Christmas week 2009

Hey guys, it has been a very snowy week in Virginia, hasn't it?
As you all know we got about 24 inches of snow last Saturday and it was very trying for us. My therapists were unable to come see me because of the condition of my driveway. There were, however, some things that happened that I will share with you.

Friday/Saturday

The snow storm of the year came through and we lost our power for about four hours. Our water froze and my father, Big T, came over and was able to get it unfrozen. Thanks Dad for coming out in that mess and fixing our water. You are the best!!!

Monday

No therapy due to the snowy condition of my driveway. Nothing else going on this day.

Tuesday
Lisa had a job interview and it went well. Hopefully things will work out for her. She is going to start working more now that I am able to move around a lot better. This will give her a break from the endless task of caring for me. She has done a great job! Without her, I would not be here right now! My good buddy, Bob, came to see me and when he was leaving he got stuck in my driveway. My son helped him dig out and he was able to return to work unharmed. Although his feet were wet and he was cold for the remainder of the work day. Sorry man!

Wednesday
My therapist was able to come over and we walked a lot. I was able to walk 46 feet five times with short rest periods in between. This is the most that I have walked to this date.

Hey Shannon, Melissa is up on you now! PT usually prevails in the end. HEHE!!!! Just kidding!

Lisa, Dani, and I did a lot baking to prepare for Christmas Eve dinner with Lisa's family. We did receive some gifts from some friends of ours. The Motleys and their church brought us everything to prepare a dinner. Thank you!!!

Thursday (Christmas Eve)

Our family came over and we had some good food and spent some good time together.

Friday (Christmas Day)
We lost our power again. I was also able to get into our SUV today, something that I have been unable to do since all of this stuff has happened. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is another stepping stone for me.

We were able to go to my parents’ house and visit with family. My best friend, Bobby, was able to come down and it made Christmas that much more special. Can’t wait to use my new fishing pole and lures!!

I hope to have more progress in the upcoming week. We are scheduled to visit the doctor on Thursday and I hope to have some good news to pass on. I hope all of you had a great Christmas!

Thanks for all of your support and God Bless you all!!!

Big John

Continuing to get strong

Hello everyone, it has been another week and things continue to get better and progress. I want to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and I hope all of you get to spend good quality time with the people you love. And if you are able, please help someone in need this Holiday season. Sometimes just a phone call will lift the spirits of someone in need. Well, let me tell you about this week:

Sunday
I was up sitting in my wheelchair, and started feeling “froggy”. I attempted to stand from my wheelchair (something that I have not been able to do before). I was able to stand, without assistance from anyone, not once but five times. It was very exciting to see that my hard work was paying off.

Monday
My nurse came out Monday and took blood from me and also did other routine procedures. Thanks Sara, you’re the best!!! I also had PT on this day, and the competition between PT and OT continued. My physical torturer, I mean terrorist, oh, therapist had me walk again and I had to show off for her and stand from the wheelchair. She was surprised and happy! We walked about 36 feet and I needed two rest breaks before walking this distance. Of course this distance was further than the last treatment session with the OT.

I was also able to go to my son’s basketball game. He played well, but unfortunately his team lost. He only has two more games and he will move up to the junior varsity team for the rest of the season.

Tuesday
Nothing exciting happened today. I did walk with my wife to make sure that I continue to progress. We also got our blood test results back and my C-ANCA is negative, which mean the Wegener’s is still in remission. That is exciting!!

Wednesday
My PT came and we once again went through all the routine stretching and we walked. My dad was visiting, so I had to show off! I was able to walk 36 feet before needing a rest break. I was able to do this three times and it felt great. My OT came in the afternoon and she did not have me walk again. Instead we walked to the bathroom and got into the shower. It was the first time I have been in the shower for months. Don’t get me wrong I have been taking baths, but now I can get in the shower. This is also my night to cook dinner for my family and my best friend, Bob. I fixed chili with bread bowls, which did not turn out well. The chili was great! I baked corn bread and I made potatoe skins for appetizers. Oh, I also made a chocolate pie for desert. Everyone seemed to enjoy dinner and of course Bob and I had a great time, as always.

