Andrew's Recovery Part 7

Life Care Center of Littleton did not seem exciting to any of us.  The family was bummed that Andrew could no longer stay at Craig Hospital and a Skilled Nursing Facility did not seem like a good fit for some one weeks away from turning 31-years-old.  Andrew was by far the youngest person there; many other residents well into their 70th, 80th or 90th years of life.

Littleton was also even further away from every one, Craig had already been a long drive and we were adding an extra 30 mins.  LCCL was not even our first choice however they want to take him in and we liked that they wanted to work with him.  I had looked into another SNF and they had said they wanted to take him.  A nurse from that facility attended a family meeting by phone and then the next day I received  a call from the facility director telling me that Andrew's condition was "too critical" for them.  To this day we do not know what made them decide that.  It could have been the medical records. Since we were looking for Andrew's 5th facility we learned that medical information and history does not always transfer the same.  It took forever to get facts straight most the time, like that he was involved in an auto accident and was not on a motorcycle or he has two sons not a son and daughter.

At first even the kids did not like visiting LCCL.  Miles would cry and Avery would run around crazy getting lost in the figure 8 shaped building, unless of course it was ice cream parlor day.  It was tough on Andrew too.  Therapy now happened 7 days a week and then the rest of the time he was left bored watching TV. Cognitive therapy started to become easier however his math skills were still not even close to what they used to be.  He had to call me up on the phone to ask me how you solve 3 digit multiplication problems.... he used to help me with my college math.


Range of motions was staring to be less of a problem.  Andrew was also gaining strength in his arms to wheel himself to dinner in his wheelchair.  People enjoyed working with him and being in his company, his determination refreshing.

Andrew was once again allowed to come home (to his Dad's house) for Christmas.  This time he was able to transfer himself from his wheelchair to the couch to be more comfortable.  A few weeks later we celebrated his 31st birthday when I brought food from home to LCCL for the whole family.

Christmas time on the couch @ Dad's

Part 6 of Andrew's recovery

Part 6 of recovery is one of my 'favorite' parts.  Andrew was finally moved to Craig Hospital right before Halloween 2010.  Every one was excited for the move and I have to admit I was a little nervous.  While waiting for Craig Hospital to have an opening we learned of all the great outcomes that had come from Craig and I was hoping for the same thing for Andrew.

Craig Hospital specializes in TBI (traumatic brain injury) and spinal cord injuries.  It is a hospital that helps people regain their life. Craig helps people and their families recover and adapt into their new life.  I can't even describe the people and families we met while Andrew was there.  I enjoyed every visit and a lot of burden had lifted being around people who were going through the same things.  I did not care that I now had an hour drive to come visit. Craig hospital helped make staying in the hospital pleasant with activities and families were welcome to participate in those activities as well as therapy.

While at Craig the main focus with Andrew was adjusting medications, gaining range of motion and cognitive therapy for his TBI.  At first I think the cognitive therapy was the hardest for him.  He is a very smart man and learning new tasks and retaining information had never been a problem for him before.  He now knew this was a problem and I think knowing the problem was difficult for him.

At this point Andrew was also relearning how to feed himself, write, and to take care of his personal hygiene.  He was gaining strength and motion to wheel himself through that halls of Craig in his wheelchair.  Fatigue was still a problem and often other people would have to wheel him to therapy.

For the first time since May 11th 2010 Andrew was finally able to leave the hospital (on a pass) for something other than doctor visits.  A 3 day pass was given to Andrew for Thanksgiving; 6months and some days since the accident.  My father-in-law rented a van for the wheelchair and because there was no way we could bring him home (37 stairs just to get in) we took him to his dad's house.... the house he grew up in.  There were still some stairs however it was not 37 of them and Judy taught us how to safely get the wheelchair up and down a few steps.

The only downside to being at Craig was the short visit.  Because of our insurance Andrew was out before Christmas.  Even though the stay was helpful, Andrew's goal to walk had not happened... he had barely worked on standing.  We had no place to take him home to.  Sadly (at the time) we had to give in to a perk of our insurance and send Andrew to a Skilled Nursing Facility.  Our insurance allowed 100 days 100% covered and that was our only choice..... Part 7.

                                                Halloween at Craig

                                          Thanksgiving!

                                             Family in our Craig-made tie-dye shirts

From the archives!

I found this blog post on my facebook page. I thought it was funny. The title is Last Day of 2009.

 LAST DAY OF 2009

 On the last day of 2009, I find myself awake in Avery's twin bed with Miles poking my face. The dance of musical beds. Miles ends up in bed with us, then Avery... Avery kicks me out and squishes Miles, so Miles and I move to Avery's bed.

Soon after I wake up a diaperless toddler comes running in followed by a groggy husband that heads straight for the diaper box. As soon as I get up out of bed Avery starts saying "cochet cochet, yum yum" witch translates into chocolate chocolate, yum yum. Who does he think I am, chocolate for breakfast... ok so it worked one day last week when he learned being cute and saying chocolate meant his momma would give in. Sorry little boy no chocolate in the house, you ate it all. So he resorts to grabbing the Tigger PEZ dispenser his grandpa gave him for Christmas. "PEZ, PEZ!" Sorry kid you ate all the PEZ too, eat some cereal.

Later we get ready and go to the store. On the way to the car I have my hands full. I am trying to stop the toddler from eating the snow that someone finally sprinkled a blue icemelt on and trying not to drop the baby who also wants to play in the snow. Finally they are both in the car yippy.

Once at the store people politely offer me their cart as I walk through the parking lot... thanks but no thanks, I need the cart with the car in the front and the seat up top. While in the store a different situation people pushing through the isles like they are the only ones in the store and such. But I am happy that every child I hear crying through out the store is neither one of mine.... thank you very much.

All done at the store, leaving the parking lot on to a one way street... OH S*** LOOK OUT MORON YOU ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY!!! No not me, some moron heading straight for me, I honk at him and stop and he waves at me and turns into the parking lot he came from, great!

At home both kids are sleeping in the car. Trip one: grab Miles, the box of wipes and one bag. Transfer sleeping Miles to crib. Trip two: grab Avery. Transfer sleeping Aver to bed. Trip three: grab three bags. Trip four grab the last two bags. (the bags are reusable canvas and packed full) Each trip has 20 + 3 + 14 steps, so 37 steps times 4 trips....

The kids stay asleep for me to put the groceries away... Miles is up but goes back to sleep after a snack... but both kids are up to interrupt Momma's soaps.

That's it so far.

Happy New Year