Bill, late Mon, Sept. 30: blood test; stand-pivot transfer

Bill continues to have weekly blood tests. I didn't mention the results from last week, which showed his creatinine level was up -- that is one of the markers of kidney stress, but we weren't too concerned because the others numbers were all in the normal range. This week the creatinine is still up, and everything else is still good.

Today was another therapy advance: a transfer from bed to chair via a stand and pivot! Bill had a pretty proud grin on his face when he told me about it. Maybe I will get to see (and maybe record) him in the act sometime this week.

Bill Mon. Sept 30: no big changes

Hey, sorry for the lack of posts, but not a lot to report.

Bill continues to have therapies. Friday resulted in a slow slide to the floor. His latest wheelchair is wider than the prior chair. It didn't fit the same for the "ratchet" standing machine, so when he went to sit back down, it was further back and ... down he went, at least mostly down.

Quiet weekend.

Bill Thurs. Sept. 26: RIO? Fingers?

Yes, yes, I know and many have asked so here is the answer. The question: what happened with the RIO (intense in-patient rehab) meeting on Tuesday.  It didn't happen, which is fine. The intake coordinator talked with Bill's current therapists, and they agreed to put off the discussion for a while. Because Bill's blood pressure has been dropping when he stands, they think that might limit the amount of therapy they could do each day -- they want to shoot for at least 3 hours, and more like 5 hours.

His meds have been adjusted again, in coordination with the OHSU doctors, and it looks like it is helping.

Fingers? What's the headline about fingers? He has some movement in his LEFT fingers now. Yee-haw! Different than how the left leg movement started, which was from his hip. But what the hey, we'll take it. Tiny little movements, but a waterfall must start somewhere.

Bill, Mon. Sept. 23, going to standing

Hey, I got one posted! But more "hey," you get to see Bill standing. Sorry for the poor quality.

This was his second time up, so he was a little more tired. His blood pressure is still dropping when he stands, so the doc is working to figure out a happy medium. (For you med-savvy types, the pressure went from 124/xx pre-stand to 94/xx standing.)

Bill, Mon Sept 23: vision doctor

Remind me to get more information on this, because I'm hearing it second-hand! There is talk of getting approval for a specialist, a "behavioral eye doctor." Treatment would help for the left-side neglect, where Bill doesn't see left of a certain point in mid-field. I believe he said there are other field of vision issues (maybe low spots?).

More info later. Don't let me forget, okay?

Bill, Sat. Sept. 21: work and patent

Today Bill was interested in what is going on at his work, and wanting to stay in touch.  And he said he needed to get the paperwork for his patent.  Patents. He is getting two patents -- the first I've heard about this!  If his grandpa were still alive, he would be SO proud. Don't get me wrong, he loved all the kids regardless of accomplishment. But he was an engineer, so the patents would really tickle his logic side!

Bill: Friday Sept 20, "Med Dizzy"

Short update from Ayn: Thursday was a better day. Blood pressure is good overall, but still drops when they have him stand -- he gets dizzy, and can't stand for long. The doctor further reduced medication Friday.

By the way, Bill's on-site doctor, Bonnie Creitz, is wonderful. She is "semi-retired." We've seen her put in 60 hours a week at Bill's facility, plus she volunteers at a clinic. Goodness, how many hours did she work before semi-retiring?!?