Wednesday December 15th

Last night I walked in the house from work to the most beautiful site.  Alex, Dane and 3 other friends were sitting at our kitchen table eating Taco Bell.  It made my day, made me smile and I even told the 5 teenagers what a beautiful site it was (I got some strange looks - lol)
Alex has had a busy week again.  He has 3-4 doctors appointments everyday and is continuing to improving everyday, so grateful for the care he is receiving .  This morning was Alex's VNG test.  He wore "goggles" for about an hour testing his balance and inner ear.  The tests came back positive.  His balance issues aren't inner ear, which I guess is good.   Alex spent PT outside on the IHC Health & Performance "course" it was amazing to see Alex doing this.  The course has all kinds of terrain that people might encounter out in the community.  Alex walked the entire way from the building and back with out taking a break.  He went down a slope on a sidewalk, went up and down stairs, walked on asphalt, gravel, a stone walkway, bark, and sand.  He did great!  I followed them with his wheelchair, watching him brought all kinds of emotions out in me.  Seeing his burned/healed legs and his awkward movements brought sorrow yet joy for his life and improvements .  His PT was impressed, and told us afterwards he had thought Alex would have had to stop at least 3 times, thats why he had me follow. But that wasn't the case.  Alex went to Dr. Chalmers twice this week and thankfully we have gotten sleep the past 2 nights.  Lets hope tonight is good.

Yesterday Alex applied for an academic scholarship to Dixie State College with the help of his school counselor, Mrs. N.  She has been such a huge help to Alex keeping him on track since his Sophomore year.  If Alex hadn't done so well the past 3 years, he would be in big trouble right now trying to finish packets in order to Graduate on time with his Senior class.He only needs 2 more credits.   After he applied for his scholarship he spent some time with his Debate class.  He has missed school. Thanks to all the students for the awesome banners and to the Admin and Teachers for their love and support.  An Administrator from the Washington County School District came to our house today to help Alex set up a program on his computer that will allow him to speak into a mic and the computer will type the words.  That will give him some independence with writing his Senior papers.  Have a great day.  Kaleen - Oh and I'm freaking out that Christmas is 10 days away - where are Santa's elves when you need them??!!!

Eve of 10 weeks since Strike

Since December 2nd Alex has been receiving electrical pain therapy.  There is a company called Spero (http://www.sperotherapy.com/)  that specializes in solving pain by using a Calmare MC-5A machine.  The machine is used for people with severe nerve pain, which Alex has, but the machine hadn't been used on a Lightning Strike victim, so none of us were sure if it would work.  Alex went for 9 days straight then skipped this past Saturday and Sunday to see if he would notice an increase in pain.  We didn't make any changes with his pain meds, Saturday went ok, but Sunday night was rough.  (I'm actually on my way to bed, I'm so tired).  Alex didn't have the "stabbing" pain, but he had the constant tingling/throbbing pain in his arms and hands ALL night long last night.  Dave and I were up every hour rubbing Alex's hands to help with the pain.  We feel that the only thing that was different from the previous nights is that he didn't have his "pain treatment" for 2 days.  The machine that Alex gets hooked up to sends electrical impulses through his nerves delivering a "non pain" signal to the brain.  I want to thank Dr. Chalmers and Scott Miller for taking a chance on Alex, they weren't sure if it would help him, but after being up all night with Alex, I'm pretty sure the treatments ARE working.  He went and had one today, lets hope we all sleep tonight.  I hear that nerve pain is the worst type of pain.  So sad that Alex has to endure it. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.  Everyday he's getting stronger and more stable.  Kaleen aka Alex's mom http://www.sperotherapy.com

Saturday IS a Special Day

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

A long way in 9 weeks

Alex spent Monday and Tuesday at 7 different doctors.  Just getting him dressed and out the door is a major accomplishment and task.  He is very tired each day but getting around pretty well.  We found out yesterday that Alex has Eustachian Tube Disfunction and significant hearing loss in his left ear- He will have an VNG test done next week.


