I have decided that due outside factors I will no longer be updating this blog. You may contact Brent's parents, Rod and Nancy Bowen or sister Amy Blackburn for any further information.
Leslie- the wife
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
IBT/ITB whatever you want to call it.
Brent had his trial today. So far so good, no decision yet. Once that is made, then the procedure could be in as little as 1 or 2 days. They still have one more round to go to test his spasticity, but according to the PT group it is improving which is a good sign. I will let everyone know how the procedure goes once it is done.
I have an appointment with his case manager tomorrow. The boy and the girl will be going to PT to learn how to move him in/out of the chair. Even though he does a good job, he still forgets his right foot. He can twist or sprain it if he doesn't keep it flat on the floor while moving. Which we who know Brent, know he doesn't think about this since he is very impulsive.
It has been obvious for a long time, that my decision making with regards to Brent is viewed as secondary. I have tried to do what is best for my husband. The meeting is to decide what to do once he is discharged. The staff is well aware of how my townhouse is set up. And fully intend to do an in house evaluation. Obviously, it is not good enough according to others outside of the hospital.
There is no firm date of discharge that I have received from the hospital it may be 2 weeks or it may be more. Obviously, others have received information contradictory to this.
Brent has been trying to bum cigarettes from other patients the whole time he has been mobile and able to go outside at the hospital. We even caught him in the process of doing it while leaving the hospital. Yes, I smoke and yes I fully intended to quit before he came home. However, due to the enormous stress in my life right now is not the smartest time to do it. But if he in fact comes home, he will not be inhaling any second hand smoke.
Before he had the stroke, he had said that he did not intend to quit either smoking or drinking! Not Brent, no he is way smarter than any Doctor out there.
I tried to make this blog a good thing, but it has been ruined.
I aplogize to all who truly care about Brent.
Leslie, the girl and the boy
(Color me done after 17 years)
I have an appointment with his case manager tomorrow. The boy and the girl will be going to PT to learn how to move him in/out of the chair. Even though he does a good job, he still forgets his right foot. He can twist or sprain it if he doesn't keep it flat on the floor while moving. Which we who know Brent, know he doesn't think about this since he is very impulsive.
It has been obvious for a long time, that my decision making with regards to Brent is viewed as secondary. I have tried to do what is best for my husband. The meeting is to decide what to do once he is discharged. The staff is well aware of how my townhouse is set up. And fully intend to do an in house evaluation. Obviously, it is not good enough according to others outside of the hospital.
There is no firm date of discharge that I have received from the hospital it may be 2 weeks or it may be more. Obviously, others have received information contradictory to this.
Brent has been trying to bum cigarettes from other patients the whole time he has been mobile and able to go outside at the hospital. We even caught him in the process of doing it while leaving the hospital. Yes, I smoke and yes I fully intended to quit before he came home. However, due to the enormous stress in my life right now is not the smartest time to do it. But if he in fact comes home, he will not be inhaling any second hand smoke.
Before he had the stroke, he had said that he did not intend to quit either smoking or drinking! Not Brent, no he is way smarter than any Doctor out there.
I tried to make this blog a good thing, but it has been ruined.
I aplogize to all who truly care about Brent.
Leslie, the girl and the boy
(Color me done after 17 years)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The boy went to the Homecoming Dance w/his girlfriend. Pictures are on Facebook. The girl is again scaring people (she makes me so proud to be her Mama!) Brent in rehab. Again, I am here w/the 2 stupid dogs, the 2 stupid cats and Facebook. That is the negative me showing through. I guess you would call it the "Godless me".
Thanks to a friend who did a very nice thing yesterday!
Shout out to my Cousin Sherry! She is an outside voice of reason.
Leslie, the girl and the boy!
Thanks to a friend who did a very nice thing yesterday!
Shout out to my Cousin Sherry! She is an outside voice of reason.
Leslie, the girl and the boy!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Special Visitor at Rehab
Yesterday, the rehab had a special visitor to promote American Stroke Association's National Stroke Awareness Campaign. Special Visitor
Trent Green, former Chief's quarterback. He spoke to them for about 1/2 hour then signed autographs. Brent meeting him and getting his autograph was in the KC Star. On the website it is picture 56. He has 2 others on the website as well.
Today, I was getting on the elevator and ran into one of his therapists. He let me know Brent was at the pool. So we went to the pool. He is getting additional therapy in water. It is easier for him to do things in the pool because of the added buoyancy! He did a great job, but needs his trunks. Will have to run those out there tomorrow.
Leslie, the girl and the boy
Trent Green, former Chief's quarterback. He spoke to them for about 1/2 hour then signed autographs. Brent meeting him and getting his autograph was in the KC Star. On the website it is picture 56. He has 2 others on the website as well.
Today, I was getting on the elevator and ran into one of his therapists. He let me know Brent was at the pool. So we went to the pool. He is getting additional therapy in water. It is easier for him to do things in the pool because of the added buoyancy! He did a great job, but needs his trunks. Will have to run those out there tomorrow.
Leslie, the girl and the boy
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
We have hit a wall!
The girl had the Powder Puff game today at school! Brought back lots of memories from my Powder Puff game in high school! It is in the family. I played and my little brother was a cheerleader for theirs! Juniors beat Seniors 14-0!! Way to go!!
