A Prayer for Christmas Eve

Posted December 25, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

O God our Father, you have brought us again to the glad season
…..when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant that his Spirit may be born anew in our hearts this day
…..and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us.
Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old.
Open our lips that we, too, may sing with uplifted hearts.
Glory to God in the highest,
…..and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The United Methodist Book of Worship, no. 276.

Kat’s Journey is Back on WordPress!

Posted December 9, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

Welcome Back! Mike.Blog is now kat.blog @ wordpress! Kat’s Journey will continue both here and at the blogspot addy, but it’s good to see how progress has been made over these many month’s. All the posts came up and are right here by date so it’s like we never left! (sorry … you cannot post a comment on any blog from June to November here as it’s blogspot.com’s address … any comments, please post here on this date and any subsequent post coming! Thanks for understanding)

So the whole Journey’s here!

NEW SITE IS UP! kat.blog!

Posted June 10, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

Visit Kathy’s new site for the continuing journey: http://katykleen.blogspot.com/. See You there!

 THE FOLLOWING ARE THE POSTS FROM BLOGSPOT …

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

She’s Still Doing It!

Here is the evidence of Kat’s hand usage! She is doing a great job! Melanie is her Occupational Therapist and has great hope for Kathy’s relearning to use her hand.

With the Saebo FLEX on she tightens her hand around a ball …

Picks it up …

And then releases it!

So, it takes time but is a great encouragement to see how she does it. Mel even has Kat try to get the ball without the FLEX and with some difficulty, she does it! We’ve got to learn how to take video with our camera … but we did video her today on the cell phone. If we can find a way to convert it to the “blog” file, we’ll post those soon! Thanks for your prayers and love support! MORE TO COME!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

SHE DID IT!

Today Kathy was able to use the SaeboFLEX at her therapy session and she picked up and dropped balls with her left hand! This hand has done nothing since her stroke in late April of 2007. This is a tremendous, significant achievement! Mel (the OT) came and got me (as I usually study in the cafeteria during her sessions) so I could see the achievement. When Kat finished her session, Mel told me that Kathy even picked a ball up after she took off the FLEX! Hey! This is BIG! Hard work, perserverance and the prayers of many have brought this along. Thank you, Lord. Thank you dear friends! Thanks, Melanie!
Next week, I’ll bring my camera and we’ll take those pictures. Keep connected. More of Kat’s Journey coming!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Great Day @ Therapy!

Kat had a great day at her therapy session at HealthSouth in Concord today. Her Occupation Therapist Melanie, saw some great improvement with Kathy’s left hand stretch. For a few months now, she has been wearing an arm/hand splint to keep her hand outstretched. She naturally (since her hand has been paralyzed these past 18 months) clamps up into a sort of fist. The plastic splints were more of a problem than a help but this special splint called the “SAEBO Stretch” (see below) has been the perfect solution for Kathy’s tightened hands.

We purchased the “stretch” so Kat wears it at night and a few hours during the day. Mel says Kathy has improved enough to begin using the SaeboFLEX. It looks like a mechanical hand… but it aids in retraining the brain to flex the hand and fingers. So next Tuesday (yes, election day), Kat will be trying out this device working the hand to pick up and drop rubber balls. This is an exciting turn of events. See the photo below:

As you can see in the picture, the patient has a ball grasped in his hand. This is the goal for Kathy. Pick up and grasp the ball then release the ball. We will update you with her progress.

MORE NEWS

Today, Kathy heard from DHMC in Lebanon where she had been receiving botox treatments to relax the tone (muscle tightening) in her hand and leg. She is scheduled for the next treatment November 10th. Mel has singled out to the Drs. where the muscles are that need treating. So there is a lot of good news in our home today! We are grateful to God for His working in this way!

More coming … keep connected to the journey!

Friday, October 24, 2008

FINALLY … An Update!

SEPTEMBER>
Much of September (and this month) has been working on Kat’s hand at HealthSouth Rehab with OT Mel. We purchased a Saebo Stretch which helps the tone in her arm to keep the hand from always clamping tight.

OCTOBER>
A few week’s ago, Kat was walking in the house after a pool visit. She didn’t have her brace on her leg/foot and she twisted her ankle badly. Xrays show she suffered an Alvusion Fracture where the tendon pulled a piece of bone away from the ankle. OUCH! They treat it like a bad sprain. Some of her swelling has really gone down but her tone is really making it difficult for her to walk as it loosens her brace often through the day.

