of Rod and Nancy Bowen (Brent's parents). Their words will narrate the update. This is an email update sent out to almost everyone. They and his family have come into town for the last 3 weekends. I know it is a long drive and takes a lot out of them to drive all this way.
I spoke w/his case manager today. They are thinking 5-7 weeks. I will have to Cobra at least another month unless I can get Medicaid or Medicare or whatever the hell it is called! There was some concern by his family in their latest email update below that he was not getting enough food. I brought their concerns up to his case manager at the rehab. She says that she will forward this concern to the dietician and nutritionist that are on staff. It's not like a restaurant where he can get seconds or "Ranch, extra Ranch!" as he liked to order :) She assured me that he is probably getting enough but will still bring his families concerns to them.
A few of Brent's friends from high school have friended me on Facebook. I found out a few things that I did not know before ;) !! I was happy to have them friend me!
Rod and Nancy's email begins below: (pictures not included)
What a wonderful visit we had with our son Brent and others to be named later.! This was our first week-end to visit him at the Healthsouth Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital, located at 5701 W. 110th Street, Overland Park, KS 66211. What a beautiful facility! This is a fairly new facility with 80 beds. This hospital has visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. The hospital encourages family members to spend time with the patient during therapy sessions. Brent has speech, physical, and occupational therapy at least six days per week, for up to 3 hours per day. From the picture shown below, you can see Brent was enjoying the K-State vs UCLA football game with the Bowens, Wheelers, and Blackburns on Saturday, Sep. 4th. By the way, in case you did not hear, K-State won 31-22. They had lots of encouragement from this K-State bunch. From left to right on the picture below are: Brett Blackburn, Rod, Jason and Amy Blackburn, Brent, Brittany and Cynthia Wheeler. Nancy was taking the photo. Later Brent's friend Richard Thies, Leslie and Schuyler came.
When we arrived at the hospital, Brent was in his wheel-chair and met us at the elevator. He is allowed to go outside and view the beautiful hospital grounds, once he is in his wheel-chair. Pictures below were taken in the lobby which is huge giving everyone lots of room to visit. Brent, Cynthia and Brittany wheeler are shown in the first snapshot and the next one shows Brent, Briana and Kristen Bowen. Kristen and Briana are regular visitors and constantly build him up, congratulate his every accomplishment. Sunday afternoon Briana brought the game "Sorry" for him to play with Briana and Brittany while Kristen encouraged Brent to continue!
We were pleased to hear Brent is using more and more single words....he really surprised us with a 7 word sentence as we were getting ready to leave Sunday afternoon. We were there visiting both Saturday and Sunday. Amy, Jason and Brett were there all day Saturday then returned to stay with him on Monday. Amy went to his therapies with him and gave him encouragement. He walked around 60 yards with the help of a walker and three therapists! Amy helped him mark his menus for larger helpings as he was not getting enough food! Kristen, Leslie and Schuyler also came Monday afternoon.
Brent has lost quite a lot of weight but is looking much better each time we see him. Cynthia and Brittany took him 3 new long sleeved purple plaid shirts with power cat emblems on them. We took him two purple K-State T-Shirts, two pairs of shorts, three black and gray undershorts, purple plaid K-State PJs, a dark gray polo shirt, a purple back scratcher, Sports Illustrated, and a K-State football poster for his room. You can see his new purple plaid shirt he wore in the first group picture for the ball game.
Brent has come a long way since August 20th. We are so proud of him for working so hard as he knows he has a long way to go. We know God is awesome....We believe in miracles and know Brent has been touched by our Lord! Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, cards, etc. They are working!!!
Rod and Nancy
End Email.
Thanks everyone!
Leslie, the boy and the girl
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