Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Update: Day 71 - "I'm outta here"

Hello everybody!!!

Yes, it's true!! I got home last Thursday (November 11), but I am keeping a low profile right now. I'm walking, but it will be several months before the GBS works it's way down my lower legs and left hand. My feet are about 50% numb, but the burning pins and needles throughout both feet indicate that the nerves are still live and will slowly regenerate, at least that's what the prognosis is from the neurologists that were treating me at the hospital. If things continue the way they have been going, I hope that this will all be cleared up by next summer, if I'm lucky.

I want to thank all of you for keeping tabs on me and Belinda throughout this unfortunate ordeal. I can only hope this is the last thing in a long list.... oops, I am reminded that I better knock on wood at this point. I am a very lucky man!!! I'll post again in a few days with some recent photos. Now that I'm home, I can be reached at our home phone, 916-682-1400, or by cell phone, 916-690-7971, or by e-mail at kneehole_1@yahoo.com.

Thanks again everyone for all your love and support.

Kneehole (Neal H.).

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Update: Day 64

Neal won't be coming home on the 16th after all.....

He will be coming home TOMORROW!!!! And with only the assistance of a cane! The next post on here will be from him, here at home.

Belinda

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Update: Day 63

Monday, Neal walked up and down the parallel bar 6x’s without touching the bar, even during the turns.  He then worked on his legs and arms on the press machine for 20 minutes, then he walked up and down a full flight of stairs 2x’s!, and then took a 50 yard stroll around the downstairs with only a cane!  I think he’s ready to come home.  : )

Belinda

Monday, November 8, 2010

Update: Day 61 and pictures!

This week has been pretty busy.

Neal & Belinda in the hospital lobby


A group of his friends from DTSC visited him and brought him some See’s candy.  He was REALLY happy to see them and touched by their visit.  He wants to get back to work as soon as possible. 

I took Molly to see him on her usual Thursday night visit.

Neal & Molly


This weekend his brother Lee came down for a visit as well as an old friend from school, James Pavlovich.  The smile on his face tells it all.

Lee

Neal & James
Neal can walk much further now with ONLY a walker.  He truly only needs the wheelchair for long distances, if he over does it.
-Belinda


 

Countdown to home

Taylor & Hailey made their papa Neal a paper ring chain to countdown the days he has left in the hospital.  Hailey cut out all the strips and helped staple them together and the picture is courtesy of Taylor.
Is that Neal on a bed with wheels?  Or is it a wheelchair?  Either way, I think it was really sweet that they made this for him.
He hung it up directly across from his bed so he could see it.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Update: Day 58

Neal stood up yesterday from a sitting position without any support or help.  He was able to balance there alone for a short period of time.

He also…. Walked yesterday for 45 minutes in the sling.  The sling was there to help him with his balancing only, not support of any body weight.

They did a strength test on Monday to determine what muscles need to be worked on and for the last few days they have been concentrating on those.  Seems to be working!

-Belinda

Monday, November 1, 2010

Update: Day 55

Neal was able to come home for a visit on Sunday.  We had a really nice day visiting with family and friends.  Gregg and Nanette were there, Ron and Ginger stopped by, as well as my daughter Alyson, son in law Jake and my granddaughters, Taylor and Hailey.  Gregg, Nanette, Neal and I then went out for lunch.  I think we wore Neal out.  When we were on the way back to the hospital his nurse was calling me to see if I was bringing him back (we ran a little late).  I think they missed him.
He is continuing to gain more strength and endurance every day. 
Release date is still on for the 16th!!!
Belinda