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Today was a pretty good day for Aaron.  He was on the tilt table again today during PT.  He did very well; on the first “ride” the table was tilted so that he was nearly standing straight up and down.  After he was put back down into a horizontal position for a while, they tilted the table again.   This time he was a little less vertical than the first time, because his blood pressure started to drop and he felt dizzy.  But the therapists said he did an excellent job. 

Aaron was in his power wheelchair again today, but has not yet obtained his driver’s license, he is still on a permit.  The therapists are still working on getting the headrest in the right position for him and the sensitivity adjusted.  Sounds simple, but it isn’t!  It’s really difficult for them to get it so it is comfortable and easy (and safe) for Aaron to use.

Aaron had a session today with a Recreational Therapist who was working with him to use some voice recognition software.   Not sure how that went, because I took this opportunity to leave and go grab some lunch and when I returned, Aaron was MIA.  When I finally found him,  I was just so happy to see him, I totally forgot to ask how the session went!  (They took him for a routine chest x-ray, but it took me awhile to find that out.  That was sort of scary!) 

Aaron did about 40 minutes total today on the trach collar.  While that is commendable, I’m getting a feeling  that his success on the collar has something to do with Jaime’s presence……she seems to have a knack at calming him down or convincing him he can do it.  He does so well when she is there with him and not as well when I am with him.  I try to cheer him on,  I really do….but he KNOWS he only has to look at me with those puppy dog eyes and tell me he wants to stop and I’m running out the door looking for the respiratory therapist to come and remove the collar.   I know I’m not helping overall, but I can’t help myself!  I’ll try to be stronger, I promise!

Well, overall, Aaron had a good day.  His spirits were great, he was alert and feeling well.  Please say a prayer for continued healing.  Aaron appreciates it and so do I (and the rest of his family).

Wow, I don’t think we have ever had a day at Magee that went by as quickly as today.  Sam and I got there a little late this morning due to the lovely Philadelphia traffic, so we only caught the last half of his first PT session.  Lucky for us, though, we did get to observe his driving skills yet again, as he terrorized the employees and patients of Magee, in the power wheelchair.  All kidding aside, there was much improvement since his last driving experience.  There were no circles today.  Honestly, I was a little disappointed, I really get a kick out of hearing his devilish laugh when he does it!    After PT, we went to view a video and get information on portable showers and wheelchairs used specifically in showers.  Amazing how far technology has come and even more amazing is the cost of that technology!   After that we went back to his room and he did the trach collar for about 20 minutes unti lunch came.  He was just beginning to eat when he had to move to a conference room where we (Aaron, Sam and I) met with Aaron’s doctor and some other key players in Aaron’s rehab.  We conferenced in Aaron’s dad and step-mom, as well as Jaime, over the phone.   When that was over, we went back to Aaron’s room and again he started to eat his lunch, and a doctor came in the room to talk to him.  Two minutes later, while the doctor was still there, a Physical Therapist showed up to take him to PT.   Rather than fight over Aaron, the PT time was changed, the doctor stayed, Sam and I left to eat lunch and poor Aaron STILL didn’t have his lunch.  Finally, at 3:00, the doctor left, the Physical Therapist came back to his room  to get him and I INSISTED the poor guy eat his lunch before he does one more thing!!!  So, he quickly gulped down a somewhat cool Sloppy Joe and then he was off to PT.  He got to play pinball for the second time today.  He activates the flippers with controls placed behind his shoulders.  He really does well and enjoys that.   

After we returned to his room, he decided he wanted to do the trach collar again.  He was hooked up, ready to go, but he just didn’t feel well doing it.  He was able to last 20 minutes, but it didn’t go nearly as well as it had the day before.  He asked to stop, which was fine, not a problem.   After the trach collar is removed, Aaron often gets more secretions than normal  and his trach has to be suctioned, not a big deal.  Today, however, there was some secretion that the Respiratory Therapist couldn’t get to move up or down with normal suctioning.  He used a “bag” on Aaron, which forced air down Aaron’s trach.  Eventually, the secretions moved and Aaron felt much better.  This kind of activity, though, really wears him out.   He asked to be put into bed and that’s exactly what happened.  So when we left Magee today at 6:00, Aaron was being put into his bed, extremely worn out. 

Forgive me for all the details.  I just want you to understand what a typical day is like for Aaron and for you to understand how days like this can really wear him out. 

 Tomorrow’s another day, Aaron.  We’ll continue to work on gaining time on that trach collar!

Every Wednesday in group therepy at 11:00 a.m.  they set goals for the coming week.  Today Aaron set his goal of being off of the vent for 1 hour & 30 minutes by next Wednesday. By 4:30 he shattered his goal.  Aaron did 2 hours and 4 minutes off the vent today, AND he didn’t sleep afterward! Woo-hoo! Go Aaron! 🙂 Oh yeah, and that was 2 hours straight, not broken up into  20 minutes here and there!

