Just in case anyone is still looking at this blog I wanted to give an update on the rest of the story:
Remarkably and amazingly, Will has made a complete and full recovery. He was released from the back brace after surgery on Nov 9th to get all the hardware removed from his back. It was done here in Mt by Dr Rizzolo. It was a piece of cake surgery compared to the other two. He went home the same day and felt great. The Doc said there was no reason to stay in the brace as his back should be completely healed and as strong as it's going to be. That was thriling news indeed, for both of us. His immediate issue was the weakness he was experiencing due to inactivity for almost 2 mos. So with physical therapy 3x's a week, and walks to the coffee shop his body began the slow climb back to it's former strong, muscular :) shape. It only took about 6 weeks and then shortly after Christmas he left to go back to Cali and resume his formerly busy life, completely recovered. The Docs said he could go back to all that he used to do without fear, and he has!
I am so very proud of Will. What a blessing we have experienced, and are forever grateful to God for preserving Will's life, and then restoring what he had lost. I know he will use this experience in the testimony of Gods faithfullness when we can't see far enough ahead to feel confident that God is really there.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, September 27, 2009
2 weeks in Montana
Well, I've kind of forgetten about my blog since we'd left California. I had lots of time to write on it while sitting in Will's hospital room and not so much time here.
To update you; we arrived here in Kalispell on Sept 13th, it was actually the early morning of the 14th. The flights from California were long and difficult for Will, as we thought they may be, but we finally made it. I was so glad to get him back here but just a little apprehensive about taking care of him full time and what that would mean to both of us. I can't say that it's been a piece of cake but it gets better every day.
A day in the current life of Will and Mom starts with an "I'm ready" text from Will letting me know he's ready to get out of bed. That's usually around 8am. He can not get out of bed without putting his back brace on and that he can't do with only one functioning arm. So I go up with the necessary bathing acoutraments, washcloth, towel, soap and HE gives himself a bath while I wait downstairs. He calls when he's done and I go up and help him get his shirt on and brace over that. I go back downstairs and he finishes getting dressed and then comes downstairs. We have coffee and breakfast and then he spends the days mostly on his computer, or reading on the front porch. He goes to PT 3 times a week now, and has some sort of Dr's appt at least once a week. Last week he started spending a few hours in the morning at a coffee house that I drop him off at. It is so great for him to get out and spend time with other people.
Around 10pm we are both ready to get some sleep so he goes up and finishes whatever he needs to do and then I go up and help him get the brace off and get situated in bed, and that's a day.
The hard part for both of us has been the return of an adult son to the care of his mother. In the early days here that was accompanied by lots of pain, both mental and physical, for Will. And some pain, emotional mostly, for me to have to see my son go through all of this, and to be totally honest, the loss of my previously enjoyed freedom. We did have some flat out yelling fits at each other, I'm sorry to say, that we both regret, but I am happy to report that we have now adjusted and things are now rolling along smoothly.
Will has at least another 3 weeks here before he can lose the brace and start getting back to his normal life. He is missing the current semester at Biola where he was set to graduate in Dec. and so is taking some online classes here to at least make some of the time up. He now plans to graduate in June and so will hopefully get back on track with the new semester in January. He wants to go back to Cali at the end of the 3 weeks and maybe get an internship there. We're praying that will all work out for him.
If you are reading this, I appreciate so much your prayers for Will and for our family. I now that they have been a huge reason for the quick recovery he is making. Thank you. I will be posting another update next week?
To update you; we arrived here in Kalispell on Sept 13th, it was actually the early morning of the 14th. The flights from California were long and difficult for Will, as we thought they may be, but we finally made it. I was so glad to get him back here but just a little apprehensive about taking care of him full time and what that would mean to both of us. I can't say that it's been a piece of cake but it gets better every day.
A day in the current life of Will and Mom starts with an "I'm ready" text from Will letting me know he's ready to get out of bed. That's usually around 8am. He can not get out of bed without putting his back brace on and that he can't do with only one functioning arm. So I go up with the necessary bathing acoutraments, washcloth, towel, soap and HE gives himself a bath while I wait downstairs. He calls when he's done and I go up and help him get his shirt on and brace over that. I go back downstairs and he finishes getting dressed and then comes downstairs. We have coffee and breakfast and then he spends the days mostly on his computer, or reading on the front porch. He goes to PT 3 times a week now, and has some sort of Dr's appt at least once a week. Last week he started spending a few hours in the morning at a coffee house that I drop him off at. It is so great for him to get out and spend time with other people.
Around 10pm we are both ready to get some sleep so he goes up and finishes whatever he needs to do and then I go up and help him get the brace off and get situated in bed, and that's a day.
