Yesterday Russ had his first day at the Rehab center and they started the ball rolling right away. He has a schedule every day where he sees Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. He was given his own wheelchair and uses this to get to his therapies. Right now the therapists come and get him, but soon he will be have to make it down himself using his chair.
I arrived at the tail end of his first Physical Therapy appointment. I could tell right away from the look on his face he was frustrated. The therapist was great that was working with him but Russ was disappointed in the lack of what his right leg was doing. Don't even get him started on his arm…
They taught me how to transfer him from the bed to the chair and once I'm trained I can do it on my own while he is in his room. I wanted to tell these people "please… I know how to do this!" but I held my tounge and humored them with the education. This is one skill this nurse did not forget.
The Speech therapy appointment was the hardest yesterday. I truly felt stupid after and Russ passed without problem. They test for short term memory, articulation and many other things. Russ has no problem with memory at all. He knows everything that is going on which probably brings on part of his frustration. They asked craziest questions and when they tested his memory they gave him 4 words to remember and then asked many questions. Then they come back and ask him to recite the four words again. Russ nailed it. I was sitting behind Russ and forgot two of them. Good grief. Those of you that have met my Prince know he is a very articulate and highly educated man. I found it funny when Russ would give his answers to the therapist. They were always a higher thinking and I could see it would stump the therapist a few times. Again, he nailed it. Besides articulating his words with accuracy he has trouble getting the words he wants out. This is very frustrating for him and typically he will just say, "oh well" and giggle.
When we went back to the room for lunch I could tell in his face that he was not happy. I asked him what was going on in his head and he said he wanted more. In other words, skip lunch and lets get more of a workout. His therapy was complete at 2:30 and he wanted to go back to Physical Therapy. The psycologist popped in and it was perfect timing. She explained to Russ that most of the time the older patients are too tired to complete anymore therapy. She was going to talk to the therapists and see if he can get more during the day. That seemed to perk Russ up.
Russ also said he was bored stiff which leaves time to think about everything. Things like his military career, flying, taking care of his family run through his head daily. I can tell him everyday to focus on today, do not worry about the other things but it's still on his mind.
I was glad the physcologist came in yesterday. I think she will play an important part in the therapy. This all boils down to patience. I've always said that Russ has the patience of Job. Me on the other hand, NONE. I know we are not supposed to pray for patience, but I can see Russ' is being tested. Sigh!
It's time for me to get myself ready and head back to the hospital. My daily routine right now is getting the kids up and ready for school and then I leave for the hospital. It's about a 35 minute drive to get to the hospital. I try to stay with Russ all day until it's time to get the kids to their activities. My parents typically get Alexis to her gymnastics and then I am home to pick them up. The kids are still doing well. Still praying daddy comes home for Christmas.
I cannot say it enough, thank you! Thank you for the encouraging words, prayers and supporting my family. The cards bring smiles, your words bring us comfort and your prayer is working. We see it daily and praise God for all of that he is doing for our family. We see daily improvements in Russ. Although small, it's so encouraging.
17 thoughts on “Frustration Sets In!”
Praying for you every day! Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated on Russ's progress.
Kimberly, thank you for keeping us posted. It certainly isn't easy to juggle your time with hospital visits, caring for the children & the extra daily demands. We will continue to keep you in our prayers. Russ has the determination to win this battle & he will. There is a God! My sweetie just had positive tests…he's in remission. Oh, the power of prayer.
Kimberly, As the others have indicated – thanks for taking the time to update us. You all will continue to be in our prayers. I'm so glad that you are so near your family now. That is really a blessing. We are all rooting for Russ, and your family. Glad to hear the postive effects of prayer. {{Hugs}}
So glad to hear that he wants MORE! A true motivator……praying he comes home for Christmas and The Lord places his healing hands upon Russ and patience for you! Thank you so much for taking the time to update us all on his progress.
Thinking of you and your family..doing lots of prayers for healing and patience and love for all of you…. Don't forget to Take care of yourself Kimberly 🙂
Kimberly, Keeping you and your family in prayer. Of course adding everyone that is helping Russ needs prayer also. Know that God hears all our prayers, His timing never fails. Keep calm as much as you can, stay well for your family. Everything will work out for the best. Your both blessed that Russ is making progress. Keep the faith.
Oh my word. You might rememberme…I'm the Navy wife that moved from the roomy house in VA Beach to the "cozy" house in Point Loma, CA. I am mostly a lurker & don't comment much on most blogs…but I stopped by & saw right away that something was wrong. Holy cow…talk about a major curve-ball. Please know that I will keep your husband & entire family in my prayers. SO AMAZING that you are close to family now…that's got to be HUGE. And I'm sorry your husband gets frustrated. I know mine would be EXACTLY the same. I think many pilots are cut from the same cloth…less than perfect can be a hard pill for them to swallow. It will get better, I am positive! Hang in there, girl. From my coast to yours, consider yourself hugged!