Today was a busy day for Aaron.  Sam and I got to Magee a little before 10:00 this morning and Aaron had something going on from that time until around 6:00 this evening.  No wonder he’s tired!   He had his first “test drive” on his power wheelchair today.  He navigates the wheelchair by tapping on his headrest (left or right or back) with his head and this sends a command to the chair to move.  The hard part for Aaron was the sensitivity of the headset. You only need to tap it lightly and it reacts.    The Physical Therapist had him riding through the halls and he’d get the chair going round in circles (not on purpose), which we all found to be quite humorus.  It was great to see him laugh at himself.  Of course, he was a bit disappointed when he was told he could not yet take the wheelchair because he needed a little more practice with it.  It was very entertaining for him!!    

Luke Songer stopped in to see Aaron today, which was a surprise.  Thanks for your visit, Luke.    Aaron also had another visitor, a former patient of Magee, who was in a severe accident and suffered a paralyzing injury about  5 years ago.  He walked into Aaron’s room and shared his story with Aaron today,  providing some helpful insight.   That was very encouraging for Aaron. 

Aaron was having a good bit of pain in his neck today (and no, I don’t mean me).  True pain which his medication wasn’t helping.  He tried to do the trach collar, but it’s difficult WITHOUT neck pain, so that didn’t go as well as we would have liked.  But Aaron’s going to go back at it tomorrow, as long as the pain eases up.  

So, stay tuned for the next update!  And in the mean time, please continue to pray and/or send good thoughts Aaron’s way!   Thanks!

Jermaine, Woody, Aaron, Jaime, Tory

It was a so/so weekend for football. Friday night Middletown & Elizabethtown High School’s won their games. However on Saturday Penn State laid an egg. Today we watched football at Magee. Chiefs vs. Eagles, and although our Chiefs never really showed up, lots of friends and family did, and we enjoyed watching the game together. Unfortunately the Steelers (Aaron’s 2nd favorite team) lost as well. The day did end on a positive note however as Aaron’s fantasy football team locked up another win to go to 3-0.

Aaron spent 25 & 30 minutes off his vent today, which although he didn’t increase his total time, the time off was less stressful, his stats remained at an excellent level, and he didn’t get wiped out and take a nap afterward like he usually does. His stamina & confidence while off of the vent continues to build.

Jermaine is a resident of Magee that we have had the pleasure of getting to know. He always has words of encouragement for Aaron and us. He is moving on to a facility closer to his home in Easton tomorrow. We wish you the best; you’re in our prayers Jermaine.

Well, we were originally going to do this post together, but Aaron is just a lil wiped out to say the least. He had a great day! In therapy he did a stimulation bike that sent electical signals through electrodes that were attached to his triceps and biceps. He tolerated it better than Gina (his amazing occupational therapist) had expected! He ate lunch well and we ordered food from across the street and watched movies in bed. Love Fridays.  I get to stay over with him, and after he passes out (usually around 9ish) I hang with Rachel the RN. Her and I have become pretty close and I’m pretty sure she’ll be invited to the wedding lol. But anyways, his electrical stimulation bike only consisted of his upper body muscles, but he has an order for the lower body, which has to be done by physical therapy. Therefore, that will be taking place in the near future. This thing is fantastic. All the equipment, staff, other patients, etc. have made Aaron feel as loved as you all make him  feel. He also did another hour off the ventilator today : ) Considering where Aaron is in the situation, he’s having wonderful progress. And that’s words out of medical staff!

Aaron passed the “pizza test” today! He just had to eat a few bites of pizza successfully, which he did easily in order to get “free reign” over his diet. It was about a week ago that he was allowed to begin eating food. He started with it pureed (lovely experience; he had to read the menu to figure out what exactly he was eating :)). He graduated to ground food a few days later. A little better. Today… no restrictions!
As you can see Aaron finally got the long awaited shave (yesterday). Did all of you have as much fun voting and watching the results as we did? I love the pic Jaime; thanks for sending it. 🙂
He no longer has an IV as of yesterday which allows more freedom of movement in physical therapy.
Aaron also spent time on the tilt table today with good results. What happens is he gets strapped to a table and they slowly move him into a more vertical position. The purpose is to increase his tolerance to being in the standing position which helps to normalize his blood pressure and circulation. It’s good for his bones and may stimulate nerves. It’s also good to help expand and strengthen his lungs which brings me to “the vent”. Aaron spent a total of 1 hour off the vent today. That’s great Aaron. Keep moving forward. 🙂
Whew! Well, I hope I covered it all!

Aaron, Jaime, & Tory

The folks at the 230 Café have generously offered to hold a fundraiser at their eating establishment on October 24th.

There will be a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing every hour, and of course great food!

For more information click here or use the link in the right sidebar.