HOSPITAL VISIT>
On Monday (Oct 20), we travelled to Boston Medical Center to visit Kathy’s oldest sister Barb. All her siblings and her Mom were there. Barb is having difficulty breathing and the meds she is being given don’t seem to help. Barb appears to be in discomfort. We are praying for God’s healing for her.

It was a long trip for Kat, even considering the next morning she had to go to Concord for her visit at HealthSouth with Mel. She is doing amazing as she goes on this journey. More to come! Keep tuned!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Back to the Pool!

Kathy has taken off pool therapy during July and August. She did some at the pool in Concord @ HealthSouth. Beginning in early September, she’ll be going back to Pemi-Baker Aquatic Center in Plymouth three days a week. She is looking forward to getting back to work.
At HealthSouth this past week, Kat worked on more vision exercises to get back to driving. She is advancing as she practices all the time at home. On our way back home, we were passed by a Honda Element (see picture). As the car went by, Mike noticed a note in the corner of the back window and it said this: “YOU’VE JUST BEEN PASSED BY A TOASTER!” What a good laugh we had on that on! And, you know, I appreciate the cleverness and wit of people and their willingness to share with others, aren’t you?
Well, the summer is coming to a close and fall will be coming closer. More of Kat’s incredible journey will be posted right here. Come back and visit!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Follow Kat on Twitter!

Kat just opened her new Twitter account … it’s a place to follow her and what she’s up to! Here’s the address: www.twitter.com/katykleen. See you there!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Long Overdue

Well, here’s the long overdue update. It’s been a month since we gave any updates. Kat’s summer is busy and full. She seems to have days with more energy but still usually needs her mid-day nap.

Since the beginning of July, Kathy has suspended her 3xs a week visit to pool therapy. This is because she goes once a week to Healthsouth in Concord (where she was a resident after her stroke) and gets specialized treatment. Further, the stuff at Healthsouth is to help her to get back to driving. That will help in getting around. She also is spending time watching Brent (our grandson) this summer.

She’s been in the Healthsouth pool and has made great progress with outstretching her left arm! Also, she has been in the lake and the Conference pool a couple of times. On our last visit to Concord, we decided on a seafood lunch and went to a new Seafood resturant. After the meal we took our regular visits to the bathroom but Mike went out to the car to put away the doggie bag first. When he came into the bathroom he was hoping to use the larger handicap stall but it was occupied. So he chose the next one over. After a few seconds Mike thought he heard a soft child’s voice but dismissed it until it was louder saying, “Mike, is that you?” Kat was in the handicap stall and she saw his keys dangling from his pants down by his feet. Mike replied, thinking how did I end up in the ladies room, “Kathy?”. Then it hit him … he walked by the urinals to go to the stalls — she was in the men’s room! As we rushed her out (seeing no one else came in) she wanted to wash her hands but Mike said, “not in the men’s room go across the hall to the women’s room!” Kat said there’s another think she can claim ‘brain-damage’ for!

This past Sunday morning, Mike spoke at a new church start and led in some music. He wanted to teach the group a new song so he asked Kat to get up and sing with him, which she gladly did. This was the first time since her stroke that she got up with Mike to sing! PROGRESS! She had a full day that Sunday, with the morning worship gathering and the late afternoon SNC gathering.

So now we’ve updated you as her journey goes on! Come back — we’ll get the info out sooner.

Short Update & Announcement

Posted May 29, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

This is just a short post …

Kat has involved with a couple of things that are very interesting. Every week she goes to pool therapy (on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Before climbing in the pool, she goes into the gym and works her leg either on the eliptic (sp?) walker or the stationary bike for about 15 min. It’s amazing to see the speed in her walking pace now!

On Tuesday (May 27th) she returned to HealthSouth as an outpatient. She worked with OT Janell, whom she had while a resident so they knew each other well. Janell gave Kat her pre-evaluation for driving. The results are coming. Janell said she’d like to work more with Kathy, so it seems we may be going down to Concord a few times for this purpose. Janell wants to help Kat prepare to use Saebo (a device that will help her hand react to open and closing and thus retraining her brain to make it work).

