The day has come

Well I'm headed to my grandmother's auction soon, but thought I would give a quick update about the exciting news. I was originally scheduled to have the halo removed on Tuesday (6/29). The other day though I got a phone call saying the doctor was taking that day off and my appointment was moved back another day. However, I started having some complications with the 4 screws in my skull. I could feel them shifting in and out of the skull (quite painful). Yesterday, it started getting pretty bad and was happening most of the day. I called the surgeon and they told me that the chances of the pins actually moving in and out were very small and that I should just wait it out and see Dr. Osgood on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this morning I woke up in excruciating pain. Every time I moved at all the pins would shift and I was in terrible pain. My friend, Jeremiah, had stayed the night and thankfully took me into the ER. The doctors there confirmed that the holes where my screws were had gotten bigger, causing bleeding and all sorts of fun stuff. After several phone calls to Dr. Osgood and Hershey Medical Center, the ER doctor decided to take the halo off right there (despite having no experience doing so). After a dose of morphine, the doctor and two nurses disassembled the halo, cleaned me up, put on the new collar and sent me home. I'm a free man!!! No more halo. I'll still meet with Dr. Osgood to find out how long I'll wear this collar and see what restrictions I still have. But I just wanted to let everyone know the great news. The halo is finally gone. Anybody interested in a Frankenstein costume? Thank you once again to everybody for the thoughts, prayers and everything you've all done. It's been a crazy journey and it's been such a blessing to have so much support from everyone.

June 16th Update from Jesse

Update from Jesse via Jere:

I'm still making progress and getting better. My hand continues to be the only place I still need noticeable recovery. However, every now and then I'll have a revelation about how my hand has improved. Those moments are definitely exciting, because day to day it's hard to tell. Thankfully I've completely gotten over pain (even after sleeping)...and only 13 days until I get this contraption off! In the meantime, I've started catching up on my schoolwork. Let me tell you what, nothing screams "exciting summer" like reading textbooks and writing 3 papers every week. Oh well. I must admit that as annoying as work is, it's better than sitting in front of the tv.

Well the day is approaching. I have another 22 days until the 29th. Then I can finally get rid of the head gear. Not much has happened in the last few weeks. I'm now starting to finish up my classes. I'm looking for a job to try and make some money over the summer. Beyond that, I'm down to having physical therapy once a week. The leg and arm are basically back to normal and the hand is at about 65%. The pain is gone and I'm basically used to the halo, so the heat is really the only thing that bothers me anymore. There's nothing quite like wearing a fur vest when it's 80+ degrees outside. However, I really can't complain. Many of the other people I've talked to who have worn halos end up wearing them for 4-6 months at least. A few people have said they wore one for 8-10. So being scheduled to lose this at the end of 3 months doesn't seem too bad. Plus, the recovery I've been making with my leg and arm have been quick which is very nice.

Anyway, here's how things look for the weeks ahead. I'll continue to have physical therapy once a week up until I get the halo removed. My nephew will turn a year old and my grandma's having an auction at her house. I'm sure I'll also be going to graduation parties and random other events. After the halo comes off, I'll wear a Miami-J Collar for a little bit. I'm not sure what the rules are for when or how long I have to wear it, but the physical therapist says they're actually fairly comfortable. My physical therapy after the halo's removed will be mostly for mobility of the neck. I had some concern over the loss of muscle from not using my neck, but the PT doesn't think there'll be much muscle loss. The biggest problem will be a stiff neck and getting full movement again.

OK, I think that's it for now. I need to read a chapter and write a paper so I can't procrastinate too long. I hope everyone's doing well and hope to hear from you soon!
-Jesse

This is Jesse and I thought I'd write an update to let everyone know how I'm doing now that I've been home for almost a month. Beware, it's a long update.

Things here at home are going pretty well. I'm no longer using the cane to walk, and have actually made a few long walks without much issue. I still have some slight weakness in the hamstring, but other than that my leg is almost back to normal! As for my arm, I'm gaining a lot of strength and mobility back. I may have torn my rotator cuff from overworking it in the rehab hospital, but it continues to get stronger and gain a greater range of motion. My biggest challenge there is telling myself to stop when it gets sore so that I don't end up damaging it more. Finally, my hand is making slow but steady improvements. I have basically the full motion in my hands and fingers, though there's still a little weakness. When I started physical therapy a month ago, my hand was at about 20% strength and I'm up to about 50%. So I'm still not where I want to be, but everything is definitely coming along.

Some of the fun I've had lately involves visiting my friends back at Juniata the other week. I was disappointed with the amount of time I had, but was extremely grateful to see people before the summer. Then this past weekend I went to my cousin Jenny's graduation party in New Jersey. She's graduating from med school (Congrats again!) and so I got to see a lot of my family which was very nice. Overall, I'm getting around fairly well and definitely like to get out of the house. I've never been one to stay still and so this whole process has forced me to develop a great deal of patience.

Two of the most popular questions people continue to ask are if I have pain and how I sleep at night. Ironically, the two go together. The only time I have any pain is usually when I wake up in the morning or sometimes if I wake up at night. However, it's usually gone in about 10 minutes, so I'm not complaining. Sleeping has been much better here at home than in the hospital. It's sometimes difficult to position myself because I like to sleep on my stomache/side, but once I find a comfortable spot I'm usually out.

