kids and had a big smile on his face when they left. He was really sad that Trevor had not come up with the other kids but he had wanted to stay and go rollerskating with the school for getting good grades. My parents and my sister and I went to look at rehab centers for a time and looked at two possibilities. Aspen ridge and Health South are both near the hospital here and were promising options. Sat evening was quiet and Jim and I both took a much needed rest. Bishop Leavitt called and gave Jim some comfort. He told Jim that our ward would be doing a special fast for him tomorrow and Jim was very humbled and touched when he heard that. Jim got a good night sleep as the respiratory therapist tonight started his cpap at a lower level and gradually increased the pressure. he woke up Sunday feeling much more rested and refreshed. During the night the aide that came to check vitals was a little ornery with Jim and Sunday morning Jim was referring to him and I said "oh you mean the star trek guy?" Jim laughed and said I thought sweater vest but that is a more accurate description. I had woken up when he came in and rolled over and saw him standing there and thought I was dreaming. He had a sweater on, dark hair, and features that made him look like he was straight off of star trek. We had a good laugh about this. Overall today was a good day. Jim's speech has improved and he did really well at therapy.
Saturday November 5, 2011
Jim did not sleep well last night-his cpap was very difficult to get used to. He was so excited to see the kids but very nervous too and wanted to be on his best. We got him up to the bathroom and as I was putting him back in bed I noticed his right arm was swollen very badly. We had called for the nurse about 7 to get his cpap turned off and it was now 8 and we had still had no response. We called again to let them know about his arm and it was another 45 min before anyone came to check on him. I was not very happy and went to the front desk and spoke to a head nurse about the situation. This solved the lack of attention for the rest of the day. They did an ultrasound on Jim's arm to see if there were any blood clots. They did not find any so they had him wrap it in warm cloths to bring the swelling down. They then removed the IV and figured it was a bad IV. he has not had to have one put back in because he has been drinking enough water. He had many visitors today. Our kids (minus Trevor), my parents, my sister Carisa, his parents, his brother Dan and his son Jake, and Nate and Jenny all visited today. we also received a visit from some of our friends from Cedar City-James and Gaylynn Froyd. The kids were very nervous to see Jim at first and you could see the apprehension in their faces. After they visited with him for a time they relaxed and enjoyed their time with him. They played balloon volleyball with him and loved being part of his "therapy". Zack asked me when we went down to lunch at the cafeteria if dad had been down to eat with me. I told him no and he said" but mom all he has to do is walk to the elevator." Ellie asked Jim why his gown said "central laundry" on it. Jim teased her and said "they gave me a job at the hospital cleaning clothes".. being gullible like her mother, she believed him and said "that is cool that they let you work while you are in the hospital." Jim really enjoyed the time with the kids and had a big smile on his face when they left. He was really sad that Trevor had not come up with the other kids but he had wanted to stay and go rollerskating with the school for getting good grades. My parents and my sister and I went to look at rehab centers for a time and looked at two possibilities. Aspen ridge and Health South are both near the hospital here and were promising options. Sat evening was quiet and Jim and I both took a much needed rest. Bishop Leavitt called and gave Jim some comfort. He told Jim that our ward would be doing a special fast for him tomorrow and Jim was very humbled and touched when he heard that. Jim got a good night sleep as the respiratory therapist tonight started his cpap at a lower level and gradually increased the pressure. he woke up Sunday feeling much more rested and refreshed. During the night the aide that came to check vitals was a little ornery with Jim and Sunday morning Jim was referring to him and I said "oh you mean the star trek guy?" Jim laughed and said I thought sweater vest but that is a more accurate description. I had woken up when he came in and rolled over and saw him standing there and thought I was dreaming. He had a sweater on, dark hair, and features that made him look like he was straight off of star trek. We had a good laugh about this. Overall today was a good day. Jim's speech has improved and he did really well at therapy.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Jim
Friday November 4, 2011
Sorry to leave everyone with such a depressing post last night. I apologize for the openess and detailed nature of my posts but it has been theraputic to me to be able to recount exactly as things happen. I hope it will be a good way for us to learn and remember the trials in the good times and be grateful for the blessings we have.
