I know it has been a long time since the last update. I teach middle school math which has kept me pretty tied up this fall. Tony has been putting in the work to recovery every day. I am just so proud of him and have a lot to share in that respect.
On the health front Tony has many improvements. Although he is still in pain with his pressure sores he no longer takes prescription pain medication. It took about two weeks (more like three) for him to wean himself off but he did it. Tony first tried cold turkey and that was unsuccessful (too fast and the withdrawal symptoms were horrendous) but the second try was better. Even though it took longer than he wanted, he ended up successfully weaning off of the oxycodone. Best part…then the doctor cleared him to drive!
Yesterday Tony had his PICC line removed!! The infectious disease doctor said his blood work has improved to the point where he no longer needs IV anti fungal medication. No more hour long infusions. Yay! He still has to take anti fungal orally but the PICC line removal was the last “hole in his body” from his illness.
As of today Tony no long has any extra holes in his body from his original COVID-19 illness (onset December 27th). His tracheotomy, feeding tube, tunneled catheter, and both spine surgeries scars are healing nicely. Twelve scars in total but who’s counting right?
Other good things are he no longer uses the walker or wheelchair. They have been returned or are stored in the garage. Physical therapy is progressing nicely and Tony enjoys feeling sore and getting stronger every day. His body was so deconditioned and the amount of tissue damage from the pressure sores so great that building all that back is going to take quite a few of more months if not years.
Occupationally Tony has been a rock star. He can now cook meals that take about 30-40 minutes as long as all the pots and pans are out for him. He is still restricted from bending, twisting and lifting more than 10 pounds. He uses a grabber for anything too low for him or dropped on the ground. He can take showers by himself starting today (because I don’t have to wrap his PICC line site). He is able to sit at his office desk here at home for about an hour to an hour an a half before he need to get up and walk around. This is because of continued pain of his pressure sores. His back gets stiff but doesn’t really “hurt” anymore.
I’m very grateful of all the hard work he has put in to his recovery. We still have a ways to go but less worry has been nice for me and more independence is definitely good for Tony.
We were lucky to have Kaitlyn and Miss Maizy Jo visit during Thanksgiving. It was Tonys first time meeting her in person. He is in love with her and his new roll of Pops. Being grandparents is awesome.
Last bit of news…Tony is starting work today (with a couple of restrictions). He works from home but he is excited and nervous to “get back at it” as he euphemistically says.
Again and again….thank you all for your continued well wishes and prayers. This has been such a long journey and we are grateful for all of you who have been here with us. Hopefully Covid will not strike again but with new variants on the horizon, who knows right?
Stay safe out there!
