Trecking Along

Mike is continuing to make improvements daily. As you can see from the picture on the right Mike has made enough improvements that we were able to go up to Girls Camp (where Marissa has been all last week) and spend the night. There is another photo below of the two of us in the campgrounds. Mike was able to make it all around camp, walking up and down the slope from upper camp to lower camp (about a 100 foot slope), visit with allot of friends and play dominoes until 11:30pm. He was really looking forward to the dominoes. I'll give a break down of his appointments and progress below:

ORTHOPEDICS - Mike got his cast off his wrist and is now wearing a splint to give it extra support. We got to have a copy of his x-rays and found out that there's about 14 screws in his upper arm, 2 of which are causing him some discomfort at times. When he bumps or puts pressure on these areas he gets a sensations that runs down his arm into his hands. Similar to hitting your funny bone. Only all he has to do it rub over it and it sends tingling down his arm into his fingers. The Ortho-surgeon said they will remove 2 of the screws around December, they have to wait at least 6 months for the bones to heal.

PHYSICAL MEDICINE - Mike had a check up with his regular doctor this week. He has come off his steroid medications (prednizone) and was able to also discontinue his blood pressure medication. He's officially OFF all prescription medications.

PHYSICAL THERAPY - Mike started physical therapy and occupation therapy this week. He will begin his Hand and Elbow therapy next week.

ENT & AUDIOLOGY - We will be meeting with these doctors and specialist this week to discuss his slight hearing loss and progress and treatment of the paralysis on the right side of his face.

OPTHOLMOGY - We met with the Ocular Surgeon last week and will re-evaluate the paralysis of the right eye. He will probably have surgery to place a weight in the right eye lid to aid in it closing.

NEUROLOGY - We will meet with his Neurosurgeon next week.

Mike loves being with the kids. We have created a new relationship between the two of us. It's been really good. We both have a new appreciation for each other and our marriage.

I'll probably update the blog once a week. That way I can update after all his doctors appointments and activites of the week. Thank you for your prayers and emails. Mike loves hearing form you all.

The Kids Are Home!

The 5 youngest children arrived home today around 3pm. Alee was the first to walk in and be surprised by mom and dad being home. Rissa came in second followed by the boys, Tommy, Jonny and Stevie. (Mikey is up at scout camp until Saturday)

Everyone gave mom a hug at the door and than went stright to Mike. I don't think Jonny's been off of his lap or left his side except to get a quick hair cut and bath. Stevie keeps walking around saying "Daddy and Doggie". Marissa after hugging us went straight to her room to change and with in minutes her best friend, Ciara was at the house and they were off to celebrate the 4th of July. I don't know who she's missed more, Mom and Dad or Ciara. What can I say she's 13 1/2 yrs. old.

As you can tell by the photo on the right the kids are very happy to have their daddy home. Our house is back to being noisy and that's a good thing. A noisy home is a happy home. I was just telling Mike this morning that it's way too quiet here. We both love the commotion and ciaos. We're so happy they're all home. (Well almost all of them!)

Home For Good!

Mike was discharged from the Vallejo Rehab Center this morning. We arrived home just before noon and this time it's for good! Mike has made so much progress in the past 10 days. He has surprised all of his doctors and therapist. We finally got to the point that the therapist had nothing for him to do except go home and begin our new life.

The kids don't know yet they Mike is home from the hospital. They think he won't be coming home until next week, so when the arrive tomorrow afternoon it will be a huge surprise. Neither one of us can wait to see the look on their faces.

I told Mike that we have a new meaning for Independence day...No longer needing the help or assistance from all the doctors, nurses and therapist. No more medications or IVs around the clock. Just the kids, myself family and friends to care for him and help him further strengthen his mind and body.

Sometimes it seems so surreal...Exactly 6 weeks ago today I was told it would take him 6 months up to walk, months to relearn how to speak and eat, more surgeries and to expect him to change things if his body wasn't cooperating. He sure has proved them all wrong. The spirit and will of Mike wouldn't accept any of this, neither would I, and either would all of you. Thank you SO MUCH for all your prayers, your faith and belief that his recovery would be possible in the time frame of our Father in Heaven and not of the doctors.

Mike has a major change in energy level and stamina from what he had before the accident. This will all return with continued physical therapy and the ability to put more weight back on. Mike will continue to have progress for the next few months and then they say it should tapper off over the next 6 months. The doctors give a time frame of 1 1/2 - 2 years for a full recovery. I've learned to realize that Mike is setting his own time frame for recovery. Just being home I know he will continue to progress and thrive.

Mike will not be returning to work for 6-9 months. He would love encouraging phone calls, emails, cards and visits for those who would love to spend some a little time with him. (He already has two close friends coming over on Thursday for a game of Domino's) It will be a nice break in the day. If you would like to visit please call ahead of time to make sure he up to the visit.

Thanks again for all of your love and support.

A Weekend Pass...

Mike has made so much improvements this past week he was able to earn a "Weekend Pass" to come home for one night and trial of home life. We arrived home around 1:00pm on Saturday 6/30 and it was good to be home. Mike had requested home cooked meals only and I happily agreed. He asked for B-B-Q Pork chops last night and will be getting a Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes tonight. We also managed to make a double batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies. There won't be anything "Lite" around here for awhile, Mike has a long way to go to get all his weight back on.

Saturday night was a quiet night spending it with family that dropped in. My mom and dad stopped in for a visit and installed a few grab rails (with the help of Roger), one by the front door and another in the master bath. Mikes parents are currently back in Sacramento so they were back and forth all day. And then my brother Steve and his wife Jennifer stopped by with their little one Reed. Mike enjoyed seeing the baby. Probably because we both miss the kids so much.

It was rather empty without the all the children home. We were able though to have Mikey here. He is up here early so he could pack and get ready to leave for Scout Camp on Monday (7/2) morning. All of the other children will be home on Wednesday the 4th. We can't wait to have them home. It's been really hard to not have them around.

Mike's doing really good. Our weekend pass is only good thru tonight 7/1 and we will have to be back in Vallejo by 8pm. We have really enjoyed the time away from the hospital and the time to be home. He especially enjoyed sleeping in his own bed. Mike should only have to be at the Rehab center thru the rest of the week. He's able to walk now without the aid of any devises, walker/wheelchairs. His face still has the paralysis but he's dealing with it. As soon as he is discharged he will then be able to continue his eye care with his doctor's in Sacramento. He will need to have surgery on his right eye to have a gold weight placed in the upper lid to allow it to close all the way. He still can't close it due to the paralysis. At times it really bothers him.

We were able to attend church this morning and it was a awesome homecoming. We had a lot of hugs and a lot of tears of joy to see Mike. We had only told a few people we were coming so it was a surprise to many. It's been 7 weeks since we've been to church due to the hospitalization. Mike and I have never gone longer than a 2 weeks without attending church. It was the only request of things to do while we were home this weekend. It was really nice to be back.