Help for foot drop...

Bob Pirie Fund: Many of Bob's friends have expressed that they wanted to help by donating to a fund that will help with Bob's medical expenses. I have set up a Bob Pirie Fund at Umpqua Bank here in Roseburg. If you are interested in making a contribution, you can mail a check to: Umpqua Bank
Bob Pirie Fund
445 SE Main Street
Roseburg, OR 97470
c/o Caryn Martin, Universal Associate

Thank you in advance for your support and contribution.

My T got his leg brace for his drop foot. He says it fits good, and he feels it will help him walk better.

Bob's pressure wound is almost closed. It still needs a little bit of packing that is saturated with medication, but it is still healing nicely.

Today was an uneventful day. Bob's mental well-being is good. He still tries to hitch a ride out of there with me, though. I have to convince him to stay every day. It breaks my heart to do that. I can't wait for the day I can take him home for good.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Heavenly Father, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I may face. I choose to put my trust in You. I declare that You are good and thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, go to the website, click on Become a Rep.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email
stroke info
aneurysm info
VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 106

"Most things are out of my control, so it's a waste of time to get angry."

Sanity to the lunacy...He stands! The rehab in Vancouver, WA denied Bob's admittance until he can do at least one hour of physical therapy. When his nurse, who is doing so much with him, heard this, she could have had a bird. She has reported all the exercising with him, but it wasn't documented by the charge nurse. So, Vancouver thinks that all he can do is lie in bed and sit in his chair.


So...heads were rolling today. The PT actually came to his room today (last time was well over six weeks ago). She fixed the stand up lift so Bob was able to stand on his own. He pulled himself up by himself and stood for about 30 seconds by himself. He did this five times. The PT had a look of amazement. See, no one believes me when I tell them what Bob can do! That's why I don't work for anyone. I hate convincing people that I know something.


The OT wasn't there today, so a substitute came to his room. See heads were rolling. All of his abilities need documented so Vancouver Rehab can be re-contacted. They will accept him with the proper documentation.


"How ya doin, Bob"..."I'm feeling good today. I'm wiped out though from all the exercising. I'm glad I stood. I knew I could do it." Bob doesn't seem to show much emotion. He laughs, but he doesn't show frustration or anger. When I asked him if he ever gets angry, he said, "Most things are out of my control, so it's a waste of time to get angry." What a motto to live by!



A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, today I declare my thanks to You for all You have done in my life. Help me see Your hand of blessing as I continually acknowledge and praise Your name. Fill me with Your peace and joy as I keep You first place in all that I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen"



Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, go to the website, click on Become a Rep.



Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. If you are going to shop tomorrow during Black Friday, remember, "There are nut cases out there." and "I'm not picky when it comes to receiving gifts of any kind." :-)


We picked T up today to come home for Thanksgiving. He didn't remember what we were doing. It was nice to see that he remembered the house, though. He likes the new addition, and seemed excited about getting back to work in his new office.


Sanity to the Lunacy...There is no sanity to this lunacy...Bob was given a suppository this morning before we picked him up. What the hell were they thinking? Luckily nothing happened while we were home. (At least I don't think)


"How ya' doing Bob?" "I am thankful for all the food, and thankful I have a loving family to spend the day with."

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, today I declare my thanks to You for all You have done in my life. Help me see Your hand of blessing as I continually acknowledge and praise Your name. Fill me with Your peace and joy as I keep You first place in all that I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, go to the website, click on Become a Rep.


Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.
email
stroke info
aneurysm info
VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

What comes next?

Bob was roaming the halls again today looking for my daughter and me and his truck. He swore he had his keys. Once again, he's determined to get home.



The next thing we need to work on is the order of doing daily tasks. While getting ready for bed tonight, the nurse would ask Bob what he would do next to get ready for bed, like, after they took off his shirt, what would he do next. He didn't have a clue. He didn't know to take his shoes off to go to bed. Now I know my next cognitive lesson.



Cognitively, Bob was "blank" tonight. He told me he's learning, so just tell him the answers to the questions, (his birthday, the state we live in, etc...) He didn't know any of the answers.

