A DAY AT THE BEACH

It's hard to believe that it's been 4 months since the accident...Sometimes it feels like it's been a year. As you can see from the picture below Mike's facial nerves are starting to connect. (Although there isn't any improvement in the right eye lid yet) Sometimes it's hard for him not to smile. :) We are all so excited to see his fuller smile.

We saw two different doctors today. First we saw his Physical Medicine doctor. We conducted another nerve study on the muscles and nerves in Mike's right arm from his neck to his fingers. This entailed sticking a 3" needle in about 1 1/2 inches into the muscles in his arms (in about 10 different locations). The doctor would then send a small current thru the needle to see how his muscles would react to the nerve being stimulated. Yes it looked painful! I'm sure it was. This went on for about 45 minutes and we found out the the # 8 nerve in the elbow has been damaged whether by the brake in the humorous bone or due to the surgery to repair the break. This damaged nerve will result in him having a weaker arm and hopeful over time (about a year) it will heal it self...if after a year there isn't a significant increase in the strength of his arm they can preform surgery to take a closer look at repairing the nerve. We are hopeful he won't need the exploratory surgery.

On that note...we saw the Orthopedic Surgeon today right after his morning appointment and Mike is scheduled for surgery in mid October to remove all the hardware in his arm. That's right all the hardware. His doctor said he had consulted with another doctor and they both feel his bone has healed and removing the hardware will allow his arm to heal and be used more effectively. Mike has had some pains that are directly related to the hardware (one wire, one 5" plate and about 14 screws). Let's just say that while he's not quit looking forward to the surgery he's looking forward to getting it all out.

Our goals are to continue getting him stronger, thru his next few surgeries and maybe back to work before the end of the year. We are so grateful for his rapid recovery and our continued strength from our Father in Heaven.

Moving Along

Mike had a few new doctor's appointments last week. We first saw a hand therapist and began to work with his wrist and hand for the first time. A normal grip strength for a man his age and size would be about 25# of grip strength. Mikes right hand (due to the injuries to his wrist and arm and due to the fact that he hasn't been able to use it for over the last 3 months) is at 8# of grip strength. His therapist has given him some weight barring exercises as well as some strength training exercises to increase the strength and range of motion. She was very optimistic considering the injuries and with how far he's come from the accident. We will be seeing her about every two weeks.

Mikes graduated up from using the gym at Kaiser to being able to return to our own gym. We hope to start a regular workout time together 3 times a week. He is looking forward to working out in a normal gym and at his pace. The fun part is that I can work out along side of him.

Mike also saw another Physio-doctor, (I think that's what they said he was) anyways...he works with patients who are physically recovery from major injuries and works directly with the healing of nerves. He conducted a preliminary (45 minute) nerve test (as Mike described it ...with a taser gun) on Mikes hand and arm. He said this was not fun. They determined the nerves are healing at an appropriate rate and the Ulna Nerve isn't damaged like they thought it was...this is good. The Ulna Nerve controlls the thumb and pinky finger and Mike has struggled with getting full control of these two fingers (he still can't get them to touch the two to each other. They will conduct another nerve test in a few weeks but next time they will actually put wires into the muscles to see how they react with the nerves. He is not looking forward to this.

On a more positive note...Mike has had a very small but noticeable improvement in "one" of the muscles on the right side of his face. After looking in the mirror about 2 weeks ago he came out and asked if I was seeing what he was seeing...while trying to smile there was a very slight twinge in the muscle between his mouth and nose. I told I could also see and Mike has a very slight but noticeable movement resulting in a slight smile. This is very encouraging that the nerves really are beginning to heal. This was a great bust for him and the family. He hasn't had any other improvements in the right side of his face and are still on track to schedule him for surgery on his right eye sometime in November. We are continuing to pray and are hopeful.