Since Ryan’s eye surgery (called a partial-tarsorrhaphy) on Tuesday morning, I’ve slowly increased the duration and intensity of his physical therapies. I gave him Tuesday off entirely. In fact, when he returned from the hospital he spent four hours resting in his bed before I sat him up in his wheelchair.
My goal was to get him to full-tilt today. So far, so good. He has already done a complete session on the ActivCycle; a passive peddling exerciser (donated from Ryan’s Wish List). Now he is actively using the RT-300 FES and is doing wonderfully. From there I’ll take him to the exercise table for a head-to-toe full-range of motion stretch. I’ll wrap it up with at least an hour in the standing frame. Well, I guess it never really ends. Later I’ll stretch him in his wheelchair. This is where I spend extra time on his fingers and toes. And let’s not forget about his percussion therapies and head-control exercises, to name just a few. Yes, it never ends.
He’ll also get a complete shower tonight. Since his operation, we’ve not used the hand-held shower sprayer to wash his hair. We cleaned his hair with a product that is a no-rinse shampoo (first developed for the NASA moon missions, as I understand). It’s a foamy mixture that we work through his hair. It’s followed by a dampened washcloth to remove (most of) the solution. Finally, a dry towel finishes it off. All-in-all, it’s does a good enough job, but it never replaces a thorough rinsing.
With this eye surgery (hopefully) behind him — excluding follow-up appointments, that is — our focus is shifting to his baclofen pump. He stopped needing the drug and, ergo, the pump in late-April. At the time, we set a timeline of three-to-six months for it’s removal. To maintain the baclofen pump, a minimal amount of saline solution is delivered hourly. Anyhow, the idea was to not rush in getting it out… just in case. Likewise, there’s no sense leaving it in his body if not needed since it’s not causing any problems at the present.
Specifically, we are lining-up having it surgically removed from his abdomen. We found a top-notch surgeon with Children’s Hospital (Washington, D.C.) that agreed to perform the removal operation, pending clearance of all the pre-operative conditions. Sue will meet with him the week after next to put a bow on that. My guess is that by the end of September it will be in him no more.
It’s one more step in putting our son back together.
After it comes out, the only things left in his body are a titanium femur rod, titanium skull plate, and a shunt (to drain excess cerebral fluid from his brain). Sadly, these will never come out.
Thinking of you all today. ONE more day on the countdown to accountability as I call it. If they let the felon out he can start paying financially, if he is kept locked up even better, he will be paying with time off his life. Hugs to you all, I am sure today today
is even more stressfull than usual.
Just a side,… wonder if Jon May, Colin McKeefry and their friends will be at the hearing to tell the board what a great guy they think Austin is, how much they miss him, how much he would contribute to society when he is free.
Hope that everything’ll goes smoothly and perfectly!BTW,I’m writing a novel about Ryan in Chinese…….Sounds silly,isn’t it?
Ken,
Happy Ryan is back home and resuming his physical exercises. Pretty extensive workout. Great job Ryan.
Hi Ken, just “fyi” — this item is temporarily out of stock:
Stapleton’s California Prune Juice, 5.5-Ounce Cans (Pack of 48)
Love you Ry <3
SHSP – love you guys
Ryan is so blessed to have such a physically strong (and super intelligent) Dad — not to mention an exceptionally loving and smart Mom and a wonderful caring beautiful sister. Certainly he would not have come as far as he has without your dedication to his ongoing improvement. Though his eyes are sore and bruised right now — it cannot be denied that Ryan is one strong and handsome young man. It’s a testament to what determination and perseverence can do. I remain in awe, inspired and more hopeful than ever about the things Ryan will accomplish.
Sending love, prayers, hope always
Paula
I was hoping to hear from you today and here you are! Thinking of you, as always. <3
Ken,Was wondering if Ryan was back to full exercises ,glad to hear he is and doing well.He’s a strong young man for sure. Hoping all goes smooth with healing of eyes.Hope you all can get out on patio for awhile .Hard week for you and Sue ,but then every week is. Praying,in time all will get easier when Ryan gets better
I’m sure Ryan will feel more comfortable with pump out ,and like you said one less thing inside him
Thinking of you all come Monday. Stay strong (what else can you do)
Try to have a good day… Say hi to Ryan
love Gail