Quick update on Jesse.... There are no screws loose, but one screw too tight! Dr. Osgood stopped in to check on it tonight, and said that toughing out the pain is the best bet for now.... Jesse shows considerable improvement in his ankle, hand, and walking -- his walking "stats":
Saturday, 3/27: 3 steps
Sunday, 3/28-Monday, 3/29: 15 total steps
Tuesday, 3/30: 170' total feet
Wednesday, 3/31: 1,000+ feet!
Thursday, 4/1: 2,500+ feet (updated 4/1, 4:30pm)
Statisticians, quick -- how long until Jesse walks a marathon?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 30th
Not a lot to report today; Jesse walked using a walker with a forearm extension, and he also had an unusual incident with an exploding growth on his face. If you think you're having a bad day, be glad you don't have an exploding growth.... Jesse graciously distributed muffins and cookies to all those who helped with the cleanup. (Matt, bring more muffins and cookies).
Saturday - Monday, March 27-29th
Jesse had a visit from his niece Molly on Friday and again on Saturday. On Saturday, Josh & Eileen (Jesse's brother and sister-in-law, Molly's parents) thought Jesse could share in Molly's first egg-coloring experience....
In Josh & Eileen's defense, bringing the nurses chocolate chip cookies and bringing ziti for Jesse were two very good ideas.
Let's return to the Easter eggs. First, there was a mishap pre-visit with the boiling -- namely, some eggs cracked a wee tiny bit. Then we arrive at the rehab hospital with dye, water cups, vinegar and cracked eggs. Obtaining supplies took some effort, but the process began with Eileen leading the way. All was going well until the camera came out and the decision was made to line-up the eggs and dyes in front of Jesse and Molly for a photo. As you can guess, Molly was able to reach the red dye, pull.... and splat. Eileen suffered the worst damage (red vinegar dye on her jeans) and housekeeping Dave was good-humored about assisting with the clean-up, but Jesse certainly had a Saturday to remember!
On Sunday Jesse had a few more visitors and continued progress (Jesse continues rehab work through the weekends). Sunday evening Chaplain Dave returned from his midwest trip and was able to sit with Jesse for a while; Dave has been very helpful through Jesse's recovery and it was good to see him back in PA!
Monday night Jesse got moved to the window bed and can now control his own heat and air conditioning -- still in the same room for visiting purposes. His Pastor visited earlier in the day and then seven Juniata students piled onto his bed for a visit -- Jesse's half of the room was certainly a bit crowded! Rich, from Jesse's CMA church in Huntingdon also dropped in later in the evening keeping Jesse very busy for the night.
A few updates:
1. Jesse has progressed well through the walking-through-the-parallel-bars. Jesse's next task will be to use crutch-style walkers (neither Jesse nor I have seen this apparatus, so it is difficult to explain) to extend his pacing beyond the length of the parallel bars.
2. Jesse's nurses are encouraging him to get outside when he has friends at the facility. If the weather is cooperative, coordinate with the nurses to help Jesse outside to a patio. There are blankets if the temperature drops, but there are no provisions for wet weather.
3. Jesse has his cell phone, but please limit your calls and texts -- the staff does not want copious calls and texts to interfere with Jesse's recovery or distract him from sleep, so perhaps call or text during visiting hours. If Jesse has a room full of people he will attempt to respond when visiting hours conclude at 8pm, but be aware that Jesse cannot return 20-40 phone calls per night. Be patient!
4. Not every stitch was removed from Jesse's head. Stitches were only removed from his face. If you see Jesse start to scratch his head, near his hairline, yell at him. Bad things happen when you scratch at the stitches in your head.
5. Visitors - as I said before, Jesse is in the same room but has moved to the window bed. Please be patient if Jesse is in OT or PT when you arrive and be respectful of the nurses and Jesse's roommate.
Enjoy Holy Week, get yourself to church, and check back often for further updates!
In Josh & Eileen's defense, bringing the nurses chocolate chip cookies and bringing ziti for Jesse were two very good ideas.
Let's return to the Easter eggs. First, there was a mishap pre-visit with the boiling -- namely, some eggs cracked a wee tiny bit. Then we arrive at the rehab hospital with dye, water cups, vinegar and cracked eggs. Obtaining supplies took some effort, but the process began with Eileen leading the way. All was going well until the camera came out and the decision was made to line-up the eggs and dyes in front of Jesse and Molly for a photo. As you can guess, Molly was able to reach the red dye, pull.... and splat. Eileen suffered the worst damage (red vinegar dye on her jeans) and housekeeping Dave was good-humored about assisting with the clean-up, but Jesse certainly had a Saturday to remember!
