It has been way too long since I updated – but, until about a month ago, there wasn’t a whole lot of new to talk about.  In the past month, Bob has done some really good things.  He can now sit himself up in bed and swing his legs over the side.  He is walking more and further and he can go up and down the 2 small steps that we have separating our family room from our living area.  His memory is also continually improving and his sense of humor is returning.  He teases and laughs which are both so great to see!  We did have an interesting thing happen about 3 weeks ago.  One morning when he woke up, he didn’t know how to do anything.  I just thought it was unusual but didn’t think that much about it.  When my sister Jane got here for the day, he introduced himself to her.  We looked at each other and then started to be a little concerned.  He didn’t know anything that morning, not that he was married, had children, nothing.  As my sister and I talked through the morning, we decided that we better take him to the emergency room in case he was having some bleeding, pressure or swelling in his brain.  They did a CT scan, blood work, other labs etc. and they determined that there wasn’t anything new or unusual.  Ryan and I have been attending a support group here in the valley and found out from the instructor that this is a normal part of the healing process.  When the brain is trying to heal something “big” the rest of the brain has to shut down so that all of the energy can go to help whatever is healing at that time.  He has had one other of those particular events and two other different kinds.  Last night his head was spinning and it appeared that he was maybe having a mini seizure.  He was unresponsive for a few seconds and then back again.  We were scared and concerned but as we watched him through the evening, things got better and by this morning, he felt fine.  We decided that it was just another way the brain reacts to another something big that is trying to heal.  What a complex thing our brain is . . . we see just how much every day.  Bob has been attending sacrament meeting for about the last 6 weeks or so and he really loves being there.  Last week he asked if we could stay to the other meetings, so we did.  Things are progressing slowly but we shouldn’t expect anything else considering the severity of his injury.  When life gets extra hard and I don’t think I can do anymore, my angels pick me up and away we go!  It has been an incredible journey!  Thanks so much for all the support, you will NEVER know how much it has meant.  I haven’t been good at getting thank you cards out, but please know that it doesn’t mean that I don’t care or that I don’t appreciate EVERYTHING that has been done for us!  We love you all!

"I was doing dishes and turned to see Bob standing at the island - 

he had pulled himself up."

"This is the first step in re-training Bob on how to 

go up and down the stairs."

Tuesday - May 29, 2012

Bob's progress is slow and steady these days.  He can now get his legs up onto the bed all by himself!  His memory is coming, some days much better than others.  He did have quite a time the last 3 weeks or so, when he was experiencing more bad days than good ones.  With some medication adjustments and some very fervent prayers to the Lord, the past week has been really good.  We had a broken chair and he figured out where the bolt needed to go and he drew my closet remodel that I want to do.  It is very obvious, that part of his brain was not affected.  On the flip side, when I ask him what he wants for dinner, he can not tell me.  Simple objects and names are still really hard for him to name.  If you show him a picture, then he knows exactly what you are talking about.  The brain is a very interesting and complex thing, as well as very fragile.  I was reminded the other day just how fragile it is.  I said something in fun to Bob and it upset him very much.  I felt really bad and had to take a step back and remember that he doesn't understand things right now like he use to, things are much more magnified than they were before.  Time and patience are what we need to endure now.  We were told it would be a very long process and it will be.  Things are moving along and I think, with time, it will all be ok.  Thanks so much for your continued prayers and thoughts in our behalf!   

Day 175 

May 2, 2012
I decided I better update the blog for those who are interested in Bob's progress.  He is doing well, getting stronger all the time.  He is still going to therapy once or twice a week and we continue to work with him at home as well.  He really enjoys doing his morning leg stretches in bed, it seems to help his walking throughout the day.  There have been great improvements and he can see that.  His cognition is improving also, he talks more and his conversation is getting better all the time.  He is strong enough now that it only takes one person to help with his showers and to get him into the car.  He dresses himself, puts on his shoes and even ties them.  He helps around the house with dishes, folding clothes and helps with meal preparation.  He should be practicing his walking more than he will right now.  He gets a little stubborn and doesn't want to do it!  Some days are better than others, some days he gets sad and depressed.  He is starting to realize that he can't do what he use to be able to do, and it's hard!  I try to remind him of how far he has come and that his life was spared for a reason.  I am encouraging him to use the energy that it takes to be upset and use it to be determined to work hard to get better.  Some days it works, other days, not so much!  He still struggles with names, he knows faces but can't always put the right name to the face.   We are approaching 6 months since his accident - boy what a ride it has been!  Thanks so much for you constant support and love.  We are so very blessed to have so many great people on our side.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.  We love you!

