goodfellow
Turbocharged
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2007
- Messages
- 745
stay with it amy. we're pulling for you and wout........
greg&roni
greg&roni
wilbur-t
Top Fuel
May 24
Amy is now allowed to take Wout outside for an hour at a time, so she is going to roll him out front of the hospital and me and Lisa are bringing their two little ****-zou doggies up to see him.
Wout passed the swallowing test yesterday, so he was going to get soft food to eat today. He can also drink from a straw now. He is also starting to show emotions, and it will really get to you when he looks like he is going to cry.
Amy is now allowed to take Wout outside for an hour at a time, so she is going to roll him out front of the hospital and me and Lisa are bringing their two little ****-zou doggies up to see him.
Wout passed the swallowing test yesterday, so he was going to get soft food to eat today. He can also drink from a straw now. He is also starting to show emotions, and it will really get to you when he looks like he is going to cry.
wilbur-t
Top Fuel
Memorial weekend
Hi everyone,
I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend - cookouts, beach trips, and lots of relaxation. We have been busy here in Chapel Hill!
Wout was cleared for a pureed food diet with thin liquids this past Friday, so he has been eating since Saturday morning - lots of mashed potatoes! He has been doing well, but the speech therapists are a little concerned that his swallowing is delayed. So, they are going to see how he does with what's called a "mechanical soft" meal, which I think means really soft food, but stuff he has to chew up. They are teaching him to try to clear his throat as he eats, to reduce the risk of aspiration, which is food slowly going down the wrong way.
The physical therapists have been working with Wout on walking, and he is standing up much better, so they have shown me how to help him move from the bed to his wheelchair. Saturday, after therapy, Tommy and Lisa brought the dogs to see Wout and me. We had to go out in the front of the hospital, and Wout was a little overwhelmed at first with everything going on. I don't think he recognized the dogs, but he did pet Kaiser for a few seconds after about 30 minutes. Thanks so much Tommy and Lisa for bringing them - I know it was a pain, but it was good "pet therapy" for me, too!
On Sunday, the doctors downsized Wout's tracheotomy tube from a size 6 to a size 4. They have started capping trials, which means they put a cap on the end of the tube and he breathes out of his mouth and nose. He has done very well with the downsizing so far, and I think if all goes well (knock on wood), they can remove everything within a week. That will be so great - the doctors told me that it will heal very quickly.
Sunday evening, I was alone in the room with Wout, and I was sitting on the bed with him. He looked at me, and he spoke. He said, "Before. After." Then he said a couple of words I couldn't understand, and pulled me to him, and kissed me. It was really awesome! Tommy and Lisa came by that evening, and when I told Wout that Tommy was here and had them shake hands, Wout just grinned from ear to ear for over five minutes!
Yesterday was very busy, with Speech, Physical, Occupational, and Recreational therapy. I also took Wout downstairs a couple of times to sit in the courtyards. We can have a pass to leave the floor for an hour at a time, which is great, because I know he gets tired of sitting around here and being in bed so much. I have to be careful, and the sitter has to go with me, because Wout is very restless, and tries to get out of the wheelchair. He's so strong that sometimes I'm glad to have an extra person there with me.
Wout got very restless and was trying to get out of bed last night, so he had to have a shot last night. He's still sleeping, so I had a chance to give a little longer update today.
Thanks again, everyone, for all of your support, thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to lift Wout up in prayer for his continued healing and recovery! Also, I am asking that everyone say a special prayer for Tieneke, Brittany, and Wout. [Wout's kids] They are really struggling, and I know it's so hard for them not to be able to be here as much as they want to. I wish they could see the day to day progress that I get to see, because Wout's improvements really keep me motivated. I know this is pure anguish for them, and I wish there were something more I could do for them.
Take care, everyone!
Amy
Hi everyone,
I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend - cookouts, beach trips, and lots of relaxation. We have been busy here in Chapel Hill!
Wout was cleared for a pureed food diet with thin liquids this past Friday, so he has been eating since Saturday morning - lots of mashed potatoes! He has been doing well, but the speech therapists are a little concerned that his swallowing is delayed. So, they are going to see how he does with what's called a "mechanical soft" meal, which I think means really soft food, but stuff he has to chew up. They are teaching him to try to clear his throat as he eats, to reduce the risk of aspiration, which is food slowly going down the wrong way.
