Hi All,
Just a brief update. The PT just left after Mike's last home visit. He did a thorough assessment much like he did at the beginning of the home PT visits (mostly just questions re: pain, with what he needs assistance, what he's doing on his own, etc). He did some exercises, and also tested his strength in his left (the uninjured) leg. He said that was considerably better, as the last time he did that (I'm not sure when that was), Mike was a lot shakier. Keith (PT) said he's improved quite a bit with regard to the strength in his left leg.
They also had me bring Mike's car around to the door. Until this point, Mike has been riding in his car in the back seat, with his right leg extended across the length of the back seat. Mike has been expressing interest in trying to get into the front seat, more for safety reasons (it's hard to buckle his seatbelt in the back while seated that way). The PT described to Mike how to ease himself into the front seat, which I moved back as far as it could go. Mike did it just fine, and was able to swing his right leg into the car without a problem. Mike was VERY happy to be able to do that, and says he now feels safer riding in the car, being able to wear his seatbelt in the front seat.
The PT finished his visit and left. Mike is getting showered (Nicole is assisting in that process of course), and then we'll be settling in for an afternoon movie, or perhaps a wheelchair walk outside! Tonight is more relaxing!
Love & Blessings,
karin
12 June 2009
Mikey update - Fri 6/12 10:35am PST
Hi All,
Mike is continuing to do very well. I have been here since Wed night, and we've pretty much just been hanging out, watching tv, catching up, etc. Yesterday, he had a visit from the PT, which went well. Last night, we ventured out to The Melsa Household for a fantastic home cooked dinner (thanks again, Mark & Becky!) We stayed there until nearly 10pm! Spent some time being entertained by the kids (Caroline showed me how to make a bracelet, then did some dancing to Hannah Montana for me!), and had some time to chat with Mark & Becky. Mark and Mike also played some Wii car racing game, so that was fun.
Today looks to be a nice, relaxing day as well. Mike has his last home visit from the PT today, and since it appears the weather will be nice, we may venture outside to sit in the sun for a bit later today as well.
I will post more later today! Keep the good thoughts coming!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Mike is continuing to do very well. I have been here since Wed night, and we've pretty much just been hanging out, watching tv, catching up, etc. Yesterday, he had a visit from the PT, which went well. Last night, we ventured out to The Melsa Household for a fantastic home cooked dinner (thanks again, Mark & Becky!) We stayed there until nearly 10pm! Spent some time being entertained by the kids (Caroline showed me how to make a bracelet, then did some dancing to Hannah Montana for me!), and had some time to chat with Mark & Becky. Mark and Mike also played some Wii car racing game, so that was fun.
Today looks to be a nice, relaxing day as well. Mike has his last home visit from the PT today, and since it appears the weather will be nice, we may venture outside to sit in the sun for a bit later today as well.
I will post more later today! Keep the good thoughts coming!
Love & Blessings,
karin
11 June 2009
Mikey update - Thu 6/11 4:06pm CST
Hi All,
Well, I am in Lisle! Arrived last night, and have settled in to Mike & Nicole's for the weekend. Mike is continuing to heal, and he is in good spirits. He had a visit from the PT today, and he worked on some exercises with him. He will return tomorrow for the final "in-home" visit, before Mike starts the "in-office" PT visits on Monday. He will have PT every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a while. His ribs aren't bothering him too much, nor is his leg or hand. His hematoma on his side is continuing to drain, and healing is on track with the doctor's expectations.
Tonight, he and I will be heading to a friends for dinner, then likely back home to relax. So far, we've had a pretty relaxing day!
On a personal note, it's definitly great to be here. Much easier to write updates first hand ;) I'm truly glad to be able to spend several days with Mike.
Will continue to post updates through the weekend.
Love & Blessings,
karin
Well, I am in Lisle! Arrived last night, and have settled in to Mike & Nicole's for the weekend. Mike is continuing to heal, and he is in good spirits. He had a visit from the PT today, and he worked on some exercises with him. He will return tomorrow for the final "in-home" visit, before Mike starts the "in-office" PT visits on Monday. He will have PT every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a while. His ribs aren't bothering him too much, nor is his leg or hand. His hematoma on his side is continuing to drain, and healing is on track with the doctor's expectations.
