NEW FEAT FOR THE FEET

That is right everyone -- He walked into the bathroom and back, then walked from his room down the length of the hall to the living room using a walker and those big black boots for support.  His therapist congratulated him and told him to be ready to do it again tomorrow.  It is an exciting sign of progress but makes for some serious muscle pain later natural though after all these weeks of laying flat.

The main work on the new ADA bathroom is finished and now starts the addition of paint and tile to be done by a new crew.  Howard can hardly wait, he is getting more anxious all the time to be home again.  It shouldn't be long now until the new bathroom is ready for him to shower for hours and the Bruno stair chair is delivered and installed.

A Great Time Was Had by All

The birthday party was a great success and when I arrived with Sunday paper in hand to visit Howard he was cheerfully doing his leg lifts and strengthening exercises.

The previous posts give lots of info about Howard's daily experiences as he continues to get better so  I thought you all might like to have a little update on what is happening at home.  This week has been a whirlwind of activity as well.  It began with Joe, Jon and Mario wielding big hammers to remove some of a bedroom wall and the walls of the linen closet (leaving the door and it's frame to form a closet with a one inch depth) and we are accepting ideas for how to use the space. Joe's design called for lowering the level of the space before adding waterproofing and concrete layer.  They have already vetoed a glass wall looking into the new shower or making it a display spot for very special art.  It might be just too practical to hang a broom and dustpan in there.  Mike came along to help carry enough buckets of concrete up the stairs to lay a new floor.  He cleaned up after and continues to make order out of chaos.

Then came new waterproof sheetrock walls, additional wiring and plumbing to turn the space into a wheelchair accessible room size shower with a mirrored medicene cabinet, lights with fans and heat bulbs and just the TOP of the line TOTO toilet and sink.  The wiring, taping and mudding was about finished today.  And everyone is grateful that Deb prepared lunches every day for the crew.  Mike has been here everyday and he and Kathi are turning an old cabinet into an older looking new linen cupboard that will hold all sorts of items.  The next big job will be sanding and painting the walls and then tile on walls and floor.  We will have a great wheelchair accessible shower room with a drain in the floor.

Abbie took party pictures and we soon will get one or more into this blog.  Thanks Abbie ! ! !

A Very Merry Birthday!

Good morning everybody! 

As a special treat for Grandpa's birthday celebration, they've imported a special guest blogger all the way from New York City! I even managed to get all the way through the party yesterday and the after-party nachos without collapsing from jet lag- a marvelous feat. 

But the party! Yesterday, in honor of not only Howard's birthday but his marvelous recovery progress (he can stand up in the dreaded boots!!) the family gathered at his new home to sip a little bubbly and eat an enormous cake made by mother dearest, Kelli. Grandpa was up in his chair, which had been decked out with an enormous singing balloon (a gift from his caretakers, Esther and Marian) and was greeting his guests at the door. We all adjourned to the deck for the party proper. A few highlights: the wind continually activated grandpa's balloon, providing us with some lovely background music. Grandpa had his first glass of bubbly  and declared it to be "mighty fine". The Drake family had been in Spokane the week before, and had compiled a photo album of Deer Park photos, so we could all see how the old place was doing now. We were all shocked to discover that they have their very own computer store now! Before cutting the cake, we recreated the grandchild photograph that hangs in grandpa's bedroom and on the home page of this blog (Aaron miraculously walked in just as we said "cheese"). 

For me, personally, it's been difficult to be on the other side of the country during this whole journey, although being able to read this blog has certainly helped. I was so grateful that I got to have a little time to catch up with grandpa and see for myself just how very much like himself he truly is nowadays. I wish I could stick around for a little while longer and help out more, but it's back to the big apple with me tonight (I have my own blog of New York life, if any of you aren't already reading it, at newcoastadventure.blogspot.com). All in all it's been a lovely visit, and I'm so happy that Grandpa's doing so very well!!

-- Amy 

Want Ad Posting by Howard

Dad asked me to post a request on the blog today - He's looking for someone to come and do his therapy exercises for him 3 times a day.  He can't pay you, but would cheer you on from his bed. No experience necessary.  Upper body strength workouts begin ASAP, with  leg strengthening routines to begin early next week.  Only cheerful exercisers need apply.

Submitted by Howard Shepherd

Dad stood up today!

