Sunday, March 22, 2015

Update # 190

8 Years

This will be a fairly brief update considering it covers 3 days. It’s a true blessing to be able to say those words.

Three doctors poked their heads in the door on Friday. One said Jeff looks good. One said Jeff is doing super. The last one said Jeff is spectacular. Oh, my mistake, the 4th and most important person, Dr. DiPersio stopped by and said Jeff looks great and is doing good work. Those were all words we loved hearing!

Respiratory did add something to Jeff’s lung treatments. He has used the spirometer before but Easy PAP is now used before the spirometer. It helps Jeff to expand his lungs a bit more. The techs have been pleased with the improvement in these 3 days.

Physical Therapy did some more stretching exercises with Jeff’s legs and arms.

Occupational Therapy came right after PT. We know Jeff is improving when they sat him on the side of the bed and he did not feel dizzy or lightheaded. Jeff sat there for 18 minutes! And they helped do reaching exercises with his arms. Difficult but Jeff did everything they asked him to do. He was exhausted afterwards but Jeff said it felt good.

Almost all of Jeff’s meds have been changed to the pill form. He is doing well taking them by mouth with juice or water. Sometimes he tries to pick up the pill and put it in his mouth.

Jeff enjoys sitting in his bed/chair and eating regular food. He is doing so well with eating and drinking, they have unhooked his PICC from the fluids. Jeff still does not have the arm strength to feed himself but is trying to eat some food on his own.

Yesterday was an ultrasound on the liver since the enzymes were up again. Levels looked better today.

The warm moist air for the trach collar makes Jeff feel warm so he had one of the nurses shave off his beard. He commented today it has helped him feel cooler.

With beautiful Spring weekend weather, my brother and sister-in-law drove down again from Chicago. We all enjoyed their visit yesterday and this morning. Too bad they left here though since we’re warm and it’s 31 up North! Thanks for a fun weekend. Oh yes, there was a Ted Drewes run for ALL!

Jeff noticed how he is able to move his legs and arms a bit more on his own. He has a long way to go but improvement is wonderful to see. We know he is anxious to be able to move his whole body without help and with his determination, it will happen.

Thank you for your words of encouragement for Jeff and the rest of us. We all feel so loved. Your prayers are very powerful.

love,

Marcia