It is hard to believe that Tyler has been home for 2 weeks. Now the work is beginning. Tyler remains extremely tired. His brain is working so hard to heal that he gets very tired very soon after any activity. He is going to therapy 2 to 3 times a week for several hours each time. Although Tyler doesn't want to go to therapy, he is pretty good about accepting the fact that if he wants to get back to work and to drive he needs to attend. We are very proud of him!
Tyler's recovery has been remarkable but with any brain injury, it just takes time. The doctors and therapists have warned us that it will take from 1 to 2 years for him to recover. We are definately seeing that now with Tyler being so tired and almost confused at times. It really is a frustrating time for all of us.
I really believe that Ty is starting to understand the seriousness of his injury. I can't quite fathom what it would be like to be 20 and seemingly invincible to understanding that you need to slow down in life.
Tyler goes for a follow up with the Neurologist on Friday. We will find out then what the next course of treatments will be.
Again, thank you for your love and prayers!!! We are all so extremely grateful!!!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Tyler's 2nd Weekend at Rehab
Tyler continues to improve. We found out on Friday that we can take him home on Tuesday. Great news for all of us!!! Tyler's day is full of therapy. Usually, speech and physical therapy in the morning and occupational and physical therapy in the afternoon. He his walking well but still has to work on his balance. His short term memory is improving also. As the doctors and therapists say it will just take time. Tyler will be having out-patient therapy at least 2 or 3 times a week once he is home.
Tyler met with the neuro-psychologist on Friday for 2 hours for an evaluation. If I understand what the doctor told Tyler, the evaluation indicated that Tyler has some neurological problems that can be explained as if he had been drinking alcohol. His reflexes are slow, he has a tendency to be impulsive and not use very good judgement. He cannot drive, operate machinery nor go to work for approximately 6 weeks. We have a referral to a neurologist for a follow up visit.
Now for the fun part. On Saturday we had a birthday party for Sean at the hospital. It was pouring rain the whole time but that did not stop the party. We brought our grill and barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs and also had plenty of chips, potato salad, macaroni salad and spinach dip. Cheesecake for dessert with tricky candles that would not go out. Fun was had by all.
Sunday, Tyler's dog Patch came to visit. We sat outside and ate lunch and enjoyed the nice weather. Quite a boring day for Ty. Tuesday cannot get here soon enough!!
Tyler met with the neuro-psychologist on Friday for 2 hours for an evaluation. If I understand what the doctor told Tyler, the evaluation indicated that Tyler has some neurological problems that can be explained as if he had been drinking alcohol. His reflexes are slow, he has a tendency to be impulsive and not use very good judgement. He cannot drive, operate machinery nor go to work for approximately 6 weeks. We have a referral to a neurologist for a follow up visit.
Now for the fun part. On Saturday we had a birthday party for Sean at the hospital. It was pouring rain the whole time but that did not stop the party. We brought our grill and barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs and also had plenty of chips, potato salad, macaroni salad and spinach dip. Cheesecake for dessert with tricky candles that would not go out. Fun was had by all.
Sunday, Tyler's dog Patch came to visit. We sat outside and ate lunch and enjoyed the nice weather. Quite a boring day for Ty. Tuesday cannot get here soon enough!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Monday thru Wednesday 1st week at Rehab
Monday was not a very good day for Tyler. He was so extremely tired. He was only able to participate in 2 therapy sessions and then back to sleep. He was able to eat some breakfast and a little lunch but was cranky and sleepy. The speech therapist wanted to observe Tyler at dinner to determine if he could be upgraded to a regular diet with no theraputic dinning. Ty was able to eat normally and therefore can now go on a regular diet. I wonder if the food will be any better!!
