Sunday, July 29

Walt was doing physical therapy when I visited. His leg lifts were good, his ability to stand was not so good. Notice that he pushes to the right because that is what feels "centered" to him. When he pushes like that, believe me, the therapist is working hard to keep him up.

We also tried to get Walt to work with that right hand by bouncing a balloon back and forth between me and him, but he kept using his left. We finished out the morning with over an hour at the air hockey table.

Walt's speech wasn't understandable to me except for phrases like "yes, no, thank you".

Everyone is waiting for his recovery to get on track again. Despite his setback, your visits can only help. Please continue your efforts on behalf of Walt and his family. It is very much appreciated, and is a generous and thoughtful thing to do.

Patty says:A special thanks to Walter's friends who gave him support and who spent time with him this week. We are truly grateful!
Walter will not be coming home this weekend. His physical therapist, Aaron, wants him to rest and stay in the hospital. He is still pretty tired and weak.

If you can visit him tomorrow, that would be great!!

Thanks again for all of your love and support. Please keep praying for Walter's recovery.

Back In the right direction

Hi all,

At last some better news. Walt was much more alert yesterday, He had a better day with his therapies and Kathy, he has started to talk again. It is still a mix of clarity and aphasia but after the horror past couple of weeks it is heartning to see some progress. I have not been able to see him during tharapy times the past couple of weeks so it was especially upsetting yesterday to see how weakenned his right arm and leg had become.

It was only 3 weeks ago that he walked from the therapy room back to his room on the walker. Please all pray extra hard that his health issues clear up and that he can just concentrate on his rehabilitation.

I am almost too scared to go today in case he has slipped again. This is sure some Roller Coaster ride. Patty your strength through this all is amazing.

Love to all the Bloggers.

Corinne

Pulling it together

It's Saturday and Walt seems to be pulling it together today. He is receiving shorter but frequent periods of rehabilitation. He had at least 4 sessions between breakfast and lunch.

Walt's workouts included some occupational therapy and lots of leg and ankle stretching, standing, walking using a walker, and entering and leaving a chair. If today is a good indication then things are certainly improving since his recent infection of the last week or two. His speech has also improved since a couple of days ago.

His appetite is good as well--Kathy and I brought him some fresh raspberries from the farm market and some strawberry strudel, also from the farm market. He chowed the strudel, saving the berries for later, I guess.

The plan is for Walt to be at home for the day on Sunday July 22. He definitely looks ready for it. But he said that cousin Rick should lose that pink, striped shirt.

Walt says, "yeh" to having visitors

I was in Los Angeles recently but even though I was far from Rochester I couldn't get away from reminders of Walt and his friends. Minutes from the airport I saw a parking garage named "Wally Park", and a short while later I saw a restaurant called "CoCo's". Wooooooooo.

Yesterday I took Walt a book of crossword puzzles that is in large print, and a bag of Duncan donuts that we scarfed down together. Over the past week I have been able to watch Walt's recent progress swing between "looking good" to "what the hell?". Last Thursday he was badly confused. Saturday he was a bit grouchy but more connected to reality. Yesterday (Monday) he seemed very aware but he is having great difficulty communicating. He talked a lot but the words and sounds he strung together sometimes did not form a comprehendable sentence. Because these episodes come and go it gives me hope that it isn't due to anything permanent but due to fluctuations in his physical state, infections and medications. For example, Patty and I witnessed Walt go into a loopy state shortly after taking one of his antibiotics.

Despite the communication difficulty, I feel like Walt and I have a pretty good time together. I asked him directly if he liked having people visit or would he rather be left alone. He made it clear he liked having visitors. So don't let his speech difficulty keep you away. I keep asking Walt questions and he keeps talking. I don't have a problem with acknowleding his predicament and neither does he. As Rick said in his comment today, just let him know that you are there for him.

Patty's Plea

Patty says: I have just come from my visit with Walter. He is VERY DEPRESSED. CAN ANYBODY READING THE BLOG HELP ME? WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY LONG RECOVERY BUT I AM SO VERY DESPERATE. FOR THOSE WHO ARE READING THE BLOG CAN YOU SPARE 10 MIN TO VISIT A WONDERFUL MAN THAT IS IN NEED OF SOME LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT? WHERE ARE ALL OF HIS BUDDIES? HE NEEDS YOU NOW!!! LIFE IS NOT JUST PARTYING AND FUN. LIFE CAN GET VERY SAD AND DEPRESSING!! THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY HUSBAND NOW, AND HE NEEDS YOU ALL NOW. IF YOU ARE READING THIS BLOG, PLEASE COME UP AND MAKE HIM SMILE. WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE. WE HAVE TO GET HIM BACK TO US AND YOU ALL CAN HELP WITH A VISIT AND A SMILE. LUV YA ALL-PATTY

Bloody Hell, Not another Infection!!!!!

Excuse my bad language but I am just so frustrated and upset! Walt has yet another infection. It is a return of the clostridium one and they started him on the Flagyl this afternoon. The good news is at least we know what has been making him ill the last few days. They think that this might also be responsible for the increase in weakness in his right side and the aphasia and confusion which he has been experiencing increasingly the past couple of days.

This symptom was not only freaking me out but had the medical team scurrying around taking yet more blood and checking out all possible things. It was reassuring to see them so on the ball and concerned for our friend. He was also being sent to Strong today for a brain scan just to ensure that there is not anything else lurking.

