Apr 3, 2006

5,000 visitors and the Discharge!

Wow! Our website has received over 5,000 visitors since we started it a few years back. Over 3,500 of those have been in the past month. Thanks for letting us share our lives with you.

As I write this, it is April 3, 2006 – I had my surgery one month ago today. In the days following the surgery, I was unable to move anything on my right side. The day I left Bethesda NNMC, March 14, I was able to move just my right thumb and index finger. Today I have full motion in my arm again. The strength is coming back slowly, as is my stamina. My finger dexterity is also coming along well – my fingers just need more practice doing things involving fine motor skills. I am finally able to walk without a brace but with a cane. All the major muscle groups in my leg are working in some fashion except for the muscles around my ankle, but I hear those come back usually last. I have to say, I am impressed with my progress and eager to continue to improve and strengthen.

Tomorrow, Tue, April 4, 2006, I will finally be discharged from NRH and will be able to go home. I have been hospitalized for 32 days. I’ll only need to take Keppra, an anti-seizure medication, twice a day. Unfortunately, I will not be able to drive for nearly a year, but there may be ways around that we’re going to check into. Thank goodness for DC’s Metro system!

I’ll be released around 11am and Holly and I are going to configure the apartment for me since I’m still a bit unsteady on my feet. We got a commode riser that will be higher for me to use on the pot. It just goes right over the existing toilet. We also had to purchase a shower bench as I cannot shower standing up as I cannot stand for prolonged periods of time. Plus, it’s slippery which equals unsafe. We’ll have to move some furniture around a bit and then we plan to unpack and relax. I haven’t been home for a good amount of time for a month, so it’s going to feel great to get back to the apartment.

I did get a day pass this past Sunday and we had a great time at church, lunch and at the Cherry Blossom Festival. We took some great pics and had a heck of an experience getting there. I’ll post more on that including pics after I get home.

That’s it for now. My right hand is starting to hit keys twice and it’s getting shaky. It’ll be great to use a lower keyboard at home to type these tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers… keep on praying for my right leg!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are doing so good Roger!!! Thanks for the update. As always we will be praying for you and Holly to keep the strength. You have come so far so quick and it is a miracle. Love Brandy

D. Wallace said...

I think it is great how something like a blog can exist to allow so many people the opportunity to glimpse into the lives of others. Makes the world feel so much smaller though. It also reminds me that all of us aren't that different.

Anonymous said...

Here you are...32 days after your surgery and you're home! I know how important a step this is for both of you, but think what God has done in the time between March 3rd and today. We know it hasn't always been pleasant, but we can know that, somehow, it has been a necessary part of His plan. What a Great Day! God bless you both and praise Jesus for Who He is and how He works in our lives. Love you guys...Dad