Outrageous Malfunction

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:09:12 PM:

Well, it was nice to see Trudi awake, this morning, when I arrived to her room. Our greeting has become a tradition. I tell her how wonderful she looks, today, and that I love her, and she smiles. It’s that smile that fills my heart with joy, and that’s all I need to make it through another day with her, giving thanks for God’s miracles.

We held hands and listened to more music, and swayed with the music. She said she ate her breakfast and it was good. She is still having difficulty with her head, she wants to scratch it and rub it, and I am quick on the draw to stop her from hurting herself. The nurses and therapists have to watch her hand, too, so that’s why she is restrained, unless someone is with her, constantly on guard, to prevent her from harming her brain. It’s difficult seeing her restrained, but for her safety, I accept it. This is temporary, but brain damage can be permanent.

Lunch arrives and so does a different speech therapist. At first, you get the head therapist, then assistants start seeing the patient. This speech therapist was observing Trudi’s vision and eye/hand coordination while eating lunch. About half way through her lunch, the therapist asks her to draw a clock. Trudi drew the circle, but then put all of the numbers outside the circle. Some eyesight problems, but we could read the numbers, so she knows her numbers. Next, the therapist drew a horizontal line across the middle of the paper and asked Trudi to draw a vertical line. Trudi had difficulty with this one, but drew the line on the right side of the paper, making it a success. Small as these successes are, they are huge steps toward her recovery. She finished lunch and we relaxed and spent time together.

About 2pm, occupational therapy came in to get her out of bed and into the wheelchair to sit for a couple of hours. He brought a seat pad to help Trudi tolerate sitting for 3 or 4 hours. We listened to more music and held hands, sitting next to each other with my left arm around her shoulders and my right hand in hers. These are wonderful moments.

Two hours later, the OT returns to take Trudi to the “play room”. It’s the exercise room with lots of different machines and toys for rehabilitation. There is a device that has bars and straps on it that allows a patient to stand without being held by someone. He positioned Trudi upright, standing on her feet. There is a platform for her arms to rest on, in front of her, so she can support some weight with her arms. The straps fit under her rear end and around her back to keep her from falling backwards, and support in front to help steady her. After standing for about 15 minutes, she was exhausted and in pain. We prepare her to return to her room, getting her back in the wheelchair.

Trudi is a trooper, for sure. She almost cried with pain, but didn’t want to sit down. My sweetie is so courageous, I’m filled with overwhelming joy. What a moment to witness, her standing on both feet. And by the way, I’m getting photos of her milestones, such as this one. We returned to her room and he got her back into bed. She was worn out.

Supper was waiting when we returned to her room. She settled down and got comfortable and was ready to eat. She ate all of her supper and was ready to rest. It’s painful to see her in pain, but knowing tht this is the road to recovery, I am encouraging her and applauding her for her bravery and determination. The effort Trudi is demonstrating, is astronomical. I’m in company of a champion, and she happens to be my wife. She makes me so very proud of her, and an honor to be her husband.

I kissed her goodnight and I told her that I love her, and would be back in the morning. I’m getting ready to call and check on her with her nurse, so I can get some rest. Each time I return home, for the night, I know she is in God’s hands and will be protected and safe for the night.

I had to start sending my updates earlier, I’m getting to bed too late and staring to feel the strain. I have so much to process, I’ve been up later than usual going over each day. There is so much to keep up with besides Trudi remarkable recovery, I have to have time, in the evening for introspection and retrospection of the day. My goodness, it’s amazing to me that I’m able to keep up with everything that is happening, and much of it is happening at the same time, or back to back, all day long.

Weekends are a welcomed rest from the PT and OT. But I continue working with her during those down times. We are looking forward to entering TIRR and then getting her home. Her recovery and rehabilitation will be an ongoing effort, even after getting home and into the future,with home health and rehab. Whatever it takes to walk on the beach, together.

Good night everyone, and …

May God Bless You All,

Bob

Monday, June 16, 2008 10:31:04 PM:

Trudi and I had a very nice morning and after telling her that she looks wonderful, today, and how much I love her, we held hands. I exercised her leg and arm, rubbed her feet, and worked with eye/hand coordination. When lunch came, she ate all of it. She is having a slight problem swallowing, at times, and coughs when it goes down the wrong pipe.

After lunch, we listened to 60’s music. I brought my cd player and some cd’s of some of our favorite music from the 60’s. As we held hands, she would sway back and forth like dancing. So we danced together. We are having some very important and intimate moments with each other, as we form a new future together. Glory to God.

I’m going to keep this one short. Trudi had a great day. The PT said she is doing wonderful. He had her flex her leg when he did range of motion exercises with her leg and arm. I told his she would move them if you ask her. He had her leg, with knee up, and asked her to push it down. She was struggling with it, because her right leg would move. That’s called crossover, were the message to move left is transfered to the right. It’s a phenomenon with the nervous system with brain damage on one side. She did it, and he was totally surprised at the amount of force she used. He did the same with her left arm, and she flexed it and moved it when he asked her. I knew this and wanted him to know it so he could document this in her file.

The rehabilitation doctor came in and felt some movement, too. He is still contending she is a good candidate for TIRR, and I’m praying she is, too. It’s the best in the world and that’s were the pro’s go for rehab when injured playing their sport or whatever. Trudi deserves the very best and it’s right in Houston. Praise God.

During the PT session, he stood her up and let her stand. She can put all of her weight on her right leg, and then he leans her to the left so she will put weight on her left leg. She id this four times this afternoon. After the PT session, we talked and make a phone call to her daughter and grandson. After talking to her grandson, Taylor, she started thinking he was in the next room. I told her that he was not at the hospital, he is home in Seattle. She insisted he was there, and I couldn’t convince her otherwise. I got very concerned about this and will discuss it with her doctor, tomorrow.

Supper arrived and I fed it to her. She ate all of her dinner. She is eating just fine, with a little trouble swallowing, at times, but doing great. I feel so much joy for her, and satisfaction with myself for being there for her, it feels right. And God continues to show us miracles with Trudi. Have a goodnight and may…

God Bless You All.

Bob