Saturday, February 19, 2011
OH SAY CAN YOU SEE
What a surprise, I thought I wasn't reading as much because holding the book, magazine, e-book etc was hard to do. Instead it was because my right eye had really changed and I needed new glasses. Amazing what a difference new glasses make!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
IT GOES ON
Friday was the day for Dave to see the ortho doc. He was ready to go anywhere after spending the week on the couch. The instructions had been RICE: rest, ice, compresion, elevation. Each day the swelling went down a bit, so that made RICE tolerable. His biggest complaint was using crutches. Being an independent person too, he tried to take care of himself and me. At one point Sherry said "Quincy you have the most stubborn parents."
Good news, Dave was approved to use a cane instead of crutches. Since the fibula is a non-weight bearing bone it is not usually put in a cast. With the swelling down, they could feel for any muscle or ligament problems. Finding no problems and with the ankle x-rays clear it is just a matter of letting the bone heal. Pain is supposed to be the guideline.
It is still difficult for him to do some things so we are happy to have help, particularly dressing me and fixing meals.
Good news, Dave was approved to use a cane instead of crutches. Since the fibula is a non-weight bearing bone it is not usually put in a cast. With the swelling down, they could feel for any muscle or ligament problems. Finding no problems and with the ankle x-rays clear it is just a matter of letting the bone heal. Pain is supposed to be the guideline.
It is still difficult for him to do some things so we are happy to have help, particularly dressing me and fixing meals.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
WE'RE STILL HERE
It's been a while since I have written. We had a great time with TCWSM for Dave's birthday. Those kids are developing a great sense of humor, like both their grandfathers. After dinner at a Japanese restaurant we went back to the house for dessert.Todd turned the heat up just a bit. A little later Cindy remarked that it seemed hot. Dave said he thought it was just right. Walker giggled and said 'Thats because you're old" and giggled again. So much fun when they know how to tease!
Now they are going to have more to tease Dave about, because he broke his leg. I can hear you now, what,when,how etc. He was at his Dad's, and was making a swivel platform for the reclining chair. As he was moving the folding work bench, he stepped on a piece of plywood that slid out from under him. Now if he had been able to do the splits he would have been fine. Since he is not that flexible he ended with his right leg twisted behind him. This caused the small bone in the lower leg to crack.
So after finishing the platform he went inside and put ice on it. Going to the emergency room was out of the question since it was a special night at the retirement community and prime rib was on the menu. He did take some ibuprofen and iced his now swollen leg again. The next morning when his leg still hurt and was still swollen he did call the airline and request a wheel chair at both ends of the flight. He also called for an appointment with our primary care doctor on Friday.
Todd made arrangements for someone to watch the boys after school in case things took too long. Good thing he did as the doctor's office was swamped, the x-ray department had a big emergency and then they needed to go back to the doctors office. After getting the news that the fibula was broken they also found that the orthopedic doc wanted more x-rays of his ankle. Since nothing would be done until Monday anyway they decided to come home . Fortunately Kari had planned to be here for the weekend so she was here with me.
Saturday morning Kari took us in for the x-rays (no waiting) and we picked up a few things we needed. She came to help Dave reorganize the pantry so he would not have to keep running down stairs when he wanted something. The kitchen had been set up with more baking pans and stuff for me. He does not do a lot of baking so by moving those things he had more room for food in the pantry, It was the perfect time to do the reorganization since stairs are hard on crutches. Kari had more work, but we were sure glad she was here. We really needed her.
Now they are going to have more to tease Dave about, because he broke his leg. I can hear you now, what,when,how etc. He was at his Dad's, and was making a swivel platform for the reclining chair. As he was moving the folding work bench, he stepped on a piece of plywood that slid out from under him. Now if he had been able to do the splits he would have been fine. Since he is not that flexible he ended with his right leg twisted behind him. This caused the small bone in the lower leg to crack.
So after finishing the platform he went inside and put ice on it. Going to the emergency room was out of the question since it was a special night at the retirement community and prime rib was on the menu. He did take some ibuprofen and iced his now swollen leg again. The next morning when his leg still hurt and was still swollen he did call the airline and request a wheel chair at both ends of the flight. He also called for an appointment with our primary care doctor on Friday.
Todd made arrangements for someone to watch the boys after school in case things took too long. Good thing he did as the doctor's office was swamped, the x-ray department had a big emergency and then they needed to go back to the doctors office. After getting the news that the fibula was broken they also found that the orthopedic doc wanted more x-rays of his ankle. Since nothing would be done until Monday anyway they decided to come home . Fortunately Kari had planned to be here for the weekend so she was here with me.
Saturday morning Kari took us in for the x-rays (no waiting) and we picked up a few things we needed. She came to help Dave reorganize the pantry so he would not have to keep running down stairs when he wanted something. The kitchen had been set up with more baking pans and stuff for me. He does not do a lot of baking so by moving those things he had more room for food in the pantry, It was the perfect time to do the reorganization since stairs are hard on crutches. Kari had more work, but we were sure glad she was here. We really needed her.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
QUARTLY ALS CLINIC VISIT
As if the Christmas weekend had not been busy enough, Monday was our regularly scheduled clinic appointment. This is a four hour or more time where we see the neurologist, pulmonologist, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, dietitian, communication specialist and the social worker. Just typing all that makes me tired! Since this was Sherry's (my caregiver) long day, and she may also have questions we took her with us.
