It was one year ago today at 9pm on January 26th when our lives would changed forever as we know it. This time last year I was given a 10% chance Kevin would survive with the extent of the brain bleed by an emergency doctor at Brandon hospital before they took him by Bayflight to Bayfront hospital in St Pete. Boy did he prove them wrong!! As we sit here one year later I am confident in saying that our darkest days are over and we will overcome this hurdle. While we still have a long road ahead of us for a 100% recovery but we are thankful for the progress Kevin has made so far and I'm so proud of his attitude to continue to want to improve himself. Kevin will not give up, he's no quitter!! While last year was the most difficult year I've ever been through and faced with decisions no 29 year old should ever have to make. I can sit here and tell you today that this year, 2011 will be our year!! One day I plan on sitting down and telling everybody the whole story of what happened that night since I realized we didnt start this blog until a few days after he got sick. I'll try to make that my next update. For today I wanted to take this time to thank everyone thats been their for us since day one. Thank you to all of our family and friends, co-workers and even strangers I don't know that lent a hand to help us out, or even extended a prayer for our family. There's no doubt we are a testimony to the power of prayer and how good God has been to us. I ask that you continue to pray for us as we are taking the necessary steps on getting our lives back to what we used to call normal. Thank you all for all your love and support this past year. I may not ever be able to pay you all back but I promise to pay it forward.
May God Bless and Keep you all,
Kim
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, November 8, 2010
A long overdue update
I can't believe Kevin has been home for 5 months now. Its been a long journey but he has made so much progress from where we were at back in January. I know I've been slacking on the blog, but when Kevin came home that's when all the real work began. Ok on to progress... Since June when Kevin came home. We had both an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist come to the house for home heath care. That lasted for about 2 months. Then we moved on to the outpatient rehab center we've been going to twice a week out in Sun City Center. Kevin enjoys it there. He started out 3 hours a day. An hour each with the Speach Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and the Physical Therapist. Kevin has recently graduated from Speach Therapy so we were able to transfer the unused ST sessions between PT and OT. We only have about a month left and then he will be done for the year. Its possible he will get another 60 visits available when the year starts over, so Kevin will get a few weeks vacation for the holiday then back at it again in January.
It had been so long since I've updated the blog, it required me to go back and read some previous posts to give you all accurate updates. I found myself starring at the computer with tears in my eyes, realizing just how far he had come. I remember telling you how Kevin did not use his wheelchair the day he came home, and I tell you to this day that thing is still folded up next to my dinning room table. Never used, not even once!! He used his hemi walker for a while, but as of last week he has just been using a regular cane. He can get himself dressed for the most part, and in and out of the shower by himself now. His speach is fantastic and his memory is almost perfect. He remembers everything up until the day he got sick, then his memory fades until he was doing the inpatient rehab at the hospital. Frankly I'm glad he dosen't remember that part of it, as it was a time I wish I could, but never will forget. So he's got about a month and a half of blurriness. Is that a word? lol I'm going with..sure. His range of motion in his right arm has improved so much. He can raise his arms over his shoulders. He never lost his grip. Its a vast improvement to the time we were waking him up every hour to beg him to move his thumbs. He walks still using his leg brace when he goes outside. He actually got in trouble the other day for not wearing it around the house by one of his therapist. I definitely told on him. HA! He's been keeping himself busy by doing puzzles and playing games at home. He just finished a 1000 piece puzzle, and also plays the Wii. We even found one of the Wii games he used at the hospital online. I ordered that, and another trivia game a few months ago and he has enjoyed playing them. Maya even plays with him. She is also doing good adapting to everything. She has a birthday comming up. She will turn 4 on December 4th. ( I'm soooo not ready to be the mother of a 4 year old!!) Kevin has even started helping me with her more. He is able to pour cereal for her in the morning and even helps change the garbage bag. Never take for granted the little things like that because you don't realize how helpfull they are until you loose them.
As of now the hardest thing we have to deal with are the finances. Kevin finially got approved for disability, but it goes so fast its crazy. That whole process was nothing less than horrible and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy....well, maybe my absolute worst!! Im constantly telling them to talk to me like I'm 29 because I'm convinced you have to be over 50 to understand anything they have to say. I'm hoping to be able to go back to work after the new year.
