Hello Everyone!
So much has happened since I wrote last, it's hard to know where to start. Let's start with, THANK YOU DIANE, for updating the blog for me, and for your kind words. I LOVE YOU, TOO! As Diane says, we are quite impressed with our stay at NMRC! The entire staff has really done an outstanding job trying to meet Randy's needs. He has made some great improvements, and we are all very proud of his accomplishments! We have had some issues from time to time trying to get his medications to the appropriate levels. His doctor has prescribed a higher dose of blood pressure medicine due to his increased level of activity. He has also prescribed some meds that help reduce the spasticity of his muscles. For much of the time, his muscles and joints have been very rgid and tight. The new meds seem to be allowing him to be more flexible, which will allow him to build the muscle tone needed to walk and transfer his weight. Adjusting his meds has slowed some of the progress in therapies, but he has still come a long way since he has been here.
To see pictures of Randys Rehab, click here: http://www.randysrehab.blogspot.com
Now for the best news...Randy will get to go home next weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be staying with Diane and Ronnie for a while. We feel like this will be the best location to fit our needs, and we are so thankful that we have a super home and family to go HOME to!! The work toward Randy's recovery is far from over, but we are still making progress, and we work on rebuilding our lives each and every day.
Again, thanks to EVERYONE for your prayers, support and words of encouragement, for without all you have done for us, we wouldn't be where we are today. I love you all.
Felisha
Friday, August 15, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Randy's new place
Hello to everyone. This is Diane, Randy's sister. I'm updating the blog for Felisha this time, and we have good news for everyone.
First of all, he had his skull flaps replaced on July 7, and it went great! He already had a follow-up on July 17, and is healing well. He looks wonderful! As soon as his hair and beard get grown out, he will look like the Randy we all know and love! He will go back to Lubbock in September for an angiogram to make sure everything is still looking OK.
Now the best news: Felisha and Mama took Randy to Roswell to the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center on Thursday for evaluation for admission. They admitted him that day, telling us he was an ideal candidate for rehabilitation. He spent most of Friday being evaluated by physical, speech, and occupational therapists. He spent an hour in PT in the morning, 30 minutes with ST after lunch, then back to PT for 30 minutes, to OT for 30 minutes, and back to PT for 45 minutes or more.
In PT, they got him on the parallel bars and had him stand 3 or 4 times, then put him on a cycling machine for 15-20 minutes. He was able to flex his left foot and ankle much more than he has. The physical therapist has asked his doctor for a mild muscle relaxer to reduce the tightness in his muscles so he will be able to do more in therapy.
Both PT and OT worked with him on learning how to use a board to transfer from his wheelchair to bed. Randy was paying attention and working hard with them on everything they asked him to do. The OT said he improved on that task 100% from the Thursday evaluation to the Friday therapy session. He also had to work on sitting on the side of the bed and keeping himself balanced and upright. He tends to lean to the left in his chair and while sitting on the side of the bed, so that's something they will work on.
The speech therapist did 12 parts of his evaluation Friday. He did pretty well, but he sometimes uses the wrong words or gets stuck with using the same word over and over. She said that was very common. She will finish her evaluation Monday, which is 6 more tests including some reading and writing tasks. She told us the writing was often the most difficult skill to recover. I think she'll be surprised with Randy, however. He is often able to write with more clarity than he is able to verbalize. Once she has all of the evaluations completed, she puts the information into a computer program which helps determine the deficits and skills they need to focus on.
Felisha, Mama, and I are very impressed with the care Randy is receiving. The doctor is great, and the staff is very attentive. Randy pushed the nurse call button while the doctor was there Thursday evening, and there was a nurse in the room within 45 seconds. All of the staff is professional and caring. We feel a such a sense of relief in knowing that Randy's needs will be taken care of without one of us having to be there full time! We have not felt that confidence in his care since he left Lubbock!
His doctor also said Randy's overall health is an "A-" with slightly high cholesterol, but everything else is OK. Some slight iron deficiency that they may give a supplement for, as well. His pressure wound is still not good, but the nurses there will check it periodically, and change the dressing as needed. Felisha was also very pleased with the type of dressing they were using, which should reduce the irritation to the rest of the area.
