Really Drivin’ Around

For a few months now, Kathy has been driving — on her own — and even took her mother to a family gathering recently! It began with a trip about 7 weeks ago to the hairdressers and more recently (last week) she drove to and from her pool therapy sessions … in fact, she did it 2 days in a row (Wed and Thur).

Changes:  Yes, there are some new developments … Kathy began meeting with her former PT to help with leg strengthing. She is also utilizing the pool PT room to ride the exercise bike. There is another development with her therapy for her arm. Tightness in her shoulder and elbow has hindered her hand movement … so a new elbow strightening devise has been approved by insurance for her to get and begin a new regimented therapy to help her have the brain reconnect to make the hand react to commands.

The journey continues with a promising future. Your kind support, love and prayers have been the catalyst to keep Kat positive and moving foward. Thank you and God bless you all.

What’s This? Behind the Wheel?

Yes! Kat drove on the road yesterday. She drove about 30 miles from Rumney south to Tilton. She did very well through stop lights, intersections, traffic circles and passing on the highway! It tired her out as Mike had to drive back, but for her first real trip in her mini-van, she did very very well!

So the exciting journey continues on. Come back soon to hear more of her dynamic recovery!

Finally … An Update!

Sorry this has taken so long. Last week, Kat took grandson Brent to the local pool and she got a pretty good sun tan! It was a wonderful day (as they’ve been lacking this summer) so she took advantage. She also recently received a gift of a Ford Taurus with special handicap gadgets which we are so grateful for. We are looking forward to the time when she’ll be driving real soon.

Today Kat is sick. She’s had some sniffles and small issues along the way but this one forced her to the Drs. She’s got a bladder infection and is feverish. Mike left work early today because he had felt lousy, too. But Kat’s worse off. She’s now on a few more meds and we pray this will knock it out of her.

She went to the therapy pool a few times this week also riding the stationary bike for about 10 mins. each time too. Her leg brace is in need of repair so she’s been using an ankle air cast which doesn’t give the stabilty of the brace. We got her a new pair of Nike’s to wear with the air cast and even though she’s slower, we think it’s building a little more strength in the leg. Right now though, she’s mostly in the sack sleeping off sickness.

She did make Mike a cup of tea and toast when he came home early from work … she is still a giver even when she’s hurting — and for those of you who know her well, that’s exactly the way she is.

Hopefully the next update will find her feeling much better and getting around a lot more. Visit again … we promise to update more often.

Kat’sProgress Is Ongoing

Great news this past week at DHMC. Kat’s neurologist, Robin Clark, told us that dead brain cells are not forever! We do grow new ones. The issue is their connections. It takes much longer for regaining brain/nerve connectivity after a brain injury. The brain tissue that was damaged is permanent but new brain cells will eventually bring restoration (some of which we’re seeing every day). Kat’s been reworking her arm daily and has been able to lift and stretch in many new ways. After the news received, we’ve been really encouraged. Robin did say, however, that which connecting through the nerves, memory doesn’t last … relearning has to take place all the time. We’ve recently been told of a person who suffered a similiar stroke to Kathy’s that in her 8th year of recovery, much of heractivity before the stroke had returned.

We appreciate your prayers and good wishes. We are excited as these days prove profitable in her recovery.

Kathy received a wonderful gift today. A 1994 station wagon, handicapped equipped! Mike took it for a short ride and it’s in great shape. We are very blessed to have good friends. Thanks so much Lynette and Priscilla! May our God richly bless you.

Two Years Today — Drivin’ Around

Today is Wednesday … April 29, 2009. Date sound familiar? Yes! It was 2 yearsago today Kathy suffered her stroke. There has been an amazing amount of prayer support and love from all of you. Kat could be discouaged and dismayed (altho she does have days like that), but she is holding strong and moving forward. Listen to this:

Tuesday we drove to Greenfield, NH to the Crotched Mtn Rehab Center. Here, Kat had an appointment to be confirmed to get back behind the wheel. The first part of her visit was talking with the driver instructor about basic road stuff (signs, situations, etc) as well as taking an eye test. Memory skills were also tested and she did very very well! Her vision skills revealed 20/20; her memory test was very good and her remembering road situations were ok! The instructor then got the car, fitted the steering wheel with a ball (which included a special electrical device with 3 switches: 1-L/R directional signaling; 2-wiper switch and 3-horn and high beam switch) and put Mike in the backseat and Kat in the driver seat!

After a few trips around the Rehab complex, the instructor had Kat drive off campus onto the roadway. Her reactions at stop signs, lights, on-coming traffic, etc was remarkable! The instructor then had her head for downtown Peterboro! Yes! Pedestrians, lights, school buses, tight turns, traffic …all of it. Again, her driving was remarkable (especially for someone who hadn’t been behind the wheel on her own for over 2 years). The instructor basically told Kat that she was ready to drive again! The only concern he had was that she hadn’t been driving in such a long while, he would like her to do a few more trips with him. He also wanted her to have the car we own fixed for the device he had because everything (signalling, high beam switch and wiper switch) was on the left side … which she’s still working on but yet not working on her! By the way, this is the other remarkable thing: she drove using this “new-to-her” device with very little difficulty. Only twice did she hit the wiper by mistake and drove in 92 degree weather with a brilliant sun and once she beeped her horn! AMAZING!

