Journal entry by Carrie James —
Hi Everyone,
It's been nice that I haven't written anything for a while! Brian has been happy to be home! For the first few months, all he did was sit on his butt and watch TV. We were a bit frustrated that he wasn't motivated to do anything. He did go to his Dr. appointments and PT, OT, and Speech Therapy, but that's about it. Finally, as the weather started to get nicer, he got off his butt and started puttering around the house. Started by fixing a little shelf. Then getting down in the basement, and in the garage. He started getting back into buying/selling parts and stuff on Craig's list and eBay (I think that's what he uses), and keeping busy...so that made everyone happy. Then he got tabs and insurance on his Van, and once I convinced mom that he was okay to drive...he's been back on the road a bit, even buying more motorcycles to fix up and resell. Mom didn't want him driving alone- especially all the way up to Duluth - so she and her dog Sophie have been going with Brian on his "adventures"! There was a glitch recently where the DMV revoked his Driver's License, because they said he was "handicapped" and couldn't drive (since they had approved him for a handicapped placard for parking). So he had to go to the Doctor and have the Doctor sign off that he was ok to drive. Well, the DMV came back and said that he needed the ORIGINAL doctor that stated that Brian had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) examine Brian and send a letter saying that he was ok to drive. Brian had to go back to Courage Kenny, and that Dr. had to send a letter to the DMV saying Brian was good to drive. If you know Brian...he was pissed off about this. But it was only a few days that he was without a license. He's good to go again.
Brian has been having a lot of pain in his left foot, so he finally agreed to have surgery again. Last Thursday, June 24th, Brian had surgery to remove the plate and screws in his left foot. Dr. Downes also stretched his tendons and added length to his Achilles Tendon. He said his foot felt better right away. He has to stay off this foot for at least 2 weeks, so he is using crutches now. He said he's still been having some other pain in it, but I'm sure that's from all the work he had done on it. He had a recheck appointment this afternoon (I haven't heard how that went, yet). He'll go back in on July 9th and have a walking cast put on, so at least he can walk on it again. I believe that will be on for 6 weeks. Dr. Downes says he will have to wear the AFO (ankle foot orthosis) on his left foot for the rest of his life.
Other than that, his left arm is pretty much useless from nerve damage. He can't really make a fist, or pick anything up that needs a grip. He's had some botox injections which seem to help a little. And his voice is still a bit high, from having the trach in for so long.
I think Brian seems to be back to himself, for the most part. But he's really bored. He doesn't really go anywhere. He could really use some company, or some phone calls! He's fully vaccinated...so please...give him a call and go visit! Especially right now while he can't walk on his left foot!
If you don't have his phone number, call me, or drop me a line on here, and ask me for his number. I don't want to post it here...in case some rando's try to call him ;)
It's been nice that I haven't written anything for a while! Brian has been happy to be home! For the first few months, all he did was sit on his butt and watch TV. We were a bit frustrated that he wasn't motivated to do anything. He did go to his Dr. appointments and PT, OT, and Speech Therapy, but that's about it. Finally, as the weather started to get nicer, he got off his butt and started puttering around the house. Started by fixing a little shelf. Then getting down in the basement, and in the garage. He started getting back into buying/selling parts and stuff on Craig's list and eBay (I think that's what he uses), and keeping busy...so that made everyone happy. Then he got tabs and insurance on his Van, and once I convinced mom that he was okay to drive...he's been back on the road a bit, even buying more motorcycles to fix up and resell. Mom didn't want him driving alone- especially all the way up to Duluth - so she and her dog Sophie have been going with Brian on his "adventures"! There was a glitch recently where the DMV revoked his Driver's License, because they said he was "handicapped" and couldn't drive (since they had approved him for a handicapped placard for parking). So he had to go to the Doctor and have the Doctor sign off that he was ok to drive. Well, the DMV came back and said that he needed the ORIGINAL doctor that stated that Brian had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) examine Brian and send a letter saying that he was ok to drive. Brian had to go back to Courage Kenny, and that Dr. had to send a letter to the DMV saying Brian was good to drive. If you know Brian...he was pissed off about this. But it was only a few days that he was without a license. He's good to go again.
Brian has been having a lot of pain in his left foot, so he finally agreed to have surgery again. Last Thursday, June 24th, Brian had surgery to remove the plate and screws in his left foot. Dr. Downes also stretched his tendons and added length to his Achilles Tendon. He said his foot felt better right away. He has to stay off this foot for at least 2 weeks, so he is using crutches now. He said he's still been having some other pain in it, but I'm sure that's from all the work he had done on it. He had a recheck appointment this afternoon (I haven't heard how that went, yet). He'll go back in on July 9th and have a walking cast put on, so at least he can walk on it again. I believe that will be on for 6 weeks. Dr. Downes says he will have to wear the AFO (ankle foot orthosis) on his left foot for the rest of his life.
Other than that, his left arm is pretty much useless from nerve damage. He can't really make a fist, or pick anything up that needs a grip. He's had some botox injections which seem to help a little. And his voice is still a bit high, from having the trach in for so long.
I think Brian seems to be back to himself, for the most part. But he's really bored. He doesn't really go anywhere. He could really use some company, or some phone calls! He's fully vaccinated...so please...give him a call and go visit! Especially right now while he can't walk on his left foot!
If you don't have his phone number, call me, or drop me a line on here, and ask me for his number. I don't want to post it here...in case some rando's try to call him ;)
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