Thursday
My OT came and recalled the distance that I walked the day before with the PT and of course she wasn’t going to be out done. So, I walked 46 feet four times, taking a break in between. It felt great!

So, as you can tell I am progressing well and things are definitely looking up. I still don’t know when my surgery will be to fix my belly, but I am sure that God has a plan for that as well. I know I poke fun of my therapists, but please know that they are the best and I truly believe that they want the best for me. That also goes for my nurse, Sara. Stay tuned for more updates. God bless you all!

Big John

Some thoughts on physical progress and support

Hello everyone, I just wanted to give you an update from this past week. I have been working hard with my therapists, both OT and PT.

Monday
On Monday I was able to stand for a longer period of time. I got a little brave and tried to stand without using my hands and I lost my balance and fell back onto the bed. My therapist got a little peeved at me, but I had to try!!!

Tuesday
On Tuesday, I was able to stand and take three steps forward and three steps backwards using a walker. This time I was working with my OT. She had me do this three times before I was too exhausted to do anymore.

Wednesday
Then came Wednesday, my PT was not going to be out done. She started with the basic stretching and bed exercises then she wanted me to walk. I was able to walk 13 steps before needing a rest break. We did get this on video, and I plan on posting it on facebook for all to see. I was really tired after this but I did try to stand again but it was not happening.

Thursday
Thursday came and my OT was not going to be out done. She stretched my arms and had me do a few exercises to get loosened up. So we were going to walk again. As soon as I got ready to walk my best friend, Bob, showed up. Well needless to say I had to show off for him, too. So I walked 20 steps and needed a rest. After resting in my wheelchair, I backed up and took 12 more steps, something I haven’t been able to do - as getting myself out of the chair is more difficult than the bed. It was exciting!!!!!!

Friday
Friday I had to go have an upper GI, but upon arriving to have this test, the people there informed me that they could not accommodate me with my condition. I needed to be able to stand for a long period of time, which I am not able to do at this time. So right now, we are unsure of how we are going to have these tests done. But I’m sure we will figure out something.

I just want to take this time to thank a few people for their continued support.

• My wife, Lisa, for not giving up on me and for all that you have and are doing to keep me alive. I love you!!
• Bob Hopkins, for all you done to help Lisa during this terrible ordeal and all you are doing now. You are the best friend everyone should have!!
• Randall Shaver, for helping with all the things around the house and for being there for Lisa. I can’t say thank you enough!!
• My parents for helping us through all this, I can’t list everything you have done!! I love you guys!!
• To my in-laws for coming to sit with me and the numerous other things you all have done.
• To Melissa Stump and Shannon Honaker for the great therapy you ladies give me and for pushing me when I wanted to stop! You girls are great and I will never be able to tell you how much I appreciate you all.
• And to everyone else who has sent donations, helped with my care, and for your thoughts and prayers, or anything else you may have done (I am unable to remember everything, Sorry!!!!). THANK YOU!!!!!!!! And may God bless you all.
  

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Holiday season,

- Big John

Update from John

Hello everyone,
I am sorry it has been a while since the last update. I will try to be better in the future.

Since getting out of the hospital in October, I have made some progress. First of all, I have been getting great care from my wife and the great people at Carilion Home Care. I still have the open wounds on my stomach and I can’t eat food like you all do (I get my nutrition through IV’s). I did however, cook the Thanksgiving turkey this year and have been cooking for my family for the past couple of weeks. Even though I cannot eat, it is therapeutic for me.

I have been attending my son’s basketball games and hanging out with my daughter in the evening times. I am staying up in my wheelchair for hours at a time, playing cards with my parents and hanging out with my best friend Bob. I do communicate with a lot of you through facebook and that is great for me.

Life is getting some kind or normalcy back into it. Please feel free to contact me on the phone, email, or look me up on facebook. I will try to give you guys a update every week or sooner if something happens out of the ordinary.

God Bless!

Big John