Pray for me to have patience, and pray for Bob to willfully move. One day at a time...

A PRAYER FOR TODAY from Joel Osteen

Father God, thank You for giving me power to overcome fear. I choose to face fear head on and drive it out of my life. Show me any areas of my life where fear is holding me back so that I can press forward into the life of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email

stroke info

aneurysm info

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A

Beating the odds

Good morning everyone,


The doctor says that Bob is definitely beating the odds. You know, I have never seen the day that he has backed down from a fight! When this is all done, I can hear him apologizing for taking so long.


The doctor says his vital signs are good and he's breathing on his own; now we wait to see what Bob wants to do in the recovery process. His obstacles right now are redirecting his shunt, pneumonia, and waking up. He is still in ICU and is being monitored continuously.


Please pray for survival and recovery.
email: jiachini@msn.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm OHSU address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Day 28?

I've lost all track of what day and month it is. I believe my birthday is coming soon, but it doesn't really matter to me at this point. I'll celebrate with my t at my next birthday.

Today was a very quite day. The physical therapist came in to show me how he sits on the edge of the bed. He did. He held himself in place. He had a grin on his face; however, when she put him back down on the bed, his look at her could have shot daggers. She tuckered him out. He has been sleeping the entire day. So...all is quiet on the western front.

Woo-Hoo, the doctors are downsizing his trach as I type so speech therapy can work with him more.

Please continue to pray. I'm confident, without all of your prayers, Bob wouldn't be at this point.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: strokeassociation.com
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, Oregon, 97239 Floor 10K room 8

Shunt day

Bob was taken to surgery to have the shunt put in his head to drain the excess fluids into the cavity beside his stomach. I'm glad they are doing that because today he was not responsive at all. He would open his eyes to look at me quickly, then his eyes would stare at the ceiling. The nurse said that the doctors feel he'll become more responsive than he was a few days ago with this shunt.

My son has a band concert this evening. He plays the trumpet, bass guitar, and tuba. As musically talented that he is, you'd think he was one of Bob's own kids! Zachary has a good tutor. Anyway, my reason for telling you this is because, I am back in Roseburg for the night, then I'll be traveling to Portland tomorrow.


Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:
Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen. adapted from UM Book of Worship

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K rm#8

Bob's so cute

Hi everyone. Many of you are sitting on pins and needles waiting for my post for the day.

I spent the entire day with my t. As the day went on, he became more aware. By the evening, he figured out that the "thumbs up" sign was the sign to say yes or ok. So, he flipped up his thumb as a response without the nurse having to ask him to do it.

While the nurse was brushing his teeth, she asked him to stick his tongue out, which he did. She asked him to smile for me, he tried hard and got a very small movement from the corners of his mouth. I told him to not get frustrated, it will come.

At one point, I told him that he had a lot of friends throughout the country wishing him well and that he has many many friends that love him. He raised his eyebrows as if to say, "Really?" or "No shit! I know". He was so cute. Finally, I was able to give him lots of hugs. I'll give him hugs from all of you tomorrow. Today's hugs were all from me. Sorry.

He nodded his head "yes", shrugged his shoulders, moved his arms and legs, squeezed my hand, gave me his hands to put lotion on, oh...and...and... you'll love this...after getting his teeth brushed, he mouthed the words "thank you" to the nurse.

He's going in the right direction. I can't wait until tomorrow. Today is another day I will thank God for his wonderful works.

email me: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K Rm#8

Bid farewell to the ICU

Bob was moved out of the ICU today! He's moving up in the ranks. He was given a room with a view of Portland's mountains and river. (floor 10K, rm 8)

A friend of ours, Jim, stopped by for a visit and said Bob seems happier and is more aware than last week's visit. (remember, I'm in Roseburg for the weekend) He also ask Bob if he could take his Harley for a ride. Bob was to blink twice if it was ok. Bob's slow blinks were taken as a yes. I think if I hand the keys over though, my head will be "on the chopping block" when t comes home.