On Sunday Jesse had a few more visitors and continued progress (Jesse continues rehab work through the weekends). Sunday evening Chaplain Dave returned from his midwest trip and was able to sit with Jesse for a while; Dave has been very helpful through Jesse's recovery and it was good to see him back in PA!
Monday night Jesse got moved to the window bed and can now control his own heat and air conditioning -- still in the same room for visiting purposes. His Pastor visited earlier in the day and then seven Juniata students piled onto his bed for a visit -- Jesse's half of the room was certainly a bit crowded! Rich, from Jesse's CMA church in Huntingdon also dropped in later in the evening keeping Jesse very busy for the night.
A few updates:
1. Jesse has progressed well through the walking-through-the-parallel-bars. Jesse's next task will be to use crutch-style walkers (neither Jesse nor I have seen this apparatus, so it is difficult to explain) to extend his pacing beyond the length of the parallel bars.
2. Jesse's nurses are encouraging him to get outside when he has friends at the facility. If the weather is cooperative, coordinate with the nurses to help Jesse outside to a patio. There are blankets if the temperature drops, but there are no provisions for wet weather.
3. Jesse has his cell phone, but please limit your calls and texts -- the staff does not want copious calls and texts to interfere with Jesse's recovery or distract him from sleep, so perhaps call or text during visiting hours. If Jesse has a room full of people he will attempt to respond when visiting hours conclude at 8pm, but be aware that Jesse cannot return 20-40 phone calls per night. Be patient!
4. Not every stitch was removed from Jesse's head. Stitches were only removed from his face. If you see Jesse start to scratch his head, near his hairline, yell at him. Bad things happen when you scratch at the stitches in your head.
5. Visitors - as I said before, Jesse is in the same room but has moved to the window bed. Please be patient if Jesse is in OT or PT when you arrive and be respectful of the nurses and Jesse's roommate.
Enjoy Holy Week, get yourself to church, and check back often for further updates!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 27th
Jesse had a busy Friday - three (3) occupational therapy (OT) sessions followed a solid night's sleep Thursday night. Josh & Eileen & Molly and two Juniata friends filled the evening's night, starting off Jesse's latest project -- Sea Monkeys! -- courtesy of Jesse's friend Gill with a G. Taco night wasn't a big hit, but Eileen's cookies were.
Jesse had the stitches removed from his face and nose on Friday; he also was able to focus and fully bend his right index finger, so he's still making noticeable improvements! OT involved gripping and riding an exercise bike. He's able to roll over freely in bed (to reach his Swedish Fish).
We're visiting now on Saturday, and Jesse's walking the length of the parallel bars (twice) -- unthrilled with the beef stew for lunch, but Eileen brought ziti to tide him over.
Jesse had the stitches removed from his face and nose on Friday; he also was able to focus and fully bend his right index finger, so he's still making noticeable improvements! OT involved gripping and riding an exercise bike. He's able to roll over freely in bed (to reach his Swedish Fish).
We're visiting now on Saturday, and Jesse's walking the length of the parallel bars (twice) -- unthrilled with the beef stew for lunch, but Eileen brought ziti to tide him over.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday Afternoon
It's been a busy day here in Altoona.... Jesse was up-and-at-'em this morning and had breakfast and read the paper from his ortho chair out in a community room.... Had a busy day of "OT and PT" (occupational therapy and physical therapy) and "transferred" (stood up from the bed, turned, sat in the chair) very well and later even took two steps!
Visitors have rolled through, dropping off some more clothes for Jesse -- shorts, boxers and socks were greatly appreciated and the Hawaiian shirt has moved to a predominant location; I think he'll look best rocking the Hawaiian shirt in the hallways here! Thanks to the early crew, and Matt & Gill with a G have been here since my arrival -- Matt bringing some muffins to further confuse the nursing staff re: Jesse's food intake....
(Jesse hadn't touched his dinner when I arrived, and then INHALED a chicken parmesan sandwich from Sheetz, a strawberry protein shake from Sheetz, dabbled a bit at this salad, then called it quits on dinner with only his salad slightly touched.... And fyi, it wasn't enough salad for Jesse to receive a NFFC point).
