Good news...no physical or occupational therapy for David :)

cindysuetoyou
cindysuetoyou Member Posts: 513
David had his first outpatient physical and occupational therapy appointments today. Both therapists said that they do not see any reason for David to see any therapists. He's really made an amazing recovery. When we came home from the hospital on 12/21, David was having a lot of trouble walking, talking, feeding himself. I couldn't bear to write this before....he had to wear diapers. Such a horrible, hard thing for a 28 year old man to deal with. He required someone with him 24/7. He was really in a lot of trouble. I am so glad to be able to say that his major problems (he still has a few minor issues) are all resolved and he's recovered enough that the therapists said he could return to his apartment and resume independent living.

When we were in the hospital and David was recovering from the BBBD and the brain swelling, I was so appalled at his condition and I did not believe that he was going to recover. If he did recover, I thought it would take months, maybe even a year. It's been 3 weeks. I am so grateful to God for David's improvement. It reminds me of something one of the physical therapists told me....recovery is like the weather. You will have sunny days when everything goes great and everything looks so clear and bright, and then you will have dark dreary days, filled with clouds and rain. But just because you have some rainy days, it doesn't mean that the next day might not be sunny again. A pretty good analogy of our life right now.

David and I talked and we decided that he will live with me and my husband (his dad) until his next treatment cycle on 1/23. After he finishes that treatment cycle, I will stay with him in his apartment for a few days to make sure he is okay and he can handle things. In the meantime, he is choosing to stay here with me in Salem and go to physical therapy for pain management. His joints hurt and he has headaches from tense muscles in his back. He'll go to physical therapy 2x a week for the next two weeks. If the exercises and treatments help with his pain, he will continue to see a physical therapist in Portland. Their goal is to help alleviate some of the pain that David is experiencing.But as far as needing physical therapy for any behaviors or problems, he doesn't need to.

Thank you to all of you who have kept up with my barrage of posts and have continued to faithfully comment on them and have encouraged me and have understood how I have been feeling. I really appreciate you guys!

Love and blessings,
Cindy in Salem, OR

Comments

  • connsteele
    connsteele Member Posts: 232
    Wonderful news
    So glad to hear of David's remarkable recovery. The human body is a real miracle in its ability to heal. He (and you) are true inspirations on how to get through the dark, dreary days to experience the sunny days. I pray that we all will have many more of those good days.

    Our son David also finished up his OT/PT the end of Dec. His therapists said that he had met the goals that had been set for him. However, he still must use a cane and has fine motor and speech issues. I think this is his baseline. While it's nice that we don't have to drive him to an appointment 4 days/week, it was something for him to look forward to. Since our son moved away 12 years ago he has lost contact with his former high school/college friends. And he's not one to reach out. I think he's embarrassed for them to see him like this. So, the OT/PT was a way for him to get out of the house and interacting with other people besides us and our friends.

    Thanks for keeping us updated. Hugs to you and David.
  • Jenny2008
    Jenny2008 Member Posts: 7
    Wonderful, wonderful
    Wonderful, wonderful encouraging news!!
  • AshleyWF
    AshleyWF Member Posts: 46
    Great News
    Was so happy to read this!! What a strong and brave man David is!
  • chicken2799
    chicken2799 Member Posts: 105
    Praise God!
    I can just feel the joy in your post! I am so happy that he has made such a fast recovery and things are looking better for him. I will continue to keep you in my prayers!

    God Bless You!
    Michelle
    Mobile, Al
  • alutiiqmom
    alutiiqmom Member Posts: 256
    what a blessing!
    Hi Cindy Sue -
    I am very happy for you and David. What a blessing. Your prayers, our prayers are answered. I am also happy that your hope could be renewed. It sounds so scary. I worry about what Sarah will go through, but we all have to take it one day at a time. I look forward to continued improvements for David. Sending God's Blessings to you and yours.

    Edna
  • sadinholland
    sadinholland Member Posts: 248

    what a blessing!
    Hi Cindy Sue -
    I am very happy for you and David. What a blessing. Your prayers, our prayers are answered. I am also happy that your hope could be renewed. It sounds so scary. I worry about what Sarah will go through, but we all have to take it one day at a time. I look forward to continued improvements for David. Sending God's Blessings to you and yours.

    Edna

    So glad to hear David is improving
    Hello Cindy,

    I am thankful to hear that David is doing better and immproving more and more as time goes on. I read your post but I don't always comment because it is hard for me to find the right words to say. I am still praying for you and David and everyone else on this site.
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    Wonderful Progress
    Cindy,

    That is wonderful news about David's recovery!

    I agree with the therapist's analogy about the weather and our recovery. I had a great physical therapist the past 4 weeks and if it weren't for Lew, I'd be barely moving.

    Please keep us updated to David's progress. Am continuing to keep him in my prayers.

    Blessings.

    Teresa