Saturday, September 14th, 2002
By the time we arrived Daniel was already dressed and ready to greet the day.
He had managed to get his foot brace and shoes on for the first time solo. At
this point it is tricky and time consuming enough that the shoes and brace
didn't come off all day...even for naps.
We spent the morning hour having Teri read Harry Potter to us. Then it was
time for me to take Teri to the airport while Daniel reported to his first
therapy, Functional Communication Group. Apparently they did brainteasers
and Daniel had a great time. My favorite group was the time the therapists
read a Dear Abby column to the group and then asked what they thought about
it. One of the members replied, "How do you expect me to have an opinion,
I've got brain damage, I can't even remember the story." Humor goes a long
way at Sunnyview..
More Harry Potter, lunch and Daniel had his second group, BUE. He is working
with one pound weights and is the youngest member by about forty years. They
do arm exercises for thirty minutes with minimal chatter. Daniel, with his
Bison hat is more like their mascot..
The final group of the day was a brand new group, the balance group. Daniel
and a man of about seventy-five played kick the beach ball to each other, hit
the balloon back and forth, and catch the ball. This was done standing
(where the balance part comes in) about eight feet apart. It had to be seen
to be believed...Daniel's knees were killing him by the time it was finished
and he was pantomiming tears to me across the room, (so I figured it wasn't
that bad)..
Just as we were finishing, his friends from Bard arrived. Emilie, Peter,
Beth and Kirsten. They spent time visiting in the lobby so as not to disturb
Daniel's new roommate who is still quite ill. They brought Daniel a David
Bowie tape and a Muppets Video. So great for Daniel to visit with Bard
friends. Emilie is staying the night at Fisher House so she can spend time
with him tomorrow. More friends will be coming by Fisher House so she won't
have to hitchhike back to school..
We gave Emilie an unexpected tour of Schenectady (code for getting lost),
while we searched for Burger King for dinner. We returned to the hospital to
close out the day taking turns reading Harry Potter, showering and all the
rest of the nightly routine. Tomorrow we have all day in Albany at Fisher
House...yay! We may be boring but we're happy. Take care, Toni
Sunday, September 15th, 2002
With meds in hand we left Sunnyview around 10 a.m. and headed straight for
Starbucks this morning (I will make as many sacrifices as necessary for
Daniel). We lounged around listening to the music, enjoying the ambiance and
having sparkling conversation (or two of the three, you guess
which?).
We arrived at Fisher House and Daniel promptly crawled into bed, while I did
laundry. Emilie hit the books in earnest (Bard studies) but soon I heard the
two of them whispering and giggling just like little kids. Eventually Daniel
and I ended up napping while Emilie studied in the sitting room. We ordered
exotic (cheeseburgers) but ate in the dining room so it seemed fancy.
Bardians descended on Fisher House soon after and by the sounds of laughter
coming from the other room they had a great visit. It's nice for me to be
able to put faces to the names I have been hearing about for so long. One of
the girls is a local Sierra Madre native. Small world isn't it? We also had
a wonderful surprise visit from Annmarie, one of the great Albany Med nurses,
and her son Jacob. They had been apple picking and brought us some of the
best apple juice, apple doughnuts, and apples I've ever tasted. As a matter
of fact Emilie brought us local apples too (we are getting very spoiled, but
we don't mind a bit).
We had just enough time to read a chapter of Harry Potter before it was time
to depart for Sunnyview. We grabbed fast food for the car (there was a
definite theme to our meals today) and headed off in the rain. It was one of
those famous New York storms where it looks like it has cooled everything off
but it really just makes the air warm and humid. Or as my sister Sandi would
say, "It's like walking into someone's mouth!"
The best news is that although we took the wheelchair, Daniel only used the
walker all day. He was understandably proud...me too. May your Monday go
quickly and restfully...all our love, Toni
Monday, September 16th, 2002
So it's Monday, so I forgot to set the alarm. Luckily the dishwasher woke me
up by 8:30 (when I should be out the door) so I wasn't too late arriving, I
even stopped for gas. Daniel was not in his room so I scoured the halls and
found him in practicing climbing stairs with Kim, using only a cane and no
handrail. Although the first try was a little shaky, (I thought he was going
to tumble down the stairs he was trying to go so fast), his second try was
much more controlled. Daniel reported he threw-up again this morning. This
has been occurring about once a day for the past few days. They changed one
of his medications to see if they can calm the reflux down. Even with all
this he gained a pound last week...weighed in at a whooping 114.2. Our goal
for next week is 2 pounds (Daniel, not me). Due to a snafu in scheduling PT
(pool) and OT were scheduled at the same time. Kim and Tracy got together
and Daniel had a combined session in the pool. Picture him lifting a
"noodle" above his arms as if lifting weights...also lots of laughter as the
three are all quick witted with rapid fire conversations. It is a joy to see
Daniel get a chance to be playful. Tracy and Kim joked about their "baby
bird" getting ready to leave the nest. Speech involved Mind Benders to make
use of deductive thinking skills. Daniel brought one of the problems back to
the room and I got caught up in solving it. Let's just say he spent 30
minutes on it (although he says he's not finished), while I spent about an
hour and still brought it home to see if I can figure it out. Dee challenges
Daniel in the best way. While Daniel was at Recreation Therapy I made a run
to Starbucks for us. As I stepped off the elevator his Rec therapist, also
Kim, was coming down the hall with Daniel. They had been doing brain teasers
and asked me the following. "A man lives on the 10th floor of an apartment
building. Every morning he takes the elevator down to the 1st floor. In the
evening he takes the elevator to the 7th floor and walks the rest of the way.