The physical therapists have been working with Wout on walking, and he is standing up much better, so they have shown me how to help him move from the bed to his wheelchair. Saturday, after therapy, Tommy and Lisa brought the dogs to see Wout and me. We had to go out in the front of the hospital, and Wout was a little overwhelmed at first with everything going on. I don't think he recognized the dogs, but he did pet Kaiser for a few seconds after about 30 minutes. Thanks so much Tommy and Lisa for bringing them - I know it was a pain, but it was good "pet therapy" for me, too!
On Sunday, the doctors downsized Wout's tracheotomy tube from a size 6 to a size 4. They have started capping trials, which means they put a cap on the end of the tube and he breathes out of his mouth and nose. He has done very well with the downsizing so far, and I think if all goes well (knock on wood), they can remove everything within a week. That will be so great - the doctors told me that it will heal very quickly.
Sunday evening, I was alone in the room with Wout, and I was sitting on the bed with him. He looked at me, and he spoke. He said, "Before. After." Then he said a couple of words I couldn't understand, and pulled me to him, and kissed me. It was really awesome! Tommy and Lisa came by that evening, and when I told Wout that Tommy was here and had them shake hands, Wout just grinned from ear to ear for over five minutes!
Yesterday was very busy, with Speech, Physical, Occupational, and Recreational therapy. I also took Wout downstairs a couple of times to sit in the courtyards. We can have a pass to leave the floor for an hour at a time, which is great, because I know he gets tired of sitting around here and being in bed so much. I have to be careful, and the sitter has to go with me, because Wout is very restless, and tries to get out of the wheelchair. He's so strong that sometimes I'm glad to have an extra person there with me.
Wout got very restless and was trying to get out of bed last night, so he had to have a shot last night. He's still sleeping, so I had a chance to give a little longer update today.
Thanks again, everyone, for all of your support, thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to lift Wout up in prayer for his continued healing and recovery! Also, I am asking that everyone say a special prayer for Tieneke, Brittany, and Wout. [Wout's kids] They are really struggling, and I know it's so hard for them not to be able to be here as much as they want to. I wish they could see the day to day progress that I get to see, because Wout's improvements really keep me motivated. I know this is pure anguish for them, and I wish there were something more I could do for them.
Take care, everyone!
Amy
CADFather
Supercharged
All great news, Amy, it really lifts my spirit up reading about Wout's progress and I see how much he has improved. Keep the updates coming, I read each one and continue to pray for Wout throughout the day. I have included his children in my prayer list as well. May God continue to bless both you, Wout and all those involved in his treatment and recovery.
Joe
Joe
goodfellow
Turbocharged
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2007
- Messages
- 745
amy,wout .
I read this post every day, and i am gratified deeply when i see the tremendous fortitude that is shown by the both of you. i cannot help but feel a sense of relief when a challenge is met and accomplished each day. it lends it self to the spirit of courage that we all hope to demonstrate in a time of duress. i run short of words when i think of what the both of you are sharing with us.....
greg
I read this post every day, and i am gratified deeply when i see the tremendous fortitude that is shown by the both of you. i cannot help but feel a sense of relief when a challenge is met and accomplished each day. it lends it self to the spirit of courage that we all hope to demonstrate in a time of duress. i run short of words when i think of what the both of you are sharing with us.....
greg
wilbur-t
Top Fuel
May 28
Hi Everyone -
I know you've heard the great news by now, but I just wanted to fill you in quickly. Wout is talking up a storm now. It's really quiet, and sometimes it doesn't make much sense, but he is doing great! He recognizes friends and family from pictures and in person. When people visit now who he knows well, they get big grins! He is walking with the help of the PT and the walker much better now, and making good progress in Speech Therapy as well as Occupational Therapy. The last two days have been just full of wonderful things, and my heart is full of joy for Wout. I will try to give a more complete report later, but wanted to officially share the good news!
Amy
Tommy here, Amy wanted me to tell you guys that yesterday she was showing Wout some pics on her laptop and the therapist would ask him who it was. She showed him a pic of him on his FZ1 going through Deals Gap. The therapist said, "Who is that?" Wout said, "That's me....going through a turn....Faster than you!"
Last night we went to visit him. Amy put him in his wheel chair and rolled him out to see us. She pointed at me and said, "Who's that?" Wout grinned and said, "That's ol' Wilbur." He knew everyone in the room.
Amy's favorite thing from yesterday was when Wout was doing an exercise of putting shaped blocks in the right shaped holes. He got to one that was heart shaped, held it up and said, "This is for Amy."
