Week Four

Today is the end of week four after my surgery to improve my blood flow in my jugular veins. Before my surgery, the doctor told me that the increased blood flow will alleviate my cold hands and feet. Also, my MS is affected by heat and cold. I completely melt (I'm unable to lift my body parts) in extreme heat, and shiver uncontrollably in the cold. The doctor said that my body is unable to sweat, which is the human's form of air conditioning. He said this will change after the surgery.

Boy was he right. I sweat like crazy, which is a good thing, because Oregon's dry desert heat used to incapacitate me to the point that I haven't been outside much during the summer months in years. My skin is so white, it glares on the eyes brightly. The glare makes it hard to see :-)

Muscle building still is not progressing as fast as I want. I'll hang in there though.

Today is week three...

Looking at my week from the outside in as a therapist, I can say things are fine; however, most of you know me as an athlete, and I still have that athlete mentality. Gaining strength should be easy and improvement should be quick. But, it's not going quite that quickly.

Walking is tiring! :-/ I not only have been in a wheelchair for the majority of six years, I've also had an ankle brace on my leg that supported my foot from dragging on the ground, which would make me trip and fall. I took the brace off on Saturday and haven't put it back on, even though, I really really wanted to, I didn't. I figured the only way to strengthen my ankle and calf muscle is to give them no support.

I started doing laps in my house. :-) I can do three full laps in 15 minutes with the walker. Bob did ten full laps in five. I'll get there.

New focus for What Now Jan blog

For the past two years, I've written about the progression of Bob, who had a ruptured brain aneurysm and brain surgery. He has beat all odds and has survived with little damage. I believe the damage will correct itself over time. The damage is only his short term memory loss. Many times, Bob doesn't remember what we did during the day. He, also, still thinks he's in Iowa. The past five years that he has been in Oregon have been misfiled in his brain. As soon as the file is found, five years will be regained.

This blog will take a new focus. I recently had a procedure done called CCSVI, Chronis Cerebro Spinal Venous Insufficiency. In layman's' terms, my jugular veins weren't working properly. They weren't allowing an adequate amount of oxygen to flow to my lower body; hence, my muscles weren't working properly. The procedure is not a cure for multiple sclerosis, but it is supposed to alleviate many of the symptoms.

I had the procedure two weeks ago. My progress so far is an increase in humph. I'm not as content to sit in my wheelchair. I feel every ache in my butt and legs when I sit too long. I guess that's a good thing; however, since I've sat in a wheelchair for the majority of six years, my legs have atrophy. I have little endurance, so I can't stand long. It's a double-edge sword for now.

Each week, I will post a "week-end" update to journal my progression. Keep your fingers crossed.

Bob's progress: one week past his life-flight to OHSU

Bob is looking better each day. The multiple IVs are being eliminated slowly each day. That alone is making him look better. Ninety-nine percent of the day (so it seems anyhow), Bob is unconscious; however, he gives the nurses a thumbs up with both thumbs and wiggles his toes on both feet. His eyes open slightly at the call of his name. We've hung pictures on the windows of his room that depict his personality. The medical staff appreciate seeing the real Bob.

Joe and Isaac have flown here to Oregon from Minnesota. His sister, Michele, her husband, Dean, and cousin, Leslie, came too. My daughter, Aunika, and son, Zachary have made the trek from Roseburg several times. Bob's blood pressure and heart rate increase at the sound of all of their voices. So, even though he cannot move to greet them, these signs show gratitude.

Please keep the prayers coming. Every one helps a great deal.

Bob is at OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098