Patty says: Do not go up to the hospital from 9:30 to 5:30 tomorrow. Walter will be coming home on a day pass. He is doing well but still working on his walking. His right leg is still weak.

Thank you all for your continued love and support. Luv ya-Patty

I just wanted to post a quick picture from my time with my dad this weekend. I was able to spend a lot of time with him, which was great. I notice marked improvements every time I come, even though we still have to constantly affirm to him that he is improving both physically and mentally. Hopefully we will be able to take him out on a day pass sometime soon. Keep your fingers crossed!

A lot has been going on for us lately...from the bike race mentioned in Corinne's post to the LPGA to my brother getting his permit today (!!!) to my mom making a great recovery from her knee surgery to opening the pool for the first time without my dad teaching a new generation of neighborhood children how to masterfully string expletives together. We are so lucky to still have the chance to tell him about everything though and see his wry smile. I know he will be back in the game soon enough. Thanks for the continued support :)

...and Stronger

Hi All,
Was lucky enough to share Walt's physical therapy session today and see the progress he is making. It is truely awesome!!!! His balance is getting better and the right leg is getting stronger and he is better at swinging it through and taking bigger steps.

Also truely amazing was the improving clarity in memory.. both short term and long term. Unfortunately this made it especially hard because he wasn't allowed to come out for the bike races last night and he was remembering how much he enjoyed last year. Double bummer. By the way both professional races were won by Australians. Go Aussie! (For bloggers that don't know I am from Australia) Crikey!

Walt continues to be my hero. He is working sooooo hard. Patty and Lindsay created a miracle with their faith and the love and support from the Walt Watch community.

GO Walter.

Love to all
Coco

Getting stronger

Walt was busy again at the the physical therapy ward on Thursday morning. We watched and learned as Aaron, one of Walt's therapists, led him through several routines to strengthen his legs. Much of the work focuses on his right leg to bring it up to par with his left. Here we see Walt doing leg extensions with a weight on his right ankle, followed by leg lifts, followed by a picture of Brian getting training in helping his dad transfer from the chair and back.

Today's memorable Walt quote: "I don't drink anymore. I've lost half my personality."

PT

We saw Walt working with his physical therapist Monday afternoon. The photo shows an exercise in which he pulls himself up from his chair using the horizontal bar, and then watches in a mirror as he does toe raises and heel raises. The goal is to strengthen his calves and improve his balance. It was the last exercise of several that he did in that session.

Following PT was lunch. Walt is eating well now and polished off what was reputedly a pork sandwich, some yogurt, juice and something I couldn't identify.

Because feeding himself looks like it takes Walt so much effort, I find myself concentrating and watching intently as he eats. For example, he moves a spoon full of yogurt slowly and a bit unsteadily towards his mouth. I hold my breath wondering if that yogurt is going to make it to its destination. Just when I think that the spoon is about to dump the yogurt in his lap he scarfs it down. I breath again with relief then start the process all over again on the next bite. It's tiring.

All the things that we take for granted require an enormous effort for Walt at this point. Please continue to encourage him with calls, visits and messages.

The Great Wall-ter

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Saturday evening Cousin Rick brought Walt a gift from a recent visit to China. It is a keep sake engraved with chinese characters for, "The Great Wall" with additional characters for "ter". Thus, "The Great Wall-ter". Given his deadpan expression, Walt either thought it was a bad pun or he didn't get it.

We had a nice evening of conversation and a movie--this time we watched, "Barry Lyndon", a movie that Walt and I saw about 30 years ago. He was bored with it at first but later got into it when the killing began. We had to stop about half way through because the staff booted me out to give him a shower. Before I left one of the staff told me that she was the first person to meet him when he came to St. Mary's a couple of weeks ago. She remarked at his great progress since that day.

In the photo shown here you can see a "Bart Simpson" doll peaking out behind Walt--it's a gift from Lindsey. He also has a talking rabbit doll, a gift from Patty that says, "I love you" then makes a demented rabbit chuckle when he squeezes it. When he showed this to me the other day he said Patty was out of control. I laughed and said that I agreed.