I can't wait to hear what he does today!!
Hi Everyone -
I know you've heard the great news by now, but I just wanted to fill you in quickly. Wout is talking up a storm now. It's really quiet, and sometimes it doesn't make much sense, but he is doing great! He recognizes friends and family from pictures and in person. When people visit now who he knows well, they get big grins! He is walking with the help of the PT and the walker much better now, and making good progress in Speech Therapy as well as Occupational Therapy. The last two days have been just full of wonderful things, and my heart is full of joy for Wout. I will try to give a more complete report later, but wanted to officially share the good news!
Amy
Tommy here, Amy wanted me to tell you guys that yesterday she was showing Wout some pics on her laptop and the therapist would ask him who it was. She showed him a pic of him on his FZ1 going through Deals Gap. The therapist said, "Who is that?" Wout said, "That's me....going through a turn....Faster than you!"
Last night we went to visit him. Amy put him in his wheel chair and rolled him out to see us. She pointed at me and said, "Who's that?" Wout grinned and said, "That's ol' Wilbur." He knew everyone in the room.
Amy's favorite thing from yesterday was when Wout was doing an exercise of putting shaped blocks in the right shaped holes. He got to one that was heart shaped, held it up and said, "This is for Amy."
I can't wait to hear what he does today!!
goodfellow
Turbocharged
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2007
- Messages
- 745
what a relief
ok,
the mental vertigo is finally letting go..... man,what a relief. it's all good to go now.
.
greg
ok,
the mental vertigo is finally letting go..... man,what a relief. it's all good to go now.
.greg
CADFather
Supercharged
I knew that Wout was still in there and trying to get out, and it looks like he is succeeding, this is great news. Keep him working on improving and don't let him dwell on the things he has lost, I did and it ****ed near killed me, better to concentrate on the progress that he's made. I showing this to Teresa tonight when I get home, I bet that she cries just like I did when I read this.
Joe
Joe
wilbur-t
Top Fuel
Hi everyone,
Wout is sleeping now, so I have some time to send out an update. As you all know, he started talking again in Speech Therapy on Tuesday, May 27! The therapist had been working on some things with Wout for about 30 minutes, and then she said, "Let's try something," and started counting, "One, two, three, what's next f___," and Wout said "Four," then they counted to ten together, twice, then to twenty! Then she started him on the days of the week, and months of the year. She asked him his kids' names, and he said them, and she asked them if he was married and he said yes, and she asked him what his wife's name was and he said, "Amy." I was just sitting behind them with tears of joy! Later that afternoon, Brittany and Little Wout came to see him and Wout grinned and grinned to see them!
Wednesday, Wout worked on identifying things from picture cards with Speech therapy, and also counting and the days of the week. In Occupational therapy, he worked on putting the right shapes in spaces on a board. The OT handed him a diamond, which he got right, then a square, which he had more trouble with, then he handed him a heart, and Wout said, "This is for Amy." WOW! He then worked at identifying friends and family from pictures. He was concentrating very hard, and doing a great job, and I pulled a picture up on the computer of him on his motorcycle going around a curve at Deal's Gap, and he got an ear-to-ear grin on his face, and when Kevin asked him who that was, he said, "Me, going around a curve - faster than you!" Now, that was definitely Wout!
Thursday, Wout was groggy and sleepy all day because of a medication change, so therapy was tougher for him to get through, but he did well in spite of it. I spoke with the doctors about it and they discontinued the new med and increased the dosage of another one he was getting, and that seems to have helped a lot. Wout walked over 400 feet in Physical therapy Thursday, and when he was taking a break, the PT told him he was doing a great job, and asked if he liked walking. He said, "I hate walking." She said, "Why?" He said, "I'd rather walk with Hon. (which is me)" So, she said, "Okay," and put me on one side of him and her on the other and we walked the rest of the way together. Everyone here is so wonderful that way - they are really here for their patients! The really big news Thursday was that the doctors took the tracheostomy tube completely out! They said it should heal in 2-4 days. He also had his eyes dilated and checked, and the doctors said there is no damage to his eyes, and that his prescription shouldn't be affected by his injury, so he should be able to see like he did before the accident.
Wout had a bad night Thursday night. He was very afraid of his night nurse and thought she was a terrorist and he was being terrorized. I had to get in bed with him to help calm him down. It broke my heart to think of what he must be going through. He didn't settle down until the evening medications kicked in, and he had a rough night, very restless and didn't sleep much at all.