What a day!  With the help and encouragement of Angela, a mild-mannered occupational therapist, Dad put his boots back on and pulled himself up to version of standing on his own two feet!!!  And he not only used his feet to stand, but he also put those booted feet on the floor for balance  as he slid into and out of his wheelchair with minimal help!  He also had a good time "walking" his wheelchair around the room with his feet, realizing how quickly he could maneuver himself out into the hallway, or into the kitchen or the deck on a future adventure... tomorrow maybe?? 

 So many possibilities for independence have opened up for Dad this week.  And with his amazing rate of healing and these first successful attempts at ambulation, the stair chair installation and bathroom remodel have jumped into full swing!  All bets are off as to the date Dad might be able to come home.  God knows when his homecoming will happen and we think it will be sooner than later.  

Please continue to pray for Dad as he works to strengthen his muscles and increase his endurance so he can move to a walker.  Surprisingly, Dad felt no pain in his feet or his wrists during today's activities.  But that dog-gone hip was the pain culprit.  Not being able to rehab his hip until two months after surgery makes the therapy pretty painful.  Hang in there, Dad!

On a personal note, I am so thankful to have witnessed today's major milestones with my dad.  I drove over to his care house this morning only because he wasn't answering his cell phone and I wondered if he'd run away or something!  Alas, the volume had been muted, which one more lesson on cell phone operation corrected easily.  Soon after my arrival, Angela the therapist arrived  for her first visit and the happy miracles began to take place.  To see Dad's face as he moved on his own, and put weight on his feet for the first time in months is a site I will never forget.  And I think that he didn't mind me doing a "happy dance" in the corner and shedding a few tears of happiness in honor of his successes today.  It won't be long until he joins me in the "happy dance" using his own two feet!   Kelli

  

A ride of a lifetime

Okay, I have to admit this story is mostly about ME/Kate, Grandpa is in it sometimes, it isn't all about me! Today Grandpa had his big appointment which you can read all about below this! I got to ride in the front seat of an Ambulance today that Grandpa got transported in. The gurney was a auto one so it was a way easier to pull up wheels by the press of a button. The driver was talkative and respectful. We talked about traveling back and forth Seattle to Portland, weather, and traffic. I know such fun and exciting topics. During all this Grandpa was usually talking to the guy in the back with him or just laying there on a gurney. At one time she got confused or lost and Grandpa tried to help, he did a little. It ended up that she was going the right way. Thank goodness I was there otherwise she would have missed the turn onto his wall. Guess how I knew? Aunt Kelli, she is wonderful, this is how she remembers which road it is. She remembers by a retaining wall that is being built, Thanks Auntie. We successfully arrived at the house. I had a super-duper, first ride in an ambulance. I bet my daddy's proud! 

~Kate =p

WOW, he's free!!!

Today started with slightly limited expectations, but it really was a big, triumphant day!  Another field trip in an ambulance took Grandpa to the OHSU center on the river to see the orthopedic surgeon who operated on his feet and wrists.  His main caretaker, Estera, said, as he was being wheeled out the door by the very kind paramedics, "Maybe you'll get your leg braces off."  We were very quick to not get anyone's hopes up, but we didn't have to!  

Sitting in the large exam room full of family with Grandpa in the middle, the surgeon's physician's assistant came in and took off the wrist braces and boots, and when arms and legs were all "naked," as Grandpa would say, "They stinketh!"  Then, all of our jaws dropped and eyes lit up when she said that he could move around his wrists and ankles and ........ put weight on his feet!!!  We were all cheering, clapping, and dancing, especially because we all thought that the process would take a lot longer! With a written statement from the very nice woman (the surgeon's P.A.), Grandpa can put as much weight on his legs as he can take and he can sleep without his boots!  With some more physical therapy on Thursday, the prospect of getting around by himself, by strengthening his muscles in his arms and legs, is now tangibly within reach!  He can walk around in the boots and lift himself with his wrist braces on, but his range of motion and "independence" is very much improving!  

 

While Grandpa was getting x-rayed, Kate, Aunt Kelli, and I rode the tram up to the main campus of OHSU and back down!  It was so cool - a mix of a funicular, the London Eye pod that you ride in, and the elevators of the Eiffel Tower!  It was very fun to see, and it would be very fun for Grandpa too!  When we came back down to see Grandpa, we got to see those x-rays for the first time, and it was very interesting - all of those screws and pins, it was kind of cool-looking! 

