REHAB/MEDICAL UPDATE 6:23 PM
Hello to all,
So I have thrown my back out something terrible yesterday at the hospital. So today I am not at the Hospital. I am barely able to walk so unfortunately I feel useless and frustrated that I am not there with Cody today. However he is in the good hands of my partner in crime Chelsea. She made him chicken noodle soup and brought him chicken fried chicken which he loves from Butchers for dinner.
He has had some visitors today and I am told he is doing well. He did his rehab classes this morning and seems to be moving right along.
Of course while I wasn't there a "rehab Dr" the same Dr. who chose to move him when he had a fever decided to tell Cody conflicting information about his bone flap surgery then what the actual surgeons told us that we then shared with Cody. Yet another battle I am going to have to correct because this guy seems to be unable to color within the lines. I am beyond upset at his lack of communication and his sheer gull dishing out advice on something he has nothing to do with after we had a meeting with the neuro surgeons yesterday. Not to mention if he is going to discuss these things with Cody they should be when I am there since I have been hands on with him for 5 weeks now day in and day out.
Not to mention he is giving information to Cody and seems to not know Cody just wants out of the Hospital as fast as possible he is not able to fully grasp the risks involved and understand why it may be better to wait. It is shocking to me how absolutely caviler he is about the risks and actually just dismisses all the risk to Cody like it's not a big deal. So Cody is left with a whats the big deal this sounds like a piece of cake feeling... Once again this guy is not taking the whole picture into consideration just as he didn't when Cody was transferred to his "wing" with a fever on his go ahead.
If I could get up right now I swear, instead I called the Neuro Docs and will be having a meeting tomorrow to straighten out yet another one of this guys messes. If you do rehab focus on that if you wanted to be a brain surgeon you should of thought about that 30 years ago, dole out advice about stretching and balance and physical therapy leave the brain to the people who deal with the brain and use their own on a daily basis. Seriously.
The lack of communication is so terrible It is a miracle people walk out of here. If his NCCU doctors weren't so busy cleaning up everyone else's messes I could only imagine how great the experience could be all around. Every floor should adopt the NCCU attitude. If you're in the hospital all care should be treated with the attitude that it is critical. You are treated a whole person with an ailment not just the ailment.
For Now Until Then,
Draven
So I have thrown my back out something terrible yesterday at the hospital. So today I am not at the Hospital. I am barely able to walk so unfortunately I feel useless and frustrated that I am not there with Cody today. However he is in the good hands of my partner in crime Chelsea. She made him chicken noodle soup and brought him chicken fried chicken which he loves from Butchers for dinner.
He has had some visitors today and I am told he is doing well. He did his rehab classes this morning and seems to be moving right along.
Of course while I wasn't there a "rehab Dr" the same Dr. who chose to move him when he had a fever decided to tell Cody conflicting information about his bone flap surgery then what the actual surgeons told us that we then shared with Cody. Yet another battle I am going to have to correct because this guy seems to be unable to color within the lines. I am beyond upset at his lack of communication and his sheer gull dishing out advice on something he has nothing to do with after we had a meeting with the neuro surgeons yesterday. Not to mention if he is going to discuss these things with Cody they should be when I am there since I have been hands on with him for 5 weeks now day in and day out.
Not to mention he is giving information to Cody and seems to not know Cody just wants out of the Hospital as fast as possible he is not able to fully grasp the risks involved and understand why it may be better to wait. It is shocking to me how absolutely caviler he is about the risks and actually just dismisses all the risk to Cody like it's not a big deal. So Cody is left with a whats the big deal this sounds like a piece of cake feeling... Once again this guy is not taking the whole picture into consideration just as he didn't when Cody was transferred to his "wing" with a fever on his go ahead.
If I could get up right now I swear, instead I called the Neuro Docs and will be having a meeting tomorrow to straighten out yet another one of this guys messes. If you do rehab focus on that if you wanted to be a brain surgeon you should of thought about that 30 years ago, dole out advice about stretching and balance and physical therapy leave the brain to the people who deal with the brain and use their own on a daily basis. Seriously.
The lack of communication is so terrible It is a miracle people walk out of here. If his NCCU doctors weren't so busy cleaning up everyone else's messes I could only imagine how great the experience could be all around. Every floor should adopt the NCCU attitude. If you're in the hospital all care should be treated with the attitude that it is critical. You are treated a whole person with an ailment not just the ailment.
For Now Until Then,
Draven
Draven,
Sorry to hear about your back but you probably need a day of rest. Everyone that has ever spent any time in the hospital has hospital horror stories. Cody is very fortunate that you are there and coordinating his care. He's making great progress and we pray that he continues to do so. Wish you a speedy recovery and luck dealing with the Neuro Docs.
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Sorry to hear about your back Draven. It's your body's alarming way of telling you that you need to take care of yourself. (Although I have no idea how you're supposed to do that when you can't move.) I hope you have a friend who's as good to you as you are to Cody.
I've been following Cody's progress on this blog every day and have been stunned by its clarity and incredible reach... But at this point I can't help wondering where Cody's parents have been the whole time. It sounds like all the intense caretaking responsibilities have fallen on you and Cody's siblings since Day 1. It's possible there's some complicated back story I'm unaware of (and if there is, I'm really sorry) but it seems very peculiar that their presence is never mentioned. Maybe at least one of them could write an entry so people who don't know them personally don't start to think they'be been totally absent. I really hope they've got his back. Thanks.