The hard part for both of us has been the return of an adult son to the care of his mother. In the early days here that was accompanied by lots of pain, both mental and physical, for Will. And some pain, emotional mostly, for me to have to see my son go through all of this, and to be totally honest, the loss of my previously enjoyed freedom. We did have some flat out yelling fits at each other, I'm sorry to say, that we both regret, but I am happy to report that we have now adjusted and things are now rolling along smoothly.
Will has at least another 3 weeks here before he can lose the brace and start getting back to his normal life. He is missing the current semester at Biola where he was set to graduate in Dec. and so is taking some online classes here to at least make some of the time up. He now plans to graduate in June and so will hopefully get back on track with the new semester in January. He wants to go back to Cali at the end of the 3 weeks and maybe get an internship there. We're praying that will all work out for him.
If you are reading this, I appreciate so much your prayers for Will and for our family. I now that they have been a huge reason for the quick recovery he is making. Thank you. I will be posting another update next week?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Day 7!!
Wow hard to believe Will's bee here in the hospital a week...We were awakened at 6am this morning by a team of drs coming in to check on Will. They were from the Ortho group. They checked his splint and his very swollen shoulder. They had been concerned about a large hematoma, or blood pooled, in the shoulder but after looking at an xray done yesterday felt that it was ok and would resolve on it's own. They then proceeded to cut off
the splint on his arm. Now he has to start bending the arm to start regaining his range of motion. Then the plastic surgery team came in and looked at his ear and said they would be back in an hour to remove the sutures and the hard plastic "thing" that's been covering the ear. It's been a huge source of irritation to Will.
We're now waiting for physical therapy to come and get him out of bed. It will good for him to move around some. It looks to me as if they are trying to get him ready
to be discharged maybe even today. He is stll in a lot of pain and not looking forward to leaving the hospital. The question is where he will go after discharge.
Montana would be my first choice but the plane ride there could be difficult
So we're just waiting to see what happens later today. I'll keep you posted.
the splint on his arm. Now he has to start bending the arm to start regaining his range of motion. Then the plastic surgery team came in and looked at his ear and said they would be back in an hour to remove the sutures and the hard plastic "thing" that's been covering the ear. It's been a huge source of irritation to Will.
We're now waiting for physical therapy to come and get him out of bed. It will good for him to move around some. It looks to me as if they are trying to get him ready
to be discharged maybe even today. He is stll in a lot of pain and not looking forward to leaving the hospital. The question is where he will go after discharge.
Montana would be my first choice but the plane ride there could be difficult
So we're just waiting to see what happens later today. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tuesday. Post surgery
Another very long day. Will arrived back in his room 7 hrs after he went down for surgery. A couple hrs later is he still groggy and sleeping a lot. I know it's mostly from all the meds he has in his system, and too from the fact that he is just worn out. Sleep is the best thing for him now.
So I am alone in his hospital room watching him sleep. Bill and Andrew left a little while ago to drive back to Vegas. It is quiet, the visitors from earlier today, Chris and Tony, have left. Will is softly snoring. I am sleeping in his room tonight. Maybe I will take a little nap now.
Thank you for continued prayers. Hopefully we will know more tomorrow about his long term prognosis. I'll let you know.
So I am alone in his hospital room watching him sleep. Bill and Andrew left a little while ago to drive back to Vegas. It is quiet, the visitors from earlier today, Chris and Tony, have left. Will is softly snoring. I am sleeping in his room tonight. Maybe I will take a little nap now.
Thank you for continued prayers. Hopefully we will know more tomorrow about his long term prognosis. I'll let you know.
Tuesday Sept 9th, Surgery #2
Well, Will was scheduled to have the fracture of his arm repaired at 10am this morning. The OR team arrived early, at 7am, to take him to the OR. We were still in our hotel room. So we didn't get to give him a hug before he left. I do feel at peace though, and comforted by all the prayers of so many friends and family. God is so faithful and I know he is holding our Will close to him.
I'll be on later today to let you know how it went...
I'll be on later today to let you know how it went...
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday- Labor Day
Will had a pretty rough night last night. Was probably worn out from the surgery and then getting up and moving around so much. He has been uncomfortable most of the day, but thhats not surprising after having major spinal surgery.
Tomorrow he will go to the operating room again to have a plate and pins put in his arm to stabilize that fracture. He is scheduled to go down at 10am with the surgery starting at 12pm. The times could change though, maybe. :)
Thank you for your continued prayers and love sent Wills way. It means so much to us.
Tomorrow he will go to the operating room again to have a plate and pins put in his arm to stabilize that fracture. He is scheduled to go down at 10am with the surgery starting at 12pm. The times could change though, maybe. :)
Thank you for your continued prayers and love sent Wills way. It means so much to us.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday surgery
Doc just came in. All is well, surgery went great. Will is in the recovery room. Will be back here in his room in an hour. Praise God!!
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