 

After that big excursion, we returned to his care house to a very lovely and relaxing meal, which even included a big hunk of chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream!  If it hadn't been raining, it would have been a nice picnic on the lovely deck, but Kate wheeled Grandpa outside anyway.  He didn't even melt!  When it got toward bedtime, Kate wheeled him back into his room to wait for Estera to get him from his wheelchair to his bed.  When she came in, he hugged her around the neck, and he got up on his feet to pivot onto his bed!  The first weight on those feet in 3 whole months!  It was relatively smooth, and we left him to read his book, listening to the rain fall on the leaves outside his window!  What a big day, and a great answer to all of our prayers!  Who'da thunk that Grandpa would be able to walk this soon?!?

~ Sophie : )

Since ICU...

Yesterday I drove to Portland, OR from Seattle and I went to pick up my Grandma who was with my Grandpa. I walked into the house and... WOW! The house was so beautiful and large. The last time I saw Grandpa was in ICU when he wasn't talking. I was so excited and happy to see him, because he was going to be more like the Grandpa I know! I walked in and gave him a hug. I cried I was so happy, I gave him another hug. He said he got a new cell-phone, I looked at it and it was a nice phone! I added my sister's number who stayed at home and my other sister added herself. He looked so good and healthy and himself! He said that he gets hot chocolate and cookies at 10:00 p.m. if they are awake. I said I smell something chocolate, he said "The kitchen is down the hall 2 and a half miles and then you turn left!" I started laughing, and said I agree this is a big house! We said we would visit him today, he said "I'll give you a tour!" I can't wait! I gave him a big hug and kiss and I went to stay at my Grandma's house.

~Kate (Granddaughter)

A NEW ROUTINE

Time is settling in to a routine that will be good for all of us.  Howard gets to spend time on the terrace in the open air and surrounded by trees.  We can join him there whenever his developing schedule allows.  He is being well served by Providence Home Care and they have already supplied a registrar/nurse (who came to his bedside) to get him all checked in for the benefits they offer such as physical therapy beginning monday.  More on this later.

Tuesday we will join him in the ambulance or in the chase car to keep back to back appointments with the surgeons who did the great work on his feet, ankles,and wrists.  For the much shorter trip to our beloved Dr. Hrbek (our primary physician) on Wed. for a check on all the meds he has been taking.  For this much shorter trip he will be carried by wheelchair van and be able to see out the windows.  At last someone who knows him well is taking a good long look at all that suspicious stuff like anti-anxiety drugs and find out just what he needs.

The Castle on the Mountain

A week and a half of furious wrangling, haggling, telephoning, meeting, phoning and faxing reached a tumultuous climax today when the MetroWest cabulance rolled into a driveway on Mt. Scott and delivered Howard to a new home. And we're not talking "rehab facility" here; we're talking about honest-to-goodness front doors, carpets, bedrooms, kitchen and best of all, a deck with a view. Forget about the fake flower bouquets and no Hallmark channel (we'll fix that); this is a castle fit for a rehabbing prince. It's run by two Romanian ex-patriots who must have trained in a rock quarry, if their impressive "lift and carry" routine to get Howard into bed is any indication. These ladies are tough, and we think Howard has met his match in more ways than one. He's in good hands! The "Peaceful Care House" sits in bucolic Happy Valley in a neighborhood of million dollar homes with views to match. There's no welcome sign or any other indication of a "facility". It's just a big, beautiful house with five private rooms, gorgeous landscaping, and a sterling local reputation. Getting Howard there over the past few days is the real story, an HBO mini-series of dramatic conflict featuring Medicare, Providence Insurance, the Town Center Village care facility, and the Shepherd extended family. We'll save you all the gory details and leave it with a victory for the mysterious workings of our God, common sense and a better future. And our Rehabbing Prince?  Let's just say that when Joe, Deb and the whole clan showed up at the new digs with chocolate birthday cake for Debbie and Andrew, Howard lit up like his old self and enjoyed the family for three hours in his new wheelchair! He's got his first-ever cell phone, and he may give you a call just as soon as he learns how to use it. If you're in the card-sending frame of mind, he'll take his mail care of Peaceful Care House, 10254 SE Isaac Drive, Happy Valley, Oregon, 97086. We think it's no coincidence that he's arrived at "Happy Valley", and Howard's eyes were  showing his old sparkle and a  "bring it on" attitude toward the physical therapy to come. PS - There's a certain birthday coming up on the 21st, and the new deck comes with a propane grill. Burgers, anyone?