We don't know at this time how long he will be in Roswell. They mentioned three weeks minimum to get him to a level where home-health care will be an option, but that's still not certain. He is not on a regular schedule yet since he checked in on Thursday afternoon, but I think after Monday he will have a regular schedule we can let you know about. From what I saw of the other patients' schedules, he will have PT, ST, and OT in the morning AND the afternoon. This place is SERIOUS about the rehab, and we are thrilled!!!
Felisha is staying in Roswell this week, but is not sure if she will stay during the week for the whole time. They definitely will be keeping Randy busy (and worn out by the end of the day) Monday through Friday, but they don't do therapy on Saturday and Sunday, so that's when he'll need company.
Felisha has been absolutely devoted to Randy throughout all of these difficult times, and all of the family is so grateful that Randy has such a wonderful, loving, dedicated person in his life! God truly blessed us all when he led Randy and Felisha to be together.
If you want to send Randy a card, he is at the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center, 31 Gail Harris, Roswell, NM 88201. He is in room 206-A.
First of all, he had his skull flaps replaced on July 7, and it went great! He already had a follow-up on July 17, and is healing well. He looks wonderful! As soon as his hair and beard get grown out, he will look like the Randy we all know and love! He will go back to Lubbock in September for an angiogram to make sure everything is still looking OK.
Now the best news: Felisha and Mama took Randy to Roswell to the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center on Thursday for evaluation for admission. They admitted him that day, telling us he was an ideal candidate for rehabilitation. He spent most of Friday being evaluated by physical, speech, and occupational therapists. He spent an hour in PT in the morning, 30 minutes with ST after lunch, then back to PT for 30 minutes, to OT for 30 minutes, and back to PT for 45 minutes or more.
In PT, they got him on the parallel bars and had him stand 3 or 4 times, then put him on a cycling machine for 15-20 minutes. He was able to flex his left foot and ankle much more than he has. The physical therapist has asked his doctor for a mild muscle relaxer to reduce the tightness in his muscles so he will be able to do more in therapy.
Both PT and OT worked with him on learning how to use a board to transfer from his wheelchair to bed. Randy was paying attention and working hard with them on everything they asked him to do. The OT said he improved on that task 100% from the Thursday evaluation to the Friday therapy session. He also had to work on sitting on the side of the bed and keeping himself balanced and upright. He tends to lean to the left in his chair and while sitting on the side of the bed, so that's something they will work on.
The speech therapist did 12 parts of his evaluation Friday. He did pretty well, but he sometimes uses the wrong words or gets stuck with using the same word over and over. She said that was very common. She will finish her evaluation Monday, which is 6 more tests including some reading and writing tasks. She told us the writing was often the most difficult skill to recover. I think she'll be surprised with Randy, however. He is often able to write with more clarity than he is able to verbalize. Once she has all of the evaluations completed, she puts the information into a computer program which helps determine the deficits and skills they need to focus on.
Felisha, Mama, and I are very impressed with the care Randy is receiving. The doctor is great, and the staff is very attentive. Randy pushed the nurse call button while the doctor was there Thursday evening, and there was a nurse in the room within 45 seconds. All of the staff is professional and caring. We feel a such a sense of relief in knowing that Randy's needs will be taken care of without one of us having to be there full time! We have not felt that confidence in his care since he left Lubbock!
His doctor also said Randy's overall health is an "A-" with slightly high cholesterol, but everything else is OK. Some slight iron deficiency that they may give a supplement for, as well. His pressure wound is still not good, but the nurses there will check it periodically, and change the dressing as needed. Felisha was also very pleased with the type of dressing they were using, which should reduce the irritation to the rest of the area.
We don't know at this time how long he will be in Roswell. They mentioned three weeks minimum to get him to a level where home-health care will be an option, but that's still not certain. He is not on a regular schedule yet since he checked in on Thursday afternoon, but I think after Monday he will have a regular schedule we can let you know about. From what I saw of the other patients' schedules, he will have PT, ST, and OT in the morning AND the afternoon. This place is SERIOUS about the rehab, and we are thrilled!!!
Felisha is staying in Roswell this week, but is not sure if she will stay during the week for the whole time. They definitely will be keeping Randy busy (and worn out by the end of the day) Monday through Friday, but they don't do therapy on Saturday and Sunday, so that's when he'll need company.
