Peters update Jan 2015

Peter has been a trooper through is brain injury.  One can only imagine how hard it must be to go from a functional person to relying on others to help.   Just when we were making great strides along came a new diagnosis that is heartbreaking. Cancer , even though it is not malignate,  it is still life endangering.  It complicates his already complicated diagnosis.  

We are super luck to have a great family and with out Frank and the kids I am sure to have lost my mind at this point.
For the past years I have treated and felt as if Peter is my child, I have since quit my job to stay home and take care of him,  not an easy decision for being a single parent you must provide for your children in anyway possible.  I have faith and hope that because I am at his side we will survive this struggle too.  
His insurance however is not doing its job,  multiple appts a week, to and from Denver , Casper , and around Cheyenne including therapy sessions makes for a busy life.. Whew who woulda thought it would turn out this way?
Not me for sure ,  I look to God for guidance every day to make sure that I am doing what I should be, it's scary, I don't want to loose anyone else.  With prayers , doctors and family hopefully we can overcome this hurdle to.

I am including a link if you choose to help with medical and transportation cost. http://www.gofundme.com/jb3a0k

Vestibular schwannoma (also known as acoustic neuroma, acoustic neurinoma, or acoustic neurilemoma) is a benign, usually slow-growing tumor that develops from the balance and hearing nerves supplying the inner ear. The tumor comes from an overproduction of Schwann cells--the cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin to help support and insulate nerves. As the vestibular schwannoma grows, it presses against the hearing and balance nerves, usually causing unilateral (one-sided) or asymmetric hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and dizziness/loss of balance. As the tumor grows, it can interfere with the face sensation nerve (the trigeminal nerve), causing facial numbness. Vestibular schwannomas can also press on the facial nerve (for the muscles of the face) causing facial weakness or paralysis on the side of the tumor. If the tumor becomes large, it will eventually press against nearby brain structures (such as the brainstem and the cerebellum), becoming life-threatening

Eickbush Family Update 03/10/2014

Hello all from the great state of Wyoming,

    It has been almost a year past since the last update on Peter and our family.  Lots of changes good and bad. Lots of struggles, but in that it has taught us only to be stronger and to go forward.
    Peter is doing really well,  he is back in therapy for PT, OT and a few other things that are private.  Overall he is doing really well.  It is now just Dora, Peter, and I (Joanna) however we are keeping our heads up and making the best of the situation.  Peter has really started to enjoy spending time writing letters and drawing.  His memory is continuing to come back.  However his short term memory we are still working on.  His left side is still weak hence the therapy.
    I coach soccer and basketball and try to involve him as much as it allows.  Again this year we all went to the mountains and went tubing.   I know, I know risky, however the smile on his face was priceless.  The people who worked the lifts were so helpful and I was so grateful they made the day a great success.   He  had a great time and is wanting to go back for more.  Not to sure if we will get back this year but we now know that he is capable of doing it so we will try again.

Dora is doing very well in school and is loving basketball and soccer.  Soccer is about to start up again which she is soooooo looking forward to.  Basketball just got over for the season and it went better then expected.  She seems to be the ever growing child.  These are the days where I miss my mom the most.   We are hoping that with the additional therapy that peter is getting that his left side will continue to improve.  That's the hope at least.  Well that is all for now.  Hoping all are well.

Joanna Eickbush

04-15-2013 Eickbush Family Update

Ok, so yes I know this has been a long time since my last post, but life seems to get in the way of my doing due diligence of keeping everyone updated on what is going on. The last couple of months since we have gotten home fromCraig has been such a whirlwind it seems just like yesterday, but I see such improvements in Peter it is great, however there are still things that need more improvement, and ha is why we do therapy 3 times week at CRMC as well as at home therapy. We have been trying since December to get Peter on what is called the brain waiver program here in Wyoming, however it seems with ever step forward we go we take two steps back...... The red tape makes it extremely time consuming and can almost make a person want to throw your hands up in disgust. I at times wonder if going through the motions and all the paperwork are worth it but I know that for the sake of Peter it is what is needed for the best care and to be able to get some help with taking care of Peter as I didn't realize how much work it was taking care of someone 24/7. I have had some help from our sister Sharleen which has been well needed as without that at this point I probably would have gone crazy with Dora's schedule, trying to work 2 jobs and take care of Peter and help with dad.
These last two weeks have given me cabin fever and really ready for spring with all this snow and being snowed in. It is great to be living in the country again as that is really where my heart has always been, but really!! Driving Dora 1/2 hour to school because there are no openings in her school where we live now in interesting. Just praying one opens up soon, or at least by the beginning of the next school year as she is really looking forward to riding the bus which will stop right at our front door.
Peter is getting stronger, and we are working on getting him more independent, getting dressed, having a schedule of what the day will bring so he knows what to expect and can carry out some task on his own. At which he is getting better at. He is getting stronger and the nearly sessions are getting harder. They are pushing him and it seems to be working well. We had a check up at Craig hospital last week and they were impressed with all the progress than he has made since he has left and just want for it to continue.
Dad has been able to come to town on occasion and it has been interesting to see how much Peter lights up when asked if he would like to go shopping with him of which I say of course. I and the therapist agree as long as it is positive and continues to stay that way, the interaction between them is a good thing so allowing it can only be good for both of them.
Mike and Dora have been spending time up a Chugwater, mike has been helping Uncle Elmer and when Dora gets tired of being with dad she gets lots of grandpa time of which, even though I am not sure if grandpa will admit it, he really enjoys it and she does to. She ant seem to get enough of all the time she gets to spend exploring all the crocks and crannys of grandpas space. She recently made a recycled snail for school and is so proud to as she made it all from grandpas junk pile :). If only you could have heard that conversation. It was and interesting one.
We are finally settled into our new place, which we love, it is wonderful to have much more new space and a better space for Peter and all of us really. We are hoping to have a house warming party at some point but all are welcome to stop by at any point. Just give me a call to make sure we aren't at therapy. We usually do therapy Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. My number is 307-631-6797
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.

