It's been a year...

So yesterday was the year anniversary of Steve being diagnosed with GBS.  I tell the story of draining two cell phone batteries with texts to my daughter and my sister, "These are his symptoms. What is it?" and the facts of low platelet counts and plasma phersesis treatments.  I am glad I took the short video of the machine, because it seems so far back in my memory.
Steve says he is better.  He says he sleeps better because the pains that he felt before GBS aren't there anymore.  When I got my flu shot last October, there were five or six questions about GBS, and it was evident that GBS recoverers were not going to be allowed to take the flu shot ever again.
The anniversary yesterday was greeted with "It's a Good GBS Day to you" and a couple of reflective moments.  Steve still goes to see the neurologist.  It's still a remarkable story of God's Presence and His miracles, of the comfort of family and friends.  It was an amazing year.

Back to the ...

Steve went back for his 6 month check up with the neurologist, Dr. Rao Nadella.  Steve said it was short and uninteresting.  He will go back in 6 months.  Every so often, Steve will mention some tingling in his hands and a "tired" feeling in his upper chest/throat area.
Steve also went back to the gym last week and has been three times this week.  He says he feels good during the workout, just needs to work on his stamina.  He went 10 minutes at 3.0 speed at 10 degrees on the treadmill.
And to prove that he is returning to normal, we spent the Saturday putting in zoysia plugs in the front yard area.  I had to quit before he did.

Five and a half months and counting.

Steve continues to walk down stairs with wobbly legs, but he says that he's never slept better.  The small aches and pains that kept him awake have disappeared.  Steve attributes pain-free sleep to GBS.
We cleaned out a major portion of Steve's dad's house last weekend.  Toward the end of the day, lifting heavy objects (like a TV) was too much of a strain.  He felt very fatigued.  But he has mentioned grabbing work-out clothes and heading to the Y more often, so I suspect it will happen soon.  The physical therapy group called, and unless Steve has a pressing need for more therapy (which I doubt), they will discharge him.
One more thing checked off the list.

It's been almost 4 months...

Steve still has vestiges of his GBS.  He confessed today that if he has to talk loudly for an extended period of time, that his jaw and chest start having that same sensation of muscle fatigue.  He still doesn't have reflexes in his elbow and knees.
Last week, on the 11th, we went to visit his dad at his dad's home.  His dad was lying on his right side with his left leg on the coffee table because then his left side didn't hurt so badly.  We took him on to the ER and an X-ray confirmed a broken rib.
While there, the attending ER physician recognized Steve.  Steve told him that he [Steve] had been in the ER in January with Guillian Barre.  After exchanging a few excited words, the doctor asked Steve to "get up and walk!"  The doctor was impressed with Steve's recovery.

Testimony at our church.

Pastor Scott asked Steve to give his testimony which can be heard here.

He Put the Cane Away

He went to work without his cane, as a test.  He is still  'c  a  r  e  f  u  l' going down stairs.  The cane is in the umbrella stand if/when he needs it.

Latest development

Steve was able to stand up from a full squat using only his legs. He continues to work full time, and this may be his last week of therapy.
The neurologist said that Steve's progress was average.
Ha.

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.

Day 26.

Here's a photo of most of the cards and baskets that Steve has gotten.

Day 25. Talking about next week...

Steve has the choice of home health or a facility run therapy. The doctors are going to discuss it and give a recommendation. Steve prefers a facility because of access to equipment, but we will see how it turns out. Steve walked 500 feet with a cane today. He continues to work on leg and hip strength. He worked up a sweat on the arm machine and did several reps of sit-stands, leg lifts, leg swings, etc.

Day 24: Steve stands up

Day 23, Shufflin' Down the Corridor

When I asked "what's new" today, Steve said that he actually walked while holding the walker off the floor.  It's difficult though, since he doesn't have hip strength yet.  He will lean to a side and shuffle the other leg forward, put weight on it, lean the other way, lather, rinse, repeat.  He admitted that it was very tiring.
We talked about what was needed for his homecoming.  I will have to rearrange some furniture, take up the area rugs I have scattered about, etc.  Steve doesn't think he will need a ramp on the front porch.  I am going to buy a few items for the tub.  This time next week is going to be a celebration.

Day 22. Lee "Lightfoot" Edwards helps again!

I started running fever after church yesterday, so I put myself to bed.  Lee took Steve to the dentist to get Steve's crown replaced.
BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS
Steve just called me to let me know that he will probably be discharged from HealthSouth to home on Tuesday, February 22nd.  I don't know if he will have home health care, since I missed the family evaluation meeting this morning.

Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change

Be still and know that He is God
Be still
Be speechless
 
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come... - Steven Curtis Chapman

Day 20, May I Join Your Group?

Steve was able to join in with some group therapy today. He walked several hundred feet and got to practice on the stair stepper.