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Last Lindsey Update; Back to the Diet

Well, this is the last Lindsey update I'll be posting on my blog.  It'll be back to the weight loss again (both the blog and I). 

Lindsey is doing remarkably well.  We've been really blessed with everything.  She has been able to recover almost all of the function in her right hand now.  Most of you probably wouldn't know anything had happened to her if you hadn't met her before.  Her last week of therapy is coming up, and it should actually be pretty uneventful.  The therapists have complained this week that they're having a hard time coming up with things for her to do for an hour at therapy.  Also, in another week and a half (the 19th) she'll get her driving privileges back, and be back to all her normal activities. 

We are excited for her therapy to be over.  It's been a HUGE time commitment, and draining for both of us.  We are lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive family that has helped us in every imaginable way.  We've needed last minute baby-sitters and rides to Boise from Caldwell and back again.  They have been so awesome to come through for us every single time!  I've had to sacrifice a lot of study time, and have admittedly struggled in school this semester (though I'm still passing).  But Lindsey's recovery is going well, so it's worth the hassle. 

We are going back to the neuro-surgeon in another couple of weeks for more CT scans, and a decision as to what treatment may be needed.  Last time we were there, Lindsey still had too much fluid around the area, and they couldn't get a good image.  We're still praying that it will have taken care of itself, and no further treatment will be needed. 

I will post future updates on my Facebook page as we have them.  Thank you all for your concern, support, and love.  We have felt the power of your prayers and your love in our lives, and are so very grateful for everything!

8/25/10 Update

Lindsey continues to do well!  She met with the Speech therapist yesterday for an evaluation.  The therapist seemed to think that Lindsey won't need too much therapy.  She indicated that she'll see her some this week and next, then just follow up after a month or so with another couple appointments.  She also said that Lindsey needs to spend more time independently, and they'll get her back to driving in 3 or 4 weeks.  She spent some time alone with Riley yesterday, and all is well. 

The other night Lindsey was able to do some sketching with a pen.  She complained about how bad her sketches were... they were worlds better than I could ever hope to do.  I thought they were quite good.  She also wrote her brother who is currently serving a mission in Lansing, Michigan a letter.  These are big improvements. 

Yesterday there was anbother big breakthrough.  Despite all my efforts, I'm not nearly as good of a housekeeper as she was.  Everything had a place, and was kept in it's place.  I had a hard time knowing where everything went (especially Riley's clothes).  She went through and reorganized the house back to it's normal order.  SO NICE!!!  We were both glad she felt the energy to do it. I'm back in class now, so I'm certainly happy to have some relief.

She's taking fewer naps and doing more.  She is beginning to feel more normal too.  That's the most important thing to us - is that she feels better.  Ever since she had the aneurism, she's been tired and occasionally disoriented.  That's waned away. 

I just scheduled her follow-up CT scan.  We're hoping that shows us that no further treatment is needed!

A meeting of the Minds

We met with the neuro surgeon today.  She was surprised and happy to see her patient doing so well.  We talked about options for treatment going forward and what it will look like as we move forward with recovery.

Lindsey will have another four vessel angiogram the week of Sept 13.  They will be looking at the area where she had the malformation and bleeding, then making decisions as to treatment.  We are still praying that a clot has or will form by itself, and that no further treatment will be needed.  If the vessels have opened up a little better, they might be able to put some sort of glue-like substance up there to plug things up and seal it all off.  If the vessels have not opened any more, and it has not clotted on it's own, radiation will be the next best option.  They will use several beams of low-dose radiation that will cross right at the spot of the bleed (crossing the streams like the Ghost Busters).  This will cause scarring and eventually those vessels will die off and sort of seal up.  It takes a year for that process to take full effect, and she wouldn't want to lift anything heavy, get pregnant, or do anything that might cause a rise in blood pressure. 

The doctor seemed confident that regardless of the treatment method, the chance of re-bleeding when all is said and done is near zero.  That is good news. 

Another bit of good news was, as many of you may have already noted, Lindsey was able to read all her Facebook messages.  When we left the hospital just inder a week ago, she was not really able to read well, and had a difficult time processing those words.  That has dramatically improved.  Her choice of words as she speaks continues to improve as well, and things are looking good for her speech recovery. 

We are super grateful to our Heavenly Father for the constant miracles we are seeing.  We know that our prayers, along with all of yours, are being answered.  We truly are experiencing one of the greatest gifts that God can give to man: the gift of witnessing and recognizing a miracle.  We are grateful for your continued prayers on our behalf, and we are praying in gratitude for all of you!

Therapy Begins

There are a lot of things I'm really good at, being a mom isn't one of them.  I'll be grateful when Lindsey is back at it!  Yesterday she was feeling good enough to go to the first hour of church.  There were several surprised looks when we came in.  It was nice to be there together.  We were late since I was frantically trying to get Riley all ready to go, and I forgot her shoes.  She went without (but at least her socks were cute and matched her outfit).

We went in for the intial evaluation today for Lindsey's PT today.  I was a good experience!  He noted that she did not (as the therapists at the hospital had said) have right side weakness, only a right side delay.  Her right arm is more delayed than her leg.  Her balance is actually quite good, and she has pretty good functionality in her right arm when she chooses to employ it. 

He was extremely optimistic, and told us that a lot of the patients they discharge aren't as well of as she is right now.  He encouraged her to start drawing again, as a way to regain some of the fine motor control and practice her art again, but told her not to get discouraged.  We both really liked working with him as he seemed experienced, competent, and knowledgeable.  He also told us that he probably didn't need to spend much time with her - only a couple more weeks.

We also met with the social worker who seemed impressed (thanks to all of you!) by the amount of support we had.  She expressed that it was vital to have such encompassing support. 

Lindsey only has PT once more this week, then will have it two or three times the next few weeks.  I imagine that will be all she needs.  She starts Speech Therapy next week and Occupational Therapy the following week.  Speech, Occupational, and the neuro-phsychologist will assess her ability to drive in three to four weeks.  I imagine she'll be fine to do so by then. 

Overall, things are looking VERY good!  We went to Boise State to get my books for fall, then to lunch after the appointment.  She was exhausted by then, and is now fast asleep.  I am continuing to be Mr. Mom, and am realizing just how difficult a job she's been doing! 

Seeing the Sites

We were finally given the "go-ahead" to take Lindsey outside the rehab unit (but still on the campus here) - as long as she's in a wheelchair.  We went to Subway last night and wheeled around a little bit.  Lindsey was glad to get out and get some fresh air and sunlight.  She's doing marvelously!  Her balance is getting closer and closer to normal, and she's commanding the use of her right hand more and more every day.  That fine motor control is coming back slowly, and it takes great effort.  But she's getting it! 

We find out what their recommendations are for discharge today.  We'll know exactly how much longer they think we'll be here, and what kind of additional rehab and treatment she'll need after we get home.  We're hoping for discharge soon, and limited 24hr assistance. 

The hardest part of this all right now is communication.  Lindsey still has a hard time remembering, communicating, and understanding certain things.  This will probably be the most difficult part of rehab.  She's gaining ground on it, though.

We continue to pray that her brain will heal on it's own.  We're optimistic that it will.  Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support!

A House vs. A Home

Before I go to sleep in my own bed tonight, just thought I'd share a thought.  A home is only as good as the people who share it.  I'm wishing Lindsey was here tonight sharing my home with me.  Riley and I are happy to be sleeping in our own beds, even if it's just one night, but it won't be a home until Lindey's here too.

I share my life with wonderful people.  I have a wonderful home.