May 29, 2012

Wes is working hard in rehab and he really enjoys the therapists that are working with him. They are amazing and are able to push him and help him improve. His occupational therapist is really working on his triceps and they are responding. We believe that with a lot of hard work he will have reasonable use of his triceps. His arms and shoulders are getting much stronger and continue to improve.

Wesley walking

Today he held a broom stick as if it were a kayak paddle and did very well rotating the paddle. At least once a week he gets in the water and works with resistance training, it will be interesting to see how he progresses in the water and with his swimming ability and use of upper body. It is very interesting to go with Wes to therapy because each time we are there we discover something new that he can do. He is getting better about eating on his own; some types of food he still struggles with but he is getting better. Some mornings we have to get up very early to make our therapy appointments and he is making improvements getting his body to adjust to get up so early. Part of the problem is that when he has been laying down for a long time his blood pressure can drop when he sits up, causing him to pass out. This has not yet happened because we get him up slowly. Wes is alo adjusting well to traveling long distances. We were in Billings, Montana this last weekend to be with a wonderful family that was going through the temple for the first time. Wes hung out with a very good friend while Karen and I, and many from our ward, were in the temple.

Sunday we were home in Montana and it was interesting day. Wesley’s wheelchair was having electronics problems and he was in bed much of the day, he was not feeling great anyway.Karen was suffering with a kidney stone she was trying to pass and in a great deal of pain. I spent the day taking care of both of them. I was sure tired by Sunday night. It was nice to get both of them to bed so I could pass out.

Good news, Monday we got the chair fixed so we could get Wes out of bed and Karen was feeling somewhat better. Wes’s wheelchair is more important than just transportation, it tilts and reclines in different directions to take the pressure off of Wesley’s behind so he does not get pressure sores. When Wes is in bed we continue to roll him from side to side every 3 or 4 hours so his skin does not break down which will start bed sores. So far, we have done really well combating bed sores.

Wes’s attitude continues to be very good. He is trying very hard and is not easily frustrated. We are very blessed to have him. We are staying with my sister, Tondi, and her husband, Cliff, in Utah and they are very easy to live with. Wes really enjoys being around Cliff. We continue to learn patience and are not sure how long we will be here, as long as Wes continues to improve we will be here.

Please keep Wesley’s name in the temple and keep praying for him. It is working and we count our blessings daily. Thank you for all your love and support.