Learning to Walk

I ended my last post with Brent’s transfer to the on-site, inpatient, rehab clinic.

WEDNESDAY

I received a text from my father-in-law about 9:30am that Brent began his day with breakfast, and then shifted to PT.

At this point, Brent has only needed the hospital gown, but, with the movement required during PT, some shorts were needed.

Not to mention, butt shots aren’t super encouraged in public spaces.

*snicker*

So, on the way to the hospital, Sprite and I stopped at Target, what she then called ‘the red dot store’, and picked him up some appropriate clothing, a.k.a., gym shorts.

Upon our hospital arrival, Brent was in a wheelchair with wet hair <— I’m a poet and didn’t know it.

Indicating he got up and took a shower.

I wrote in my journal that the activity of showering must have felt so good, considering his only experience with a “shower” was a sponge bath given by me or a nurse.

We were able to sit, chat, and eat lunch together.

Following lunch, PT came and wheeled him down to the gym where they directed him to take four laps around the middle portion of the room using a walker.

He increased speed with each lap.

I was so proud – watching him move around and gain confidence with every step.

Following PT, Brent and I were able to chat a little bit more.

During this time I showed him the picture I took of him and Sprite from the evening before.

Brent started to tear up.

I journaled, “You are so loved and I know this is difficult for you, but God is truly strengthening your body each day.”

To keep with the schedule for the day, Occupational Therapy (OT) came soon after.

They provided him some hand/eye coordination exercises and checked hand strength – all tests came back with raving results.

Later this day, I was able to take Sprite to a movie at the Village 8 Cinemas, close by the hospital.

It was a great time of no expectations, just a movie with delicious (yet expensive) snacks.

We headed back to the hospital and found Brent hanging in his room.

Soon after our arrival, I received a text from a friend that they wanted to bring something by to us.

Within a few minutes, she arrived and handed us a card from her parents with cash inside.

I wrote that I was flabbergasted.

It was such a kind, loving gift.

We were able to visit and catch up some with her.

It was a great time of finding a normal, conversational groove with our friends again.

Following her visit, dinner arrived (I forgot again someone signed up).

And, because this day was filled with busyness and continual surprises, the evening was no different.

The men in our community group came over and spent some time with Brent.

As I’m writing this, I am again overwhelmed and tearing up.

I remember them showing up and feeling so much love for Brent – if that makes any sense.

I wanted him to have that special time, so Sprite and I went home.

THURSDAY

Today was Sprite’s last day of pre-school, so my morning was transporting her to finish out the school year.

I also received a text that Brent’s day began with PT at 8am and the doctor speculated 7-10 more days to finish out rehab.

Including the possibility of outpatient rehab, depending on needs.

Later, on my way to pick up Sprite from preschool, I picked up some Wendy’s – you know the food of champions.

She hopped in the car and said, “Watcha get? Chicken and fries?”

Seriously, fast food sure does have a distinct smell.

Anyway, another friend of ours agreed to hang with Sprite at home while I went to the hospital to visit with Brent.

So, with all the shift in schedule, I wasn’t able to get to the hospital until 2:00pm.

But, on the way, my father-in-law sent me a picture of Brent in PT using a cane instead of a walker.

This picture put a smile on my face.

Already such progress in just one day.

I wrote, “God is truly doing a healing and strengthening work in your body.”

When I did finally arrive, Brent wasn’t in his room.

After days of always finding him in any room, it was weird walking in to find the opposite.

OT came early, they had him work on hand and finger strength.

I wrote down that Brent seemed disappointed – as I look back, I would assume he had a goal in mind, and he came short.

BONUS – after OT, Brent was moved to a private room – an introverts dream!

AND, they moved in an extra bed.

Since his hospital stay, he always had someone in the room with him.

My dad, his dad, his mom, brothers, and myself.

Anyway, we found out some interesting information about Brent’s surgeon today.

His surgeon first went to engineering school but was unchallenged, so she switched to medical school.

Jackpot because we landed an incredible surgeon.

That afternoon, we traveled back to the ICU to say hi to some nurses.

Unfortunately, only a couple of nurses were there that day.

But, it was nice to catch up and share progress.

We returned to his room and a friend brought dinner and visited with Brent.

Sprite arrived at the hospital from her hang time with a friend.

We wrapped up our evening and went home.

FRIDAY

Sprite slept in this morning, then I took her to a friend’s house for a playdate.