Why?" Good luck to all of you...I asked what I considered many insightful
questions but finally had to be told the answer. (Maybe this means Daniel
will be discharged on the 28th but they'll keep me.) The day came to an end
with several chapters of Harry Potter. All in all a successful, not
stressful day...especially for a Monday. Love to all, Toni
P.S. Speaking of Daniel's discharge date. He will leave Sunnyview on
September 28th, but come stay at Fisher House until we can have the bone
plate replaced, and possibly schedule the surgery for the tear in the aorta.
He will continue to do outpatient rehab at Sunnyview about three times a
week. Medicaid, insurance and so many variables play a part in keeping us
here. It is not our first choice but the one that in the long run makes the
most sense.
Tuesday, September 17th, 2002 Toni said she was very tired tonight and will post an update tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 18th, 2002
Now that I have had a good night's rest I will try and make a coherent report:
Yesterday Daniel began the day in good spirits. He went to PT where they did
mat exercises but apparently part way through the session Daniel got
nauseated. His therapist, Kim gives him the award for "holding on" as she
raced around the gym looking for a container for him. We figured it was
because he had a late breakfast and then was lying flat on the mat. However,
he threw up again after lunch so he is back on clear liquids until they
figure it out. He had a stomach x-ray, they are checking his calcium and
drawing blood to run a complete panel. He still kept his sense of humor and
had a full day of activities.
For PT Daniel has graduated from one pound to three pound weights on his legs
and in BUE (building upper extremities) from one to two pound weights. They
have promised him that he can have a ride on the "tilt table" before he
leaves so he is very motivated.
In Speech they are working on more mind benders. He got a mind bender for
homework (math based) and Dee even sent one for me (not math based). Dee's
instructions to Daniel were to take breaks when he gets frustrated. When
quizzed Daniel admitted his to this point has been to grit his teeth and
start guessing. This will stun you but his technique only increases his
frustration. (And I'm trying to remember if this is a result of the accident
or part of his personality...I remember just a touch of "stubbornness" from
growing up.)
More lateral thinking problems were tackled in Therapeutic Rec. Those of you
who answered were correct. Jim's response when told the answer was, "Well,
he's not a very bright short person...why doesn't he just get a pencil so he
can reach higher?!" Today's new problem: Two sisters were cleaning a shed
at the bottom of the garden. When they were finished one sister had a dirty
face and the other a clean face. Only the sister with the clean face washed
hers. Why? (I didn't even come close with this one, even with
hints.)
Highlights of the day included a phone call from his sister Emily, Jim, and
Ms. Rapkin. We watched the video "Sweet November" after he showered, and as
I tucked him into bed his eyelids were already drooping. I didn't arrive
back at Fisher House until after 10:30...hence, the late update. A long but
satisfying day. Love to all, Toni
Wednesday, September 18th, 2002
The morning began with a visit from Edith Leet who we met through Roy Donkin
(the minister who moved from Albany to Santa Barbara). She stopped by with
an unbirthday bag of goodies for Daniel and we had a nice visit. After
typing yesterday's update this morning (pushing deadlines is a habit of
mine), I was running late.
When I arrived I found Daniel grinning from ear to ear, in bed, with
chocolate crumbs all over his shirt. Seems he had already been to PT twice,
threw up his breakfast of cream of rice, but had recovered enough to eat a
hostess cupcake. (This is proof he is a true Fox family member.) Seems a
care package had arrived from the Arizona Foxes, Jim's brother Clark's family
in Mesa, Arizona. It was a shoebox filled with snacks and treats that Daniel
couldn't resist. Not only did Daniel manage not to throw up the cupcake, he
was able to share his bounty with the staff. A letter from K.C., who is in
Budapest doing a semester abroad with Bard, made his morning complete.
He opened the unbirthday present and discovered all kinds of goodies;
whistles, wire gadgets, Harry Potter folder, Pez dispenser, etc. There was
also a bag of buttons with sayings on them. Daniel immediately chose the,
"This Smile's for You" button to pin on his shirt. He had great fun passing
out Pez and offering a choice of buttons to his therapists and other staff
for the rest of the day. He even has some left to give away tomorrow. This
fits in well with our goal to reach out to others during the remainder of our
stay at Sunnyview. Everyone has been so good to us, we want to do the
same.
In PT Daniel did more mat exercises with leg weights, and stood up without
using his hands on the walker. This is a good indicator that his leg muscles
are getting stronger. For BUE, the upper body strength group, Daniel said
two of the elderly women fell asleep in their wheelchairs...enough said.