After the movie

Our movie night at the hospital was excellent. The movie,

"Christmas Vacation"

gave us some laughs. Subsequently, Walt was allowed to complain about his physical state and his perceived lack of progress. After we got that out of the way we had a very nice conversation. I'll share just a few memorable moments from that conversation. He is extremely pleased with St. Mary's hospital and the staff. He said many loving things about his family (he is on the phone with Patty in the picture you see here). Lastly, he shared an absolutely accurate, but somewhat unflattering observation about one of our friends that convinces me that he has good humor, keen insight and continues to recover well. The evening ended with a promise to schedule another movie night. Bravo!

Wednesday

Good evening!

Today was another crazy day for my immediate family as my mom had arthroscopic knee surgery this afternoon. It was successful and she is home resting right now. I spent the afternoon at Park Ridge with her then went up to see my dad. It isn't fun to have both of your parents in the hospital on the same day but I am proud of both of them :)

I had a fun night with my dad. We watched the Yankees game and chatted. He is so funny and smart. He initiated and followed conversations and asked me questions about work and Bennett's current bike ride around Lake Ontario. That is all very promising and shows that his memory and ability to retain information seem to be improving. Obviously, he still gets frustrated but I just keep telling him how great he is doing and how proud of him we all are.

Thanks for checking in!

Thursday Night at the Movies

This Thursday , June 14th, a mini TV / DVD player is to be available in Walt's room--it's movie time!

Place: Walt's room at St Mary's, 5th floor

Time: After dinner (about 5:30?)

Movie: Most likely a comedy or perhaps Night of the Living Dead.

Free admission.

Water soakers welcome.

Bring your own popcorn.

The Cuckoo's Nest

Saturday morning, Walt was sitting in his wheelchair staring out the window when I arrived. He wanted to get into bed because he said he wasn't doing anything anyway. So we went on a chair ride of the 5th floor of St' Mary's. We suited Walt up in a gown and gloves and were off--slowly because Walt used his arms to push the chair about the first 20 feet. Then he told me to push instead.

As Rick mentioned here previously, the trauma rehab unit is no Disneyland--it feels a bit like the institution portrayed in the book/movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." For example, while pushing Walt's chair down the halls we overtook a woman who was pushing her twenty-something son in a wheelchair as well. As we passed by them, I heard a sound and then felt an impact on my buttocks. The woman's son had a plastic pistol that shoots small, non lethal projectiles. I had been wounded. I briefly entertained the thought of arming Walter with some sort of non-lethal weapon like a plastic bedpan and then doing some sort of jousting with wheelchairs. Instead we continued our tour around the not-so-sweet smelling halls then returned to his room.

I showed Walt the same pictures that I have been showing for the past few weeks. He enjoyed them and said that he had not seen them before. Although Walt wasn't cheerful he was talkative. He told me about puking on his shoes earlier in the week, he told me about the time that he had met Bennett when he was finishing a bike ride around Lake Ontario, and he told me about taking walks at Kodak where he would see dozens of deer. He asked me what my name was and said that he knew another "Cornell". I told him that that was me. He asked me how I new Corrine (via hospital visits) and he said that she had been a big help. He complained about the lack of stations on the hospital TV--someone has to ween him off that crap. He is still frustrated and concerned about his physical state and needs reassurance from visitors that he is moving ahead.

At 11 AM Walt and his physical therapist left for the rehab room where he had a workout scheduled. I missed the first part of his rehab because just as he left for his workout, Patty called his room and I talked with her for awhile exchanging updates on Walt. Thus I don't know if he had a chance to work on his walking or not. But I was there for his resistance routine in which he used a weighted bar (3 pounds) to do various curls and presses. His therapist was very nice--all the staff was very nice. Walt perked up when one of the doctors interviewed him--I didn't get her name but for those of you who may recognize her she was small and may be of Asian-Indian heritage. He respected her!

