Friday, February 22, 2013

2/22/2013 Update

   Well, Peter made it home , and it has been quite the eventful week,  We have all got the flu bug and so it has made the transition time quite interesting.  We have started the out patient therapy and it seems to be going well.  It has been nice to have the continued support of the Craig Hospital staff for any question that I have and we now have some other great doctors here in Cheyenne on board that are also helping to follow Peter's care.  For me I had thought things would be easier when we got home but things have been so hectic in getting everything set up and trying to make sure things are safe and getting paperwork done that time for sleep just seems to elude me.
  We have been able to take Peter to Dora's basketball games and he has seemed to enjoy them.  I treated him to a pedicure and he really enjoyed the experience as well.  I have it set up that he gets 3 massage sessions a week as well as chiropractic care and that along with the therapy sessions seems to be making a big difference in how his body is responding to the treatment.  His left side is becoming stronger everyday and for that we are thankful.  
  With just a month until the big moving day, I am trying to make sure we have all he logistic's worked out so there is min. stress on Peter and that things will go smooth. We hopefully will have enough people to help that one day and we will be moved and I can at least get all of his room done and organized so that it is familiar.  We will just be moving to the east side of Cheyenne so it won't be such a hard move and it will be better all around once we get a house that is more user friendly for Peter. 
  Everyone is more then welcome to come by and see Peter and he would welcome visitors.  Our current house is easy to find and if you need directions just call or our address is 621 Vista Ln in Cheyenne.

We have set up a " For the Benefit Account for Peter Eickbush" at Oregon Trail Bank at any of the branches in Guernsey, Chugwater, and Cheyenne, so those that wish to can contribute. If you would like to have the account information so you can just transfer please contact Naomi Loomis or Joanna Lulf and we can get that information for you

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Peter Update 02/03/2013

Update from Craig hospital 02/03/2013:

It has once again been longer then it should have for an update on Peter.  Time seems to get away from me as the days run together as well as the weeks.  He is doing really, really well down here and is improving daily. 

We will be returning to Cheyenne on the 14th of Feb, to Home.  Yay I can't wait to finally have him home.  It has been a long haul since the 16th of November. yet it seems like just yesterday since I got the phone call and I couldn't believe that something was wrong. 

We had a conference with all the doctors and therapists on the 31st and it went well, they all seem to think that Peter, with time and more out patient rehab will make an almost if not full recovery to the point of what he was prior to the accident.  however with ever TBI, there will always be residual issue to deal with like frustration, memory function, anger, etc.  all things that we can deal with we just have to learn the right tools and that is what they are teaching me now.  It is so nice to be somewhere that knows and only deals with brain injuries as it gives us such a better picture of what is to come. 

Peter has become a social butterfly here something that I hope I can help him continue once we get home.  He was the "bat chi" ball champion today and has really enjoyed playing ping pong, the WII, and blow darts,  so far no one has been able to beat him at blow darts.  These are all part of his therapy sessions as they try to make it fun so he doesn't realize he is using that left arm and leg so as not to get him so agitated and it works. 

He was able to attend a wonderful gate clinic which enabled them to see that for now he needs a special brace for his left leg in order to stabilize his walking abilities.  His walking is doing really well, and he can really cruise in the wheelchair now which is his main mode of transportation.

We have had the honor of meeting people from all over the country from all different types of accidents,  but one thing remains in common with all of us, we all pray, we all have hope for a better tomorrow, we all are here for our loved ones, we all have those at home we have left behind to care those who are here,  even though I miss my daughter and family at home it helps knowing that I am not suppose to feel sorry for myself because 1.) I am not the one who has to endure hours of therapy every day and 2.) I do have a 2nd family in those who are also here supporting there loved ones. 
We will be doing our out patient rehab in Fort Collins 3-4 days a week and hope to get him in some type of pool therapy as well in Cheyenne.  It will take up to a year of this in order to complete the process but it will be well worth all the travel and time that it takes to get him back up to speed.

It is great to see Peters new " outlook" you could say as it is a change from what we are all used to. He used to have flat expressions and now he is a real jokster and he has a great smile and laughter, along with letting us know now when he is in pain or not in pain.  These are all changes for the best since his accident. 

Well that is all for now.  :)
Joanna

We have set up a " For the Benefit Account for Peter Eickbush" at Oregon Trail Bank at any of the branches in Guernsey, Chugwater, and Cheyenne, so those that wish to can contribute. If you would like to have the account information so you can just transfer please contact Naomi Loomis or Joanna Lulf and we can get that information for you.

OK so the address for the Postal Service is 3425 S. Clarkson St. Engle wood, CO 80113 Attn: Peter Eickbush Room 212 C/O Guest Services
Fed Ex and UPS: 3427 S. Emerson Street EngleWood, CO 80113 Attention: Peter Eickbush Apt: 201