Home sweet home - October 14, 2017

Home Sweet Home

Well... it's a little noisier ... and more active...  but it's still home  :)   And the happy noises are much better than silence! 

Blair came home from the rehab yesterday.  He had friends come over last evening who were "helping him put things away" (though I don't know how much got put away) .. they were all happy and laughing. 

This morning he went 'shopping' and didn't buy anything... I am sure he is having more fun hanging out with friends than he'd have actually spending money somewhere.  Tonight he went to a birthday party for a friend's sister (who is just 1 year old!) and to another friend's to have a pedicure... (I wish my friends gave me pedicure's).  :) 

He is able to walk quite a bit without getting too tired.  He can go up and down stairs slowly.  He saw a neruo-ophthalmologist on Friday and we found out that his double vision is called "Convergence Insufficiency" which is treated with exercises for the eyes and possibly prism glasses.  The Neuro-Ophthalmologist said his eyes are healthy so the problem is not with his eyes - it's more with them not seeing things together - so he has an appointment with an eye doctor Monday to get glasses of some sort, and then he will see an Orthoptist on Wednesday.  (Orthoptists are university-trained, allied health care practitioners who specialize in disorders of eye movements and diagnostic procedures related to disorders of the eye and visual system. Orthoptic treatment of certain conditions can relieve visual symptoms and enhance visual performance.)

He has an appointment on Tuesday in Hershey, and an appointment on Wednesday morning at Health South to get evaluated for the need for physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.  They have a day program that he can go to up to a few hours a day.  He is ready to start working on rehab again... he took 2 days off - and is ready to get back on it.  He really has a positive outlook! 

He is looking forward to shopping for the homecoming dance tomorrow.  I am hoping / praying that there are sales!  :) 

He is in good hands - we have someone to take him to each appointment that is scheduled so far!  I so appreciate the friends that are helping, the friends parents who cooked for us, and of course my wonderful niece who is also taking him to appointments and has been there for me from the moment she learned that he fell  (love you Samantha).  :) 

Thursday October 12, 2017

Blair’s feeding tube was removed today. He had the doctor remove it first thing in the morning -as soon as possible - right after he woke up.  Ha.  He was really happy to have that out.  He’s much more comfortable now that a tube isn’t dangling fro his belly.

He’s been exercising his left leg more now that the orthopedic doctor cleared his need for a brace to support his knee.  He said that his left leg was a bit sore from the exercise ... but that’s just how it is! No pain - no gain!

Blair is able to walk short distances without the use of his cane. Short distances - meaning about 15 feet (a guess from someone who doesn’t typically measure distances).  He can go from our living room to the dining room - and as he gets stronger, day by day, that will increase.

He has an appointment with a neuro-opthamologist tomorrow morning to see what can help improve the double vision he’s been experiencing.  Monday he has an appointment with a different ophthalmologist who will work with the neuro-ophthalmologist to get glasses to help him see clearer.

Tomorrow after the 9:40 am appointment, he will be discharged from the rehab and will be coming home. He will miss all the staff at the rehab... they’ve done so much to make his recovery pleasant and/or even fun on occasion. :)  (I’m sure he will miss the push button to call the nurse/aide!).  I do  have to say he has been the favorite patient on the unit!

So ... tomorrow another step in Blair’s healing journey begins.  Although he will be leaving some amazing staff ... he will be home where he will have his brother (& favorite Aunt) around all the time,  as well as be closer to his friends.

It’s my prayer that everything goes smoothly in transition to new physical therapists, and whatever else is recommended in his evaluation next Wednesday.  He has a lot of appointments coming up in the first few days of being home, and I’m sure he will want to see friends.  He will still have his phone and wifi - so please check to make sure he’s home (and not out at an appointment) before coming over.  You can give me a call or text as well if you’d like to know the schedule.

Again - thanks so much for your prayers!  I speak for our entire family when I say that your love and support is so appreciated!!  Please don’t stop praying! God has certainly heard everyone’s prayers and answered - and continues to answer every day.

Monday - October 9, 2017

Tonight I took in KFC for Blair - he was happy to have chicken and mashed potatoes!  :)  He has gotten to know many new nurses and aide's - by name.  They all love him!  He is the youngest on the unit and they enjoy his upbeat personality.

He is excited to be coming home on Friday.  I am trying to wrap up all the lose ends - get the appointments in place and know when he has to be where - etc.  I am not the most organized person so trying to keep everything in a calendar.

He said today he worked his left leg out a lot.  Hopefully the increased strength will allow him to walk further at a time (although he walks quite a bit now - I just want him to be as strong and steady as possible!).  He is working daily in physical therapy - he said he stood for 36 minutes today!

It's so nice to see him relaxed and happy.  Please continue to pray for his pain level to decrease - the doctor doesn't want to send him home with any pain medication - even for night time.  I don't want him to be in pain ... I may speak with the doctor... but I also understand the doctor's position - as well as the current concerns regarding narcotics.

