Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Jim
Sorry for the lack of posts since we have been home but life has been crazy. I have been busy catching up on two weeks worth of not being here and getting ready for the holidays in the mix too. It has been so good to be home and be with the kids. Jim is progressing well but is pretty worn out. We spend a good part of our days doing therapy and resting (for Jim at least). We had an appointment with the neurologist today and will be getting an MRI tomorrow and meeting with a new hematologist also. The neurologist we saw had a stroke when he was 21 and still has effects today. He was very concerned about some sympotms Jim is still having and feels he should be on blood thinners. He said the meds he is on do not treat the clotting factor he has. This has been a concern of ours and it was really good to have our concerns heard and validated and have some action taken quickly to get things taken care of. Jim asked him "so I am more or less a ticking time bomb then?" and the doctor said absolutely....let's get this resolved before you have a stroke that kills you or disables you permanently. A little hard to hear, but we are glad to know we are moving toward a resolution instead of still wondering and worrying. I am hoping to sit down with Jim one day soon and type his side of the story so you can view this all from his perspective too.
I cannot express my love and thanks to so many for their love and concern for us. It has been truly humbling to recieve the outporing of love that we have. We are so excited to spend Thanksgiving together with our children and spend a day thinking of the many blessings we have right now. We hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones and hope you will remember to thank the Lord for all the blessings in your life.
I cannot express my love and thanks to so many for their love and concern for us. It has been truly humbling to recieve the outporing of love that we have. We are so excited to spend Thanksgiving together with our children and spend a day thinking of the many blessings we have right now. We hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones and hope you will remember to thank the Lord for all the blessings in your life.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Jim
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.
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.
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.
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