I went to see Blair today. He was eating McDonald's when I got there - complements of his sister Samantha! Alex joined in and took over Samantha's iced coffee... and of course she took it in stride! There is nothing like an older sister who loves her little brother's (who are both taller than her). :)
Samantha helped Blair shower and gave him a much needed pedicure - I did take pictures to document her love for him (cause you have to love someone a whole lot to clean their feet!) but I am not going to post those here! Ha ha - He felt so much better after a real shower (even though it was in a pair of boxers and sitting on a shower chair). He has always loved taking care of his hygiene.
Blair was doing so well today! He opened a gift from his uncle (Scott) and it contained another blanket - this one Ohio State. (Who would have thought that my husband - the unending PSU fan - would purchase a bright red Ohio State blanket?) Blair loved it!
He didn't have any therapy today - but he did say it takes like three swallows to actually swallow the food he is eating. He is hoping that it is easier for him once the tracheotomy tube hole heals up. Prayers appreciated! I can't imagine swallowing repeatedly to get my food to go down!
A day doesn't get better than a shower and good gifts!
Thanks everyone!
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Friday, September 29, 2017
No more trach! Friday September 29, 2017
Blair was very happy to have the tracheotomy tube removed today! It was later in the day when they got to it - but the important part is that they removed it!
His sister Cassie went in and took him a costume - lol - and he dressed up! Too darn cute! He can seriously pull of just about anything and look good! And I truly enjoy the technology that allows me to see him throughout the day! :)
His spirits remain very positive and he is doing such a great job working on his recovery! He told me today he was working on 'smarts' - and he had to explain - that he did everything in speech therapy that he needed to (in order to eat and all - and of course he can talk without problem) so was working on improving his memory and getting him ready to get back to school. He said it is "brain recovery". I so love the way he thinks!
Thanks for your prayers! I can only say that God has blessed us way beyond our expectations!!
His sister Cassie went in and took him a costume - lol - and he dressed up! Too darn cute! He can seriously pull of just about anything and look good! And I truly enjoy the technology that allows me to see him throughout the day! :)
His spirits remain very positive and he is doing such a great job working on his recovery! He told me today he was working on 'smarts' - and he had to explain - that he did everything in speech therapy that he needed to (in order to eat and all - and of course he can talk without problem) so was working on improving his memory and getting him ready to get back to school. He said it is "brain recovery". I so love the way he thinks!
Thanks for your prayers! I can only say that God has blessed us way beyond our expectations!!
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Way to walk! Thursday September 28, 2017
Blair is doing really well today! He was able to eat a cheeseburger for lunch and it was the 'best' per his description. He had a hot roast beef sandwich for dinner and it did look fairly appetizing!
He was able to walk quite a ways (for someone who wasn't conscious a month ago and lost 25 pounds while recovering). He went outside - and loved it! I am thinking he'd be happy to live in a tent in my yard when he is done at the rehab! Just kidding! He has a bedroom!! He is using a walker to stabilize - but getting stronger every day!
He will get his tracheotomy tube out tomorrow! He is really excited about that. They told him it may feel s little strange to eat - but he said he will have all day to get used to it! ha ha. He is eating everything. I walked in this afternoon and he was eating a candy bar. :) Then I learned he ate half of his sister's snicker's bar... He is so loved.
He is working so hard and I am so proud of him! Keep the prayers coming! God is so good!
He was able to walk quite a ways (for someone who wasn't conscious a month ago and lost 25 pounds while recovering). He went outside - and loved it! I am thinking he'd be happy to live in a tent in my yard when he is done at the rehab! Just kidding! He has a bedroom!! He is using a walker to stabilize - but getting stronger every day!
He will get his tracheotomy tube out tomorrow! He is really excited about that. They told him it may feel s little strange to eat - but he said he will have all day to get used to it! ha ha. He is eating everything. I walked in this afternoon and he was eating a candy bar. :) Then I learned he ate half of his sister's snicker's bar... He is so loved.
He is working so hard and I am so proud of him! Keep the prayers coming! God is so good!
Real food... Wednesday September 27, 2017
Yesterday Blair was able to eat "soft foods" - so for breakfast he had pancakes! What a treat after ground up, pureed stuff! :)
He worked on walking up and down stairs in physical therapy and walking the hall.
The doctor said if he did well overnight (last night to today) they could take the tracheotomy tube out today! That would be the most amazing day for him (almost at good as Christmas)!
His spirits remain good! I will update later today - if the tracheotomy tube is out - we'll maybe add some pictures!!