Bob is giving the "thumbs up" sign, squeezing hands, scratching his belly, and wiggling his toes. I'm so excited to be going to see him tomorrow. I miss my t.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke awareness: strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam JacksonPark Rd., Portland OR 97239 Floor 10K-Rm 8

5/30/09 at lunch time

Bob is more alert today. He was wiggling his left foot this morning. Michele, sister, read him all of the emails that I printed out. He seemed to be getting emotional over them, so she backed off a bit. That's my t, though. His bark is waaayyyy bigger than his bite. He's a teddy bear.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org

Party time! Day 14 5/27/09

Bob reached the next milestone-day 14. It is so nice to see his face with no tubes coming out of every orifice. He is being weaned off of the ventilator. He was off of it for three hours today. He's breathing on his own. The ventilator is attached just for backup.

His feeding tube was put directly into his stomach through his abdomen. Also, a CAT scan revealed that Bob's brain seems to reabsorbing any fluid remaining in his head. Therefore, the shunts have been removed from the top of his head

I feel we're finally at the beginning of the runway. The past two weeks, he's been taxiing to the runway, and now, we're ready for the journey. Maybe this will be my road to recovery too. (For those who don't know, I'm in a wheelchair due to MS.)

He and I have discussed many many times, that God brought us together in a round about way, and that God teaches us lessons in strange ways. I think my lesson to learn from this incident is to show me that my love for Bob is much bigger than I ever imagined.

Bob is at OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098. Flowers are not allowed in the room. Cards and pictures are being hung in the room.

My email is jiachini@msn.com. I'm saving everyone's messages for Bob to read at a later date.

For more information about strokes, visit www.strokeassociation.com

Day 13, 5/27/09

Today was a good day, even though Bob received a trach. Pastor Daryl from Bob's church visisted today. Bob gave him quite the show. He moved both arms and one leg. I guess Bob thought it was band practice time. :0)

Also, when I mentioned a friend's name, Steve Fischer, to Bob, his eyes opened wide.

The trach surgery went fine. The reason for doing this was to get the tube out of his throat. If it is left in too long, it is irritating to the vocal chords. Heavens to Betsy, if that happens, Bob will be on OHSU's doorstep demanding new chords! He will be weaned off of the vent tomorrow.

Please leave comments to pass on to Bob or email me at jiachini@msn.com.

For more information on strokes, visit www.strokeassociation.org

Day 12, 5/25/2009

Posting about Bob on this blog is usually a midnight ritual; I'm early today. I guess that can be taken as a good sign.

Bob is moving his arms more today and was scotching around more to get comfortable. He didn't open his eyes too much; however, when the doctor lifted his eyelids and yelled, "Bob, look at me!", his eyes quickly looked directly at her as though he had daggers shooting out of them! It was quite refreshing to see and funny at the same time. If any of you know the "look" Bob can give you as if to say, "you're a dumbass"...that was the look he gave to doctor.

We aren't "out of the woods" yet, but are getting there. Keep the prayers coming, and pass the word to others. Please pass this blogpage address on as well.

For more stroke information, visit http://www.strokeassociation.org/.

WOO-HOO!

Bob had an angiogram this morning. The results showed a small vasospasm. A vasospasm is a reaction from the blood vessels of the brain. Believe it or not, the brain does not like any extra blood in its space. So, in very simple language, when there is extra blood in the brain cavity, the brain reacts by having the blood vessels spasm, which can cause them to collapse. If they do collapse, another stroke can occur. The doctor's found a small vasospasm, ballooned it, and gave him medication.

Now, the doctor's say, it's only a waiting game, waiting for him to wake up. All of the items on the checklist (BP, HR, sugars, clear veins, etc...) are all good; he needs time for the brain to heal and to wake up.

Bob's eyes were open much of the day. He opens them when you call his name. He moved both of this arms. If you've spent any amount of time with Bob, you know he's probably saying, "If you didn't see me move the first time you asked, I'm not showing you again. Maybe tomorrow."

So, today was a better day. He made it through day 1, 2, 7, and 10. The next milestone is day 14. Keep the prayers coming. You know...he's going to look back on this one day and say, "Dude, what the hell."

For more information on strokes, visit www.strokeassociation.org