At the end of January exactly one year from the day Kevin got sick Progressive will officially terminate his status as an active employee which means we will loose our insurance then too. I'm hoping I will be able to apply at Progressive then because if that worked out, Kevin will be able to keep his coverage the same. Pray on that one for me please.
Above all else we continue to be blessed everyday for all the miracles we've seen take place. Weather it be thru Kevin's continued progress and improvement. Or thru family and friends that have helped us along the way. We are thankfull for all of you. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. God Bless
With love,
The Deramo Family,
Kevin, Kim and Maya
It had been so long since I've updated the blog, it required me to go back and read some previous posts to give you all accurate updates. I found myself starring at the computer with tears in my eyes, realizing just how far he had come. I remember telling you how Kevin did not use his wheelchair the day he came home, and I tell you to this day that thing is still folded up next to my dinning room table. Never used, not even once!! He used his hemi walker for a while, but as of last week he has just been using a regular cane. He can get himself dressed for the most part, and in and out of the shower by himself now. His speach is fantastic and his memory is almost perfect. He remembers everything up until the day he got sick, then his memory fades until he was doing the inpatient rehab at the hospital. Frankly I'm glad he dosen't remember that part of it, as it was a time I wish I could, but never will forget. So he's got about a month and a half of blurriness. Is that a word? lol I'm going with..sure. His range of motion in his right arm has improved so much. He can raise his arms over his shoulders. He never lost his grip. Its a vast improvement to the time we were waking him up every hour to beg him to move his thumbs. He walks still using his leg brace when he goes outside. He actually got in trouble the other day for not wearing it around the house by one of his therapist. I definitely told on him. HA! He's been keeping himself busy by doing puzzles and playing games at home. He just finished a 1000 piece puzzle, and also plays the Wii. We even found one of the Wii games he used at the hospital online. I ordered that, and another trivia game a few months ago and he has enjoyed playing them. Maya even plays with him. She is also doing good adapting to everything. She has a birthday comming up. She will turn 4 on December 4th. ( I'm soooo not ready to be the mother of a 4 year old!!) Kevin has even started helping me with her more. He is able to pour cereal for her in the morning and even helps change the garbage bag. Never take for granted the little things like that because you don't realize how helpfull they are until you loose them.
As of now the hardest thing we have to deal with are the finances. Kevin finially got approved for disability, but it goes so fast its crazy. That whole process was nothing less than horrible and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy....well, maybe my absolute worst!! Im constantly telling them to talk to me like I'm 29 because I'm convinced you have to be over 50 to understand anything they have to say. I'm hoping to be able to go back to work after the new year.
At the end of January exactly one year from the day Kevin got sick Progressive will officially terminate his status as an active employee which means we will loose our insurance then too. I'm hoping I will be able to apply at Progressive then because if that worked out, Kevin will be able to keep his coverage the same. Pray on that one for me please.
Above all else we continue to be blessed everyday for all the miracles we've seen take place. Weather it be thru Kevin's continued progress and improvement. Or thru family and friends that have helped us along the way. We are thankfull for all of you. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. God Bless
With love,
The Deramo Family,
Kevin, Kim and Maya
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Attention Progressive... Save the Date!!!
Next Monday June 28th Kevin has an appointment to see Dr. Zaccari. We thought it would be nice to get there early so Kevin could visit with some folks he hasn't seen in a while. His appointment is at 2pm. We will most likely get there around 12:30 pm and set up shop in the cafeteria so if you have time please come down to say hi. Kevin misses everyone very much and is sooooo excited to get to see some familiar faces again.
See you soon!!
See you soon!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Our first week home
Wow where do I start. Sooooo many feeling of happiness and joy followed by complete and utter exhaustion...lol Thats how I feel.
