So it has been 2 weeks since I left Chicago and returned back home. I feel like a lot has already changed for the better. These past couple of days I have begun walking around the house and using the walker. It feels great to be up and around and not stuck in the wheelchair. I have my high and low points throughout the day and I have realized it's not about just getting from point A to point B on my feet- it's about getting there the correct way, by using the correct muscles and coordination. Obviously from my video pre-HiCy, I had not been walking the proper way. Now, post-HiCy, is the time for my body to rebuild the connections and get muscles that had not been doing their part to begin working again. During physical therapy we have incorporated several techniques to aid in this process. We are using ultrasound to loosen my heel cords so my feet and ankles are not so tight. This has already proven very effective since we started last week, and my therapist is very encouraged. Also, tomorrow we are going to begin using electrical stimulation to get my leg muscles to act the way we want them to, and hopefully assist in the process of retraining them to do those movements on their own. So basically what I'm trying to say is- physical therapy has been great!!
That's about all for now. I will post again next week :)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
1 week back home!
So it is definitely great to be home! I love the Christmas season, and I can finally take time to enjoy it. Today was my 1st official physical therapy appointment. There was alot of stretching and testing of the different leg muscles. I can remember being there a couple of years back doing PT and it blows my mind to see what a different place I am in now. I am confident I will feel that exact way in a few months when my body begins to heal itself and I get stronger. I know I will look back at the things I struggled to do, and be glad to have overcome those obstacles.
As you can see, I posted a slideshow of pictures from the hospital, as well as a video of myself "walking" just a few days before treatment began. Obviously, it doesn't look like the safest way to get around, but even getting back to that point will be a challenge, and I look forward to posting new videos as my walking improves over the next several months!
There is another website of a man, Chris, who went through this treatment and kept a blog as well. If you follow the link below you will be able to see videos of him walking before HiCy and at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Those videos are my inspiration and the reason I pursued this treatment in the first place. Take a look and keep your fingers crossed I will have the same success :)
These are the videos to check out once on his webpage:
2/29/08- the second video
4/14/08
6/12/08
http://chrishasms.com/photosnvideos.html
As you can see, I posted a slideshow of pictures from the hospital, as well as a video of myself "walking" just a few days before treatment began. Obviously, it doesn't look like the safest way to get around, but even getting back to that point will be a challenge, and I look forward to posting new videos as my walking improves over the next several months!
There is another website of a man, Chris, who went through this treatment and kept a blog as well. If you follow the link below you will be able to see videos of him walking before HiCy and at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Those videos are my inspiration and the reason I pursued this treatment in the first place. Take a look and keep your fingers crossed I will have the same success :)
These are the videos to check out once on his webpage:
2/29/08- the second video
4/14/08
6/12/08
http://chrishasms.com/photosnvideos.html
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Last post in Rush :)
So tomorrow we are off!!!! We have told everyone here we need to be out by 10 am. They seem to think that will be no problem. We packed just about everything, except the morning essentials. I also booked a cab to pick us up tomorrow at 10:15. So it's official. I am definitely going home tomorrow and I can't wait!
Today my WBC count continued to shoot up to 11.65. That is much higher than what I came in with, and much higher than most people. I am still advised to wear a mask and gloves on the plane because of obvious air quality issues.
I scheduled a physical therapy appointment back home for Friday. I can't wait to start and see the improvements I can make. Again, it won't be easy... but I know it will be worth it.
Mom and I had a mini celebration tonight and ordered out. We had found this great pizza place so we decided on that. I haven't had much of an appetitie lately, but I mustered some up for a couple of slices of that pizza! :)
Being that this is my last post in the hospital I will probably only post on occasion when things change at home. I will definitely be adding a slide show of pictures and a video of me walking pre- Hicy ASAP.
I hope this blog was helpful for future HiCy-ers and I know it was a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. As always, thanks for your love and support. I know that will carry me through my recovery process. I can't wait to post all the good things that come from this treatment!
Goodnight everyone!
Today my WBC count continued to shoot up to 11.65. That is much higher than what I came in with, and much higher than most people. I am still advised to wear a mask and gloves on the plane because of obvious air quality issues.