Friday, Wout was observed eating a "mechanical soft" lunch, which is kind of halfway between pureed food and regular food. He did well, and was approved for a mechanical soft diet, which is really great! I had been having a rough day because of the night before and watching him struggle so hard. He laid down for a much needed break after Occupational therapy, and I told him that I love him, and he looked at me and said, "That's what gets me through to the next day. No amount of money could replace you." I'm crying just writing about it again, because that's my Wout. It seems like whenever I am having a hard time, he does something like that to lift me up again.
Thanks to you all for all of your e-mails and support - you have no idea how much it means. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all that you've done for us. Have a great weekend!
Amy
Wout is sleeping now, so I have some time to send out an update. As you all know, he started talking again in Speech Therapy on Tuesday, May 27! The therapist had been working on some things with Wout for about 30 minutes, and then she said, "Let's try something," and started counting, "One, two, three, what's next f___," and Wout said "Four," then they counted to ten together, twice, then to twenty! Then she started him on the days of the week, and months of the year. She asked him his kids' names, and he said them, and she asked them if he was married and he said yes, and she asked him what his wife's name was and he said, "Amy." I was just sitting behind them with tears of joy! Later that afternoon, Brittany and Little Wout came to see him and Wout grinned and grinned to see them!
Wednesday, Wout worked on identifying things from picture cards with Speech therapy, and also counting and the days of the week. In Occupational therapy, he worked on putting the right shapes in spaces on a board. The OT handed him a diamond, which he got right, then a square, which he had more trouble with, then he handed him a heart, and Wout said, "This is for Amy." WOW! He then worked at identifying friends and family from pictures. He was concentrating very hard, and doing a great job, and I pulled a picture up on the computer of him on his motorcycle going around a curve at Deal's Gap, and he got an ear-to-ear grin on his face, and when Kevin asked him who that was, he said, "Me, going around a curve - faster than you!" Now, that was definitely Wout!
Thursday, Wout was groggy and sleepy all day because of a medication change, so therapy was tougher for him to get through, but he did well in spite of it. I spoke with the doctors about it and they discontinued the new med and increased the dosage of another one he was getting, and that seems to have helped a lot. Wout walked over 400 feet in Physical therapy Thursday, and when he was taking a break, the PT told him he was doing a great job, and asked if he liked walking. He said, "I hate walking." She said, "Why?" He said, "I'd rather walk with Hon. (which is me)" So, she said, "Okay," and put me on one side of him and her on the other and we walked the rest of the way together. Everyone here is so wonderful that way - they are really here for their patients! The really big news Thursday was that the doctors took the tracheostomy tube completely out! They said it should heal in 2-4 days. He also had his eyes dilated and checked, and the doctors said there is no damage to his eyes, and that his prescription shouldn't be affected by his injury, so he should be able to see like he did before the accident.
Wout had a bad night Thursday night. He was very afraid of his night nurse and thought she was a terrorist and he was being terrorized. I had to get in bed with him to help calm him down. It broke my heart to think of what he must be going through. He didn't settle down until the evening medications kicked in, and he had a rough night, very restless and didn't sleep much at all.
Friday, Wout was observed eating a "mechanical soft" lunch, which is kind of halfway between pureed food and regular food. He did well, and was approved for a mechanical soft diet, which is really great! I had been having a rough day because of the night before and watching him struggle so hard. He laid down for a much needed break after Occupational therapy, and I told him that I love him, and he looked at me and said, "That's what gets me through to the next day. No amount of money could replace you." I'm crying just writing about it again, because that's my Wout. It seems like whenever I am having a hard time, he does something like that to lift me up again.
Thanks to you all for all of your e-mails and support - you have no idea how much it means. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all that you've done for us. Have a great weekend!
Amy
goodfellow
Turbocharged
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2007
- Messages
- 745
amy,
i just don't know how to say this,but you are in a place that very few ever get to see. it is a place of intense existence that is incredibly difficult,yet rewarding beyond words. you're seeing a joy and sorrow that is beyond description. i almost can't read your post sometimes.i can only say that i wish you and wout well when this is done........
greg
i just don't know how to say this,but you are in a place that very few ever get to see. it is a place of intense existence that is incredibly difficult,yet rewarding beyond words. you're seeing a joy and sorrow that is beyond description. i almost can't read your post sometimes.i can only say that i wish you and wout well when this is done........
greg
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