We had an appointment at rehab today. It was with a rehab liason to disscuss IBT therapy for Brent. Basically what has happened is that he has plateaued in PT/OT. This does not mean he won't regain his right side. What it means is that the muscles in his arm and leg (not the hand or foot) are going through spasticity, or tone as it is referred to in rehabese. In layman's terms, his muscles have tightened which is inhibiting his ability to go forward in his rehab. He is already on oral meds for this but they affect the whole body.
They have had to increase the dosage so high that the pump makes more sense since it delivers straight to his spine which in turn goes straight to his arm and leg. Oral has to circulate thoughout his whole body to reach its destination. This pump will deliver on a 24 hour basis which is better for his rehab. He will also have the pump for the rest of his life unless he decides to have it removed.
So the meds being delivered directly into his spine is a better option at this date in time. No date on when this will happen since (grr) insurance has to approve it. He also has to have a trial on the liquid med thru a lumbar puncture to determine his dose.
Bottom line is if this is not done, he may not regain his arm or leg. I gave the go ahead for the trial. I will let everyone know once there is a date and time for both procedures.
The pump is implanted into his abdomen and a catheter is inserted into his spine. So there is one incision in the front and one in his back. All is done on an outpatient basis. This pump delivers meds on a 3 or 6 month basis. Meaning he doesn't have to get recharged based on the size of the pump. If he ignores the appointment, the pump will start beeping once it is dry AND everyone around him can hear it!!
That is awesome. All of a sudden it starts beeping in a crowd and everyone will think he has a bomb or something. Then he whips out his little card that explains what it is, oh, the photo op! I know, I know---I am evil! Sorry, that is how my mind works. Pillage and chaos baby! You all know the routine!!
If you Google it there is lots of information out there. The technical term is-Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy. IBT. It is used to treat conditions such as, cerebal palsy, stroke, brain damage and MS. They have good results and it will help him progess.
Here are some sites:
www.mdvu.org/library/disease/spasticity/spa_mitb.asp
http://www.donnywinn.com/
www.wemove.org/spa/spa_itb.html
Leslie, the girl and the boy
We had an appointment at rehab today. It was with a rehab liason to disscuss IBT therapy for Brent. Basically what has happened is that he has plateaued in PT/OT. This does not mean he won't regain his right side. What it means is that the muscles in his arm and leg (not the hand or foot) are going through spasticity, or tone as it is referred to in rehabese. In layman's terms, his muscles have tightened which is inhibiting his ability to go forward in his rehab. He is already on oral meds for this but they affect the whole body.
They have had to increase the dosage so high that the pump makes more sense since it delivers straight to his spine which in turn goes straight to his arm and leg. Oral has to circulate thoughout his whole body to reach its destination. This pump will deliver on a 24 hour basis which is better for his rehab. He will also have the pump for the rest of his life unless he decides to have it removed.
So the meds being delivered directly into his spine is a better option at this date in time. No date on when this will happen since (grr) insurance has to approve it. He also has to have a trial on the liquid med thru a lumbar puncture to determine his dose.
Bottom line is if this is not done, he may not regain his arm or leg. I gave the go ahead for the trial. I will let everyone know once there is a date and time for both procedures.
The pump is implanted into his abdomen and a catheter is inserted into his spine. So there is one incision in the front and one in his back. All is done on an outpatient basis. This pump delivers meds on a 3 or 6 month basis. Meaning he doesn't have to get recharged based on the size of the pump. If he ignores the appointment, the pump will start beeping once it is dry AND everyone around him can hear it!!
That is awesome. All of a sudden it starts beeping in a crowd and everyone will think he has a bomb or something. Then he whips out his little card that explains what it is, oh, the photo op! I know, I know---I am evil! Sorry, that is how my mind works. Pillage and chaos baby! You all know the routine!!
If you Google it there is lots of information out there. The technical term is-Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy. IBT. It is used to treat conditions such as, cerebal palsy, stroke, brain damage and MS. They have good results and it will help him progess.
Here are some sites:
www.mdvu.org/library/disease/spasticity/spa_mitb.asp
http://www.donnywinn.com/
www.wemove.org/spa/spa_itb.html
Leslie, the girl and the boy
Monday, September 27, 2010
Oh Monday!
Yesterday we went and watched the Chiefs game with Brent. It was an awesome game. It looked like they finally showed up to play some ball!!!! 3-0 baby! Brent showed us how he could lift his right leg off the floor about 6 inches! Yea!! Still no improvement in his arm.
Gotta make another Cobra payment this week. But this doesn't guarantee that the insurance will approve further treatment.
We think we caught him trying to bum a cigarette from a fellow patient. Yes, I circled the parking lot 4 times and caught him back outside when he thought we had left! He also took the boy on a field trip and stole a muffin, but not the pizza sitting next to it. Then proceeded to take one bite of the muffin and threw it away!! Looks like some things have not changed!
I will post some more pictures later once they are watermarked.
My brother went back home to Baltimore from my mom's house today. Last I knew, he made it safe and sound.
Leslie, the girl and the boy
Gotta make another Cobra payment this week. But this doesn't guarantee that the insurance will approve further treatment.
We think we caught him trying to bum a cigarette from a fellow patient. Yes, I circled the parking lot 4 times and caught him back outside when he thought we had left! He also took the boy on a field trip and stole a muffin, but not the pizza sitting next to it. Then proceeded to take one bite of the muffin and threw it away!! Looks like some things have not changed!
I will post some more pictures later once they are watermarked.
My brother went back home to Baltimore from my mom's house today. Last I knew, he made it safe and sound.
Leslie, the girl and the boy
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