Felisha has been absolutely devoted to Randy throughout all of these difficult times, and all of the family is so grateful that Randy has such a wonderful, loving, dedicated person in his life! God truly blessed us all when he led Randy and Felisha to be together.
If you want to send Randy a card, he is at the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center, 31 Gail Harris, Roswell, NM 88201. He is in room 206-A.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
In case you haven't heard yet, the boneflap surgery has been re-scheduled for Monday, July 7th. Dr. Smith had another emergency brain anuerysm to take care of, and we certainly understand how that needs to come first.
Since we won't be going to Lubbock until Monday, we will be going to the Miller Family Reunion on Saturday, July 5th. We are looking forward to seeing everyone, and getting out of the facility for a little while. I will try to let you know how his surgery goes, just as soon as the surgery is over. Hope you all have a joyous, safe holiday!
Love,
Felisha
Since we won't be going to Lubbock until Monday, we will be going to the Miller Family Reunion on Saturday, July 5th. We are looking forward to seeing everyone, and getting out of the facility for a little while. I will try to let you know how his surgery goes, just as soon as the surgery is over. Hope you all have a joyous, safe holiday!
Love,
Felisha
Friday, June 27, 2008
Hey Everyone,
Randy's recovery has come a long way over the past couple of weeks! He has become quite vocal, and responds to most questions. Sometimes it takes him a few minutes to process the questions and think of an appropriate response, but he has really started to come around in the speech department! He has talked to many of you on the phone, and we can't thank you enough for your calls. It means so much to us to talk with our friends and family over the phone! And, as always, Randy is quite a character! We never know what he is going to say, sometimes he is serious, and other times he is really full of bulls**t!
He is also coming along quite well with his physical therapy as well. He tried to get out of bed several times yesterday. Of course, this is impossible for him, but he doesn't fully understand why he isn't allowed to get up. We have explained that his legs aren't quite strong enough yet to support himself, and that we need to wait for the boneflap surgery before we start trying to get up. I am not sure that he understands that part of his skull is missing, so getting up is very dangerous. He acts as though he understands at the time that I explain it, but he acts very frustrated with me when I try to prevent him from doing what he wants. I suppose this is normal.
Surgery is still scheduled for July 2nd, and we are really looking forward to a quick sucessful operation. Dr. Smith says our hospital stay SHOULD only be a couple of days, but with the holiday on the 4th, we aren't real sure when we will be dismissed.
As always, thank you for keeping us in your prayers. I believe that our continued recovery is due to the many prayers, and continued support from our friends and family!
Love,
Felisha
Randy's recovery has come a long way over the past couple of weeks! He has become quite vocal, and responds to most questions. Sometimes it takes him a few minutes to process the questions and think of an appropriate response, but he has really started to come around in the speech department! He has talked to many of you on the phone, and we can't thank you enough for your calls. It means so much to us to talk with our friends and family over the phone! And, as always, Randy is quite a character! We never know what he is going to say, sometimes he is serious, and other times he is really full of bulls**t!
He is also coming along quite well with his physical therapy as well. He tried to get out of bed several times yesterday. Of course, this is impossible for him, but he doesn't fully understand why he isn't allowed to get up. We have explained that his legs aren't quite strong enough yet to support himself, and that we need to wait for the boneflap surgery before we start trying to get up. I am not sure that he understands that part of his skull is missing, so getting up is very dangerous. He acts as though he understands at the time that I explain it, but he acts very frustrated with me when I try to prevent him from doing what he wants. I suppose this is normal.
Surgery is still scheduled for July 2nd, and we are really looking forward to a quick sucessful operation. Dr. Smith says our hospital stay SHOULD only be a couple of days, but with the holiday on the 4th, we aren't real sure when we will be dismissed.
As always, thank you for keeping us in your prayers. I believe that our continued recovery is due to the many prayers, and continued support from our friends and family!
Love,
Felisha
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
MORE GREAT NEWS!