I'm really psyched to hear Cody's up and around again. Way to go! Total team victory.
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Come on Cody. You can do it buddy!
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Draven, it's true your body is screaming out to REST... while Chelsea is there, you need to give yourself a little break ... one person can't do it all ... Please REST while you can...
You'll get it all straightened out ... and you could probably wait a couple of days ... give your back a chance to heal ... they're not taking Cody into surgery without permission ...
Cody, you're doing GREAT!!! Keep up the good work!!! You are AMAZING ... sounds like Chelsea is supplying you with some good food!!! Lucky YOU!!!
Love,
Mama/Carol
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OMG ===
What do patients in that hospital do without patient advocates as thorough as Draven ... Cody, you owe Draven at least a Venti Latte from Starbucks for his communication tactics, skills and artistry at your hospital.
Good luck with PT and ... ignore all of those employees, meandering the hallways, dolling out advice outside their jurisdiction ;-]
Get some sleep Draven --- you need it!
Lots of steady recovery wishes -
Colby Scudder
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do i have to plan a group trip out there to teach this doc a lesson in how to stay away from the codeman ? maybe we can give him some "pt". all that aside , cody i got the shirt and boy are you looking good no my chest. i took "you" to the last free summer concert at the library last night and we had a blast. so on monday i am going over to new hampshire to see widespread panic and the allman brother so it you work hard over the weekend on you pt i will take "you" to the show. i am laving this morning and will be back on sun to check on you progress so work hard my friend so "you" can go to the show
ed
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Cody, you are getting stronger day by day. It is a tribute to your strength and to the support of your loved ones and friends.
Family and friends: take care of yourselves, renew and nurture and seek assistance from others when possible. Care-giving is a 24 hour per day commitment.
You all must elicit the support of as many willing helpers as you can. Although it is difficult to delegate care-giving and advocacy roles, it has to happen in order to facilitate the best possible outcome for ALL of you!
Take care.
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draven, sorry to hear about your back. i hope you are feeling better soon and everything works out with the docs, i know you are looking out for what is best for cody and you are doing a great job. keep it up, take care of yourself, and get well soon!
on a more positive note...
cody...if you thought fanny packs were cool, then you should probably check this out. let me know if you want me to order one up for you and ill take care of it no problemo! you'll be so money you wont even know it!
http://store.theonion.com/visorganizer-gift-box-p-145.html
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Draven,
Take care of the body, your back is so important, During the summer season, I am a Gardener, Landscaper here in Michigan, and I found out the hard way just how hard it is to navigate around with a bad back. For sure, it probably would not hurt to rest a day.
Cody is in good hands with Chelsea for sure, and you are only a phone call away, so take care of that back Dude.
I tell ya what, the hospital CEO should be notified about that particular PT Therapy guy giving out that kind of information to the patients. And especially when the Neuro docs have things in place and are closley watching the Cody man and communicating with you Draven, family, friends and Codys support team. That PT guy is so far off base. You are right, and several people that blogged in as well, the PT dude should stick to stetching and working on his balance balls.
"Cody", keep working hard, and try to have as many good days as possible. And please take care of your back as well.
"Never Give Up, Never Give In"
Coach "Woody" Brackney
Mt. Holly Snowsports School/ Michigan
Fenton High School Ski Team
Thunderbolt Training Centers? USSA
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Hi Cody and Team!
Draven, so sorry to hear about your back! I'm in agreement with everyone else...you must take care of yourself too! I hope you feel better soon! I'm having difficulty understanding why this PT doc seems to have so much power? Why was it his decision to move Cody with a fever in the first place? Why isn't he communicating with the brain docs? Why does he seem to be rushing things??? If this surgery is normally done after THREE MONTHS and it's only been a little over ONE MONTH, why take the chance of a total set-back??? Why??? Man! I'm feeling your frustration!!! I agree with Woody, this PT guy is out of line and should be reported!!! Cody, I know you want out of that hospital asap, but don't listen to a PT doc over Draven and your brain docs!!! and don't sign anything!!! Chelsea, glad you're back and again Draven I hope you feel better!!! Thanks for being you and being there for Cody and for all your up-dates!!! Hang in there and don't take any crap!!! We're all out here Thinking Cody!!!
Paris
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if it helps, here are what seem to be key terms - decompressive craniectomy, cranioplasty (autologous bone flap, autogenous bone, bone morphogenetic protein-BMP, alloplastic, PMMA acrylic polymer, titanium, radiolucency, MRI compatibility):
http://tinyurl.com/m5fymz (don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions)
http://tinyurl.com/kpvogv
http://tinyurl.com/nj39dg
http://tinyurl.com/n9bsmm
also informative (cranioplasty, acquired hydrocephalus, CSF shunts and ICP):
http://tinyurl.com/nrbno7
http://tinyurl.com/nt7k3y
http://tinyurl.com/nnkvsm
http://tinyurl.com/37lohm
http://tinyurl.com/npo7hb
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