Bill: Thurs. April 10: Nine months; hinging

Tuesday was nine months.

Wednesday PT was very good, with more "step through" walking tips and stairs. One trick for training the left leg was to stand at a hip-height crossbar with a ball hanging down; he had to stand on his left leg to kick the ball with his right. She also called the bracing specialist to talk about getting the leg brace hinged -- this will allow the ankle to bend for an easier/natural walk, while still providing support. The appointment for that modification is tomorrow!

Next week Bill and Ayn are taking another short trip. Perhaps with the brace mod and the same kind of inspiration from their last trip, Bill will come back with even more tricks in his pocket! In the meantime, we need to get one or two things repaired on the wheelchair because airlines and cabs aren't very kind in handling it :(

Another round of botox finally got scheduled for late this month.  Bill had to intervene for getting the doctor's office to actually talk to the insurance company.

We also ran into OHSU's "rehab navigator" while waiting for his PT appointment. I mentioned that Bill is anxious to get back to work, and she recommended working with the VocRehab office on Interstate Avenue, "They have all SORTS of resources to help you."  We might try to stop in after next Wednesday's PT, but it might have to wait until they return from their trip.  

Bill April 2: Doing SO great

Bill has lost a lot of weight since pre-stroke. Without mentioning pounds, I can tell you he is down 30%.  So after therapy it was a trip to the mall (yuck) to buy pants that will stay up (hooray).

Physical therapy today was great.  We told Jeff that Bill recently conquered standing from a chair without help. So Jeff had some challenges.  Stand from the therapy table with his right hand on his right knee. And down, sitting not plopping. Now stand with the right hand on the left knee. And a controlled sit.  Now with the right foot slightly forward of the left foot (making the left leg do more work),  and oh my, Jeff finally found a challenge for Bill.

Now let's practice on the walking, specifically stepping through with the right foot. And let's practice on the stairs. Jeff worked him!

Bill: no April Fool's

In PT, Bill is working on stairs.  Going down is harder than going up.

This week was a nephrology (kidney) and hypertension update.  The genetic test came back negative, so they won't be adding a new drug.  Ayn's record of blood pressure readings was impressive, so they have instructions on the next med they can try to cut back on.  Doc said two of the meds he will probably always stay on, but two could, might, maybe disappear.

Bill really wants to get back to work, so the next step is how to navigate it. Who all has to clear him? Will he, or does he need to, ease back into work?

Bill, Weds. March 19: videos self-standing +++

He stands from a chair without any assistance

He walks at a much better pace (and for a longer distance than I can record for uploading here)
 

And standing without the cane

 

His sister Dianne says he looks younger because she hasn't seen him this size since he was in high school.

Bill, Fri. March 14, lots of walking, lots of happy

Bill and Ayn have extended their Bay Area trip one more day. They will be able to attend the Grateful Dead Trivia Night, then on Monday have lunch with his boss and maybe some coworkers.

What has he been doing? His report:

"Just walked in from the cab to the hostess station, our friend Kate estimates a few hundred feet."

[Yes everybody put your hands up, put your hands up and say WOW.]

"I've been working on getting up from chairs on my own. Plus sitting in regular chairs in the restaurant. So exciting."

Bill: Tues. March 11: extended Bay Area trip

Almost everyone who is friend or family of Bill will have seen his post on Facebook, but for the few who aren't on FB, here is the scoop in Bill's words: (and if you don't know Grateful Dead, 'Phil' is Phil Lesh, original founding member of The Grateful Dead)

"A rare and different opportunity presented itself last night: After the show, Jill brought Phil over to say hi, and he asked what was up with the wheelchair. When I told him what happened, he asked whether we would be at the other shows this week. Since we were due to go home today, I told him we had considered it, but couldn't get tickets for those highly sought-after dates. He excused himself and came back with another fellow, who he introduced as his business manager and said he would put us on the guest list. So the guy took our names, and when we got back to the hotel (after a terrible cab ride), we extended our hotel reservation and changed our plane tickets back home, so now we're all set for Phil's birthday shows!"

As for continued advancements in walking: Bill is (rightfully) proud in texting often to say how much he has walked from the room to the cab, or from the cab into the restaurant, or standing 15 to 30 minutes at a time. "It's really adding up!"

Bill, Sunday March 9: lotsa walkin'

This outing must be really good for Bill. He reports he walked from their hotel room to the front door for the cab this evening.  Then he walked from the cab into the restaurant, and just spent a half hour standing in the showroom.