Day 130

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Well, Bob has been home for 2 weeks now and I decided that when people ask how things are going, I try to explain the we have just exchanged hard for hard.  What I mean by that is that it was so hard to travel every weekend to see him and try to work and do everything else that needs to be done.  Well, I don't have the travel, which I am so grateful for, but it is hard to have him home too.  He doesn't sleep very well at nights and needs constant care.  There has to be someone with him all the time.  I have a great support team that is helping me with that, wonderful kids and in-law kids and my sweet sister (she has been a god-send).  The first week home we made sure there were 2 of us here all day so we could see what it was going to entail.  The second week we found that we just needed one of us here during the day and I, of course, am here at night.  The only time 2 people are needed to help is on bath night.  It is still too difficult for me to do by myself.  Bob is getting stronger and is going into Logan Regional twice a week for his therapy's.  He is remembering a few things from his past, every now and again he will say something that makes me cheer that he remembered.  His short term memory still isn't very good, sometimes he doesn't even remember what just happened an hour ago.  He has been out to his shop twice now and that definitely makes him happy.  We are going to try to figure out a way to get him out there for an hour or so to watch Rod work and maybe even help him sand or something.  He put the cover back on our light switch plate in our bedroom, the picture is of him vacuuming out the hole to get all the dust out before he screwed the cover back on.  It was pretty amazing to watch, he knew exactly how to do it. His wording still gets pretty mixed up but the one thing I have noticed, when he prays, his words are always perfect!  I know Heavenly Father will make it all good, there has just been too many miracles for him to stop here.  Leaving IMC was bitter-sweet, when a nurse told me that, I thought she had to be crazy, but it was so true.  The nurses and therapists there were absolutely incredible.  We grew really close to them and it was hard to say good-bye.  They were definitely some of the angels that Heavenly Father saw fit to bless our lives with.  Tuesday is Bob's birthday and I am so grateful that I get to celebrate another birthday with him.  Please remember how precious life is . . . don't take a second of it for granted!  Thanks so much for all the support and love, visits, meals, phone calls, texts, emails, treats, prayers, messages, thoughts, cards, foot zones :) . . . the list is endless - thank you!

Brain Injury Survivors Information

Below is a link to what I think is great information that most people don't even think about.  It may also help you understand why Bob's behavior isn't always positive.  Short visits are appreciated and most of all PLEASE don't take anything that he might say personal!!  The filter still isn't fully intact.  Thanks for understanding and please still keep us in your prayers!

http://www.brainline.org/content/2011/07/lost-found-what-brain-injury-survivors-want-you-to-know.html

Bob is home!

Day 110

Monday, March 5, 2012

Well, we have a discharge date!  Bob is coming home Sunday, March 11th!!  I really didn't think this day would ever come!  It has been almost 4 months since I have been home on a weekend.  I can't wait for a Sunday afternoon nap!  We have some things that need to be done inside and outside of the house to get ready for him to come home.  The generosity of so many people has made these things possible - thank you to those of you who have been so generous and kind!!  We will be eternally grateful to all of you!  We are hoping that this last week will be beneficial for Bob to help him get that much stronger for his return home.  This is a scary time for us and we have so much to learn and practice.  Please continue to pray for us to stay healthy and strong enough to be able to best help Bob and to keep him safe.  We still have a long way to go but I think he will continue to progress well at home.  Heavenly Father has been so gracious and I know he will continue to bless us with many more miracles.  Life is precious, don't take a second for granted!  Love to all of you!