February 23, 2005
Update # 18
Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the delay in the update, it’s crazy around here!!

I last left you with our Christmas and New Years celebrations. We've now surpassed another holiday, Valentines Day, which Mom and Dad spent with their old college friends from Wyoming, George and Mickey Douglas. They visited for three days (Mickey’s second time here), I think it was good for everyone.

Our Aunt Mary (moms sister)& Uncle Lee were here from Virginia for a week as well as our cousin Susie & her husband John Sulenta from Wyoming for four days, all were a great help and a nice diversion from the everyday clan:) March will prove to be a very busy month for visitors as we have out town people coming in every week and daily stop bys from Arizona bound visitors!! We welcome you all and thank you for making us a part of your busy schedules.

Dads time in treatment has increased and we have moved to another facility for PT. He wasn’t getting enough time on the Ergis Bike @ Barrow and we felt like he was losing ground. We are now at the Neuro Institute in Tempe (PT only).

Here is a typical week of treatments in the life of “Coach/Bullet”:

Monday w/Lance-
2-hour PT- (35-45 minutes on the bike/30 minutes learning to operate the head control to his wheelchair) @ Neuro Institute 1-hour in home OT
Tuesday w/Lori
2-hour Acupuncture Session @ clinic
1-1/2 hour OT/Ultra Sound @ Barrow
1-hour in home PT
Wednesday w/ Lisa
1-1/2 hour OT/Ultrasound @ Barrow
1 hour-in home PT
Thursday w/Lisa or Lori
2-hour PT @ Neuro Institute(same as Monday)
1-hour in home OT
Friday w/Lance
1-1/2 hour OT/Ultra Sound @ Barrow
1-hour in home PT
Saturday w/Lisa or Lori
2 hour Accupuncture Session @ clinic
1 hour in home PT
Sunday…Freedom!!

Are you tired yet? Believe it or not, this schedule, with his injury is exhausting (his meds add to the exhaustion as well)! He spends the little down time he has resting. He really doesn’t have much down time though because when he is not in a treatment, he’s being showered, having bowel care, getting to and from bed, loaded in and out of the van, eating, getting skin treatment or being stretched by one of the nurses! Oh yeah, he does take time to watch a few of the reality shows and of course in this family there is always a side bet going! He tries to get in a little Fox News/MSNBC and he is ALWAYS looking for the ticker on the bottom of the Sports Channel watching for a Panther score!!! We do get him on his website every week, so mark your calendars to continue to send thoughts…they are inspiring!

We have not yet been successful in getting him to the Hyper Baric Chamber. We are still researching its effectiveness and fitting it into his schedule is a challenge (5-6 days a week)!

As far as Dads physical status, he is regaining feeling and sensations throughout his body. He feels on the back of his calves, sometimes on his toes, farther down his chest (more on the left side than right), to mid forearm on the left arm and on his buns (better known as his “Hiney” to his nurses.) He is gaining ground with his arms but it is a very slow process and he’s still not able to do ANYTHING for himself. He has no feeling or function in his hands. We are waiting on Mobile Arm Supports to arrive. These hook on the back of his chair and will assist him, against gravity, in learning to do things with his arms without the strength, he’s just not there …yet! He continues to have muscles firing in his biceps and triceps, and in his legs. This is why we want him on the bike…keeping the muscles alive so when the nerves start sending signals, those muscles are listening!! It’s also good for his blood flow and is the only form of cardio he receives.

His attitude is fabulous and he should go down in history as one of the few. Not to many in his situation keep their head high everyday and continue to say “I’ll never give up!” We wont either! We like to think his grandkids are a great inspiration.

Mom continues on her path of healing. Lots of ups and downs!! Sleeping isn’t always easy and she needs her sleep! She spends most of her time assisting the nurses, getting dads meals together, feeding him, administering meds, going the pharmacy/grocery store, paying bills etc…we try to give her time to herself by taking Dad to all his therapies so she doesn’t have to! One of us kids is there each night from 5p-10p, cooking and helping get Dad into and ready for bed (usually takes 1-1/2 hour). We head home when the night nurse arrives.

That’s our story for now, look for some new pictures by the end of next week. I will post some pics of the therapists/treatments as well as the family. If your headed our way, the contact #'s for my parents are on the website under "contact us". In case you didnt receive my update, I have a new email address: lahenry@bolotogroup.com.

Continue your prayers, they are helping in our healing. Be well, happy and healthy.

The Henry Dream Team (Lori)