We just heard that Greg got accepted to the VA!!!
This is FANTASTIC news and we are all SO excited! This means he will be moving asap to the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Palo Alto where they have all of the state of the art equiptment to care for Greg more fully and completely then at Valley Med.
He will be moved as early as late this week, just as soon as a bed opens up for him! We will give another update soon with more complete info on the new facility!
Keep up those prayers and well wishes, Greg is improving everyday!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
The SKY is the Limit!
It's graduation day for Greg, and the news is all good today. Following is a quick update of dad's progress:
1. Greg is breathing without assistance. His trach is plugged, and he is being scheduled to have it removed within the next few days. Once this minor surgery is complete, he will be able to enjoy all the culinary delicacies that Valley Medical has to offer. Can you say, "whipped carrots"?
2. All IV's have been removed, the only remaining input line is his feeding tube. The feeding tube will be removed once he is able to consume enough calories to sustain himself without the added liquid diet boost.
3. Dad has graduated from his status of "Trauma Recovery Patient" and is now officially a "Rehabilitation Patient".
Due to the residual confusion of "someone jiggling my coins", Greg will be transfered to the head injury rehabilitation center today. Dad's mental recovery has been as miraculous as his physical recovery, but he is feeling a bit (ok, lot) frustrated with the lingering confusion. The doctors are optimistic that with more time things will straighten out. Greg can speak, read, and is quickly recovering the full extent of his vocabulary. Yesterday the man was heard to say, "Yeah, right. That helps. Why don't you give me another platitude", with a biting sarcasm previously reserved only for teenage girls. He was right though, it was a platitude.
And if that wasn't enough good news for you...
4. Upon physical examination today, Greg responded to pain below the waist! The doctor was poking around, "can you feel this?"... poke... poke... poke, "can you feel this?" ...poke... and dad unexpectedly jumped and said, "Yes". So as any good doctor would, he tried it again. =)
After a full examination the doctor happily announced, "This changes things. Greg's status has changed from 'complete' to 'incomplete'. The sky is the limit for his rehabilitation."
1. Greg is breathing without assistance. His trach is plugged, and he is being scheduled to have it removed within the next few days. Once this minor surgery is complete, he will be able to enjoy all the culinary delicacies that Valley Medical has to offer. Can you say, "whipped carrots"?
2. All IV's have been removed, the only remaining input line is his feeding tube. The feeding tube will be removed once he is able to consume enough calories to sustain himself without the added liquid diet boost.
3. Dad has graduated from his status of "Trauma Recovery Patient" and is now officially a "Rehabilitation Patient".
Due to the residual confusion of "someone jiggling my coins", Greg will be transfered to the head injury rehabilitation center today. Dad's mental recovery has been as miraculous as his physical recovery, but he is feeling a bit (ok, lot) frustrated with the lingering confusion. The doctors are optimistic that with more time things will straighten out. Greg can speak, read, and is quickly recovering the full extent of his vocabulary. Yesterday the man was heard to say, "Yeah, right. That helps. Why don't you give me another platitude", with a biting sarcasm previously reserved only for teenage girls. He was right though, it was a platitude.
And if that wasn't enough good news for you...
4. Upon physical examination today, Greg responded to pain below the waist! The doctor was poking around, "can you feel this?"... poke... poke... poke, "can you feel this?" ...poke... and dad unexpectedly jumped and said, "Yes". So as any good doctor would, he tried it again. =)
After a full examination the doctor happily announced, "This changes things. Greg's status has changed from 'complete' to 'incomplete'. The sky is the limit for his rehabilitation."
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Talking
We have hit another milestone. On Thursday, July 15th, Judy and Wendy each received a phone call from the hospital. It was Greg's speech therapist who informed them that Greg was talking and would like to speak with them. Greg was put on the phone and spoke first to his wife for the first time in over a month. The doctor has a speaking valve that they can put on Gregs trach and he can communicate.
Yesterday Matt and I went to the hospital to visit Greg. He was very frustrated and very bored. He was trying to say something to Matt and finally the doctor was able to bring in his valve so he could talk to us. He told Matt that he loves him and he missed him oddles and bunches. He is trying to find things to do now to occupy his time. He asked for a Reader and he wants to go to the Temple.
Judy and Jenn were at the hospital also visiting when Matt and I were there. Judy told Greg that we have seen miracles and people are inspired by Greg. His response was, "I dont want to see miracles, I want to do one" He is in there and he is fighting, he wants out of that hospital with a passion.
If you would like to send words of encouragement, letters, cards- now would be a good time. We would be happy to read them to Greg and I am sure he would love to hear from you all. You can email me at kelli1714@yahoo.com and I would be happy to give you our address where you can send cards or you can email a letter and that works too :) We love you all and thank you for your continued faith, prayers, and love!