Thanks everyone!!
He worked on walking up and down stairs in physical therapy and walking the hall.
The doctor said if he did well overnight (last night to today) they could take the tracheotomy tube out today! That would be the most amazing day for him (almost at good as Christmas)!
His spirits remain good! I will update later today - if the tracheotomy tube is out - we'll maybe add some pictures!!
Thanks everyone!!
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
FOOD! Tuesday September 26, 2017
On Tuesday Blair's tracheotomy tube was given the cap that closes it off so that he is one step closer to having it removed. The doctor told me he needed to have that for two days and they could take the tracheotomy tube out! He would LOVE that!
He was still eating pureed food but he was told that he was changing to grounded up food - so that it isn't blended to a pulp. After a few days of grounded up food, they will changed to mashed food, and then to a little more chunky, and so on. He can't wait to eat real food again! He will have the feeding tube in his stomach for six weeks from when they put it in, but they can remove the food once he is eating enough calories that he doesn't need it. Then it will just be taped to his stomach and it will be easier to go outside (without a pole behind him).
He saw the orthopedic doctor and they took the cast off his arm and gave him a brace that he is wearing now. Progress!! When I saw him briefly he was in a great mood - he said his tracheotomy tube was "upgraded" to the cap, he didn't have a cast anymore, and he was eating food (although creamy). It's the little things in life that make you happy!!
I got him registered for school, so the school will communicate with the rehab about what he needs initially - and when he will be healthy enough to return. He said he just wants to be back at the high school (CV) and is looking forward to his future.
I am hoping to get up there today - and get an update - so will post again later! Thanks for your prayers! Keep praying!
He was still eating pureed food but he was told that he was changing to grounded up food - so that it isn't blended to a pulp. After a few days of grounded up food, they will changed to mashed food, and then to a little more chunky, and so on. He can't wait to eat real food again! He will have the feeding tube in his stomach for six weeks from when they put it in, but they can remove the food once he is eating enough calories that he doesn't need it. Then it will just be taped to his stomach and it will be easier to go outside (without a pole behind him).
He saw the orthopedic doctor and they took the cast off his arm and gave him a brace that he is wearing now. Progress!! When I saw him briefly he was in a great mood - he said his tracheotomy tube was "upgraded" to the cap, he didn't have a cast anymore, and he was eating food (although creamy). It's the little things in life that make you happy!!
I got him registered for school, so the school will communicate with the rehab about what he needs initially - and when he will be healthy enough to return. He said he just wants to be back at the high school (CV) and is looking forward to his future.
I am hoping to get up there today - and get an update - so will post again later! Thanks for your prayers! Keep praying!
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
The last month... Monday - September 25, 2017
WOW... the last month has been challenging, amazing, frightening, and incredible... many tears, many prayers, and many daily miracles. God has been good to our family - and to Blair! I cannot believe it's been a month. Blair was brought into Hershey Medical center in a completely unresponsive state ... now he can walk (with help), talk (despite the tracheotomy tube), laugh (with coughing), hug, kiss, give orders, work hard at rehabilitating, and even look to his future!
I cannot express how grateful to God I am for his recovery and his future. It may not look like he thought it was going to look (or any of us thought it would look) - but God knew this was going to happen; God knew what He had planned for Blair's life from before he was born. Now, Blair is on a journey to discover that future... one day at a time... one choice at a time.
Monday Blair worked hard in physical therapy - he walked the hallway with the assistance of a walker and his sister (and the physical therapist). It was tiring... but he did it!
He ate lunch (pureed food) in speech therapy; they didn't change the valve on his tracheotomy tube (we are hoping for tomorrow!) - but most importantly he is allowed to eat (only pureed food for now) with supervision. I believe he is looking forward to eating food with texture - but for now - this will have to do. He can have 3 meals a day with supervision (I cannot imagine what various items will look like after going through a blender - but the taste is what is important!).
He continues to use his iPhone and face-time with his sister and text/snap chat his friends. When I arrived last evening he said he was about to text me to see where I was. ha ha... he is keeping track of my schedule better than I am! :) Gotta love him!
He still has the eye patch that he is to alter every fifteen minutes and he has his mom's reading glasses to wear to see his phone better.