As many of you know, we got all moved into our new home on Thursday June 10th.. A HUGE thank you to my parents, Aunt Debby, Jimmy, my brothers and sister Terry, Brian, and Annette, and my friends Bobbi Lynn and her boyfriend Bobby for helping us with the move. You have all had a hand in making our new place a home. I truly couldn't have done it without you... and P.S.... I never want to again :)
Kevin was relased on Friday June 11th. I remember getting in the car and thinking the whole way there that this was the last time I'm gonna have to make this drive without him. It really hit me when I took my parking sub from the parking garage. Thats right folks, the parking garage made me boohoo. Oh this was just the beginning. I cried when I got into the elevator and hit the number 6 for the last time, and I cried when I got to the rehab center and pressed the button for permission to enter for the last time. Then I see Kevin sitting in the hallway and the first thing he said to me was.. "Ok, go pack up my stuff!!" Ha! That made me laugh. I've only been packing for the last month..what's one more room..lol So we did. And can I just say that over the last 4 1/2 months we had a huge collection of pictures, cards, gift, toys and personal belongings. I had to make 2 trips to load up my truck. After all of that and the equipment they sent us home with, I barley had room for Kevin..oops! It was a very emotional goodbye from all the different therapist and nurses. I have to say a special thank you to a very special nurse Salandra. She was the nurse that admitted us, so it was only fitting she was the nurse to discharge us. Kevin's stay was defiantly a longer than normal stay from what they usually see in rehab. That is thanks in part to our wonderful insurance company that continued to follow Kevin's progress so closley and of course prayer. When Kevin first arrived at the rehab center he was only approved for an initial 10 day trial period to see if he could keep up with the program. They told me personally that they did not expect Kevin to be able to do the work because of the severity of the bleed, and that it was more likely we would need to find a nursing home for him. That was something I really fought hard for and boy did we prove them wrong!!! Each and every week Kevin suprised them with his determination to do everything asked of him. No doubt he complained, but he continued to push himself until he accomplished what he put his mind to. The therapist there literally taught Kevin how to walk and talk again. I can't express my gratitude to each and every one of them. They will always be like family to us because they are part of the reason we have OUR family back together again. After several hugs goodbye and a looooong list of instructions and prescriptions... WE'RE OFF! So Long St Pete!!!
We pulled up to our new apartment and I went to the back to get the wheelchair out when Kevin stopped me and said " No, I'm gonna walk in" And thats just what he did. He stepped up a curb and walked to our front door. As soon as he walked thru the doorway Maya started yelling.." MY DADDYS HOME!!!" Then she ran to him and gave him a big ole squeeze. It was precious. Kevin walked right in and went to his recliner where he set up shop and just soaked everything in. Kevin really likes our new place. Everything is very easy for him to move about to, and get this... He hasn't used his wheelchair once since we've been home!! Not even to sit in it. He walks around with his Hemi Walker. Pretty cool huh?
The first week home has been both fun and challenging. Kevin has adjusted well, but I'm still struggling a little. I watch him like a new mother does when you bring your first child home from the hospital. Yes, I even check to make sure he's breathing..lol Its a lot to keep track of 10 different medications, making sure he takes the right ones at the right time. And I'm constantly affraid I'm going to do something wrong or hurt him in some way helping him take a shower or get him dressed, but so far so good. The only difficulties we have had so far is when he and Maya start to bicker. Its amazing how a 33 year old man and a 3 year old child can be very much on the same level sometimes. I actually had to seperate them once for looking at each other the wrong way. I had enough of the arguing and put Maya in one room and Kevin in another and made them stay that way for at least 30 mins...lol Its like I have 2 children sometimes. I'm pretty sure Kevin is doing this on purpose because he wants to see me pull my hair out.
