Thanksgiving Therapeutics

Sunday, I walked 3 miles... slowly... it took 66 minutes... Today, for the first time, I hopped and ran... in the MVH PT pool. It was "fun" and I had only minimal clonus.

Leading into Thanksgiving I remain weak, flabby and tired; but am grateful for any and all physical progress, a Higher Power, family, friends and the opportunity of tomorrow.

Gratefully-rws

work... work... work... work... work...

All work and no play might have a downside, but I can tell you after a 10 week "sabbatical," it was great to be back at P&G! Lola (my adminastrative assistant) put together a "welcome back" celebration that was a perfect ending to the week. Thx to Lola, friends and managers for making our little piece of P&G a great place to come back too.

rws

Acrofest at Union College in Nebraska

Its been awhile...

Nov. 20, it's been too long since I've had a chance to write an update. I just read Ron's postings for the last month.... we have come so far. He thinks it is not going fast enough, but to me it seems like he is doing incredibly well. He is totally independent. He does all his own am care, showers, dresses, cooks and picks up the house when I am at work. He is starting to drive himself into work now and even got the groceries yesterday. What more can anyone ask for. The Lord is so good. As Ron mentioned, I went with Elle to Acrofest last week. It was great hanging out with the kids again for a change and back to knitting hats for them. Their performance Sat night went smoothly. There were 30 other gymnastic teams from USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Over 900 people. A big highlight was Elle and Kirk (Adam & Treon) winning the Butterfly contest. They stayed up the longest over all the high school teams. (see picture) Elle always would say, "we Stout girls are strong" when everything was happening in September. She really showed she is truly strong.

Ron's family is coming for thanksgiving. John and Jonathan are coming home too. Will be wonderful having the house full of noise and action again. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I have an incredible amount of thanking to do! Pam

reality bytes!

"Ron your always so positive, things must be going really well?" Yes... and I look like a fish out of water when I try to get up off the floor. Something hurts, tingles or is numb all the time. Make me laugh and I can't walk. I cough and my left leg flails about like Mr Ed (the horse), counting to two. When tired, tense or not concentrating, Frankenstein emerges and I lurch for the nearest support.

"Your progress is amazing, most people don't make this kind of progress," says my neurosurgeon (corpectomy scheduled for Feb) yesterday. Hmmm... I'm working so hard, things are improving so slowly and he's amazed?

"Ron you look good, you've lost weight?" Yup, I've lost lots of muscle and gained fat, fabulous!

Thought you'd like to know;-}

rws

you can go home again...

I spent the last week at "home". While Pam was off to Nebraska with Elle and the gymnastics team, I stayed with my folks in Berrien Springs, Michigan. What a delight, my parents (John & Helena) and sister (Lynn), treated me like royalty. I was also able to connect with friends and former teachers at Andrews University. A highlight of the week, was meeting Ann-Marie Reichert's 3rd grade class at Village Elementary. These great kids sent me notes, snacks and encouragement during my 30 day incarceration at the hospital. Thanks kids!

I also began working 4 hours a day (telecommuting) last week, it was great to reconnect with a number of global P&Gers.

rws

Biblical...

Some have compared the last 10 weeks at the Stout household with the Biblical book of Job... while I've personally thought this comparison to be presumptuous (if not blasphemous)... a brief update... remember last week I tried to help Pam with the flower beds... well... those of you whom like the "Job" angle... I've got boils (ok... poison ivy) .. Saving grace...Having decreased senstation in your extremities is at times (like these) a plus!

rws

Notes...

Milestones: Crossed the two mile mark... walking... sort of ;-}
Chores: We cleaned the flower beds (thx george and barb)
Wyeth: Nice dinner! They're keeping our ThermaCare baby warm...
Next week: Michigan with folks! Pam & Elle to Nebraska for Acrofest
17th November: Return to work... limited hours...
Ring!: Left hand swelling down ->wedding ring on!

Indian summer ending... to everything a season...
rws

BIKING!

Pam and I went to a section of the trail thats open and found a three wheel bike for rent! I was able to complete 5 miles, before fatigue and clonus said "enough already." If you happen to have seen us, the liquid coming out of my eyes was due to the wind (scouts honor).

What fun! rws

2 months ago

My first time out of bed was with the assistance of a Hoyer lift almost exactly 2 months ago. I vaguely (thank you pain meds) remember watching my arms and legs move in and out of my field of vision, the movement controled by the ICU PT (her hands can be seen around my right knee).

rws