In Speech Daniel and Dee tackled, "Vocabulary All College Students Should
Know" for the first session, and worked on word puzzles in the afternoon.
Daniel gave both activities a thumbs up. (He was getting a breathing
treatment or I'm certain he would have used some of those vocabulary words to
describe his experiences.)
Pool time included the backstroke, or at least a facsimile of the backstroke,
walking on tiptoes, and a collage of Michael Jackson moves. I have been
promised some water ballet from Daniel and Kim before we leave if I provide
the hair gel and nose clips.
Daniel can now move his arms straight above his head thanks to OT. When we
first arrived at Sunnyview he could only get them to his shoulders. He felt
a little sick at the end of his therapy session so Tracy walked him back to
the room and did her interpretation of "Maniac" from Flashdance for him...(I
don't think he was really sick, I think he just likes the attention).
We took a stroll outside to enjoy the crisp, fall air after dinner. The
leaves are beginning to turn and the next two weeks we hope to see all the
fall colors. This is the season I have really missed since moving to
California and it is wonderful. We closed out the day with shower, meds,
Harry Potter and Diana Krall. We miss you, we miss California, and we send
our love...Toni
Thursday, September 19th, 2002
The computer was down last night which explains the delay in the update.
Tonight I will try and be brief since I'm doing two reports (oh sure, you
say):
Daniel spent his first hour this morning in Neuropsych being tested on
attention and memory...but this time he felt smart! I really don't care if
he got any of the answers correct...as long as he feels good, that works for
me.
In his BUE group no one fell asleep today which was the most exciting news.
Oh, and he has graduated to 3 pound weights. Each member is going to lead
the group one day next week and Daniel gets to start. It should be
interesting--music perhaps?
Daniel and Dee spent the day talking about music (she also has a musical
background). His next assignment is to write a paper on how music affects
the way he thinks. The Recreation Therapist has offered to let him use her
computer so the process won't be so labor intensive...and will also be
legible. I'll be interested just to have any clue to how he thinks!
Tracy had Daniel on a mat and spent the time pulling on his arms to stretch
his shoulders. Daniel loved it! He said it was so relaxing. He's trying to
increase his range of motion and I think he's made good progress.
For his field trip to Albany Airport the doctor prescribed some medicine to
address the nausea. Not only did the trip go well, they stopped at Wendy's
on the way home to eat. I don't know how Kim and Ruby (recreation
therapists) felt about the adventure but Daniel was in great spirits. He
especially liked having Ruby sing in the van. He found out that when he is
ready to fly home we must be at the airport 90 minutes before the flight,
notify the airlines that he will be bringing a walker, arrange for transport
to and from the gate, and have a doctor's note explaining he has nuts, bolts
and pins in his legs (he is certain to set off the security alarms). He
actually thinks the security alarm part is pretty cool.
Kim walked Daniel back to the room after PT. They wanted to show me
something special...Daniel pushed the walker away and walked on his own! It
brought tears to my eyes. Apparently he wanted to try walking, so they
started in the parallel bars and then he walked nearly 60 feet around the
gym. Daniel's comment, "I feel so liberated." He still needs the walker
because of fatigue and aching knees but it is still amazing...
The rest of the day is a blur...Take care all, Toni
Friday, September 20th, 2002
I arrived to an empty bed with an armload of clean clothes for Daniel. After
checking the schedule board I knew he was in Speech with Dee. Pretty soon he
came walking down the hall with a big grin on his face and singing tunes.
Apparently he had a good night's sleep and was just in an upbeat mood.
He cruised without his walker again in PT and practiced climbing a flight of
10 stairs. Although it isn't fast or pretty, it is such an improvement from
last week. His knees seem to be the biggest hindrance so the rest of the
session was spent doing exercises to stretch his knees...and trying to stay
focused. It really is hard when you see three or four other patients, who
are working at the same time, not to stop and cheer them on. We all get
excited for each other's successes.
For pool time I played DJ and put on some Carole King and India Arie. Big
improvement from some of the music on hand. Did you know Jim Nabors had a
greatest hits tape? (A collector's item, no doubt.)
We had time to read some Harry Potter and microwave a pizza snack before OT.
(He seems to only be throwing up breakfast, so they are going to put him back
on an anti-nausea medication mornings only.) The afternoon included more
stretching in OT and a massage we scheduled through Sunnyview. I walked
Daniel down to his massage and went on to the gym where I used a treadmill
(my goal was to keep up with the 87 year-old woman next to me without
gasping). When Daniel returned he was beaming. The therapist worked on his
shoulders, neck, back, arms and legs and he said it was wonderful. I had a
massage yesterday and I agree! (It sounds like we're at a spa, doesn't
it?)
After dinner we watched some TV and put a few pictures in an album that his
nurse, Kathy, gave him this morning. She is one of his favorites and she
included stickers, tape and page protectors. We had just picked up a couple
of rolls of film and most turned out really well. I'll be sending them to
Jim so he can have Mary Ann and Jeff put a few on the website. Time flew by
and we had to hustle to get him a shower and meds before I left. We both
send you all our love and may you have a relaxing weekend. Love, Toni