Tuesday was a much better day! Tyler woke up by himself at 8:15 and had a good breakfast. He was in good spirits and seemed like the old Tyler again. Laughing and joking around!! He attended physical therapy at 9:30 and then came back to his room to sleep. He didn't wake up until 2:00 when it was time for speech therapy. He ate his lunch while doing his therapy and joked around with the therapist. Good going Tyler!! He also attended occupational therapy with a little push from the therapist then off to physical therapy. He worked very hard in the afternoon. The therapists are working on his short-term memory, cognitive skills, balance and the weakness in his left leg. Slowly but surely he is improving.
Tuesday dinner was a lot of fun. Tyler's friends Amanda, Travis and Sean were there and we all had some good fun and laughs. Ty certainly enjoyed himself and the best part of the day for Ty was getting his cell phone back. Teenagers!! You got to love them!!
Wednesday was also a good day. We were concerned that Tyler might just be so tired after his busy day on Tuesday but that did not seem the case. Dr. Larson woke him before 8 and Tyler was very responsive to his questions. Even making a few jokes. Dr. Larson said that Tyler's left leg is getting stronger but he still has a way to go. That is okay we will take it one day at a time.
He had speech therapy at 8:45 then physical therapy at 9:30. He came back to his room for some rest and then had lunch at noon. Tyler decided that he had better take a nap before his therapy in the afternoon so took an hour long nap. It is very good that Tyler understands that he needs to pace himself. Joey's mom and his sister Stephanie came in to visit at 2:00 and we had some good laughs before his afternoon therapy began. He had occupational therapy at 2:15 and physical therapy at 3:30. Therapy went well. Tyler worked hard. He is definately beginning to understand how serious his injury is. He understands that his left leg is not working all that well. He also started reading this blog and it kind of spooked him.
He took a shower after his sessions and by the time he was finished several of his friends showed up. We ordered pizza and had dinner outside on the patio. Ty tried doing a wheely in his wheel chair but mom was right there to stop him in the act. Just what we need another accident!!
Ty's recovery is truly amazing to all of us. Dr. Larson calls him one of the incredibles. Yes, Tyler is incredible. He is loved by many people. Thanks to all of you again for your love and prayers!! Please comment on this blog so Tyler knows that you all love him.
Tuesday was a much better day! Tyler woke up by himself at 8:15 and had a good breakfast. He was in good spirits and seemed like the old Tyler again. Laughing and joking around!! He attended physical therapy at 9:30 and then came back to his room to sleep. He didn't wake up until 2:00 when it was time for speech therapy. He ate his lunch while doing his therapy and joked around with the therapist. Good going Tyler!! He also attended occupational therapy with a little push from the therapist then off to physical therapy. He worked very hard in the afternoon. The therapists are working on his short-term memory, cognitive skills, balance and the weakness in his left leg. Slowly but surely he is improving.
Tuesday dinner was a lot of fun. Tyler's friends Amanda, Travis and Sean were there and we all had some good fun and laughs. Ty certainly enjoyed himself and the best part of the day for Ty was getting his cell phone back. Teenagers!! You got to love them!!
Wednesday was also a good day. We were concerned that Tyler might just be so tired after his busy day on Tuesday but that did not seem the case. Dr. Larson woke him before 8 and Tyler was very responsive to his questions. Even making a few jokes. Dr. Larson said that Tyler's left leg is getting stronger but he still has a way to go. That is okay we will take it one day at a time.
He had speech therapy at 8:45 then physical therapy at 9:30. He came back to his room for some rest and then had lunch at noon. Tyler decided that he had better take a nap before his therapy in the afternoon so took an hour long nap. It is very good that Tyler understands that he needs to pace himself. Joey's mom and his sister Stephanie came in to visit at 2:00 and we had some good laughs before his afternoon therapy began. He had occupational therapy at 2:15 and physical therapy at 3:30. Therapy went well. Tyler worked hard. He is definately beginning to understand how serious his injury is. He understands that his left leg is not working all that well. He also started reading this blog and it kind of spooked him.
He took a shower after his sessions and by the time he was finished several of his friends showed up. We ordered pizza and had dinner outside on the patio. Ty tried doing a wheely in his wheel chair but mom was right there to stop him in the act. Just what we need another accident!!