This has been a dream for her for a long while … to drive once again. Prayer is being answered and the reality of her behind the wheel is coming to pass! There’s great excitement in the Tremblay household!

As you can see — 24 months and the journey goes on. Join us again as we update Kat’s dynamic improvement!

Still Swimmin’

Kathy’s therapy continues each week, Tuesday thru Thursday at the Pemi-Baker Aquatic Therapy Center. She gets to work with her therapist, Kathie and has seen some success in her work.

She’s also made a friend with a gal from town who battles MS. They are both at lunch together right now. So the journey is close to home and seeing progress. Keep close!

March Update — News has been Received

On Monday, March 16, Kat went to an appointment at DHMC in Hanover, NH. She visited the Botox Dr. first and had an injection by her shoulder muscles. This seems to be one of the best results noticed since receiving these treatments. Her arm hangs more. The elbow has less tightening and stress.

She then went to see the Neurologist for her update. She is very encouraged by Kat’s progress.

Yesterday (Tues., March 17) was her last day at Healthsouth for a while. Insurance has been depleted for therapy. Mel gave Kathy some specifics of what she can do at home, so that’s what she’ll work on. She still goes to the pool 3 times a week as well (non-insurance…out-of-pocket payments). The 2 items Mel tried to get Kathy for home therapy was denied and the monthly costs are outrageous, so they are not something she can count on now. Medicare kicks in this October, so there is a chance she can get these items.

The journey goes on! Check back.

Physically Fit

Yesterday Kat had a physical … the 1st since the stroke and she is in good shape. A few other women things have to be done but all in all she is doing great. The Dr. even listened to her coratid  artery thru her scope and that was good!

Right now she is in Concord at her weekly Occupational Therapy session with OT Melanie. She’s still working on her hand and gaining vision-reaction quality so as to some day soon — drive again.

Even though she was hit with this stroke, and has limitations, her spirit and drive has not been affected. I think her sense of humor has advanced so she catching up to Mike in the ‘being funny’ department! Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. Keep visiting — the Journey continues!

Now a Pirate!

Kat’s Journey includes some new happens! Sorry it’s taken so long to post. Today (Tues, Feb 10, 2009) the occupational therapist order Kathy to wear a patch over her right eye when she reads, watches tv BUT NOT when she walks (balancing issues). So right now she’s a pirate!

Other than that, she’s been working on a new electronic stimulus device to help curb her tone. Her arm, wrist and hand relax quite well with this new device. The OT is trying to get one, cost-free for Kathy so it will stimulate her muscles in her arm to relax and her hand to not tone up tight. It is a very costly unit, but the OT and the company rep believe it is availble to her.

Walking is only hindered by her leg muscles toning up at times. When that occurs, it feels like she is no longer tight in her leg/ankle brace which gives her the stability she needs and the lack of drop foot. Without tone and a good fit she walks very normal-like. When she began walking, she would lift the leg from the hip but now she looks like she walks with her leg even with a slight knee bend!

So, she is getting around (even in this winter-type tundra of ice, snow and wind), going to the pool for therapy and working through eyesight and brain connection testing. We have much to be thankful for. Thamks for joining in on giving God thanks (as well as friends and her therapist, Melanie). Visit back soon for more on the journey!

Back to the Pool

Friday, January 9, 2009

Back to the Pool

After a two month absence, Kat returned to the pool at the Pemi-Baker Aquatic Center in Plymouth (across from where Mike works at Walmart. You may recall she was coming home from the pool back in October and walked on a root causing her foot to turn and fracturing her ankle (her bad foot without her leg brace). Last month, she was given the “all-good” to return to the pool, but finances wouldn’t allow pool membership and the weekly visit at Healthsouth. Since Mike’s health plan goes back into effect this month, he can afford the monthly dues for membership at the pool again … so she returned today!

The cold and wind has kept her inside most of the time, but she has found a spot to walk where it’s safe and a bit out of the wind. It’s at the Hannaford shopping center where she can walk from Hannaford’s to Marshall’s protected by the hall walls and a nice clear walkway.

Last year, Kat was recovering from her injury and a bit unsteady so we decided to run the wood stove on occasion instead of using it as our main source of heat. Amazingly, Kat has strengthened to the place where she is now able to keep the fire stoked and the house warm. Mike was able to get wood from a friend and the price is the best around! It’s now 12 degrees and the wind is blowing at around 25mph, and we are warm and toasty in our home!

So there’s the update! Come back to learn more of journey!

Posted by Kat dot Blog at 4:59 PM 0 comments