Dr Smith's office phoned today and said that his boneflaps are made and ready for surgery. Dr. Smith will be on vacation through the last of June, and wants do the surgery on JULY 2nd! They are sending us more details about the surgery and plan of care for pre-op in the mail, and I will post more information as I get it. We are all excited to have this appointment, and anxious to be through with all of the surgeries. As I understand it, they should be removing the stomach peg at the same time, and he SHOULD BE finished with all surgeries at that time.
Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and support.
Love,
Felisha
Dr Smith's office phoned today and said that his boneflaps are made and ready for surgery. Dr. Smith will be on vacation through the last of June, and wants do the surgery on JULY 2nd! They are sending us more details about the surgery and plan of care for pre-op in the mail, and I will post more information as I get it. We are all excited to have this appointment, and anxious to be through with all of the surgeries. As I understand it, they should be removing the stomach peg at the same time, and he SHOULD BE finished with all surgeries at that time.
Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and support.
Love,
Felisha
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Garage Sale was a huge success! A very special thank you to Debbie and Ron, Chad and Melissa, Tammi, and Denise. You guys did an awesome job, and the family really does appreciate all you have done to help us out! Thanks also to everyone that contributed items for the sale, and to those that purchased items.
I have talked to Randy about the sale, and he is aware of everything that our friends and family are doing to help us out. Though he doesn't say so verbally, I can really see the gratitude in his eyes. Please know that we love each and every one of you!
Another reminder that we are playing music EVERY THIRD SATURDAY for the residents. We invite you to stop by and enjoy the music and witness what live music can do for the soul! Thanks to Matthew (Wolfe) for keeping musicians lined up for this. So far, we have had Jill and Johnny Mulhair, Ronnie Allsup, Diane Miller, Paul Goad, Adrian Ancira, Lynn Trimble,Tommy Williams, Chris Cox and Joe Mondragon. The next jam set will be on JUNE 21st. Hope to see you there!
If you can't stop by at that time, just come by when you can. Randy really enjoys having visitors!
Love to all!
Felisha
I have talked to Randy about the sale, and he is aware of everything that our friends and family are doing to help us out. Though he doesn't say so verbally, I can really see the gratitude in his eyes. Please know that we love each and every one of you!
Another reminder that we are playing music EVERY THIRD SATURDAY for the residents. We invite you to stop by and enjoy the music and witness what live music can do for the soul! Thanks to Matthew (Wolfe) for keeping musicians lined up for this. So far, we have had Jill and Johnny Mulhair, Ronnie Allsup, Diane Miller, Paul Goad, Adrian Ancira, Lynn Trimble,Tommy Williams, Chris Cox and Joe Mondragon. The next jam set will be on JUNE 21st. Hope to see you there!
If you can't stop by at that time, just come by when you can. Randy really enjoys having visitors!
Love to all!
Felisha
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hello Everyone,
Just a quick note to remind everyone of the BENEFIT GARAGE SALE coming up this weekend, JUNE 6 & 7, at 4th & Hickory. Debbie and Ron have worked MANY hours puttting this thing together, and there will be SOMETHING THERE FOR EVERYONE! I encourage all of you to stop by and hug their necks for doing such a great job! I know they are also going to have some food there, and no telling what all, so be sure and stop by either Friday or Saturday!
Randy has been talking quite a bit more over the last few days! He seems to be in great spirits, and he even told the preacher that he would be going home soon! He won 50 cents at BINGO the other day. That was lots of fun!
We are going to play music for them on Saturday Morning. This always keeps Randys spirits high. He loves our music!
Thanks for your prayers and support!
Felisha
Just a quick note to remind everyone of the BENEFIT GARAGE SALE coming up this weekend, JUNE 6 & 7, at 4th & Hickory. Debbie and Ron have worked MANY hours puttting this thing together, and there will be SOMETHING THERE FOR EVERYONE! I encourage all of you to stop by and hug their necks for doing such a great job! I know they are also going to have some food there, and no telling what all, so be sure and stop by either Friday or Saturday!
Randy has been talking quite a bit more over the last few days! He seems to be in great spirits, and he even told the preacher that he would be going home soon! He won 50 cents at BINGO the other day. That was lots of fun!
We are going to play music for them on Saturday Morning. This always keeps Randys spirits high. He loves our music!
Thanks for your prayers and support!
Felisha
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