 Eustachian Tube Problems At A Glance  The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose. Normally, the Eustachian tube is closed. Partial or complete blockage of the Eustachian tube can cause sensations of popping, clicking, and ear fullness. The Eustachian tube can become blocked from common colds or allergies (I AM GOING TO ADD BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING TO THIS-LOL). Altitude changes can cause symptoms in persons with Eustachian tube problems. Several maneuvers can be done to improve Eustachian tube function.
http://www.medicinenet.com


Alex's skin grafts have healed well but he is starting to get Keloid Scaring -


What is a keloid? Keloids can be considered to be "scars that don't know when to stop." A keloid, sometimes referred to as a keloid scar, is a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin. It usually has a smooth top and a pink or purple color. Keloids are irregularly shaped and tend to enlarge progressively. Unlike scars, keloids do not subside over time. http://www.medicinenet.com


Alex will be fitted for Compression Shirts tomorrow to help control the keloids from growing. He will see his burn doctor at the end of the month.    
I'm grateful he's doing better but its still an uphill battle. ~ Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Tens Unit $795 - Tub Transfer Bench $79 - Having Alex Home Priceless

When Alex got to PT on Friday who did he see?? Dane! Dane has been going to PT since October and today their appointments were at the same time. As they were going into the gym an older lady saw them (who was also a patient) and said "These must be our Lightning Boys". Yes, I believe thats what they have become, St. George's very own Lightning Boys. They both work really hard during their PT visits and are exhausted when their time is up . I'm so grateful for all the people that have and continue to help Alex. We have met so many talented, smart and caring people. Thanks to the Acute Rehab Unit here, the skills they taught Alex for 4 weeks are what are getting him through his days. He's doing amazing. We had a great weekend. Managed to get through the 4 appointments Friday so well, that we are going to 4 again today. Happy Monday everyone. 

We slept last night

Much better night - we all got sleep last night.  Alex had a great day yesterday we were able to manage his pain a lot better and he did great.  He had 2 Doctors appointments one was his first out patient PT.  One of the things they had him do was sit on a bench, stand up, walk to a line on the floor, turn around, walk back to the bench and sit down.  He was able to accomplish this task and did it in 41 seconds.  It was great to see!!!  I'm so proud of his improvement (since a month ago he wasn't able to sit on his own).  We were told that a "normal" time is 8 seconds, so it will be great to see his progress over the next month(s).

Today is Friday -YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm ready for the weekend.  Alex has 4, yes 4, Doctors appointments today.  Good thing Grandma and Grandpa are here to help.

I was so happy last night to have everyone home. Thanks for all the neighbors that visited, we live in a great place!  Theres no place like home (thats for all my KC friends)!

Home is Sweet

Alex was discharged from the hospital and as we pulled into our driveway so did Dane and Alex's 4 other close friends.  It was SO awesome to have Dane and Alex back in the "Man Cave".  It was almost surreal, like a time warp, to see them both upstairs laughing just like they had been doing 2 months ago.  They both have accomplishment SO much in the past 8 weeks- I'm SO proud of  both of them.  The past 2 months haven't been easy.

At 2:30 yesterday we went to the SCHS for all the Students to welcome Alex home.  THANKS SCHS!!!  It was a great event for Alex, I haven't seen him smile that much.  It was good to see "Alex" again (not my child in pain).
http://www.thespectrum.com/          Thanks Tiffany from the Spectrum.
http://interceder.net/list/Alex-Lambson            Thanks SUN News
                                                
The Early Show and Good Morning America sent crews out to film this great event too.  The boys will be going to New York to do appearances on both shows with in the next month.

Alex and his friends enjoyed hanging out at home reading cards, eating pizza and just laughing.  His first day home was good, his first night home was rough. He was in a LOT of pain.  Its so difficult as a mom to watch your child cry in pain.  Alex's Grandpa sat up with him all night and rubbed his hands when he woke (about every hour).  Hope that tonight will bring more rest for him (and grandpa)