When I arrived to the hospital, PT was on my heels and he was quickly whisked away.

This time his PT was outside.

Brent used his cane, and him and I were able to walk side by side outside for a few minutes.

It was so nice to be outside, though oddly bright.

PT had him step off and back on to the sidewalk to strengthen his legs.

Following this, we went back inside for OT and he was shown resistance band exercises for his upper body.

As you can imagine, he was WIPED.

So, when he returned to his room, he tried to take a nap.

I tried to do the same.

But, hospital.

A nurse came in and we inquired about changing his wound dressing – all the extra movement was causing increasing discomfort.

This time, Brent was able to doze off.

I, on the other hand, was not.

FMLA and disability paperwork arrived with the Social Worker, so I had to tend to that.

Lots of paper, lots of signatures, and lots of notes go into all of these things.

It’s crazy.

Later that afternoon, we had a visit from a sweet couple who experienced almost exactly what we were just a couple years before.

They were a friend of a friend.

They reached out and asked to come and visit with us.

It was so nice to have a godly couple, who could speak directly into our fears, worries, insecurities, uncertainties and point us right back to God.

This was a fantastic way to end the day.

SATURDAY

I arrived at the hospital around lunchtime this day.

I found him in OT, standing on a balance ball playing cards.

I think the game was called sequence.

Anyway, they were testing/strengthening his balance.

OT ended and we took laps around the nurses station in the rehab clinic and finished some hang time in their ‘sunroom’ with a puzzle and chit chat.

We left there and wheeled down to the cafeteria for lunch.

He wasn’t given permission yet to traipse around without the use of a wheelchair yet.

Here’s what I found – slanted walkpaths.

NOT COOL.

Anyway, a little later, Sprite showed up with Brent’s cousin and showed us the many things purchased for her.

She had a great time.

As we were gathering our items to head home, Brent began displaying a flushed face.

This caused me concern since a fever would be the first sign of an infection.

*deep breath*

I asked the nurse to take his temperature.

Thankfully, no fever.

I’m going to guess his body just needed a break.

After we arrived home, and Sprite was asleep, a friend came over bearing a sweet basket of goodies for Sprite and myself.

She also stayed for a movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

“It’s not a porpoise!”

SUNDAY

This morning began slowly, and with a shopping trip on the way to the hospital.

I needed to snag a couple of things for Brent, and Sprite refused to leave without purchasing a present for her daddy.

So, in true kid fashion, she picked him up a minion shirt.

We arrived while Brent was eating lunch.

And, my mother-in-law was on her way with Famous Dave’s BBQ with intent to picnic outside.

Instead, we chose to eat inside and stroll to the park following lunch.

I enjoyed lunch, like a lot, because I wrote, “I sat a little funny probably because I ate too much.”

What can I say? I like food.

Anyway, we signed out and headed toward the park just behind the hospital.

It was a decent trek for a little person, so she hopped on Brent’s lap and I had the privilege of pushing him and her the majority of the way to the park.

This was a bigger feat than I anticipated.

Although the inclines were low grade, my triceps were BURNING!

Finally, we made it to the park.

It was so nice.

The fresh air. The sunshine. The sense of normalcy.

It was just what the doctor ordered, for everyone.

On our stroll outside, Brent wheeled himself down the creek where we were able to feed some bread to the ducks.

After feeding the ducks, we headed back towards the hospital.

Brent was still self-wheeling when he hit a slight incline and was at a standstill.

I jogged up the very short hill and took over.

Instead of this causing frustration, we both laughed.

Upon our return, Brent’s grandmother and aunt were waiting to visit.

We had a great time visiting and sharing his progress.

Once they left, Sprite began having a meltdown, so we made a swift exit.

We arrived home and was soon visited by a friend with a meal and a check-in.

She asked me how I was doing.

And, since some things have calmed down, I was able to slowly able to process.

When she left, and Sprite was settled for bed, I journaled these words for Brent to read later.

“I miss you and hated not being able to talk with you while ventilated. That is so hard – harder than I imagined. You would relax at my touch, when asked if I could sit with you, you would sweetly furrow your eyebrows and shake your head yes. I told her I had an epiphany, that even when you come home I probably wouldn’t sleep any better because the reason for my restlessness is the fact (I believe) that I haven’t been able to connect with you. Not being able to tell, really tell you how I’ve been, how you’ve been, and my fears and anxieties, the prayers I’ve cried and pleads I’ve made with God. I miss you – all of you.”