Kim, I follow you as a fellow SU demo, and have always been inspired by your creativity, your enthusiasm, your honesty, and your humor. Most of your tails are great fun to read, but this one has been much harder. I'm currently helping my husband recover from hip replacement surgery, and when I feel sorry for myself…or tired of doing it all…I think of you, and say a prayer for both of us. Your's will be a much longer journey. I'm glad you are close to family down there..perfect timing! And I wonder if your tiredness last month was God's way to get you rested up and ready for this? I am proud of you for setting priorities and for showing the world what real marriage is like…"in sickness and in health". And isn't it helpful that you are a nurse!? Just being used to the setting and the jargon makes it a little less overwhelming than it would be if you had no medical experience! So…I see God at work…Romans 8:28…and I know you do too. Hugs from Michigan, Martha Town
PS. I just read a book called "Rebooting my Brain" by Maria Ross…a memoir you both may find helpful eventually…if only for inspiration.
Kimberly,
As I said yesterday (about my mom and working with her after her stroke), the more therapy they can get, the better. As long as it doesn't wear them down. And,the sooner the better. So, if Russ wants more, be sure to encourage it or help him yourself (I know your time is limited too tho). My mom would have never made it with the little bit of therapy offered and if I hadn't worked with her in between therapy sessions. Even the therapists agreed. They just don't have enough time to spend with each patient. You both need the patience of Job and we are pulling for both of you, and the kids.
Kimberly,
(I hope this isn't a repeat but I didn't see my post so am trying again)
I just want to say that if Russ wants more therapy, be sure to get it for him. With a stroke, the sooner the better, as long as it doesn't wear him down. As I said yesterday, when my mom had her major stroke she wouldn't have recovered as well if I hadn't worked with her in between therapy sessions. The therapists all agreed and were amazed. I know your time is limited but if 'anyone' has time to visit him and help it would be great. I know how hard it is on everyone and patience is a virtue but again, the more therapy the better and sooner is better. Bless you and your family. I know how devasting this is and how it wears everyone down. Keep your chin up and continue to follow Job's path.
Karen, in Port Townsend, WA
Kimberly, thank you for keeping us updated. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thank God Russ is able to function, even if it is slowly. I know you must be exhausted, you need to take care of yourself too. I'm so happy for you that you live so close to your parents now. That must be so comforting for you and the kids. Take care and God Bless.
Still praying for you and your family. Sounds like things are progressing well which is always good news no matter how fast or slow it may be. Hoping your prince will be home for Christmas; best present ever! 🙂 Keeping the Faith on the West coast.
Kimberly, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Your updates are so appreciatative and I know it takes precious time out of your day to do this – so thank you! Glad to hear PT, etc. has been started – you being a nurse knows the sooner the better (as others have said). Good for Russ wanting more; just so he knows there will be days when he won't feel like he wants any. Very frustrating for him, but that has to help him want it even more – you GO RUSS!!! I so hope that he can be home for Christmas; even if he is just released for a few hours. That is what they did when my Dad suffered his massive stroke (9/1/82 at age 52). While he was living at a Rehab Center, and wasn't ready to come home – they did release him. BEST GIFT E*V*E*R for the whole family – he came back home that April. My Dad also did well memory-wise and while some words couldn't be formed or come out the way he wanted them to – he could sing The National Anthem word-for-word. Brought tears to our eyes everytime and a HUGE smile to his face knowing what he had just done!!! Not that a stroke is anything anyone would ever want – it can give you hidden gifts too. Take good care of YOU and the best to each and every one of you! Big hello to Russ! God Bless you.
Praying for all of you!
Oh Kimberly, I can't believe what your family is going through right now! I have been out of the country for 2 months and couldn't believe the news when I just got caught up on your blog! Many good thoughts and prayers your way!
~Hugs~
Pat
Kimberley, I just stopped by to see how things are going in your world. I am thinking of you all and praying for strength and patience through this. Take each day at a time and celebrate the victories no matter how small. I do hope that Russ can make a visit home for Christmas. Don't forget yourself in all this. Take time to rest there is still a long road to go.
Sending my love and wish you a Merry Christmas.
Jenny xx
(Australia)
Kimberly, just a quick note to say your family continues to be in my prayers. Courage and patience as well as healing…and prayers for blessings beyond your dreams in the new year. God's grace will see you thru this. Esther
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