Project Walk . . . Week 8 and 9

Sorry I skipped a week in posting to the blog . . . I've been very busy and time slipped by. The good news is . . . the last couple of weeks have been very productive for Andrew.

The staff at Project Walk have been diligently working Andrew's body out 3 days per week for 2 hours each day. They continue to work both the upper and lower extremities and his arms and legs are getting stronger with every workout.

Earlier this month I posted some videos showing Andrew working out at Project Walk; one in particular showed him on a Total Gym sliding board and a trainer was using a spasm (involuntary movement) to try and elicit some voluntary movement. Well, today he actually got a little voluntary movement. Not only was he controlling this movement very nicely, but he was also able to feel the muscle working and stretching as he did this.

I have posted the video of the voluntary movement below . . . you can see that his trainer is just sitting in front of him relaxing and not even touching him as he does it. Andrew is very tired tonight and definitely feeling sore and fatigued from his workout today.

Even though time goes on and it seems like nothing is happening . . . it's days like today that we really feel God's blessings. Please join us in prayer and give thanks to God for so many blessings and miracles in Andrew's recovery. None of this would be possible without Him!

God Bless you all. Joye

Project Walk . . . Week 7

Another great week. A lot of the same, which I suppose is how it's going to be for a while as they continue to work Andrew's body out in order to build some muscle.

We are still working on decreasing medications . . . I believe we are finally at the 50% decrease mark. It is nice not having to constantly be giving Andrew meds all day long. He is feeling okay with the decrease . . . he spasms a lot more and feels pain more too; but he figures "feeling" is "feeling" whether it's pain or not, he'd rather be feeling. And, to all our surprise, the pain is really not as bad as we were anticipating . . . Andrew says it's more of an awareness of discomfort rather than actual piercing pain. I'm very thankful for that.

We are really enjoying Andrew's new bed the VA provided for him. It's quite a "smart" bed as it detects pressure and is able to put in or take out air in order to shift his weight enough, as to get him off a pressure area. I am able to set his timer on the bed so that it will automatically alternate his position during the night and I'm able to sleep more, which is truly a blessing for sure. It's also so quick and doesn't really disturb him during the weight shift so that Andrew is also able to sleep through the repositioning as well.

We are looking forward to another week of therapy and would like you to all pray with us for Andrew to begin to see some pay-off to all of his hard work. He's not becoming discouraged, but he did relate to me that he's anxious to see something happen soon. I have no doubt that God is going to show him something very soon.

God Bless, Joye

Project Walk . . . Week 6

Not too much to report from the past week as it was mostly a week of re-doing and getting Andrew's body used to the work-outs again, due to his 8-day stay at the VA. We are excited to learn that he is now considered a Project Walk In-House (permanent) client and he has a set weekly schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday (4-6pm). Scheduling is a challenge at Project Walk, so Andrew has definitely been blessed with this awesome schedule.

Andrew is focused and ready to dig his feet in deep and start moving his body. He is so much stronger now than when we first arrived and he just looks as though he could stand up and get out of his chair at any moment. It's amazing what a little exercise can do for the body.

Some more good news from the VA: Andrew will be re-evaluated in approximately a month for consideration in getting his tracheostomy reversed . . . decannulated (I believe it's called). His lungs and diaphragm are obviously getting stronger and he is getting better at coughing and keeping his lungs clear of secretions. Please keep him in prayer that the right decision is made with regard to this. I would love to see the tube in his throat removed, but only if it is the right thing for his health.

I have posted 3 videos below of some of the exercises Andrew is regularly doing during his work-outs. I wish they could be longer, but I take them with my phone and if they are any longer the file is too large for me to send. I will figure something better out soon so that I can take longer videos.

We are missing everyone in Yuma . . . and love to read your posts, so keep 'em coming. God blesses each and every moment and we give thanks for that daily.

Joye

Video (3) August 3rd

Andrew on the Elliptical Trainer (standing frame). This exercise does so much for Andrew's body: it has helped to basically rid his legs and ankles of swelling, it helps his bones stay dense as it is a weight bearing exercise, and the repetition in the movement promotes reorganization of his central nervous system. Plus . . . he loves it! You are watching a happy man doing what he loves.

Video (2) August 3rd

In this video, Andrew's trainer is helping Andrew to push against the board so that he will NOT bend his knees too much. This helps Andrew control leg movement and to not collapse on the downward motion of the board, but to instead control the downward motion on his own. Andrew feels this mostly in his gluteus maximus muscle area . . . yep, his butt!

Video (1) August 3rd

This is an exercise done to promote balance and core control. Andrew can actually feel this in his abdominal muscles; however, most of his feeling is in his back. He concentrates very hard to achieve a sitting position. His trainers are very encouraged he is already able to control as much as he is in his trunk area. You can see in the video that Andrew's trainer is barely helping him to balance with her fingertips . . . he's doing most of the work.