It was abit of a reunion. Beside Janell, Kat hugged and visited her 2 PT’s … Maggie and Derek. Maggie showed us her new office (as she had been promoted) and there she had pics of her new baby boy, David — what a cutie! Derek visited with us as we were leaving the lunch area. He really pushed Kat hard while a resident and he saw the fruits of his labor yesterday! It was a great time.

ANNOUNCEMENT

mike.blog has been having difficulties trying to post pictures etc. — so there will be one more post here with a new link to another blog. We will not close this one so many can revisit the trip so far. The new link will have a new name as well so watch in the next few days as we post that link. The journey goes on and very soon at a new address link … come back soon!

4/29/2008 … ONE YEAR

Posted May 7, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

On Tuesday April 29th, Kat hit the one year mark of her stroke. That day we revisited the events in our minds and verbalized some of our feelings of that day. Then reflected on the twelve months since that day … WOW! what a reflection. Kathy and Mike both saw a deepening of our relationship as a married couple (we celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary on April 2nd) as well as a deeper walk with the Savior who died and gave His life for us. We also saw a Savior who loved us by providing both in the area of hope and finances.

Circumstances that were in place during this time were also within God’s loving hand. Mike was at home when the stroke became manifest. Pete was in between jobs so he could provide stability in the home with Mom and Dad gone (and Grandma for little Brent). Mike had been on the job for one year so he could tap into personal and vacation time afforded him by his work. Many friends from God’s family (the Connection, New Hope Fellowship, Rumney Baptist, and loving individuals at the Conference Center) provided help with food, cleaning, special gifts, etc. We saw a great helping hand from Kat’s own family as they had just buried Dad Savage less than six month’s earlier. Kat’s hardship became their hardship and they lovingly came around her and Mike and the boys during this time. We still receive help with rides to therapy sessions and family events when Mike is unable to take her due to his work schedule.

One year affirmed that Jesus Christ and His family are faithful! Life would be much more difficult without the King of kings on our side!

The pictures below show Kat at her one year mark … cooking at her stove in her home. She walks around her house usually without a cane and sometimes even carries a cup of hot tea in her hand as she walks to her living room chair. She has even carried her meal aound, too, proving her balance is slowly returning. She refuses to slow down or even give up. The next picture is Kat and some of her family at her mom’s 90th birthday celebration on the anniversary of the day Kat was transfered from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH to HealthSouth Rehab Hospital in Concord, NH. Interestingly, the celebration was held at a favorite resturant in Concord!

More updates to come as more is happening in this the beginning of Year Two … so keep hooked up!

 

 

Going Down and Stuck Up

Posted April 23, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

Admittedly, it has been a while since the last post here … sorry. Much has occured as Kat’s Journey is coming close to 1 year (April 29th). Once again, both OT and PT has been suspended as a few special factors are in place. Seemingly, the 2nd round of Botox treatments have had little effect on Kathy’s arm and hand. Her leg, though is seeing improvement. Because there is a maximum insurance payout for Therapies … the therapists felt it better not to use it up too soon or until the hand showed less tone. Also, a cast was taken of her leg and a new brace with a hinge was made to improve the drop foot she has been experiencing. There is a marked improvement in her walk with the brace. She didn’t wear it today, though as she had welts due to rubbing around the calf when she walked a long distance the day before. So let’s examine the progress so far (or since the last post):

1. On March 11th she had the 2nd Botox treatment. We saw little improvement with her hand but some improvement in the knee, hamstring and foot.

2. On a Friday (about 3 weeks ago in late March), Mike came home from work and noticed the basement light was on and the door open (something that bugs Mike for reasons we won’t get into). He figuered one of the boys did it so he went to close the door and kill the light. What he found though was a shock >>> KAT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS (count: 13 steps!)! Mike asked, “What are YOU doing down there?” and Kat replied, “This is my 2nd time down here!” Up to this point she had only walked up and down a few stairs (like our entry steps which is three). Since then, she’s been GOING DOWN the cellar quite a bit, to do laundry and investigate items down there!

3. The ice in the roadways has finally disappeared so she is walking more often outdoors especially to pick up Brent after he gets off the bus. Some of the muddy areas have been a challenge, but she is doing so well!

4. Kathy has been doing much better with putting on here jackets and zipped sweat shirt. Many times Mike will go help her and sees she’s done it by herself already!