Tonight, he and I will be heading to a friends for dinner, then likely back home to relax. So far, we've had a pretty relaxing day!
On a personal note, it's definitly great to be here. Much easier to write updates first hand ;) I'm truly glad to be able to spend several days with Mike.
Will continue to post updates through the weekend.
Love & Blessings,
karin
10 June 2009
Mikey update - Wed 6/10 10:17am PST
Hi All!
Talked to Mike this morning on his way back from the doctor (general surgeon). The doctor said everything was healing fine! This afternoon, Mike is meeting with a lawyer to talk about details surrounding the accident. And then...I'll arrive tonight!
Will be there from about 10pm tonight until 8pm on Monday night. Looking forward to spending time with Mike, and especially having him teach me how to play Guitar Hero!
I will be continuing to post updates throughout the weekend, so stay tuned!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Talked to Mike this morning on his way back from the doctor (general surgeon). The doctor said everything was healing fine! This afternoon, Mike is meeting with a lawyer to talk about details surrounding the accident. And then...I'll arrive tonight!
Will be there from about 10pm tonight until 8pm on Monday night. Looking forward to spending time with Mike, and especially having him teach me how to play Guitar Hero!
I will be continuing to post updates throughout the weekend, so stay tuned!
Love & Blessings,
karin
09 June 2009
Mikey update - Tue 6/08 1:41pm PST
Hi All,
Just got off the phone with Mike. He sounded great! He had an appointment this morning with the general practitioner, which was mainly for a check up and to establish a doctor. Tomorrow he has another appointment with, I believe, the general surgeon, and also physical therapy at home. Monday will start the PT in the office.
Mike is looking forward to my visit tomorrow. Between Pat's visit this past weekend, and my visit tomorrow...Mike will have a week full of "Reemts-time"! We're looking forward to just relaxing and hanging out. Should be a good time!
That's all for now, will post more later if anything to report!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Just got off the phone with Mike. He sounded great! He had an appointment this morning with the general practitioner, which was mainly for a check up and to establish a doctor. Tomorrow he has another appointment with, I believe, the general surgeon, and also physical therapy at home. Monday will start the PT in the office.
Mike is looking forward to my visit tomorrow. Between Pat's visit this past weekend, and my visit tomorrow...Mike will have a week full of "Reemts-time"! We're looking forward to just relaxing and hanging out. Should be a good time!
That's all for now, will post more later if anything to report!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Mikey update - Tue 6/08 11:27am PST
Hi All,
Update from Bill, from yesterday...
"Friends & Family,
Once again, Mike awoke with no rib pain! Today we took Mike to his orthopedic surgeon, and things seem to be healing very well. They took his cast off his hand to check the incision and remove the stitches from the cut from the accident. They found no infection on the incision or the cut, which is great. They put a new one on to continue to immobilize his hand and wrist. The two fingers with torn tendons and broken finger will still need about 4 weeks to heal.
The doctor cleared Mike to bend his knee from 0-60 degrees, which started today with the physical therapist. Amazingly, Mike did not feel too much pain with the knee flexing...he felt a little pain bringing his knee down from 60 degrees, but overall, a relatively painless new exercise (he mentioned it was nothing compared to the initial rib fracture pain). He is going to start physical therapy with Dr. Fister's (Orthopedic Surgeon) medical group next week, rather than in home, since he is able to get around. This will be good since the information in his file will be dealt with in house and should be the best for his recovery. He will still not be able to put weight on his right leg for at least 2 weeks, but he will continue to move his knee more and more with physical therapy.
Mike's swelling from his hematoma is coming down and draining some blood (which is good)...much of the blood is being absorbed back into his body.