Ty's recovery is truly amazing to all of us. Dr. Larson calls him one of the incredibles. Yes, Tyler is incredible. He is loved by many people. Thanks to all of you again for your love and prayers!! Please comment on this blog so Tyler knows that you all love him.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Tyler's 1st Weekend at Rehab
Tyler started rehab on Friday. He was put on therapeutic dining for his meals. Because of the issues he is having with swallowing they are cutting up his food very small and limiting the types of food he can eat. Someone needs to be present when he is eating to make sure that he does not aspirate.
The food here is not very good. Tyler barely ate Friday and Saturday. We finally got smart and starting bringing his food in from home. On Sunday, Tyler ate 2 plates of spaghetti and green beans for lunch and 2 plates of pot roast, potatoes and carrots for dinner. Oh and don't forget about the chocolate chip cookies he had as well.
Tyler's left leg is still weak but they are getting him up and making him walk. It seems to get better each day. On Sunday, Tyler pushed his brother in the wheel chair from the therapy room back to his room. It was quite the feat!
The food here is not very good. Tyler barely ate Friday and Saturday. We finally got smart and starting bringing his food in from home. On Sunday, Tyler ate 2 plates of spaghetti and green beans for lunch and 2 plates of pot roast, potatoes and carrots for dinner. Oh and don't forget about the chocolate chip cookies he had as well.
Tyler's left leg is still weak but they are getting him up and making him walk. It seems to get better each day. On Sunday, Tyler pushed his brother in the wheel chair from the therapy room back to his room. It was quite the feat!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Tyler's Brain Injuries - An Explanation
I don't think any of us understood the seriousness of Tyler's brain injuries until we came to Health South Rehabilitation Hospital. Tyler is suffering from a Subdural Hematoma AND a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. To learn more about these injuries click on the links below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subarachnoid_hemorrhage
http://www.answers.com/topic/subarachnoid-hemorrhage?cat=health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subdural_hematoma
http://www.answers.com/topic/subdural-hematoma?cat=health
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMETS!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subarachnoid_hemorrhage
http://www.answers.com/topic/subarachnoid-hemorrhage?cat=health
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subdural_hematoma
http://www.answers.com/topic/subdural-hematoma?cat=health
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMETS!!!
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
Tyler was admitted to HealthSouth Thursday afternoon after a long drive from Phoenix. Dr. Larson examined him and determined that Tyler could not wiggle his left toes. Concerned that Ty may have something going on, he sent him to TMC emergency room for another CT Scan. After hours of waiting and poking by the ER team, the CT Scan was completed and did not indicate further bruising or bleeding. Back to HealthSouth he went to lay down in bed and get some very needed rest.
Tyler started his rehabilitation on Friday. He was evaluated by the speech therapist who recommended that Tyler be put into theraputic dining. A therapist is present at all meals to watch and evaluate eating and swallowing.
Ty is having some severe headaches due to his body absorbing the blood clots in his brain. The nurse indicated the headaches could continue on for several weeks. Ty is spending a lot of time sleeping which has all of us concerned. We all need to be patient and let Tyler's body heal. I think we forget that it has been less than a week since his accident. To his family and friends it seems like weeks!!
Tyler started his rehabilitation on Friday. He was evaluated by the speech therapist who recommended that Tyler be put into theraputic dining. A therapist is present at all meals to watch and evaluate eating and swallowing.
Ty is having some severe headaches due to his body absorbing the blood clots in his brain. The nurse indicated the headaches could continue on for several weeks. Ty is spending a lot of time sleeping which has all of us concerned. We all need to be patient and let Tyler's body heal. I think we forget that it has been less than a week since his accident. To his family and friends it seems like weeks!!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thursday, July 19th On the road to Tucson
Tyler has been released and we are heading down to Tucson. We are unsure how long Tyler will be in rehabiliation but we are hoping for a full recovery!! It is hard to believe he has come so far in just 5 days. We have been blessed!!
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