VA Spinal Cord Injury Hospital Stay

All went well and is still going well for Andrew during his stay in the VA Spinal Cord Injury Hospital this week. His week was extended slightly; however, due to a final test that needs to be done before he can be discharged . . . and cannot be done until Monday (July 27th). It was an additional (precautionary) test that he will actually have to be put to sleep for, but necessary for the docs there to make sure all is well in his bladder. Basically, they are going to scope his bladder to give them a look inside so that they can make sure it is still healthy. Andrew has had many infections and it was communicated to me that this test can tell them a little more as to why that may be. I was told he will not only be able to come home Tuesday, but that he would also be able to attend his Project Walk appointment on Tuesday as well. Andrew was very pleased about that.

I have to say though . . . Andrew has actually not only had a pretty good stay at the hospital, but that he really enjoyed his time there. He's had the opportunity to meet a lot of vets in similar condition to him and the staff at this hospital are all so well trained and very nice. I visited him throughout the week and was able to observe (on many occasions), Andrew being nicely spoiled by his nurses. These people go very far out of their way to make the patients comfortable and happy in this place. Yesterday (Friday), I dropped off some more clothes for him and when I was saying goodbye; I told Andrew that I'd see him the next day. He then told me, "No, don't come by tomorrow because I have plans to go on an outing; a sailing day with a barbecue after." I just said, "okay then . . . go on with your bad self" haha! I was so happy he was going . . . however, in the end; he was unable to attend as he woke up a little under the weather with a stomach ache. Because of the procedure on Monday, they didn't want to risk sending him out. I did visit him tonight and he's much better now and feeling fine.

Some very exciting news: The VA has purchased Andrew a state-of-the-art bed. This bed is an alternating bed with an air-release system. It detects pressure spots and then puts in and/or out air in those specific areas as to keep pressure off any area of Andrew's skin on that surface . . . it also can be set on a timer to alternate his body from side to side. This will alleviate the need for me to get up every 2 hours to reposition him each night. They have him sleeping on this type of bed right now, and he's very comfortable on it, and I cannot tell you what a blessing it is going to be here at home. It will enable me to get more sleep so that I can be able to take care of Andrew for a long time to come. Also . . . I think it will help to ease some of my back pain due to me not having to turn his 215 pound body so much. Another thing they are getting Andrew is a device that is like a joy-stick that is placed just under his chin. He will be able to move this device as needed to drive his chair. Andrew never got the hang of the sip and puff device and really hasn't driven his own chair since he left Craig Hospital. And, lastly and most importantly . . . we have been told that Andrew may qualify for home attendant care. We currently pay for his home health aid on our own and having this benefit will be a huge blessing. These attendants are specifically trained by the VA Spinal Cord Injury Hospital and will be able to provide as much care as he needs. I will be finding out next week how many hours per day each week Andrew will qualify for . . . so, we are anxious to hear more about that.

Other than that . . . Andrew is soooo ready to get back to Project Walk. He has a renewed confidence in his health care, he is very healthy, and he's more motivated now than ever. I think great things are to come and God is seeing him through every moment of it. I've always believed God had a plan for this tragedy and there will be a blessed outcome . . . never have I let myself believe anything less.

God Bless,
Joye

Project Walk . . . Week 5

It was a so-so week this week as Andrew was unable to make one of his therapy appointments at Project Walk due to a fever and a general feeling of weakness he was having. I suspect he has a bladder infection and at this point we are just pushing a lot of fluid and buying some time because of the fact that Andrew is going to be in the VA Spinal Cord Injury hospital on Monday to begin his inpatient stay. We have been able to keep his temperature down and he felt good enough to go to his last Project Walk appointment before his week off, so hopefully he will make it through the weekend with no need to make an early check-in at the VA.

The days that Andrew was able to participate in therapy were very good ones. The nerves in his legs are really beginning to fire throughout his sessions, and the trainers are of the feeling that some voluntary movement is being elicited through the involuntary spasms they purposely create. Andrew is also becoming more and more aware of the muscles the trainers are specifically targeting while stretching him. They often ask Andrew to close his eyes as they stretch each leg separately, and he is actually able to tell them which leg is being stretched at the correct time
because he can feel it.

We are still enjoying our time here and are becoming more and more accustomed to the idea that we are moving here. The weather is beautiful and I personally have found that I have a lot more energy in this climate; energy is one thing I could use more of, so I'm thankful for that. It has been such a Blessing to get Andrew to the right place to begin training his body to move again and what luck to be in this little paradise while doing so.

Joye

Project Walk . . . Week 4

Another great week. They are really working hard on Andrew's arms. Andrew is being compared to another guy who began Project Walk about a year and a half ago. He came in with about the same amount of paralysis and function that Andrew has. This man is now in a manual chair and recently began taking a few steps. In my observation, I think they are going to try hard (for now) to get Andrew pushing his own chair, which would be wonderful and would give him a lot more independence. His arms have been very sore this week.

Andrew is going in next week to do his in-patient week (or possibly more) in the VA Spinal Cord Injury hospital. This is necessary for all the docs there to spend some time with him, do their specific tests, and get to know him and his injury. Andrew wasn't happy about it, but he understands that it needs to be done and that it will be great to have access to this facility. It will be a busy week for him as I hear they basically fill every moment of his days with tests, therapies, and clinics. I think all the activity will make it go by fast for him. I will be able to see him some during his days, but will not be able to stay with him at night. I think the week will go by slower for me than him.