Other good news is that the urinary tract infection has cleared up. It is a pity that bacteria has gotten so damn particular that one lot of antibiotics can't knock them all out!

Walt continues to inspire me. Although he is often down about not making progress he is really very uncomplaining about all the physical discomfort and pain he is experiencing. For example when the vampire arrived to draw blood today (she was actually a very nice, caring and very gentle lady) she had trouble finding a vein and Walt had to endure repeated attempts to get a couple that would bleed enough for the battery of blood work tests they are running. I kid you not there were 5 big bottles and 3 phials drawn for all the different tests. Throughout the whole process that took about 40 minutes Walt sat stoically without complaint except for the occasional "ouch". When she said that he was "very patient" I was pleased to see his wry smile and "not really" response. he gave me a look that clearly said that he would much rather have let fly with a string of expletives #***!&*%!

Well I feel better now at having gotten that out of my system.
lets hope tomorrow is better.

By the Way, Gino, the donuts were tasty!

Cheers
Corinne

Day passes, etc.

Patty says: Walter has come home 3 times on a day pass. I have given him an A+ for every visit. It is hard getting him in and out of the house. At times he is good with the walker and at times he is too weak. Tippy, Brian and Bennett usually carry the wheel chair into the house. We are trying to get a ramp to make it easier. He seems to love coming home even though is kitty still won't sit on his lap. I think that Sterling smells the medication on Walter. Walter also informed me yesterday that he cannot hear out of his left ear. He came outside to sit by the fire while Tippy cooked some great burgers on the grill. He is eating very well now which is one less worry. He had a good visit with my nephews, Joe and Josh and my friend Joanne. Although he is quiet, you could tell he was very happy and comfortable. Danny and Lori sat by the fire with Walter and he really enjoyed their visit too. I do notice that when other people visit besides family, that is the most beneficial to him. As Gino said, you all bring different experiences and memories to Walter and he really uses his brain to communicate.
Please try to stop by to see Walter-work friends, hunting buddies, high school buddies. He really enjoys being with the guys. Tippy bought him some Genny N/A and he seems to be pretty pleased with that beer.
A special thanks to Tippy- He has rose to the occasion to get Walter to and from the hospital on his pass days. I really could not bring him home without his help. Also, to Lindsay and Bennett for all they have done for me. You guys are very special. If you want to visit Walter at home, give me a call. He would love to see you all!! Please keep praying for his eyes, ear and that he will walk soon. Luv you all-Patty

Room 23 with a view

Patty reports that Walt has been moved to room 23 on the 5th floor. If you ignore the reflection of me in the yellow gown, you can see that he has a distant view of downtown Rochester. Also, Patty mentioned that Walt may be visiting home on July 4th if the doctor approves a day pass. She plans to post after that visit.

Monday morning I spent some time with Walt during his rehab sessions. One session was particularly fun--they have an air hockey table available. Dan the therapist helped Walt stand while Walt and I played a spirited game. Neither one of us played very well but I had the advantage because the puck did not quite fit into the slot (goal) on my side of the table. Thus I won by a score of 1 to 0. Some of you may recall that Walt used to be adept at the pinball tables at the California Brew House.

After air hockey Walt went through a considerable amount of training at the parallel bars to improve his walk. Here he is working with Aaron on making sure that he doesn't drag his right foot when stepping forward.

When finished with therapy we went to one of the computers that are available to patients to view "The Walt Watch". I enlarged the print so he could read the comments of support that you all send. He was keenly interested. Maybe we can talk him into writing his own post one of these days.

Walt still has his ups and downs physically and cognitively. On Monday he had a tough time getting his right hand to work at all with his knife and fork when eating lunch. Tuesday morning he thought that I was his cousin Rick. But when I look back in the blog to just a few weeks ago, it is plain that things have improved greatly. I asked the neuropsychologist about what friends and family could do for Walt to help his recovery. He said that one of the best things that we can do is to visit and interact with him. That helps both his capabilities and his well being.

gino

"All The Luxuries"

What a long, strange bike ride it's been.

Walt returned home on Saturday (June 30) for the first time since setting out for a spririted bike ride on that warm, spring day of March 13. Albeit a day visit from St. Mary's, it still marks a milestone in his recovery.

We picked him up Saturday morning. He was more than ready to go. A bit nervous in the stomach - he's often told me that as a kid, he would puke before some big event like Christmas Eve etc - and the "game face" on Walt was ready to go.

Tip did an extraordinary job helping his brother from wheelchair to car seat to walker. I think that Tip has a new career waiting for him after he finishes making the beer.

Once in the door Walt was ambling down the hallway, turning right past the kitchen table and stepping down into the living room. And on the right, what d'ya know, the couch is still there, and so is his spot on it! As swiftly as the eage flies - but not quite with the grace yet - our hero man-handled his walker over to the couch, set himself down, reached down to his left and yanked the recline lever. With the muted "thud" which accompanies the machinations of this mechanical marvel of modern mankind, Walt quite plainly and deliberately said "All the luxuries".

Having given him the remote control, and resigned to the fact that some things never change, I sat quietly as Walt flipped through the channels, ensconsed in the world of five hundred and something channels with pause, rewind, and fast forward.

The day went very well and I'm sure Patty will want to say a whole lot more so I won't steal any of her thunder.

On the way back to St. Mary's as Tip drove the minivan and Brian, Walt and I rode shotgun listening to the radio, I kept thinking that the only thing missing from this picture is the skis, boots and poles.

Cousin Rick