September 17, 2014 ~ Day 166 ~

September has brought about so many positive rehabilitation changes for Jacob. As of September 9th, Jake’s new physical therapy rehab location and schedule has been increased to 4-5 hours of PT/OT/ RT/Speech per day, and the OT and PT scheduled is now including dedicated hours in the AM and PM. He takes several 20-30 minute breaks in between some sessions to rest, lay down and have quiet time for his healing brain and body. By the end of the day he is very tired and ready to go to bed and go to sleep by 7:30PM in the evening.

Jake is walking in PT with assistance with a wonderful PT therapist named Megan, and with a walker up to 130 feet in some sessions. He is also working on maintaining balance with standing with the walker within reach, and transferring himself with a sliding board to and from his wheelchair and to his bed. Today they are attempting steps with assistance with two people, as he is adimant that he wants to make it down to our dock to fish again- "YAE" mom says- "so glad to have my fishing buddy back!"  Jake has gained so much independence in his physical activities with these tasks, and has increased his physical activity endurance.

In OT he is also working with a marvelous OT therapist  named Heidi, focusing on strengthening his left arm and hand physical movement through the gaming system of a Wii and the games of fishing, bowling and golfing. Another new and exciting technology was introduced today called ReoGo Robotic hand therapy simulator to increase muscle tone and strength in his left hand and arm. Jacob can control the robotic arm with directional movement and a clicking trigger button to point and click on an associated color to “connect the dots” to register and record his numbered movements.  The ReoGo took him through a series of reaching and clicking target checkpoints within the 15 minutes of activity. He finished this activity with an archery game to simulate the same repetition movement. He really enjoyed this activity and got a true workout with his left hand and arm. (You can click on the Photo page to see Jake's interaction with the ReoGo Robotic).

We are also so very grateful for Vickie in speech and Julie in Rec Therapy (RT) to be working with Jake on his speaking, communication skills and daily living skills, tasks and fun outing activities. Both of these wonderful ladies have assited Jacob in finding a healthy balance of communicating effectively with reflection and articulation in voice, but "getting out there" with assimilating himself back into the community. Special thanks to Julie in RT for the wonderful outing this past week to Coney Island Hotdogs- one of Jake's favorites!

Just a freindly reminder that is National Rehabilitation Week September 21-27, 2014. We are so very thankful for all of the healthcare professionals and rehabilitation therapist/specialists in the rehabilitation units we have been in, to provide our son Jacob with such quality and compassionate care! 

With any brain injury also comes a change of functionality with one’s eyes. Jake has had many vision changes since his accident, and as of yesterday, September 16th, he went to the optometrist specializing in visual changes with TBI patients. He assisted Jake with a series of testing techniques to identify the great need for new prescription lenses for distance. Jake was so happy to pick out a new pair of frames for his lenses and excited to be able to see much better very soon. We will be doing many follow up sessions with the speciality TBI vision doctor to work on his vision accommodations on visual and peripheral scanning of up close objects and reading text as well.

The greatest news we have received is that Jacob has received a projected discharge date of September 23rd, and will get to finally return home to Brownsville, MN. He is so excited as we all are!!! We know there are so many of you as friends and family members that want to come and visit right away to our home-  and we do welcome your upcoming visits. Based on advice from Jake’s TBI doctors, a schedule will be setup for visits that is best for Jake and that do not interfere with his outpatient PT/OT/Speech care at Gundersen in Lacrosse, WI, and also best for him so he is not over stimulated. We have been advised, as we have been all along, that planned and scheduled visits are best, and must include the following criteria to educate and prepare all friends and family members during visitation times with Jake:

• Only 1 or 2 visitors at a time.
• Visiting times can range from 30-45 minutes in length.
• Only 1 person should talk at a time.
• No caffeine: coffee, cola or tea is allowed at this time.
• No alcohol or nicotine.
• Limit chocolate to small bite size pieces.
• Conversations should be social, you should not ask what happened and why, or feel you need to quiz an individual about events, dates, or names.
• If you receive a phone call while visiting, please step out of the room to answer it.

We have been very busy with home modifications to accommodate to Jake’s immediate needs. Lots of moving of rooms, painting, installation of grab bars, modifications to bathrooms and showers have been and are in the works. It is all good- and it is giving our home a new facelift at the same time. Later this week Gundersen OT staff is doing a home visit and walk through to offer more suggestions of improvements to meet Jake’s immediate needs and try out the new accommodations that have been finalized.  He is so excited for this home visit, but more excited to see his cat “Peaches” who has currently taken over Jake’s new bedroom and Peaches is keeping his bed warm for him and anxious to see him as well.

We want to thank all of you as freinds and family members for your kind words and virtual support during these 5+ months since Jake's accident and during his recovery period. You have given us hope and guidance once again that life can return back to as "close to normal" and Jake can start over with his new life with friends and family-  with the support of all of you. Thank you!!!