Updates on David

David is still getting better and stronger.

The ‘hot coals’ nerve pain in his left foot has not changed, but his doctor has slowly increased the nerve medicine as an attempt to solve the problem. He is on a pretty low dose right now so he has a lot more that he could use. David has been reading the Internet and there are as many opinions and solutions as there are web pages on the subject. Thankfully some patients do find relief so David remains hopeful. The doctor tells him to keep walking on it anyway so he does, until the pain is just too much.

David is enrolling in the local stroke therapy pool and so we’ll see what help that has. David’s balance is already pretty good, although his left ankle is weak and he still needs his AFO strapped in brace (Ankle Foot Orthotic) for walking. In the pool he can work on standing and walking without the AFO and this will help him strenghten his foot.

David’s arm is getting a little better each day. His squeezy toys help a lot. His subluxated shoulder has not improved yet, but then we need to be more diligent about his wearing the arm brace during the day.

Next week starts outpatient PT and OT at CHOMP and hopefully they can extend the progress that VNA made at home.

We are hoping to go back to Santa Clara on Tuesday to see the doctors and therapists there to show off his progress.

Right now David’s big goal is solving his foot pain and working on his general physical strength. Mobility and getting around more independently is his focus.

Thanks for all your support..more next week.

Drew

Just bsck from a week in New York (just me).  Here ius where we are today….

David is in the store a few days a week which is a big help and really encouraging for him.  His foot hurts a lot, so much that he can hardly walk now.  We have a doctor appointment this week so we’ll see if he can adjust things to make David more comfortable.

We are trying to get back to a normal life as David continues to improve slowly.  Once the foot pain gets under control and David is back to walking more and improving his speed and balance he will feel a lot better.  David is getting a very slow response on his arm, but at least there is something.

He’ll br starting outpatient treatments for his leg and arm in the next week (the home visits stopped a week ago) and that should also boost his spirits.

I’ll let you know as soon as we see some progress…

Drew

David is walking more and more every day.

 Over the weekend I would say he walked more than he ‘rode’.  His foot is still sore every day, but he is walking anyway.  There  is no visual indication of irritation (redness) so it’s nerve pain, but painful nonetheless.  He is determined to get better balance and walking is the only solution.

 David’s home therapy ends this week, or next.  David worked in the store three days last week, plus the weekend (and Monday) so that was 6 days out of 8.  No surprise he is exhausted this morning and taking the day (planned) off, although he has two therapies later today.

 Last week was a big week for meeting goals.  When he was able to start walking he walked up to the refrigerator, opened up the cheese drawer (it is up high) and was able to look in and see what was there.  There is a block of Roquefort that is there from before his accident that he is planning for a great cheese soufflé this week.  While he was there he grabbed some bacon and walked over to the stove and was able to cook up a batch (I was there to stand by only).  His being able to cook something was a terrific achievement for him and he spoke about this all week.

There is a song about bringing home the bacon, and frying it up in a pan, but we won’t go there.

 Saturday he was able to squeeze my hand with his left hand, on request.  He can not yet release the hand on request, but just being able to connect his brain to his hand was a big step.  There is a lot more work to go.  For now it is continued therapy and exercise with lots of walking and standing to further develop his balance.  He has a lot of strength training yet to do.  We are the proud new owners of an AB building machine from an infomercial which he is convinced will help him.  I’ll let you know.

More at the end of the week…

Drew

He has been walking a bit more all this past week. David only has a few more visits on the insurance from the therapists, and then we have to use outpatient once or twice a week to manage his progress. David is really motivated to get more independence and be able to get up and walk around more.

Starting this week David will be at the store for four full days a week. He is there with his helper and I am at home working, trying to catch up from the past 6 months. Hopefully after a few weeks at this schedule I wil make a dent in the list

With the cane David is able to stand a lot more and that is the key to getting more and more stability and balance. Being at the store now is great for him to interact with customers and lots of people instead of being stuck at home mostly. The home therapy is now once or twice a week only.

This morning he moved two fingers (not just a spasm he thinks). He has a 1/2 tennis ball to try to squeeze, on the recommendation of a customer and friend that was in the store Monday. She had an arm injury and it took her a while to get her hand back, but did!

In other related news, we had to use the truck this past weekend while my car was still in the shop. This meant David had to use the stepstool to get into the truck. Two steps up. He has a LOT more strengh in his good leg now and, unlike my attempt to do this 3 months ago he was able to climb the steps and get into the truck with help. This was a GREAT releif now to have a second car option. In a few weeks, with the cane, he can manage an airplane so we are thinking about a trip East or to Paris this winter. We still have to take the wheelchair, but his being able to get around (to the bathroom really) wit the cane is a HUGE leap forward.

More this weekend when I get a chance…

Dre