In March of 2011 Andrew got to leave the hospital setting. We moved to Loveland Colorado to be closer to family. We had been think about a possible move back to the area sometime anyway so why not right then.
It was definitely a change for everyone. For Avery the change was mostly the positive of having his dad back home although I am not sure he understood the move into the apartment. Miles had a rougher time. He turned 2 that month and did not like being in the apartment. Also a lot of my attention was spent on Andrew... my change. For Andrew the change was not having the nurses there to do everything for him.
Andrew could get a long fine with his 4-wheeled walker around the apartment and he could take his own shower using a tub transfer bench. I had to help him get into the shower and back out of the shower. It was still hard for Andrew to bend over far enough to tie his shoes and a stiff right big toe made it hard to put his shoe on. He also had a topical medication for arthritis in his right ankle that he need my help to apply.
Strength in his hands was still weak. The left hand could not make a fist and the ring and pinky finger on the right hand could not open or extend. It was hard for Andrew to do tasks like clipping his finger nails. Andrew could dress himself but it could take at least 20 minutes to get dressed and I would still have to help with his shoes.
The down fall of moving to Loveland was having to drive to Denver for all of the doctor appointment. Since Andrew worked for the University of Colorado Denver his insurance was specific to doctors and hospitals in Denver. It took a lot of time for a few months.
In May of 2011, a little over a year after the accident, Andrew had to have surgery to help his mobility. Since Andrew also had a brain injury as a result from the accident, his injured brain overgrew bone in his left hip and knee where he had breaks. The over growth is similar to bone spurs and since it was growing near joints it hindered movement, even with help from physical therapy. We were told that this condition is more common in males who have had large breaks and brain injury from trauma. This condition is also common for some people who have hip replacements.
Also during this time we were right in the middle of a legal battle with the insurance company of the other driver involved in the accident. We were busy trying to get things ready with out lawyers for a possible court date in October. It took a lot of work to get ready for a possible court date.
We tried to get out of the house as much as possible with the kids, going to parks and things. I had a routine down for getting everyone in the car. Andrew had his wheeled walker and would walk to the passenger side and sit in the seat and wait for the next steps... before and for 8 weeks after surgery I would have to help get his legs in the car. Then I would get Miles strapped in and then Avery and then Andrew's legs and then the walker in the trunk.
Getting out: Get Andrew's walker, bring it around to him, get Miles out and then Avery out.... yeah I don't miss that.
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