First Day of School, I mean, Work

Steve went back to work after being gone for 42 days. He was there for the full day. His co-workers had a big "Welcome Back" sign on his office door, and had brought him a cake and "smiley face" balloons!
He gave a short synopsis of what had happened to him, the he then headed to work. Steve had told me before he'd left this morning that he was dreading his email inbox. But he had to go through some iterations of upgrades to the operating system before he could even get to the mailbox. He was busy, but it felt great, he said. He's resting quietly.
Inbox emails = 220+

Small improvements

Steve can 1) cross his legs without swinging for momentum first and 2) he can get off of the ground using only his legs and cane. Let me 'splain.
Have you ever seen the movie The Princess Bride? When Wesley had been mostly dead and the trio was getting ready to storm the castle, Wesley had to swing his shoulders to sling his hand up. That was what Steve had to do to cross his legs: swing for momentum.

Steve has been working on using his legs with control. He would go up the steps looking like a cross between a stiff-legged Frankenstein monster and the robot from the old Lost In Space show with wildly swinging arms. Steve has been worried about falling and being unable to get back up. The therapists have been helping but Steve continued to struggle. Today at therapy and twice at home, Steve was able to push up from the floor with his legs using the cane as a prop and for balance. It deserves applause.

Look Ma, No Cane!

Steve walked up our front porch steps without a cane.  It was barely controlled, but he made it. He still struggles with lifting his legs especially getting in/out of my car, and he cannot use only his legs to stand from a low-ish chair.  His shoulders are mobile, but I won't let him pour himself a glass of tea from a full jug -- jiggling jugs generate splatters.

First Out Patient Rehab and Steve Drives Again

Yesterday was Steve's first out-patient therapy session at Nesin Therapy near Crestwood Hospital.  He said it was a very in-depth assessment, and she explained in specific detail what she saw as his areas of focus.  His flexor muscles (from his thighs to his hips), his abdomen, and his shoulders are what his home exercises will help strengthen.  Steve was able to go up and down steps MUCH better today than yesterday.
We will return to Nesin one more time this week and three times next week.
We scheduled a service trip for his car weeks ago, so Steve tried driving today.  No incidents!
Another level of physical autonomy:  CHECK.
Another set of prayers lifted up:  CHECK CHECK.

Day 30. "Fastest Recovery Seen"

Steve said that he kept hearing from the techs and nurses that his recovery was the fastest recovery they'd ever seen.

This sign greeted Steve as we drove up, installed by Sandra and our church.

Day 29... Steve is coming home tomorrow.

I had my 'family education' today.  First off was the Physical Therapist - she asked Steve to show me how he can handle steps with a cane.  While Steve has done some tremendous, remarkable things these last weeks, he is still weak.  He gets very tired and has to rest frequently.
This video shows how he relies on the cane, especially on the down-step part.

I will have to help him on stairs that don't have rails (like our front porch) to keep him from losing his balance.  She agreed that Steve needed more therapy as an out-patient to strengthen his muscles (leg, abdomen, and back) and ordered Steve a walker.  A special walker, with a seat that could be a table...
Meeting number 2 was with the Occupational Therapist, who told Steve that she hated to see him go.  She was proud of his progress and his work ethic was superb; she did not recommend any additional Occupational Therapy.  My oh-so-social husband (see the tongue in my cheek?) was chatting with some of the other patients, and shaking hands with other therapists since it was his last day there.
Meeting number 3 was with the nurse.  She also seemed sad/glad to see Steve leave.  She listed each of his medicines that he would get on discharge, each one having a 30 day prescription.  Dr. Young's young doctor-protege came in to say that Steve's regular doctor would receive the chart of Steve's stay at Huntsville Hospital and at HealthSouth.  We need to set up an appointment to discuss the diagnosis, meds and treatment.  She also wants Steve to have a follow-up meeting with the original neurologist, Dr. Nadella.
The last visit was with the case manager, who discussed each therapist's/nurse's notes and made final recommendations.  Steve will have out-patient therapy two or three times a week at Nesin Therapy, which is closer to us off of Whitesburg Dr.
There was a panel discussion, and it was agreed that Steve could return to work on March 7th.
I will arrive Tuesday morning (after I get the 6 month handicap hang-tag from the license department) and will load 'em up and move 'em out.

So ladies and gentlemen, I will probably post sporadically from now on, when I have interesting info or a great photo.  We've received so many blessings (Gladys, Jennifer and Cindy tackled the potato spawn in my pantry. THANKS).  We have a mantle full of cards.  We have felt the warmth of prayers. We have seen the generosity of friends and family. We have seen God.  There are not enough superlatives to describe His love, His mercy, His guidance... He is good, all of the time.

Day 27. Getting the house ready for Steve to come home.

John Cranston and Steve Sutton dropped by today to move the heavy stuff for me. We got the recliner moved out to the living room, which was my main goal.
Laura Aquila has offered to help organize some food and cleaning. I had opened the pantry looking for cereal and discovered a potato with a 4 inch root. HELP.