Today, Mike also got a haircut and shaved for the first time since his accident. Yesterday, Pat Reemts got a recliner over to the apartment and Mike is feeling much better relaxing in that chair, rather than his wheel chair. He is able to elevate his leg and relax in the comfort of a lazy-boy (see attached picture)! We went to lunch yesterday at Pete and Johnny's and got to spend some time with Mike's friends (see attached picture). We have also spent some time playing guitar hero (Mike is able to use his thumb in his right hand to strum) and board games like "Scene-It" and Yahtzee! His spirits are up and he has a continued bright outlook on a speedy recovery! The picture attached is one from our trip to Wal-Mart. Mike likes to take advantage of using the motorized scooters whenever possible!
I believe that is all for now. Thanks once again for your thoughts and prayers!
-Bill"
I'm working on booking my flights to go visit Mike this weekend. Really looking forward to seeing him and spending some time with him!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Update from Bill, from yesterday...
"Friends & Family,
Once again, Mike awoke with no rib pain! Today we took Mike to his orthopedic surgeon, and things seem to be healing very well. They took his cast off his hand to check the incision and remove the stitches from the cut from the accident. They found no infection on the incision or the cut, which is great. They put a new one on to continue to immobilize his hand and wrist. The two fingers with torn tendons and broken finger will still need about 4 weeks to heal.
The doctor cleared Mike to bend his knee from 0-60 degrees, which started today with the physical therapist. Amazingly, Mike did not feel too much pain with the knee flexing...he felt a little pain bringing his knee down from 60 degrees, but overall, a relatively painless new exercise (he mentioned it was nothing compared to the initial rib fracture pain). He is going to start physical therapy with Dr. Fister's (Orthopedic Surgeon) medical group next week, rather than in home, since he is able to get around. This will be good since the information in his file will be dealt with in house and should be the best for his recovery. He will still not be able to put weight on his right leg for at least 2 weeks, but he will continue to move his knee more and more with physical therapy.
Mike's swelling from his hematoma is coming down and draining some blood (which is good)...much of the blood is being absorbed back into his body.
Today, Mike also got a haircut and shaved for the first time since his accident. Yesterday, Pat Reemts got a recliner over to the apartment and Mike is feeling much better relaxing in that chair, rather than his wheel chair. He is able to elevate his leg and relax in the comfort of a lazy-boy (see attached picture)! We went to lunch yesterday at Pete and Johnny's and got to spend some time with Mike's friends (see attached picture). We have also spent some time playing guitar hero (Mike is able to use his thumb in his right hand to strum) and board games like "Scene-It" and Yahtzee! His spirits are up and he has a continued bright outlook on a speedy recovery! The picture attached is one from our trip to Wal-Mart. Mike likes to take advantage of using the motorized scooters whenever possible!
I believe that is all for now. Thanks once again for your thoughts and prayers!
-Bill"
I'm working on booking my flights to go visit Mike this weekend. Really looking forward to seeing him and spending some time with him!
Love & Blessings,
karin
08 June 2009
Mikey update - Mon 6/08 11:33am PST
Just got off the phone with Pat...here's the latest and greatest!
Mike's doctor appointment went well today. Again, he saw the orthopedic surgeon about his hand and knee. He got the stitches out of his hand, and they re-casted it. Healing is on schedule for his hand, and he's likely to have it casted for another 3-4 weeks. The knee is healing well, ahead of schedule, per Pat. The doctor is happy with how the knee is healing. He will start physical therapy at home today, where, in part, they will begin getting his range of motion/flexibility back. Once that's underway, they'll begin to work on weight-bearing.
All in all, things are healing well!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Mike's doctor appointment went well today. Again, he saw the orthopedic surgeon about his hand and knee. He got the stitches out of his hand, and they re-casted it. Healing is on schedule for his hand, and he's likely to have it casted for another 3-4 weeks. The knee is healing well, ahead of schedule, per Pat. The doctor is happy with how the knee is healing. He will start physical therapy at home today, where, in part, they will begin getting his range of motion/flexibility back. Once that's underway, they'll begin to work on weight-bearing.
All in all, things are healing well!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Mikey update - Mon 6/08 10:15am PST
Just a super-quick update. Pat and Mike are headed back from the doctor, but stopped at Target (and if I know Pat, probably Potbelly, too - cause it's right next door, and we MISS potbelly here in Cali!).