Yesterday Matt and I went to the hospital to visit Greg. He was very frustrated and very bored. He was trying to say something to Matt and finally the doctor was able to bring in his valve so he could talk to us. He told Matt that he loves him and he missed him oddles and bunches. He is trying to find things to do now to occupy his time. He asked for a Reader and he wants to go to the Temple.
Judy and Jenn were at the hospital also visiting when Matt and I were there. Judy told Greg that we have seen miracles and people are inspired by Greg. His response was, "I dont want to see miracles, I want to do one" He is in there and he is fighting, he wants out of that hospital with a passion.
If you would like to send words of encouragement, letters, cards- now would be a good time. We would be happy to read them to Greg and I am sure he would love to hear from you all. You can email me at kelli1714@yahoo.com and I would be happy to give you our address where you can send cards or you can email a letter and that works too :) We love you all and thank you for your continued faith, prayers, and love!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Set Backs: Blessings in Disguise
Greg's old Cocci doctor, Dr. Stevens, has been keeping an eye on his progress. What a blessing to have this man looking out for Greg. He told Wendy that he will be monitering Greg's charts and keeping up on it, if we have any questions we are welcome to go to him and ask and he will explain the medical side of things for us.
Dr. Stevens was checking in on Greg and discovered that he had signs of Sepsis- an infection in the blood. So they started him on the Antibiotics Super Cocktail and he is doing much better now. It only takes a couple days to clear.
Rehab is getting Greg up in his wheelchair when they can and still working on weaning him off the ventilator, but it has been another set back with the onset of Sepsis. We aren't discouraged though, every set back in this whole process has been a blessing in disguise. Greg's speech therapist is still coming in and helping him find other ways he can communicate with us and his nurses, he still isn't talking. As he becomes more aware of what is going on, he is increasingly frustrated- but we are understanding of his frustrating moments and know that he has a long road ahead of him. Greg continues to prove he is one strong and stubborn man, just the way we like him :) A Fighter.
Dr. Stevens was checking in on Greg and discovered that he had signs of Sepsis- an infection in the blood. So they started him on the Antibiotics Super Cocktail and he is doing much better now. It only takes a couple days to clear.
Rehab is getting Greg up in his wheelchair when they can and still working on weaning him off the ventilator, but it has been another set back with the onset of Sepsis. We aren't discouraged though, every set back in this whole process has been a blessing in disguise. Greg's speech therapist is still coming in and helping him find other ways he can communicate with us and his nurses, he still isn't talking. As he becomes more aware of what is going on, he is increasingly frustrated- but we are understanding of his frustrating moments and know that he has a long road ahead of him. Greg continues to prove he is one strong and stubborn man, just the way we like him :) A Fighter.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wheelchair
Yesterday Judy and I went and visited Greg at the hospital, On Tuesday he went ANOTHER 10 HOURS on C-Pap which is awesome!
Today they got him sitting up in the wheelchair for the first time! He was able to stay in for 30 minutes which is great for a first time. He is getting stronger each day. He still isn't talking and his only mode for communication is shaking his head yes and no, but the speach therapist was in with him yesterday trying new ways of communicating with us. He seemed a bit frustrated, but doing his best. I'm not worried at all, I feel when the time is right he will be able to communicate with us again.
Keep up the prayers and faith for Greg, everything helps and we have seen miracles and blessings every step of this adventure. Love you all!
Today they got him sitting up in the wheelchair for the first time! He was able to stay in for 30 minutes which is great for a first time. He is getting stronger each day. He still isn't talking and his only mode for communication is shaking his head yes and no, but the speach therapist was in with him yesterday trying new ways of communicating with us. He seemed a bit frustrated, but doing his best. I'm not worried at all, I feel when the time is right he will be able to communicate with us again.
Keep up the prayers and faith for Greg, everything helps and we have seen miracles and blessings every step of this adventure. Love you all!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Rehab Here We Come
Greg has been moved from the TCNU down to the Rehab Center at the hospital and he is doing well. He stayed on C-Pap for another 10 hours today which is remarkable! We are so proud of him and glad to see him continuing to progress!
I haven't had much to report lately, but no news is good news- I will continue to give you any updated info I have!
I haven't had much to report lately, but no news is good news- I will continue to give you any updated info I have!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
C Pap Time 7/3/10
Today I went and visited Greg in his TCNU room (Transitional Care Neurology Unit). They had just washed him up and combed his hair when I got there, so he was awake and very alert.
I talked to him for a bit and he smiled, nodded, and made good eye contact. It was a really great visit, so much so that I didn't want to leave. He was on the C-pap machine while I was there, he was breathing well and his numbers looked great. I called later tonight and the nurse told me he stayed on C-pap for 10 hours! He is working hard and we are so proud of him!
I talked to him for a bit and he smiled, nodded, and made good eye contact. It was a really great visit, so much so that I didn't want to leave. He was on the C-pap machine while I was there, he was breathing well and his numbers looked great. I called later tonight and the nurse told me he stayed on C-pap for 10 hours! He is working hard and we are so proud of him!
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