He had some visitor's last night - and they allowed him to have a family member and two friends in the room at one time. It was nice to meet a few of his friends and listen to him reminisce with them about things that he remembers that were funny and silly. We all need friends and memories to keep us going when life gets hard. Everyone is doing really well with the 2 friends visiting at a time - and I appreciate that. Blair would love to have 20 people in his room - but he would get confused - and overwhelmed. You wouldn't see it ... because he is so social... but it wouldn't be good for progress & he absolutely wants to keep making progress! So THANKS for organizing and keeping to two at a time!! Again - NO ONE is restricted - we just want to keep it calm and relaxing for him.
I do have to note that he is 'toileting' on his own. He does have to transfer to a wheelchair, be pushed to the bathroom, and transfer to the toilet... so it's a little more work than a typical person experiences. If you visit and he's in the bathroom - no worries - he will come out shortly (or talk through the door). He is keeping a good sense of humor about the whole thing - which is great - because some other 'full time guests' (patients) of the rehab do NOT have such a sense of humor and the nurses put up with a lot.
Thank you for your prayers. Blair appreciates them! I appreciate them! Our entire family could not make this journey alone. God bless you!
I cannot express how grateful to God I am for his recovery and his future. It may not look like he thought it was going to look (or any of us thought it would look) - but God knew this was going to happen; God knew what He had planned for Blair's life from before he was born. Now, Blair is on a journey to discover that future... one day at a time... one choice at a time.
Monday Blair worked hard in physical therapy - he walked the hallway with the assistance of a walker and his sister (and the physical therapist). It was tiring... but he did it!
He ate lunch (pureed food) in speech therapy; they didn't change the valve on his tracheotomy tube (we are hoping for tomorrow!) - but most importantly he is allowed to eat (only pureed food for now) with supervision. I believe he is looking forward to eating food with texture - but for now - this will have to do. He can have 3 meals a day with supervision (I cannot imagine what various items will look like after going through a blender - but the taste is what is important!).
He continues to use his iPhone and face-time with his sister and text/snap chat his friends. When I arrived last evening he said he was about to text me to see where I was. ha ha... he is keeping track of my schedule better than I am! :) Gotta love him!
He still has the eye patch that he is to alter every fifteen minutes and he has his mom's reading glasses to wear to see his phone better.
He had some visitor's last night - and they allowed him to have a family member and two friends in the room at one time. It was nice to meet a few of his friends and listen to him reminisce with them about things that he remembers that were funny and silly. We all need friends and memories to keep us going when life gets hard. Everyone is doing really well with the 2 friends visiting at a time - and I appreciate that. Blair would love to have 20 people in his room - but he would get confused - and overwhelmed. You wouldn't see it ... because he is so social... but it wouldn't be good for progress & he absolutely wants to keep making progress! So THANKS for organizing and keeping to two at a time!! Again - NO ONE is restricted - we just want to keep it calm and relaxing for him.
I do have to note that he is 'toileting' on his own. He does have to transfer to a wheelchair, be pushed to the bathroom, and transfer to the toilet... so it's a little more work than a typical person experiences. If you visit and he's in the bathroom - no worries - he will come out shortly (or talk through the door). He is keeping a good sense of humor about the whole thing - which is great - because some other 'full time guests' (patients) of the rehab do NOT have such a sense of humor and the nurses put up with a lot.
Thank you for your prayers. Blair appreciates them! I appreciate them! Our entire family could not make this journey alone. God bless you!
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Getting outside - Sunday September 24, 2017
I got to spend four (plus) hours with Blair this morning - to this afternoon. It was so nice to be able to take him outside for a walk (well a ride for him - walk for me). He loves being outside and enjoying the sun! We had a really good time just talking about everything that has gone on and how far he has come! I have really missed spending time with him.
Blair is eating pureed food now. He is swallowing well and apparently has the gag reflex that he needs in order to be moving forward with moving toward no tube in his throat! The doctor today said they were going to move to a "cap" instead of a "valve cover" for his tracheotomy tube which is the last step before they remove the tube from his throat all together.
They are working toward his eating all his own food - and not needing to be fed by the feeding tube anymore. Unfortunately he has to keep the tube in there for at least 6 weeks total in order for it to heal correctly when they take it out (per the doctor). He's had it in for almost two weeks (I think) so he is looking at 4 more (give or take a few days). The doctor said it is not a problem to take it out - real simple office visit procedure.
He has some upcoming follow up appointments next week and the 2nd week of October, so he will be transported to Hershey Medical Center to have those appointments (with the orthopedic department for his head, neck, ribs, knee and arm). One is Tuesday morning (9/26/17) so if you are looking to visit Tuesday - you may want to call and see if he is back from the appointment before you head out to the rehab.