I always have mixed feelings about the entire day. It is an opportunity to ask questions about all the little things, but it also points out the changes my body is making. I really like the ostrich approach, head in the sand, if I don't say it out loud it isn't happening. The good news is my legs are still strong. The bad news is that everything else is deteriorating. What does this mean? My left arm, even with the bionic brace is not able to do as much. Muscles in my mouth and throat are having trouble with the swallowing process, so I am choking more often. Since I have been using my Bipap 24/7 they don't even bother to check my lung capacity. The fact that it was at 16% last time may also have something to do with it. :-)
Taking into account these changes, recommendations are made. These include some additional modifications to my wheel chair controls so I can continue to run around and get into trouble. Another suggestion was to have a barium swallow test to see if eating will become recreation. (Not looking forward to that.) Meanwhile they suggested I start using formula in my feeding tube. Previously I had been drinking ensure because it was taking me about an hour to eat.
One other change was more fun. We are starting to look at speech generating computer programs. There are programs where you can type in what you want to say, but that is a bit of a problem as my hand is not doing real well. There are also programs that will track eye movements in typing, then speak. Another possibility is foot controlled track ball and switch. I still talk and can be understood most of the time. We are still exploring options. The ALS association communications specialist can get other machines from the manufacture to try.
Good or bad, there are always new things to learn. Looking at how fast some others have progressed, I really am lucky to be changing so slowly.
I always have mixed feelings about the entire day. It is an opportunity to ask questions about all the little things, but it also points out the changes my body is making. I really like the ostrich approach, head in the sand, if I don't say it out loud it isn't happening. The good news is my legs are still strong. The bad news is that everything else is deteriorating. What does this mean? My left arm, even with the bionic brace is not able to do as much. Muscles in my mouth and throat are having trouble with the swallowing process, so I am choking more often. Since I have been using my Bipap 24/7 they don't even bother to check my lung capacity. The fact that it was at 16% last time may also have something to do with it. :-)
Taking into account these changes, recommendations are made. These include some additional modifications to my wheel chair controls so I can continue to run around and get into trouble. Another suggestion was to have a barium swallow test to see if eating will become recreation. (Not looking forward to that.) Meanwhile they suggested I start using formula in my feeding tube. Previously I had been drinking ensure because it was taking me about an hour to eat.
One other change was more fun. We are starting to look at speech generating computer programs. There are programs where you can type in what you want to say, but that is a bit of a problem as my hand is not doing real well. There are also programs that will track eye movements in typing, then speak. Another possibility is foot controlled track ball and switch. I still talk and can be understood most of the time. We are still exploring options. The ALS association communications specialist can get other machines from the manufacture to try.
Good or bad, there are always new things to learn. Looking at how fast some others have progressed, I really am lucky to be changing so slowly.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
CHRISTMAS WAS WONDERFUL
I have been slow in finishing about Christmas. The picture of me with "my" boys (Cindy is so good to share her boys) was taken Christmas Eve at our house as was the entire family picture sent in our Christmas card. We had a great evening before sending TCWSM (Todd's family) home and to bed. Kari and Garrett followed a bit later to help with the stockings and to put the presents under the tree. The old folks went to bed in preparation for the next day. Fortunately the boys were willing to wait until we arrived in the morning, about 7:30. With much excitement we all dug into the stockings. Everybody has stockings like I made for Todd and Kari years ago and have made for the rest. Only one problem, they are really big. Todd has started doing what I did - getting the biggest apple and orange he can find and that doesn't fill the toe. Well it is fun anyway.
After stockings we eat breakfast, then open presents. We open presents one at a time, so it takes forever! To me the most special part this year was Walkers insistence that Mama open the present from him first. Both of the others then wanted her to open their gift to her. When she insisted someone else get a present it was what Sam got for Miles. Soon they became "normal" and wanted to open one of their gifts. Even with all their usual disagreements that happen among brothers it was nice to see they really cared about each other.
With no snow or rain, we could go outside to play with the new toys. It is so very nice to have a relaxed day with simple food and lots of time to be together. Kari and Garrett were able to stay most of the day and still have time the next day to see his family.
After stockings we eat breakfast, then open presents. We open presents one at a time, so it takes forever! To me the most special part this year was Walkers insistence that Mama open the present from him first. Both of the others then wanted her to open their gift to her. When she insisted someone else get a present it was what Sam got for Miles. Soon they became "normal" and wanted to open one of their gifts. Even with all their usual disagreements that happen among brothers it was nice to see they really cared about each other.
With no snow or rain, we could go outside to play with the new toys. It is so very nice to have a relaxed day with simple food and lots of time to be together. Kari and Garrett were able to stay most of the day and still have time the next day to see his family.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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