Latest update on Peter Eickbush 3/19/2013

Here we are again.  Our busy lives these days have made it difficult to find the time to do updates.  However it is necessary so I found I just have to make the time.  I was asked a few days ago and finally I am making the time to do what I should have all ready done.

Peter is doing remarkable.  Each and Every day we see improvements after improvements.  Since he has been back home with my Sister (Joanna)  he has been going to OT, ST, & PT  three times a week and the other two days he has Chiropractic treatments and Massage of which has really made a huge improvement in his mobility and his thinking.

He can almost walk with very little assistance.  However someone still needs to be right there with their hand on him in case he should stumble or start to fall.  When he first came home he used the walker quite a bit, but since then we discovered that he actually does better without it.  Also, I gave him showers almost every other day and at first had to do most all of it, but as time has gone on Peter can do most of it by himself with little asisstance.  Joanna has been great with it all.  It is very wearing on her and at times she feels like this would just be a bad dream and she would wake up and it would never have happened, but reality is that is did and even though those thoughts flood our head and especially hers - She keeps on keeping on.  Joanna has also implemented the Therapy exercises outside of Therapy at home and has really been working with Peter at home quite a bit  which has really helped him understand that he needs to really do the work in order to keep improving and hopefully one day be able to do it on his own.

Peters personality has really changed since the accident.  He has been quite the jokester.  Laughs alot and pulls jokes on people. It has really been a joy to see some inner expressions come out and facial expressions show up that he has never had before the accident.  Also, he has been doing very remarkable about recognizing when he eats a meal  that he has had enough and he is full.

I story was shared about a mule that fell into a hole and was crying crying crying and the farmer came by and decided it was to much trouble the hole and mule so he called all the neighbors together and told them to start filling the hole with dirt and bury the mule get it out of its misery. So they started doing just that, but the mule got to thinking each time a scoop of dirt hit him he would shrug and shake it off and step up.  So he did and eventually climbed out of the hole.  I likend this to Peter foremost because he could of just given up and let this incident get the best of him but every time something has been thrown at him he has shook it off and kept stepping up and his determination has gotten him this far and has had so much progress.  Also, this is for my wonderful sister Joanna who has been there day in and day out and the many times that she could've and probably wanted to just let the dirt bury her - She has just shrugged and shook and stepped up over and over again.  SUCH DETERMINATION!!!!

Prayer is such a powerful thing.  I would like to thank all for your kind words and thoughtful prayers.  We still need them each and every day  so please don't stop keep them coming.

If you would like to see Peter please feel free to contact Joanna Lulf and let her know you are coming so that we can make sure Peter is up and ready and not at a therapy appt. or such.  He would love to have the company and it is wonderful therapy for him.

I would also like to take a moment and thank my sister Joanna for all the hard work that you have put in to making Peter comfortable and helping improve.  It definitely shows and just remember keep shrugging it off and step up eventually it will be easier.


Shar Johnson

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

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

Craig Hospital Update 1/25/2013

Here we are 10 days into a great rehab stay at Craig Hospital and things are going great.
After several rounds of testing they had found that pester still had some bleeding on his brain, so we are watching it closely to make sure that it doesn't grow and are doing some Genetic testing to see if there are disorders that we need to be aware of.
On the bright side Peter is adjusting well, as seems to be enjoying his time here,  his days are filled with classes that help him to recover his memory and to help his brain build new pathways to what is stored inside.  There are lots of activities that we have been able to get him involved in like tie dying, cookie making, he was able to play the WII Bowling game with his left hand all while standing.  It is so exciting to see his progress.  Craig's moto is to push but not to push to hard that they regress so even though to me it seems they are not pushing very hard but they are the experts at Brian injuries and I have to learn at times to take a step back.
This weekend he was able to go on what that call an outing to the museum in Denver with some of the other patients, of which he seems to be growing friends with a few, he has picked up the game of trash, which is a card game that I don't know.   He has taken a fishing class and gardening class, all these things help his thinking skills.
We have a family conference this coming week that will tell us what they expect Peters outcome, stay, ect., to be so we are looking forward to seeing what they all have to say.  It has been a great experience seeing that it is not only just us that has hard times and I have learned so much from everyone and all the other families at Craig.

Well that is all for now and Peters says HI to everyone.

We have set up a benefit account at the Oregon Trail Banks in Cheyenne, Chugwater, and Guernsey to help with expenses related to Peters stay in Denver.


Thanks for the continued prayers and more news to come soon
Joanna