The estimated time he needs to be in the rehabilitation hospital is 4-6 weeks total. That, of course, is their first estimate. They will review his progress once he's been there for 4 weeks. At that time we will have more of an idea about discharge (or time-frame in which they will re-assess). Currently, I am still expecting him to come to our home - although he does have some other options - but at the end of the day he wants to be in CV High School and he will need some assistance still after getting out of the rehab. He will need 24/7 company (the doctor called it supervision - but he's a bit old for a baby sitter - so I figure company is a better word). This is because his physical body is healing faster than his brain (and that is always the case). The possibility of confusion or forgetfulness is there - and as a precaution - it's good to have someone around just in case he needs them. Also, he wont be able to drive - so it makes sense to have someone around if he wants to go somewhere! I am currently looking for friends who would be willing to hang out with him during the day while I am at work and Alex is at school... It would be paid. I am sure he will have some 'in-home nursing care' and physical, speech, occupational and recreational therapy - but it's always better to have a familiar and friendly face (person) around! So if we can work out a way to provide that for him - I would really like to. Please contact me at 717-756-0413, or contact me on facebook, if you are interested.
As far as visits - the list was too long for the rehab to keep track of. IF the visits remain 2 people at a time - 2 friends in the morning and 2 in the afternoon/evening - then all will be fine. IF it becomes a problem again - the rehab hospital will implement different ways of managing the visits. Note, I am not in control of this, and I didn't cause this. I have never said that anyone specifically couldn't visit. I have merely said that Blair does need his rest. As someone who cares for him very much - I want what is best for him. I am sure all his friends want him to recover as well! So please - just make sure you are communicating with each other so that everyone doesn't show up at the same time. That way everyone he wants to be able to spend time with will still be able to visit!
Thanks!
Blair is eating pureed food now. He is swallowing well and apparently has the gag reflex that he needs in order to be moving forward with moving toward no tube in his throat! The doctor today said they were going to move to a "cap" instead of a "valve cover" for his tracheotomy tube which is the last step before they remove the tube from his throat all together.
They are working toward his eating all his own food - and not needing to be fed by the feeding tube anymore. Unfortunately he has to keep the tube in there for at least 6 weeks total in order for it to heal correctly when they take it out (per the doctor). He's had it in for almost two weeks (I think) so he is looking at 4 more (give or take a few days). The doctor said it is not a problem to take it out - real simple office visit procedure.
He has some upcoming follow up appointments next week and the 2nd week of October, so he will be transported to Hershey Medical Center to have those appointments (with the orthopedic department for his head, neck, ribs, knee and arm). One is Tuesday morning (9/26/17) so if you are looking to visit Tuesday - you may want to call and see if he is back from the appointment before you head out to the rehab.
The estimated time he needs to be in the rehabilitation hospital is 4-6 weeks total. That, of course, is their first estimate. They will review his progress once he's been there for 4 weeks. At that time we will have more of an idea about discharge (or time-frame in which they will re-assess). Currently, I am still expecting him to come to our home - although he does have some other options - but at the end of the day he wants to be in CV High School and he will need some assistance still after getting out of the rehab. He will need 24/7 company (the doctor called it supervision - but he's a bit old for a baby sitter - so I figure company is a better word). This is because his physical body is healing faster than his brain (and that is always the case). The possibility of confusion or forgetfulness is there - and as a precaution - it's good to have someone around just in case he needs them. Also, he wont be able to drive - so it makes sense to have someone around if he wants to go somewhere! I am currently looking for friends who would be willing to hang out with him during the day while I am at work and Alex is at school... It would be paid. I am sure he will have some 'in-home nursing care' and physical, speech, occupational and recreational therapy - but it's always better to have a familiar and friendly face (person) around! So if we can work out a way to provide that for him - I would really like to. Please contact me at 717-756-0413, or contact me on facebook, if you are interested.
As far as visits - the list was too long for the rehab to keep track of. IF the visits remain 2 people at a time - 2 friends in the morning and 2 in the afternoon/evening - then all will be fine. IF it becomes a problem again - the rehab hospital will implement different ways of managing the visits. Note, I am not in control of this, and I didn't cause this. I have never said that anyone specifically couldn't visit. I have merely said that Blair does need his rest. As someone who cares for him very much - I want what is best for him. I am sure all his friends want him to recover as well! So please - just make sure you are communicating with each other so that everyone doesn't show up at the same time. That way everyone he wants to be able to spend time with will still be able to visit!
Thanks!
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