Today has been a much better day and has lifted our spirits. Jim slept better last night with the c-pap and seemed more rested this morning. He was very weak from not being able to eat again but was in much better spirits. His brother, Nate and his wife Jenny, his brother Spencer, and Dan, Shelby, his mom and dad all came this morning to see him. Russ and his wife Tamara came a little later today to visit too. He was happy to see Nate and began joking and laughing with him immediatley. They took him for a swallow test mid-morning to determine if he could eat or not again and he passed! He was so happy when they brought him back to the room that he would be able to eat again. I gave him a shower and shaved him and he felt much better after, though I could tell he was very weak from not eating again. His Physical Therapist came this afternoon and made him work hard. He walked to the elevators at which point she put him in the wheelchair to go to the therapy room. There he had to do a leg rowing machine and though you could tell he was fatigued he did very well. We then played basketball and balloon volleyball. She had him push a shopping cart down the hall and the hardest thing of all, walk backwards with the shopping cart. He did really well on all the activities. Before we got on the elevator to go back up to his room the therapist had him look out the window and pick out moving objects, focusing on things to his left. He has such an amazing mind for detail-he could find the things she asked for faster than I could. He walked part of the way back to the room and I could tell he was getting very fatigued as he had less control on his left foot. He visited with his family and friends for a while and really enjoyed himself. He was flirting with the nurse again this afternoon. tori came in to check his eyes and grip. He turned to us and said "she just wants to hold my hand". It is amazing to see the improvement from yeaterday.
The plan at this point is that we will be here until Monday. At that point he will either transfer to the acute rehab here in the hospital or go to a skilled nursing facility in SLC for 7-10 days. Then we will head home to Cedar and either spend a few more days a t Kolob or be able to do outpatient therapy and go directly to our home. Thank you again for the love and prayers. I know the Lord is hearing and answering our petitions and I am so grateful to Him for his love. I will not post any more tonight as I will not have a computer but will post again tomorrow.
Sorry to leave everyone with such a depressing post last night. I apologize for the openess and detailed nature of my posts but it has been theraputic to me to be able to recount exactly as things happen. I hope it will be a good way for us to learn and remember the trials in the good times and be grateful for the blessings we have.
Today has been a much better day and has lifted our spirits. Jim slept better last night with the c-pap and seemed more rested this morning. He was very weak from not being able to eat again but was in much better spirits. His brother, Nate and his wife Jenny, his brother Spencer, and Dan, Shelby, his mom and dad all came this morning to see him. Russ and his wife Tamara came a little later today to visit too. He was happy to see Nate and began joking and laughing with him immediatley. They took him for a swallow test mid-morning to determine if he could eat or not again and he passed! He was so happy when they brought him back to the room that he would be able to eat again. I gave him a shower and shaved him and he felt much better after, though I could tell he was very weak from not eating again. His Physical Therapist came this afternoon and made him work hard. He walked to the elevators at which point she put him in the wheelchair to go to the therapy room. There he had to do a leg rowing machine and though you could tell he was fatigued he did very well. We then played basketball and balloon volleyball. She had him push a shopping cart down the hall and the hardest thing of all, walk backwards with the shopping cart. He did really well on all the activities. Before we got on the elevator to go back up to his room the therapist had him look out the window and pick out moving objects, focusing on things to his left. He has such an amazing mind for detail-he could find the things she asked for faster than I could. He walked part of the way back to the room and I could tell he was getting very fatigued as he had less control on his left foot. He visited with his family and friends for a while and really enjoyed himself. He was flirting with the nurse again this afternoon. tori came in to check his eyes and grip. He turned to us and said "she just wants to hold my hand". It is amazing to see the improvement from yeaterday.
The plan at this point is that we will be here until Monday. At that point he will either transfer to the acute rehab here in the hospital or go to a skilled nursing facility in SLC for 7-10 days. Then we will head home to Cedar and either spend a few more days a t Kolob or be able to do outpatient therapy and go directly to our home. Thank you again for the love and prayers. I know the Lord is hearing and answering our petitions and I am so grateful to Him for his love. I will not post any more tonight as I will not have a computer but will post again tomorrow.
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