After the workout I pushed Walt to the dining room where there was a cafeteria style meal (ugh) waiting for him. I left him then, telling him to enjoy his lunch to which he replied, "one can only hope" or something equally dry.

I left a camera with Walt to use to take pictures of visitors and hospital staff. He took a couple of me and his nurse Kathy. Please remind him to take your picture when you visit. As always, I encourage everyone to visit. It is sad to see him alone--I think that it is at those times when he feels the outlook is darkest. Go there to see him and shed some light.

You Gotta Read this.

What a great day! I am not long home from visiting Walt and can't wait to bring all the Walt Watch Bloggers up to date!

Walt started walking again today.

Wow after only 4 days of therapy, this morning he was standing between the parallel bars and then walking down the length and back. I thought this was pretty cool. Admittedly it was a bit of a shuffle and the right leg is obviously weak. But then Aaron the physical therapist got a walking frame and had Walt stand himself up in that. Walt, (Mr sceptical) kept saying he couldn't do it but Aaron and I were having none of that. I threatened him with my big stick if he didn't keep going. Walt then walked up and around in the frame. About 20 ft. Aaron was very happy and said that Walt was doing very well. He graduated Walt from the parallel bars. Yahoo!

Another heartening thing was seeing Walt get his appetite back. He made short work of his lunch of soup, tuna sandwiches, dessert and cookies. He is also getting better with his fine motor coordination and wielding the "eatin irons" with greater skill! Lyndsay and Bennett arrived and I had such a good time telling them of the morning's activities.

By this stage we were feeling pretty happy with how far Walt had progressed in the few days. But he had a few more surprises in store.

There was another physical therapy session after lunch and I think Walt wanted to show off for Lyndsay and Bennett because not only did he walk again in the walker, this time he added stairs to the routine. Up and down he went. I gotta tell you I cried when he did it and I am crying again now thinking about it. But of course Walt wouldn't even acknowledge that it was any big deal.

After that it was back to his room for a well earned rest. But before he could doze off, Dick and Bernie arrived with some great old pictures. They were happy as it is the first time in ages that he has been awake for a visit. The Speech therapist arrived but didn't have to take him away as he was getting plenty of talking practice right here. She explained that the quietness of his voice is because he is not breathing deeply enough to push the words out. She has him taking deep breaths and tells him to shout. She suggested that we also remind him to do this when he is talking too quietly.

Finally Walt was allowed to lay down and nap for an hour before one more physical therapy session at 3.30. In this session, Aaron had Walt use his wheelchair as the walker. As Walt did this it became apparent that he was having balance issues. What felt upright to him was actually a strong list to the right and his right leg was not straitening all the way. Aaron was discussing what strategies he could do to help that when Walt asked for crutches. This was not something that Aaron had ever used for this problem but he was happy to give it a go as it was the first time that Mr grumpy (Walt) had shown any enthusiasm for the process. Well didn't he get up and walk several steps with the crutches! Next week they will try him on the forearm crutches as they think it will give him a greater awareness of where his body is in space. They think that Walt may have discovered a new therapy!

Totally awesome don't you think?

Walter is a Super Star!!!!

Love to you all
Cheers
Corinne (CoCo)

Gown up, Glove up, but Don't Give up!

I have just contributed to Patty's request today (see previous post) and strongly encourage everybody who reads this blog to do so as well.

Here's the deal at St. Mary's: Park in the Parking Garage because it's free and secure. You'll enter the facility through a door from the garage, and go to the first floor. Walk down the long corridor (don't veer off to the Bishop Kearney suite). You'll need to sign-in at the reception desk and get a pass. They'll buzz you in and Walt is on the 5th floor (if I remember correctly). As you come off the elevator, keep bearing right and he's at the end of the hall (sorry I don't remember the room number).

You'll have to put on a gown and a pair of latex gloves, which you'll find conveniently located on a cart outside his room. That's the policy right now at least. The upside is that there is a game room on the floor with all sorts of board/card games like checkers, Boggle, Scrabble, etc. etc. and a couple of computer screens which look they have internet access. Some of the other residents patients hang out in the hallways - it ain't Disneyland, but it's a bit more lively and upbeat than the hospital.