Thanks for your prayers... he continues to get stronger daily.  Please keep praying for his healing!  God is amazing!

Saturday October 7, 2017

Today Blair was in a great mood.  He was eating left-over Chinese food that his Aunt Lisa & Uncle Torrey brought him, Scott and I showed up with Taco Bell, and then Uncle Kenny and Aunt Ashley came in.  As Scott and I were leaving, his cousin Aaron, fiance Kelsey and daughter Lyla showed up. His sister Samantha called and said she'd be there by 3:00 pm as well!  He had no shortage of visitors today!  And I am sure he was tired of trying to eat everything that was brought in to him by the end of the day!

He said it's hard for him to sleep all night because there is always someone walking by his door which wakes him up.  He has always been a light sleeper - but it seems to be even more of an issue now.  We are hoping that he will get better sleep once he's home and not having people walk by his door all night long!

He is going to see a neruo-ophthalmologist just before he leaves the rehab - we are hopeful that they can help him see one picture instead of two (the double vision is getting a bit old) and less blurry! Please say a prayer or two on that one!  He is also going to follow up with the other doctors (orthopedic, neurology, etc.) just before completing his time at the rehab.  We are expecting a lot of information in the next week... and hoping I can get it all written down!  :)

Thanks for praying!  Friday is coming!!   :)

Just a little change - Wednesday October 4, 2017

Today I spoke to the case worker at the rehabilitation hospital and he told me that they are going to ask the insurance to pay for Blair to stay until Friday, October 13, 2017 in order to have the time to take the feeding tube out of his stomach and ensure it is healing well before he is not being monitored by nursing staff.  He will be going to outpatient physical therapy (and occupational therapy or whatever other therapy is needed) about 3 times a week.  

We need to make an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist to have his vision checked because he continues to have double vision and difficulty reading.  I assumed the problem with his vision was due to the swelling in his brain - but I am hopeful that the neuro-ophthalmologist is able to help him see better so that his balance and physical ability can improve faster too (although he is improving rather quickly from what I can see!).  

The rehab doctor will order whatever equipment he  needs - the cane he uses when he walks to stay steady - and a wheelchair for distances in case he is still having fatigue when he walks a ways.  They assured me he will have whatever he needs... so I am counting on them! 

Thanks for your prayers - things are coming together nicely!  Blair is looking forward to being home and can't wait to get back to school!  

Discharge planning! Tuesday October 3, 2017

Sorry everyone - I missed a day!

Today we were told that Blair is being discharged next Thursday - October 11, 2017.   He is going to ask the rehab to keep him until the 12th because he has appointments in Hershey on the 12th so it seemed to him that it'd be just as easy to stay there and go to his appointments and then come home.

He can't wait to get out!

That being said, he will have to keep taking it easy, and he won't want to...  ha ha.  Actually he has been following doctors order's quite well!  He will need to have rest and preferably less than 3-4 people visiting at a time.  It can get confusing when you have a bad headache and too many people are talking at once.  He is going to have someone with him all the time - not watching him - but keeping him company so that if he needs anything they can help him.  I have a few people willing to come over and hang out with him - so I think we are good - but I will take names and phone numbers just in case I find out I have missed any time!

We are working on figuring out what we need.  I am hoping the doctor will explain what services will be available in home and how many appointments he will have outside the home - soon - so I can make plans.  The team meets on Wednesday - so I am hoping they can tell me some things tomorrow.
For now - Blair keeps working on walking and balance.  The teacher at the rehab will contact the school to figure out the educational piece.  And Samantha and I try to navigate the world of health resources .. :)

I'll update tomorrow!  Please keep praying... this is an important step in Blair's journey - but he has a long way to go for his brain to completely heal.  Thank you!

Sunday October 1, 2017

It's hard to believe it's October already!

Today Blair was eating pizza with his sister Samantha, and brother Alex, when I arrived for our visit. He was sitting in his chair talking away...  He still has to swallow a few times to get the food to actually go all the way down - but he is enjoying his food!  He went through the menu for tomorrow and picked out what he wanted to eat while we were there.  I was surprised at the number of options! He can enjoy it now... he won't have a restaurant of choices later...  :)

He told us today that he wants to go to the 'Homecoming dance' on October 21, 2017.  I am not sure how possible that is - but at this point - nothing is impossible in my world!  This entire experience has changed that!  So, he is going to talk with his doctor about it and see what needs to happen in order to make that possible.  He may need to take a wheelchair with him - or promise to wear a brace - or whatever - but he really wants to go.  So, we'll see what needs to happen - and then let Blair work on that happening!

I am hoping to connect with his doctor early this week to find out what he needs medically when he comes home.  I will want to get things in place - or at least contact agencies that provide services or equipment - so that there is no delay in his getting what he needs.  I am open to suggestions if anyone has had good experiences with any agencies!

Thanks everyone!  Blair appreciates everyone's prayers!