He will then continue Project Walk the week after next and we will hopefully see great improvement in the weeks to come. God is good and He is seeing Andrew through every moment of his recovery.

Joye

Video

Here's Andrew on the FES arm cycle. His arms are actually moving the cycle through electronic stimulators stuck to his arms and back that trigger in specific order to get his arms moving. Great exercise and the best way to generate cell regeneration!

Project Walk . . . Week 3

It was another spectacular week for Andrew, although short as PW was closed Friday for the Holiday.

Monday went very well at the VA Spinal Cord Injury hospital. I would feel very confident in Andrew's care if he ever needed to go inpatient at that facility. Andrew had one inpatient stay in Yuma and it was a nightmare; that hospital is just not equipped to handle someone with a high C-level injury like Andrew's. We have another appointment at the VA tomorrow with his new Physiologist, and we will find out for sure whether or not he will have to go inpatient for a week for them to get all the tests they are going to require to be a new patient at that facility. We are hoping he won't have to do it that way, but Andrew is okay with it if he does.

Andrew is still progressing nicely in his therapy at PW. My sister and brother-in-law came into town for the holiday and were able to go to one of Andrew's sessions on Thursday. My sister was surprised at how much better Andrew looked compared to the last time she saw him (couple of months ago). I guess because I see him every day, I hadn't realized it but it is true . . . he is beginning to get some muscle tone in his chest and shoulders that he had lost over the past year.

The trainers at PW are trying to build core muscles so they had him on his stomach a lot this week, working his back, shoulders and abdominal areas. They also put him into a crawling position and then up on his knees . . . it is so weird seeing him in these positions. They told me to try and do some of these exercises at home to keep his hip flexers flexible; so I tried it for the first time today. I lifted him in his hoyer lift and set him on the floor. It is a lot of work, but surprisingly easier than I expected it to be. Just the little bit I was able to do warmed up his muscles and it really seemed to make him much more comfortable throughout the day today.

He is still feeling a lot of muscle soreness and tingling throughout his body and something new that's happening is a lot of spasms during the night and early morning. I would imagine that has a lot to do with the decrease in spasticity medication. Andrew sleeps in a twin air bed and I sleep in another twin bed pushed together with his. I was half asleep one morning last week and felt something in my bed at my feet. In my sleep, I first thought it was our little dog and as I began to wake up, I realized we don't have our little dog with us right now. So when I sat up and looked . . . I found Andrew's feet in my bed. What a crazy thing to feel him moving after so many months. I realize it's involuntary movement . . . but I have read that many people begin moving in their sleep a lot before the brain starts connecting with parts of the body below level of injury in a more conscience state. So, I'm not sure if it's a good thing, but it's definitely a new thing.

We are looking forward to this coming week and as always, we both feel so blessed to be here. God is good!

Joye

Project Walk . . . Week 2

It was another GREAT week at Project Walk (PW). Andrew was put into a standing frame that sort of acts like an elliptical, and PW trainers move the feet back and forth as well as the arms to give him a cardio workout. Andrew loved it because his favorite exercise machine has always been the elliptical. He tries very hard to move his body with it and he is very tired after. He was able to do the FES bike again and they also began working on core control. They found that Andrew has excellent trunk control, which was a big surprise. He was able to provide a little feedback in his core muscles and his posture is awesome.

We have been successful at decreasing a lot of his spasticity meds as well as some of the nerve pain meds that basically assist to treat nerve pain by, well . . . paralyzing his nerves . . . crazy concept huh. Honestly, Andrew was on so many powerful meds, that it's believed that I (myself) as an able-bodied person would not be able to move or walk with all that in my system. They serve a function, especially in the acute stages of quadriplegia, but at the moment these meds will really hinder his recovery until we get them stopped. We'll get him there, just can't be done overnight. One thing that is happening with this medicine decrease is that Andrew is really feeling his body. A lot of "pins and needles" and muscle soreness . . . and something new tonight, which is very exciting, is some feeling in his bladder. He says he is feeling some "urgency" to urinate. I'm told bladder function is one of the first core areas of recovery, so although he's a bit uncomfortable, we are celebrating.

Andrew has an appointment on Monday with the VA Spinal Cord Injury center here in San Diego. I've heard excellent things about that center and we are thrilled that Andrew has finally been enrolled in the VA for medical care. That will help a lot, especially being here in San Diego as Yuma's VA clinic is just not equipped to help Andrew with his condition. I'm also told that they offer many benefits of which we currently pay out of pocket for, so I'm excited to learn more about that. The more we can save on care, the longer Andrew can attend Project Walk.

I have also started the tiresome quest of finding a place to live. We are looking for a rental near Project Walk and of course our kids are hoping for something close to the beach. We have our home listed in Yuma and are praying for a quick sale with that. We miss everyone in Yuma and are sad to have to leave, but we are happily looking to a brighter future for Andrew here in San Diego.

Please continue to pray for Andrew . . . God has touched his heart and his life and we have no doubt He is going to work wonders for him.

I will post again soon . . . and I'm trying to get some good video for you to see Andrew's hard work.

God bless you all!