I scheduled a physical therapy appointment back home for Friday. I can't wait to start and see the improvements I can make. Again, it won't be easy... but I know it will be worth it.
Mom and I had a mini celebration tonight and ordered out. We had found this great pizza place so we decided on that. I haven't had much of an appetitie lately, but I mustered some up for a couple of slices of that pizza! :)
Being that this is my last post in the hospital I will probably only post on occasion when things change at home. I will definitely be adding a slide show of pictures and a video of me walking pre- Hicy ASAP.
I hope this blog was helpful for future HiCy-ers and I know it was a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. As always, thanks for your love and support. I know that will carry me through my recovery process. I can't wait to post all the good things that come from this treatment!
Goodnight everyone!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
My WBC count for today was 9.11! Remarkable. That's higher than what I came in with! So they have stopped the Neupogen shots and will let my body take control now.
Also today they stopped two of my antibiotics. If all goes well tonight, i'l be weined off the rest of them tomorrow, and discharged on Tuesday!! That is when we had our original plane ticket booked for, so it works out perfectly.
I still have much weakness in my legs. I can stand up but that's strictly on bone strength. If I unlock my knees, I am like j-e-l-l-o! So I am anxious to have Dr. B or Dr. T (the MS doctors) stop by tomorrow and give me advice. I didn't expect to leave here worse off than I came, but I keep reminding myself "it's only temporary"!
I think that's about it... Mom and I are watching Lifetime movies right now. Haha :)
Also today they stopped two of my antibiotics. If all goes well tonight, i'l be weined off the rest of them tomorrow, and discharged on Tuesday!! That is when we had our original plane ticket booked for, so it works out perfectly.
I still have much weakness in my legs. I can stand up but that's strictly on bone strength. If I unlock my knees, I am like j-e-l-l-o! So I am anxious to have Dr. B or Dr. T (the MS doctors) stop by tomorrow and give me advice. I didn't expect to leave here worse off than I came, but I keep reminding myself "it's only temporary"!
I think that's about it... Mom and I are watching Lifetime movies right now. Haha :)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Some catching up to do...
So yesterday I didn't post because I believe I was asleep by 7 (at home time). I know even Evan was up later than me... but that's ok. Rest is good- and I definitely enjoy it!
So 11/28 my WBC count was .26. Mom and I, as well as the doctors were very glad to see this jump.
Unfortunetly, I did also go for a CT scan of my chest which confirmed some negative things. I have slight pneumonia in both lungs, as well as fluid, and both are collapsed toward the bottom. It sounds worse than it is. The Dr's put me on antibiotics and were watching to see if I had another spike in fever over night- that did not happen. They also mentioned that as my WBC increase, I will have more energy and be more active and this will all heal on it's own.
So I have been sitting up alot more, giving my lungs the chance to fully expand. They also left me with this breathing apparatus, and even over the course of the day, my lungs have gotten stronger. So that should all be taken care of in no time.
11/29- Today
My WBC count for today was 2.26!!!!!! Now that is quite the jump. I received one last shot of the Neupogen stimulant, so we should continue to see large jumps over the next couple of days. My WBC must be 5.00 to be discharged. They are currently weining me off the antibiotics and it sounds like my release day will be Tuesday.
I am also off the oxygen that I was receiving. It was very minimal to begin with, but it made a huge difference. I think because I was more mobile today, my lungs are functioning better- more great news.
The only real issue now is regaining the strength in my legs. I can't walk as well as I could when I got here- and that is scary. My muscles are just so weak from not moving for those few days, I have to really work with them these next couple of days. Today, Mom and I did some stretches, and strength exercixes, but there's alot more work to be done.
Evan keeps asking if my legs are better, and unfortunetly at this point they are worse. But with hard work and perseverence, I will be sure to have improvement to show before I know it.
No one said it would be easy- But it WILL be worth it!
Good night to all- and all the comments I have received always bring a smile to my face. Thanks to family and friends for taking the time to read this blog and stay informed, and also for sending your love! I'll be home soon :)
So 11/28 my WBC count was .26. Mom and I, as well as the doctors were very glad to see this jump.