Tomorrow is Friday, March 26th, and Jesse needs to have his stitches removed and survive a visit from his 13-month-old niece -- she's so darn cute!
Thanks to the crew that brought Jesse's clothes and photos, etc. -- and thanks to those who have mailed cards!
I will get another update posted tomorrow after Jesse's stitches are out and we'll get a further update from his collective "team" after their weekly team meeting -- for the interim, the warm wishes, prayers, humor, clean socks, photos, cards, strawberry protein smoothies, chicken parmesan and muffins are greatly appreciated!
Visitors have rolled through, dropping off some more clothes for Jesse -- shorts, boxers and socks were greatly appreciated and the Hawaiian shirt has moved to a predominant location; I think he'll look best rocking the Hawaiian shirt in the hallways here! Thanks to the early crew, and Matt & Gill with a G have been here since my arrival -- Matt bringing some muffins to further confuse the nursing staff re: Jesse's food intake....
(Jesse hadn't touched his dinner when I arrived, and then INHALED a chicken parmesan sandwich from Sheetz, a strawberry protein shake from Sheetz, dabbled a bit at this salad, then called it quits on dinner with only his salad slightly touched.... And fyi, it wasn't enough salad for Jesse to receive a NFFC point).
Tomorrow is Friday, March 26th, and Jesse needs to have his stitches removed and survive a visit from his 13-month-old niece -- she's so darn cute!
Thanks to the crew that brought Jesse's clothes and photos, etc. -- and thanks to those who have mailed cards!
I will get another update posted tomorrow after Jesse's stitches are out and we'll get a further update from his collective "team" after their weekly team meeting -- for the interim, the warm wishes, prayers, humor, clean socks, photos, cards, strawberry protein smoothies, chicken parmesan and muffins are greatly appreciated!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday Afternoon
Jesse was able to stand up today; he used parallel bars to help support himself and also stood and "transferred" -- spun himself 90 degrees into a chair -- and is doing well. The rest of the Northridge family (Mom, Nanna, Aunt Cindy) couldn't go 24 hours without breaking the visitation rules and fast-talked their way in around 2:30.... Jesse has some clothes for his recovery courtesy of a Mom-Nanna-Cindy shopping trip....
Jesse's roommate checked out this evening, but another is on his way -- so please continue to be respectful.
Visitors - there are four bunnies on the wall and a t-shirt for visitors to sign. Check the bulletin board for markers. And feel free to bring a snack for Jesse with you (red smoothies from Sheetz are welcome!)
Jesse's roommate checked out this evening, but another is on his way -- so please continue to be respectful.
Visitors - there are four bunnies on the wall and a t-shirt for visitors to sign. Check the bulletin board for markers. And feel free to bring a snack for Jesse with you (red smoothies from Sheetz are welcome!)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday Night Recap
Jesse has been transferred out of the Altoona Regional Hospital ICU and into the HealthSouth Rehabilitative Unit in Altoona. Prior to the transfer, Jesse had a very positive day; he was able to sit up in a regular chair, an improvement over requiring the assistance of the Orthopedic chair. At one point Jesse was able to lift his entire right leg off of the bed and was twice able to wiggle his right toes -- signs of very successful progress!
Jesse was moved to HealthSouth via ambulance and now resides in room 101D. He does have a roommate.
Get Well Cards may be sent to Jesse Northridge c/o HealthSouth, 2005 Valley View Blvd, Altoona, PA 16601. You do not need to include a room number.
Visitors to HealthSouth are welcome weekdays 4-8pm and weekends noon-8pm. Please be very respectful of Jesse's roommate. Juniata college students: please consider coordinating your visitation schedules through Chaplain Dave Witkovsky so that Jesse can have a continuous flow of visitors and not single, large slugs.
Jesse was moved to HealthSouth via ambulance and now resides in room 101D. He does have a roommate.
Get Well Cards may be sent to Jesse Northridge c/o HealthSouth, 2005 Valley View Blvd, Altoona, PA 16601. You do not need to include a room number.
Visitors to HealthSouth are welcome weekdays 4-8pm and weekends noon-8pm. Please be very respectful of Jesse's roommate. Juniata college students: please consider coordinating your visitation schedules through Chaplain Dave Witkovsky so that Jesse can have a continuous flow of visitors and not single, large slugs.
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