Its the day we Don't have to get ready for Doctor appointments.
This week Alex went to SEVENTEEN doctors appointments. (Makes me tired just thinking about it, can't imagine how Alex feels). He starts his mornings off with 8 pills and a Protein shake (thanks TwinLabs for the powder mix). I haven't been able to attend his PT or OT appointments this week but I heard that he is continuing to make progress. Remember the test he did last week (sit on a bench, stand up, walk to a line, turn around, walk back and sit down)? Well, he cut his time in half this week he did it 20.8 sec's. Wahoo!!! Alex and his Grandpa have been going to appointments and even went out for a few lunches this week.
Alex walks by sight. If he closes his eyes, he falls, so in order to walk he has to watch every step. He can walk pretty much unassisted now, but prior to him walking anywhere we have to make sure that lights are on & everything is off the floor etc.. He woke up at 3am the other night and needed to use the restroom, Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, BUT... We had to turn all the lights on from his room to the bathroom, in order to make it there, by that time I was wide awake.
Alex can go up the stairs really well, coming down is getting a lot smoother, he still goes down the stairs backwards. He feels the step with his foot and places one foot down at a time, takes about a min to get down. He's getting faster everyday.
Alex saw his Neurologist Friday and was supposed to have an EMG test (An electromyogram (EMG) is a test that is used to record the electrical activity of muscles. When muscles are active, they produce an electrical current. This current is usually proportional to the level of the muscle activity. An EMG is also referred to as a myogram.) After his Dr. visited with him for a while he decided not to do the test, because of a few reasons. #1 its VERY painful #2 after looking at his MRI's and observing Alex's movements he believes the nerves aren't dead. We've always believed this and now are very hopeful that this is correct.
Now, no offense to any Doctors that might be reading this...but you know when you go to have a test or shot and the Doctor says "don't worry it wont hurt" and then it does hurt. Or the Doctor says "now this might hurt a little bit" and then it totally kills!!??!! Well, with this EMG test, every Doctor that has talked to us about it has told us its Very Painful! So, if a Doctor tells you its painful I cant even imagine how bad it must hurt. Alex's pain Doctor prescribed him an extra dose of pain meds specific for this test, his Neurologist asked what he gave him, I told him, he says "If we do this test in a week or two, double that dose of pain meds". Yikes!!!
I'm glad for Alex that the test wasn't done, because he had such a long and tiring week. The test will only help with his prognosis, its a test for info, nothing else (it won't help him get better). So if he keeps improving he wont have to get the test. (Keep the prayers coming).
Have a great weekend - Thanks, Kaleen aka Alex's mom
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Alex on Wednesday, Oct.6
Dane Thursday Oct 7th
Before Life Support was removed
Alex's Room
Thanks for all the love
Thank you so much for keeping us posted on Alex's progress - it means a lot to all of us to hear how he is doing each day, and you have a fun sense of humor! Loved the Saturday title - now I can't get that song out of my head! What an amazing young man, what an amazing family. We're keeping you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteMy wife does think she's clever with her song title. Believe me when I tell you that she actually sings that song to help remind us what we should be doing on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteI just got finished with the Brian David Mitchell trial, so I will be able to go with Alex to his appointments this week. I am looking forward to helping him with this adventure! I sometimes wish that I could just do this for him, but I also realize that he will grows into a better man as the fire refines him! (or should I say lightning)
I forgot to give a shout out to Dr. Rob Chalmers and Scott Miller for their help with Alex's pain. He has some serious nerve pain that is extremely hard to pinpoint. They have this new machine that they hook him up to that helps, through electric impulse signals, retrain his brain to block the pain! It is pretty innovative and cool stuff! It seems to be working and if it works for him, I would encourage everyone who is experiencing any type of chronic pain to check this out!!!
ReplyDeleteI am learning so much about the miracles of modern medicine in the US through this experience for the lightning boys. I am so glad that they were able to get the medical help that is encouraging a full recovery! It means a great deal that we have smart doctors able to do these kinds of things.
ReplyDeleteI am also very encouraged to hear that Alex cut his time in HALF!!!! That's fantastic! He's an amazing guy and with his will and determination, he's going to blow us all away! I think it also helps that he lives in such a caring community and has parents-- Mother Father Stepfather Grandfather and Grandmother---that all care about him so very much!
We're looking forward to Alex amazing all of us! YAY!
ALEX LAMBSON! (insert incredulous tone and hands on hips) It took me two years ... TWO YEARS! to cut my time in half on the same test. Do you realize how fabulous that is?!
ReplyDeleteI talked to my husband yesterday about how it sounds like you are receiving much better care in St. George, Utah than I did in Boise, Idaho and Portland, Oregon combined! Tell those therapists to keep it up because comparatively they are doing a stellar job.
P.S. I can't get the song out of my head either.
I live in Virgina and have enjoyed reading about the progress made by both Alex and Dane. They and their families have both been in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you that I had an EMG a few months ago, and while it wasn't a fun experience, it wasn't all that bad. Of course, I wasn't already experiencing pain! Hopefully Alex won't have to have the test, but if he does, take comfort in the fact that it wasn't all that unpleasant.
Please keep up the posts! May God continue to watch over all of you.