Unfortunetly, I did also go for a CT scan of my chest which confirmed some negative things. I have slight pneumonia in both lungs, as well as fluid, and both are collapsed toward the bottom. It sounds worse than it is. The Dr's put me on antibiotics and were watching to see if I had another spike in fever over night- that did not happen. They also mentioned that as my WBC increase, I will have more energy and be more active and this will all heal on it's own.
So I have been sitting up alot more, giving my lungs the chance to fully expand. They also left me with this breathing apparatus, and even over the course of the day, my lungs have gotten stronger. So that should all be taken care of in no time.
11/29- Today
My WBC count for today was 2.26!!!!!! Now that is quite the jump. I received one last shot of the Neupogen stimulant, so we should continue to see large jumps over the next couple of days. My WBC must be 5.00 to be discharged. They are currently weining me off the antibiotics and it sounds like my release day will be Tuesday.
I am also off the oxygen that I was receiving. It was very minimal to begin with, but it made a huge difference. I think because I was more mobile today, my lungs are functioning better- more great news.
The only real issue now is regaining the strength in my legs. I can't walk as well as I could when I got here- and that is scary. My muscles are just so weak from not moving for those few days, I have to really work with them these next couple of days. Today, Mom and I did some stretches, and strength exercixes, but there's alot more work to be done.
Evan keeps asking if my legs are better, and unfortunetly at this point they are worse. But with hard work and perseverence, I will be sure to have improvement to show before I know it.
No one said it would be easy- But it WILL be worth it!
Good night to all- and all the comments I have received always bring a smile to my face. Thanks to family and friends for taking the time to read this blog and stay informed, and also for sending your love! I'll be home soon :)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!!
First of all- Happy Thanksgiving! I was hoping to be home spending it with my family, whom I miss very much, but I must say the turkey here was pretty good. I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and ate more than they should have :)
So let's recap first on a positive note- my WBC count is still going up and is now at .04. At some point over the next few days those cells will begin to rapidly divide and we will see a major change in that number. So it is just a waiting game.
I am now on a total of four IV antibiotics. My fever comes and goes throughout the day. Last night it spiked and I was having some trouble breathing, so I have been on oxygen ever since. I also began to develop a slight painful cough, which they think may be pneumonia. Not exactly what I like to hear, but it's very common being that I was bedridden for 3 days. So they did a chest x-ray, and I am scheduled for a CT in the morning. The sooner we know- the sooner they can treat it- the sooner I'll be discharged. So it's all good- I'm where I need to be and have the utmost confidence in the team of doctors that they will fix all of this ASAP. So although I've had a few breakdowns because this is so overwhelming, the nurses and Dr's assure me this is normal and I will do just fine!
On another positive note- I took a lovely shower today. And I am happy to report that all hair is beginning to fall out (I pray not my eyebrows!) which is great, because I haven't been able to shave in two weeks. It was starting to get ugly lol.
I guess that's all! Happy Thanksgiving- Gobble Gobble!
So let's recap first on a positive note- my WBC count is still going up and is now at .04. At some point over the next few days those cells will begin to rapidly divide and we will see a major change in that number. So it is just a waiting game.
I am now on a total of four IV antibiotics. My fever comes and goes throughout the day. Last night it spiked and I was having some trouble breathing, so I have been on oxygen ever since. I also began to develop a slight painful cough, which they think may be pneumonia. Not exactly what I like to hear, but it's very common being that I was bedridden for 3 days. So they did a chest x-ray, and I am scheduled for a CT in the morning. The sooner we know- the sooner they can treat it- the sooner I'll be discharged. So it's all good- I'm where I need to be and have the utmost confidence in the team of doctors that they will fix all of this ASAP. So although I've had a few breakdowns because this is so overwhelming, the nurses and Dr's assure me this is normal and I will do just fine!
On another positive note- I took a lovely shower today. And I am happy to report that all hair is beginning to fall out (I pray not my eyebrows!) which is great, because I haven't been able to shave in two weeks. It was starting to get ugly lol.
I guess that's all! Happy Thanksgiving- Gobble Gobble!
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