Pat sent me this pic of Mike and his Target scooter...note the blue cast! Will post more when I hear how the appointment went!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Pat sent me this pic of Mike and his Target scooter...note the blue cast! Will post more when I hear how the appointment went!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Mikey update - Mon 6/08 7:45am PST
Hi All,
Talked to Mike yesterday afternoon...he called me from his "new" recliner! Pat & I had a recliner that was still at our house in Lisle, and they got it over to Mike's so he could have someplace super comfy to sit. He was in heaven...was so happy to be sitting in such a comfortable chair. He was in great spirits, and was really enjoying his time with his family and friends.
Pat is playing chauffeur this morning...taking Mike to his appointment with his orthopedic doctor. We're all hoping for some (in Mike's words) some "fast healing under those casts"!
Not too much else to report, aside from the other updates through the weekend. He remains in good spirits, and is continuing to heal.
I will post more updates, per usual, as I get them.
Love & Blessings,
karin
Talked to Mike yesterday afternoon...he called me from his "new" recliner! Pat & I had a recliner that was still at our house in Lisle, and they got it over to Mike's so he could have someplace super comfy to sit. He was in heaven...was so happy to be sitting in such a comfortable chair. He was in great spirits, and was really enjoying his time with his family and friends.
Pat is playing chauffeur this morning...taking Mike to his appointment with his orthopedic doctor. We're all hoping for some (in Mike's words) some "fast healing under those casts"!
Not too much else to report, aside from the other updates through the weekend. He remains in good spirits, and is continuing to heal.
I will post more updates, per usual, as I get them.
Love & Blessings,
karin
07 June 2009
Mikey update - Sun 6/07 1:18pm PST
Couple of updates!
Been back and forth with Pat this morning. Mike is in great spirits, and as I think I mentioned earlier, he woke up today for the 3rd day in a row with no rib pain! Yay! Mike, Pat, and the "gang" went to Pete & Johnny's for lunch and make-your-own bloody mary's today. I saw a pic of the group - Mike, Pat, Bill, Doug, Sarah, Murphy, Melinda, & Tommy - looked like they were having a nice time!
Just got another update from Bill as well:
"Friends & Family,
Keep the positive thoughts coming, they are definitely working!
Mike again woke up with no rib pain for the third day in a row! Things are getting better with him daily. Pat Reemts arrived into town from San Diego yesterday afternoon and will be staying through tomorrow night. It is definitely nice for Mike to have great support from friends and family. Tomorrow Mike will see his orthopedic doctor and have physical therapy in the afternoon. Tuesday, he will see a family practice doctor and Wednesday, he will see the general surgeon that worked with him at Delnor. He will also be meeting with a lawyer this week to discuss the complexities of this accident and the pending insurance claims.
I believe that is all to report at this time...thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.
-Bill"
I'm sure I'll be talking to the boys later today, and will post anything new then!
Love & Blessings,
karin
Been back and forth with Pat this morning. Mike is in great spirits, and as I think I mentioned earlier, he woke up today for the 3rd day in a row with no rib pain! Yay! Mike, Pat, and the "gang" went to Pete & Johnny's for lunch and make-your-own bloody mary's today. I saw a pic of the group - Mike, Pat, Bill, Doug, Sarah, Murphy, Melinda, & Tommy - looked like they were having a nice time!
Just got another update from Bill as well:
"Friends & Family,
Keep the positive thoughts coming, they are definitely working!
Mike again woke up with no rib pain for the third day in a row! Things are getting better with him daily. Pat Reemts arrived into town from San Diego yesterday afternoon and will be staying through tomorrow night. It is definitely nice for Mike to have great support from friends and family. Tomorrow Mike will see his orthopedic doctor and have physical therapy in the afternoon. Tuesday, he will see a family practice doctor and Wednesday, he will see the general surgeon that worked with him at Delnor. He will also be meeting with a lawyer this week to discuss the complexities of this accident and the pending insurance claims.
I believe that is all to report at this time...thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.
-Bill"
I'm sure I'll be talking to the boys later today, and will post anything new then!
Love & Blessings,
karin
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