We have a Physical Therapist and an Occupational Therapist come to the house 3 times a week so Kevin continues to work on his mobility. I still see improvement in Kevin everyday, even since we've been home. I think getting out of that hospital atmosphere and having his familiar surrounding around him have really helped him feel like his usual self again. I continue to thank God for allowing us to be where we are today..together agian on this Fathers Day. And for Kevin's continued progress. Its no doubt he is a walking miracle. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
Love Kim
As many of you know, we got all moved into our new home on Thursday June 10th.. A HUGE thank you to my parents, Aunt Debby, Jimmy, my brothers and sister Terry, Brian, and Annette, and my friends Bobbi Lynn and her boyfriend Bobby for helping us with the move. You have all had a hand in making our new place a home. I truly couldn't have done it without you... and P.S.... I never want to again :)
Kevin was relased on Friday June 11th. I remember getting in the car and thinking the whole way there that this was the last time I'm gonna have to make this drive without him. It really hit me when I took my parking sub from the parking garage. Thats right folks, the parking garage made me boohoo. Oh this was just the beginning. I cried when I got into the elevator and hit the number 6 for the last time, and I cried when I got to the rehab center and pressed the button for permission to enter for the last time. Then I see Kevin sitting in the hallway and the first thing he said to me was.. "Ok, go pack up my stuff!!" Ha! That made me laugh. I've only been packing for the last month..what's one more room..lol So we did. And can I just say that over the last 4 1/2 months we had a huge collection of pictures, cards, gift, toys and personal belongings. I had to make 2 trips to load up my truck. After all of that and the equipment they sent us home with, I barley had room for Kevin..oops! It was a very emotional goodbye from all the different therapist and nurses. I have to say a special thank you to a very special nurse Salandra. She was the nurse that admitted us, so it was only fitting she was the nurse to discharge us. Kevin's stay was defiantly a longer than normal stay from what they usually see in rehab. That is thanks in part to our wonderful insurance company that continued to follow Kevin's progress so closley and of course prayer. When Kevin first arrived at the rehab center he was only approved for an initial 10 day trial period to see if he could keep up with the program. They told me personally that they did not expect Kevin to be able to do the work because of the severity of the bleed, and that it was more likely we would need to find a nursing home for him. That was something I really fought hard for and boy did we prove them wrong!!! Each and every week Kevin suprised them with his determination to do everything asked of him. No doubt he complained, but he continued to push himself until he accomplished what he put his mind to. The therapist there literally taught Kevin how to walk and talk again. I can't express my gratitude to each and every one of them. They will always be like family to us because they are part of the reason we have OUR family back together again. After several hugs goodbye and a looooong list of instructions and prescriptions... WE'RE OFF! So Long St Pete!!!
We pulled up to our new apartment and I went to the back to get the wheelchair out when Kevin stopped me and said " No, I'm gonna walk in" And thats just what he did. He stepped up a curb and walked to our front door. As soon as he walked thru the doorway Maya started yelling.." MY DADDYS HOME!!!" Then she ran to him and gave him a big ole squeeze. It was precious. Kevin walked right in and went to his recliner where he set up shop and just soaked everything in. Kevin really likes our new place. Everything is very easy for him to move about to, and get this... He hasn't used his wheelchair once since we've been home!! Not even to sit in it. He walks around with his Hemi Walker. Pretty cool huh?
The first week home has been both fun and challenging. Kevin has adjusted well, but I'm still struggling a little. I watch him like a new mother does when you bring your first child home from the hospital. Yes, I even check to make sure he's breathing..lol Its a lot to keep track of 10 different medications, making sure he takes the right ones at the right time. And I'm constantly affraid I'm going to do something wrong or hurt him in some way helping him take a shower or get him dressed, but so far so good. The only difficulties we have had so far is when he and Maya start to bicker. Its amazing how a 33 year old man and a 3 year old child can be very much on the same level sometimes. I actually had to seperate them once for looking at each other the wrong way. I had enough of the arguing and put Maya in one room and Kevin in another and made them stay that way for at least 30 mins...lol Its like I have 2 children sometimes. I'm pretty sure Kevin is doing this on purpose because he wants to see me pull my hair out.
We have a Physical Therapist and an Occupational Therapist come to the house 3 times a week so Kevin continues to work on his mobility. I still see improvement in Kevin everyday, even since we've been home. I think getting out of that hospital atmosphere and having his familiar surrounding around him have really helped him feel like his usual self again. I continue to thank God for allowing us to be where we are today..together agian on this Fathers Day. And for Kevin's continued progress. Its no doubt he is a walking miracle. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
Love Kim
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Successful Move and Home Coming
The move is 90% complete but the Home Coming is 100%! The minute Kevin walked through the front door, I forgot how tired I was, well almost. Debby took some pictures so be sure to check the blog later.
The minute Maya saw her Daddy she said...."Daddy's Home" and yes of course the tears were every where.