Corinne and I visited Walt Saturday while Linsday was there. We stayed for a good while, and accompanied Lindsay and Walt to the dining room where he ate, along with other residents and memebers of their families and friends. If you want to eat though, you have to bring your own.

Like anything, the experience at St. Mary's is what we make it. Walt needs our help to make his experience at St. Mary's comforting, loving and supportive. All of the physical therapy, occ. thereapy, speech therapy and cognitive therapy that the staff delivers will have so much more of an impact if Walt has people he loves around him day by day. Loving, emotional support cannot be purchased through health insurance or delivered through institutions.

So let's gown-up, glove-up, and go up to St. Mary's and give back to Walt what Walt has so freely given to all of us.

Things to do with your used latex gloves:

• Draw a face on the palm and blow it up. Glue it to the end of a popsicle stick. Pop it up and down over the wall in your cubicle and see how long it takes to drive your office mate to notice.
• Have a contest with the family to see who can make the most disgusting sound by letting the air out of the blown-up latex glove.
• Fill them with water and have a water balloon toss. Why not save several pair for a festive 4th of July with the kiddies!

Things to do with your used gown:

• Write your initials on the tag with a Sharpie and see if you get the same gown the next time you visit.
• Cut two small holes in middle and use it as a halloween costume - be the first on your block to be a yellow ghost!

Small request from Patty

From my mom: Now that Walter is at St. Mary's I think that it would be fun to see who is reading the blog for updates on Walter. Please go to comments and sign your names with a quick message. When he comes home, he will be reading this blog. To do this, choose an identity (will be other), and then after you type in your message to the right in the square, press publish your comment. It will be fun to see where in the world people are reading this blog. Lindsay just informed me that she will bring her laptop to St. Mary's and he can read the good wishes himself. Thank you and please start this round of cheers. Luv you all-Patty

From Lindsay: I spent some time with my dad yesterday afternoon. He slept most of the time but he did wake up to have some dinner (though he was not happy about it) and we had a short conversation. He seems ready to start therapy and really wants full use of his legs again. I am so excited for all the progress he will make!

from Patty

Patty says: What a happy day!! I have been waiting for this day for months!!! The social worker came into the room at 11:00 today and told me they had accepted Walter at St. Mary's. I said wahoo (like Walter's Homer Simpson) and he immediately looked for his sneakers and put them on. I have told him every day that this is the way to home. He will have to work very hard and he still likes to sleep alot. He has made great strides every day for the past three weeks and I am so proud of him!! Our friend Leslie who works for his brain surgeon by coincidence, came in and reminded me that it was touch and go for a while. I will never forget those horrible and fearful moments that he almost left us. We are so lucky to have him with us. He is still having trouble with short and long term memory and I know this could take years to come back. I showed him some pictures today and he did not recognize himself or his loving kitties. Yes, it is sad and depressing but he is still with us. When I left him tonight, he said "I do not know if I will ever get better:. And I said "Of course you will". When you guys visit, let him know how far he has come and how well he is doing. I am convinced that St. Mary's will help him come back to us and will help him walk again. He is very anxious to start therapy!!! I will look forward to helping with his therapy and seeing more and more progress!! He can have visitors but he might be beat after all that work during the day. He will be doing 3 hours of therapy at intermitent times of the day. But he will be done at 3:00 for the day. I will keep you posted with his progress. Keep praying for his continued success with his recovery. I am hoping to have him home for the 4th of July (one of his favorite holidays)!! We just might have to have some fireworks to welcome him home!! See you at St. Mary's!! Luv ya-Patty

ST Mary's Part 2

Hi All,
Lindsay just called with the good news that Walt is on his way to St Mary's as I am typing. We don't know what room or anything yet.

Apparently when he heard that he was going Walt put on one of his shoes so we can assume from that that he is ready and rearing to go.

He is so much stonger and healthier than last time and more than ready for the challenge.

Stay tuned for next instalements.
Cheers
Corinne