May 04, 2012
"The Walker"
Garren is continuously finding ways to make us laugh. And we need lots of reasons to laugh! So when I got home from work yesterday, he was dying to show me something that he had come up with. We gathered around the TV and this is what he showed us.
May 01, 2012
"I Work Out!"
Garren is doing great since his fall last week. Nothing broken, hardly any bruising. He's one tough kid.
Just before he fell, his PT had told him he could have a 10 minute rest, but only gave him 7 minutes. After Garren fell, he was sitting in his chair, and he looked up and said "I told you I was going to get my 10 minute break!"
I've started taking Garren to the gym with me. He is amazing. He is able to move from his wheelchair onto the workout machines, adjust the weights, and do his own workout. We've had fun going together. I am going today to Race to Walk to learn more about what kind of exercises Garren needs to be doing, so that I can continue to supplement his therapy at the gym.
Yesterday afternoon the PT worked Garren so hard. I haven't seen him sweat like that since football practice 2 years ago! I thought he would be worn out, but he went with me to the gym last night and did another hour of work. I'm so proud of him, and so glad that he loves working out, because that is the best thing for him right now.
Just before he fell, his PT had told him he could have a 10 minute rest, but only gave him 7 minutes. After Garren fell, he was sitting in his chair, and he looked up and said "I told you I was going to get my 10 minute break!"
I've started taking Garren to the gym with me. He is amazing. He is able to move from his wheelchair onto the workout machines, adjust the weights, and do his own workout. We've had fun going together. I am going today to Race to Walk to learn more about what kind of exercises Garren needs to be doing, so that I can continue to supplement his therapy at the gym.
Yesterday afternoon the PT worked Garren so hard. I haven't seen him sweat like that since football practice 2 years ago! I thought he would be worn out, but he went with me to the gym last night and did another hour of work. I'm so proud of him, and so glad that he loves working out, because that is the best thing for him right now.
April 28, 2012
Gravity Happens
What a week. It all started out normal - school, therapy, work - everything seemed to be going along as usual. On Thursday Garren decided to spice things up!
Thusrday morning we were scheduled for another swallow study. The last time we did this, several months ago, the results showed little or no progress from the previous study. The therapist wanted to get another look at what was going on inside his throat, so she scheduled another swallow study to help us determine how to go forward. Well, the results were disappointing to say the least. When Garren attempts to swallow, everything goes down to the beginning of the esophagus. But then it just spills back up and over into his airway, causing him to cough it back up. His body just isn't responding to the swallow the way it should. So while his mouth and tongue have gotten stronger, there is still a reflex and a response that are not happening.
We asked "what now?" Our therapist said that it would probably be best to take a break for 3-6 months, continuing with the strengthening exercises at home. Due to the nature of the injury to Garren's brain, this is one of those things that could just start working again. But there is no way to know if or when it will.
Later that afternoon Garren was at his physical therapy appointment. We love working with the team there. They are a great group of people who really want to see Garren walk on his own. Garren was working on his balance, with one of the PT's standing in front of him with a large strechy band wrapped around his waist. Garren began to fall forward, and responded the way he should have by putting his foot out in front to catch himself. But somehow his body twisted off to the side and he fell face first in the floor. He smacked his nose on the floor, busted his lip, and even lost consciousness for a few seconds. It caused quite a scare! They transported him to the emergency room just to make sure everything was ok. No broken nose, no stitches in his lip, and no concussion - so they sent him home.
Other than a fat lip and some bruising under his eyes, Garren is fine!
BTW - this was nobody's fault, and we want to make sure our devoted therapists know that we love you and are very thankful for all you are doing to help Garren. Please don't feel bad about this. As they say - "Gravity Happens!"
Thusrday morning we were scheduled for another swallow study. The last time we did this, several months ago, the results showed little or no progress from the previous study. The therapist wanted to get another look at what was going on inside his throat, so she scheduled another swallow study to help us determine how to go forward. Well, the results were disappointing to say the least. When Garren attempts to swallow, everything goes down to the beginning of the esophagus. But then it just spills back up and over into his airway, causing him to cough it back up. His body just isn't responding to the swallow the way it should. So while his mouth and tongue have gotten stronger, there is still a reflex and a response that are not happening.
We asked "what now?" Our therapist said that it would probably be best to take a break for 3-6 months, continuing with the strengthening exercises at home. Due to the nature of the injury to Garren's brain, this is one of those things that could just start working again. But there is no way to know if or when it will.
Later that afternoon Garren was at his physical therapy appointment. We love working with the team there. They are a great group of people who really want to see Garren walk on his own. Garren was working on his balance, with one of the PT's standing in front of him with a large strechy band wrapped around his waist. Garren began to fall forward, and responded the way he should have by putting his foot out in front to catch himself. But somehow his body twisted off to the side and he fell face first in the floor. He smacked his nose on the floor, busted his lip, and even lost consciousness for a few seconds. It caused quite a scare! They transported him to the emergency room just to make sure everything was ok. No broken nose, no stitches in his lip, and no concussion - so they sent him home.
Other than a fat lip and some bruising under his eyes, Garren is fine!
BTW - this was nobody's fault, and we want to make sure our devoted therapists know that we love you and are very thankful for all you are doing to help Garren. Please don't feel bad about this. As they say - "Gravity Happens!"
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