It truly was a day to remember and one we have all been waiting on for the last many months. Seeing Kevin walked through the door was truly a miracle and a gift from God. Kevin really does a good job moving about with his "Hemi Walker". He likes the new apartment and the floor plan is perfect for him to move about in.
I have so much to say, I don't know where to begin. With the help of Debby, Jimmy, Annette, Brian, Terry, Bobbie Lynn, Bobby and a couple of guys Papa knows from work, we were able to move all the large furniture and most of all their other personal items on Thursday. Nanny helped out with Maya while we moved things on Thursday and that was a big help. Today, Debby and I went back to unpack and attempt to put things in order. It is coming together nicely for them.
Maya came home with us tonight so Kimmie and Kevin could have some time together and begin getting use to the new apartment. Maya was tired from all the events these last couple of days and she is almost asleep.
There's no way we could have done everything that's been done these last couple of days without my sister, Debby. She is my best friend and I love her as much as Maya's does. According to Maya there's no one like her Aunt Debby and her Nanny!
Please continue to pray for Kevin, Kimmie and Maya that God would continue to keep HIS protecting hands on all of them.
A big THANK YOU to everyone for all the prayers and encouragement these past several months.
God Bless,
Kathy
The minute Maya saw her Daddy she said...."Daddy's Home" and yes of course the tears were every where.
It truly was a day to remember and one we have all been waiting on for the last many months. Seeing Kevin walked through the door was truly a miracle and a gift from God. Kevin really does a good job moving about with his "Hemi Walker". He likes the new apartment and the floor plan is perfect for him to move about in.
I have so much to say, I don't know where to begin. With the help of Debby, Jimmy, Annette, Brian, Terry, Bobbie Lynn, Bobby and a couple of guys Papa knows from work, we were able to move all the large furniture and most of all their other personal items on Thursday. Nanny helped out with Maya while we moved things on Thursday and that was a big help. Today, Debby and I went back to unpack and attempt to put things in order. It is coming together nicely for them.
Maya came home with us tonight so Kimmie and Kevin could have some time together and begin getting use to the new apartment. Maya was tired from all the events these last couple of days and she is almost asleep.
There's no way we could have done everything that's been done these last couple of days without my sister, Debby. She is my best friend and I love her as much as Maya's does. According to Maya there's no one like her Aunt Debby and her Nanny!
Please continue to pray for Kevin, Kimmie and Maya that God would continue to keep HIS protecting hands on all of them.
A big THANK YOU to everyone for all the prayers and encouragement these past several months.
God Bless,
Kathy
Monday, June 7, 2010
A successfull yardsale and the FINAL COUNTDOWN!!!
Yardsale was a success!! A million thank you's to everyone that came out, helped out, donated and so much more. We raised $750.00 which covers our first month rent and accessories needed to make Kevin's transition to our new home go as smoothly as possible. I couldn't ask for more. I have to give a special thank you to my parents and my aunt Debby, who I know worked their tails off to get this organized in such a short amount of time. Their were several people who touched my heart that day.
While it was hard to get rid of some things like Maya's baby stuff, I'm glad it will be used by others who need it more than I do. Other things were NOT so hard to part with. Like Kevin's ridiciously massive collection of Leggo's. Seriously Kev? LOL Don't worry I had his permission to part with it :) And thank goodness because I've been trying to get rid of that box for at least the last 7 years now..haha
Sooo guess what.. I'm still packing. Big shocker, I know. But we are in the days of the final count down and I can see the end in sight. I get the key to our new place this Thursday. Our case manager will submit the request for Kevin's last few days at Bayfront tomorrow. He will request Kevin to be discharged on the 14th, but they may not approve that much more time since Kevin has progressed so well. That means there may be a slight chance Kevin could be home this weekend.
This will most likely be the last update I post on the blog until Kevin is discharged. I'm going thru a roller coaster of emotions about everything. I'm filled with excitement that after 4 months he will be home and scared to death at the same time. I'm extremely happy to close the chapter on this part of our lives and start a brand new one in our new home with our family together again. I will continue the blog as Kevin comes home but I wanted to Thank everyone that has followed us on our journey so far. I know there are people not only all over the country that follow this, but also across different parts of the world too. Thats just amazing to me. I can't thank you enough for all your prayers. There's not a doubt in my mind that we wouldn't be where we are today without them.