5. On Monday, April 21st, Kat returned for her 6 week check up with Dr. Cohen the neurologist who administers the botox. He decided to leave her leg as it was and concentrate on her arm and hand. So she got STUCK UP in a number of spots on her arm. By the way, For the first time Kat walked to and from the parking area instead of being left off at the entry doorway at the hospital. It was with this long walk that her leg received the welts.

Most likely our next post will be on the anniversary of Kat’s stroke as we relect on 1 year. So stayed tuned … the journey goes on!

Stuck Again!

Posted March 14, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

On Tuesday, Kathy returned to DMHC for her next round of Botox injections. She has had some more therapy since then and she is doing very well. The PT has asked for her to walk around the house without her cane which she’s been doing. It takes a great deal of concentration but she does it!

Her arm is advancing but still has no real strength or use of the left hand yet. She is able to move her wrist some which is new. We are grateful to the Lord for what He’s doing thru her!

We are still in the ice bowl here but warmer days are helping the snow to sink some but we’ll be looking at ice/snow for a long while.

We are thankful for your prayers and good wishes. May our God bless you all. Come back for more on her journey!

Stormy Days Continue

Posted February 27, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

12-10-07_2023.jpg Kat … growing stronger every day!

02-16-08_1520.jpg Mike’s Parent’s home in Rumney

As I write we are under yet another threat of a 8-15 inch snow event. It has been snowy steady since around 2:30pm and it is 8pm right now. The road and walkway to our house is getting smaller and smaller. There are warnings of roofs weakening because of the weight of snow, ice and wet. A business that just closed a few months ago had it’s roof collapse. Even the roof at Mike’s work has been showing signs of bending iron in the shop and at another portion of the store … the local fire dept has inspected it and so we still go to work!

12-04-07_1127.jpg Kathy in the pool

Kathy had quite a morning as it began with arm work with the OT at 8am and pool therapy at 10am. She was tired by noon time as you can imagine. Since Brent is off school this week, he saw Grandma at work with OT and then the pool. He just stayed for a few minutes at both but enough to see what his Grandma goes through. Grandpa took him to the dollar store and that made his day. Later we went to Laconia for some lunch and food shopping. By the time we drove home, both Brent and Kat fell asleep all the way to the house.

As you can see, we’ve been able to upload pictures from Mike’s cell phone and post theme here … ENJOY!

Come back soon … 

Back to Basics

Posted February 15, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

Yesterday, Kat returned to her pool therapy after she cancelled the day before due to an ice storm. And then after her hour in the pool she came home for about an hour and then climbed back in the van to head out for her ‘return to basics’… namely, Occupational Therapy. She hadn’t been to OT for four months. The Botox treatments is what started this again.

When Kathy went yesterday, her therapist was amazed at what she was able to do with her arm and is encouraged at what will take place in the weeks ahead. This is awesome news and a great encouragement to Kat.

Thanks for your prayers and good wishes. We’ve received some of your valentine emails and we are grateful! God bless you all.

MORE NEWS

On Monday, we picked up the mail and found that Social Security had approved Kat’s request for disability benefits. This is a real answer to prayer as we’ve been without the added income since the stroke in late April. We were amazed as we were told by others that SS Admin usually denies disability but later approves it after an appeal. Thank our God that we avoided any denial!

The journey goes on! Come back soon …

The Day After …

Posted February 7, 2008 by Mike Tremblay
Categories: Uncategorized

Shortly after we got up, and again school was delayed due to the storm, Kathy began to complain that she wasn’t feeling well. We checked her BP which was a little high and we began calling down to Dr. Cohen and ARNP Robin Clark down at Dartmouth. She finally got through to all. Robin felt her headache by her right eye and seeing light-flashes were not an indication of another stroke. She wanted her to get rest after eating toast and tea (as Kat felt nauseous) and call her back in a few hours.

Brent got off to school and when Pete came home from lunch he picked me up at the local garage where I left the van to get the coolant leak fixed. Kat was fast asleep and so I fell asleep too. I called out from work as I was getting ready to take my wife to the emergency room if we didn’t get answers soon. Seems I needed the rest too. We called Robin back at around the 3-hr mark and Kathy just spoke to her about 20 min ago. She was very reassuring. The feeling is Kathy got a virus/bug — probably at the hospital.

After some soup and tea, she’s feeling much better. So there’s not much yet to report about treatments ao far — we know that the episode Kat had was not a reaction to Botox.

Keep in touch … more to come!