Finally, the big question has been answered. The halo comes off June 29th! I'll admit I was a little disappointed to hear it wouldn't ome off until the end of June, but knowing how long other people have had to wear one, I have nothing to complain about. I met with the surgeon today and he said my x-rays and everything all look good, he just wants to be safe. After the halo comes off I will wear a soft neck collar and will do a few sessions of physical therapy to regain mobility in my neck. Even though I had the fusion and haven't moved my neck in so long, the therapist expects that I'll have full mobility and strength rather quickly.

Okay, I do believe that's enough for now. Thanks for reading my novel :-P Maybe I'll work on doing updates more often so they don't end up so long. Anyway, thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and all of the continued support. I really do appreciate it. I look forward to seeing everyone soon (and in 49 days without the hardware!)

Monday, April 19th

Jesse has been home for a few days, and today's recap is brought to you by Uncle Mike [Edits by Jere]:

I drove to Lebanon and surprised Jesse halfway through his initial session at the First Choice Rehabilitation facility there (http://www.firstchoicerehab.com/). Unfortunately, I missed seeing Erin [Jesse's sister], who had driven him there and was already en route home to Boston. Sharon [Jesse's Mom] arrived a few minutes after me, having left work early. We met Jesse’s main therapist, Dale Hilbolt, and his other (occupational) therapist, Renee Long. (Jesse is entitled to thirty sessions with Dale, and twelve (albeit with co-pay) with Renee. He’s currently slated for 4 pm every Mon, Wed, Fri.) The therapists said that the biggest concern currently is re-gaining the strength in his right arm/hand, where his pinky & adjacent finger are still exhibiting some numbness and tingling (which are completely expected, given his injuries). He squeezed one of those hand-measure gizmos, registering 10 with his right hand and 60 with his left. Jesse admitted that his penmanship was never that great to begin with (don’t they teach cursive in Jonestown schools?!? I blame the elementary school teacher’s aides, ha ha), and he estimated that he’s currently at roughly 60% in that area. The therapists also want to improve the mobility/strength in his right shoulder (Jesse could outstretch his right arm and a bit more, but not for very long). Renee gave him a stretch band, with instructions to do various exercises at home. The therapists seemed less concerned with his right ankle, which remains quite sore --- their main concern there is that his ankle injury, coupled with the awkward bulk of the halo neck brace (due to be removed approx. mid-June), might cause him to lose his balance and fall (“the last thing he needs right now”). Dale asked Jesse to get off the couch at least once an hour and (with his cane) walk around, and always wear a solid pair of shoes (not barefoot) and please don't trip. The therapists were pleasantly surprised that he wasn’t exhibiting any significant lingering effects from his brain injury (e.g., no slurred speech, no memory lapses, etc.), that he’s tolerating the pain okay, and that he is entirely self-sufficient and able to handle everything on his own (getting dressed, putting on socks and shoes, etc… --- although, Jordan, FYI, he’s not flossing, LOL). They indicated that bodes well for a continued speedy recovery. Afterwards, Jesse gingerly got into Sharon's car --- difficult ‘cuz he can’t really tell if his brace is gonna bump. Back in Jonestown, we went to Pizzatown for a late lunch. (Tangent: with Jesse tilted back in my passenger seat, I asked Joe to navigate from the backseat. Alas, Joe’s sense of direction was off and he repeatedly had me taking wrong turns down bumpy alleys, no doubt to his brother’s dismay.) Jesse reported that his chicken parmagiana sandwich was better than the Altoona hospital food. Not sure, however, that that constitutes a rave review. Back home, he relaxed (e.g., fiddled on his laptop) while Joe, Sharon and I mowed the lawn and did other yard work. Harrison & I subsequently took a walk with Jesse around the block, while Sharon did some grocery-shopping and Joe helped out with the English-as-a-second-language session at church. After dinner, Joe & I played with the flarp (don’t ask), and Jesse played his guitar a bit --- it was encouraging to see him pick out a tune.

Jesse relaxing at home

Jesse shows appreciation for Joe's help!

Wednesday, April 14th

Jesse has made it safely back home! Visitors, please call ahead to verify Jesse is not traveling to PT, OT or other appointments when you arrive. Driving help would always be welcome; Jesse is coordinating his own schedule.

Please do not send get well cards to Health South; cards and warm wishes may be directed to our home in Jonestown.

Wednesday, April 7th

News broke today that Jesse has conquered stairs, walks with a single-point cane, and has mastered walking through grass, mulch and other terrain.... So the conclusion was reached: On Wednesday, April 14th, Jesse is headed home to Jonestown!

April 8th - 12th: Continued physical and occupational therapy to work on fine motor skills of the right hand.

April 13th: Mom visits Altoona to shadow nurses, PT & OT and learn her role in Jesse's continuing care.

April 14th: Jesse is discharged from Altoona, arrives in Jonestown.

April 15th: Jesse begins a program of OT and PT three times per week in Lebanon for the next few weeks....

Physical therapy will continue at some level through the summer. Halo brace comes off 12 weeks after the accident (mid-June) likely followed by more physical therapy to re-develop neck muscles....

All the while, Jesse will be completing 9 credits from this Spring over the summer months, hopefully beginning that process in about two weeks.

Juniata friends: get out to Altoona to see Jesse this weekend before he returns to Jonestown.

NL friends: prepare for a weekend (April 17th?) Welcome Home" party complete with tea cooler fountains and ring bologna toss.