Love,
Kim
While it was hard to get rid of some things like Maya's baby stuff, I'm glad it will be used by others who need it more than I do. Other things were NOT so hard to part with. Like Kevin's ridiciously massive collection of Leggo's. Seriously Kev? LOL Don't worry I had his permission to part with it :) And thank goodness because I've been trying to get rid of that box for at least the last 7 years now..haha
Sooo guess what.. I'm still packing. Big shocker, I know. But we are in the days of the final count down and I can see the end in sight. I get the key to our new place this Thursday. Our case manager will submit the request for Kevin's last few days at Bayfront tomorrow. He will request Kevin to be discharged on the 14th, but they may not approve that much more time since Kevin has progressed so well. That means there may be a slight chance Kevin could be home this weekend.
This will most likely be the last update I post on the blog until Kevin is discharged. I'm going thru a roller coaster of emotions about everything. I'm filled with excitement that after 4 months he will be home and scared to death at the same time. I'm extremely happy to close the chapter on this part of our lives and start a brand new one in our new home with our family together again. I will continue the blog as Kevin comes home but I wanted to Thank everyone that has followed us on our journey so far. I know there are people not only all over the country that follow this, but also across different parts of the world too. Thats just amazing to me. I can't thank you enough for all your prayers. There's not a doubt in my mind that we wouldn't be where we are today without them.
Love,
Kim
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Move Day Getting Closer...It's Yard Sale Time
Greetings everyone!
It's been a while since I've updated the blog, but Kimmie is having just an "awesome" time packing up the townhouse to move...okay, that was my attempt at being funny! She is not having fun at all :(
Kim has really had a lot on her plate - well let see - for the last 4 or 5 months..but she is busy packing up all the things they really don't want to take to the new apartment and we are having a huge yard sale on Saturday at Kathy's house.
Thanks to everyone who donated to this funraiser! I think Louann Moore loaded every free inch of my car up with stuff...you are awesome!
Friday night, Kathy, and I plan to stay up late and get everything ready for an early start on Saturday morning. I'm actually excited, I get to have a sleepover at my big sister's house! Maybe she will paint my toenails and make me popcorn!
Kevin is still doing great. He is working hard in therapy everyday and he is ready to come home. So, the countdown is on and we are looking forward to having him back home where he belongs.
Good night all.
It's been a while since I've updated the blog, but Kimmie is having just an "awesome" time packing up the townhouse to move...okay, that was my attempt at being funny! She is not having fun at all :(
Kim has really had a lot on her plate - well let see - for the last 4 or 5 months..but she is busy packing up all the things they really don't want to take to the new apartment and we are having a huge yard sale on Saturday at Kathy's house.
Thanks to everyone who donated to this funraiser! I think Louann Moore loaded every free inch of my car up with stuff...you are awesome!
Friday night, Kathy, and I plan to stay up late and get everything ready for an early start on Saturday morning. I'm actually excited, I get to have a sleepover at my big sister's house! Maybe she will paint my toenails and make me popcorn!
Kevin is still doing great. He is working hard in therapy everyday and he is ready to come home. So, the countdown is on and we are looking forward to having him back home where he belongs.
Good night all.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Projected Release Date!!
I went up so see Kevin today and to go thru therapy with him. He is making so much progress its amazing.
I missed out on the speech therapy but got to talk with her a little bit and she said he's been improving everyday. During OT he was working on a puzzle game that was similar to a lightbright..(but without the light) They would show him a picture of a pattern and on his board he would have to copy the pattern by putting the right color pegs into the right places to match the picture. And he could only use his right hand. After he finished that game she brought out this piece of wood that had screws, screwed into it and nuts and bolts ( or whatever there called..sorry I'm a girl) attached to them and Kevin had to take each one off and then screw it back, again just with his right hand. That was totally right up his alley.
Now for my favorite part..physical therapy. I mentioned before that he has been using a hemi walker. I got to see him in action with it today and man did he cruise up and down the hall. They even had him walk into a bathroom that is set up to a standard apartment bathroom so we don't even have to worry about getting a wheelchair in ours now. After that he showed me how he has been practicing walking up a step!!! He walked up and down a 4 inch step, about the size of a curb or sidewalk. He is comfortable walking about 100 feet on average before he begins to get tired and sloppy. That means that he should be able to walk around our new house ok without having to use the wheelchair. The wheelchair will primarily be used for going outside or to use for things like shopping etc. Pretty cool huh?
On to business. Moving day is June 10th. Right now, Kevin is approved to stay at Bayfront until May 30th. At that time, our case manager will request a final 2 weeks for Kevin which will put his release on June 14th. Can't believe I just typed that. Kevin will be home on June 14th!
I missed out on the speech therapy but got to talk with her a little bit and she said he's been improving everyday. During OT he was working on a puzzle game that was similar to a lightbright..(but without the light) They would show him a picture of a pattern and on his board he would have to copy the pattern by putting the right color pegs into the right places to match the picture. And he could only use his right hand. After he finished that game she brought out this piece of wood that had screws, screwed into it and nuts and bolts ( or whatever there called..sorry I'm a girl) attached to them and Kevin had to take each one off and then screw it back, again just with his right hand. That was totally right up his alley.
Now for my favorite part..physical therapy. I mentioned before that he has been using a hemi walker. I got to see him in action with it today and man did he cruise up and down the hall. They even had him walk into a bathroom that is set up to a standard apartment bathroom so we don't even have to worry about getting a wheelchair in ours now. After that he showed me how he has been practicing walking up a step!!! He walked up and down a 4 inch step, about the size of a curb or sidewalk. He is comfortable walking about 100 feet on average before he begins to get tired and sloppy. That means that he should be able to walk around our new house ok without having to use the wheelchair. The wheelchair will primarily be used for going outside or to use for things like shopping etc. Pretty cool huh?
On to business. Moving day is June 10th. Right now, Kevin is approved to stay at Bayfront until May 30th. At that time, our case manager will request a final 2 weeks for Kevin which will put his release on June 14th. Can't believe I just typed that. Kevin will be home on June 14th!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Family visit, more walking and more packing!
A ridiculously busy week with still sooo much to do... what day is it?
First off my sister Pam and brother in law Mike brought my nieces Arianna and Liese down for a visit. We had a good day relaxing at the beach on Monday night and Tuesday with them and the rest of the family. Maya loves loves loves her cousins, no doubt about that. I do not however, love my sunburn...lol Kevin was amused by it though. I walked in Tuesday afternoon to see him and he started pointing and laughing at me...funny guy he is.
Kevin has been using a Hemi walker. It looks like a cane with four feet at the bottom for more stability. He started out walking 30 feet one day and 50 feet another, but on Monday he walked 204 feet!! He is able to get out of his chair and into bed all by himself now. And his speech is coming along great. I'm going up early tomorrow to go thru therapy with him again so I'll let you know all the new stuff he's been working on.
I'm still packing. Bobbi Lynn came over today and we knocked out 2 big rooms..completely done. ( Thanks Girl!!) But Ohhhhh sooo much more to do. Moving day is sneaking up on me fast.
Oh and I need boxes..lots more boxes! Please and Thank you!!
First off my sister Pam and brother in law Mike brought my nieces Arianna and Liese down for a visit. We had a good day relaxing at the beach on Monday night and Tuesday with them and the rest of the family. Maya loves loves loves her cousins, no doubt about that. I do not however, love my sunburn...lol Kevin was amused by it though. I walked in Tuesday afternoon to see him and he started pointing and laughing at me...funny guy he is.
Kevin has been using a Hemi walker. It looks like a cane with four feet at the bottom for more stability. He started out walking 30 feet one day and 50 feet another, but on Monday he walked 204 feet!! He is able to get out of his chair and into bed all by himself now. And his speech is coming along great. I'm going up early tomorrow to go thru therapy with him again so I'll let you know all the new stuff he's been working on.
I'm still packing. Bobbi Lynn came over today and we knocked out 2 big rooms..completely done. ( Thanks Girl!!) But Ohhhhh sooo much more to do. Moving day is sneaking up on me fast.
Oh and I need boxes..lots more boxes! Please and Thank you!!
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