HOME UPDATE TUESDAY 2:06AM
I hope everyone had a Great Labor Day Weekend!!! I am exhausted so excuse the jumping around that I will undoubtedly do.
We had a really nice time this weekend with Jesse in town. We played games, took Cody to his PT, cooked,talked, and played more games etc.
We had lots of drama like the oven going out right when I put the turkey in which was ridiculous but not as bad as smoking the Park Record reporter out of the living room after Jesse fixed the oven....Apparently there was a whole in my roasting pan and then a whole in my second roasting pan so the juices were dripping on the bottom of the oven which ended up smoking us all out of the house and setting off the fire alarm it was rather hysterical.... Jen from the park record who was doing a story on Cody was a great sport and we all went outside to finish Cody's interview. She was kind enough to come over to the house where it is easier for Cody to focus. Needless to say we fixed the problem and the Turkey came out great.
Later we decided to play Cranium in which Jesse and Cody were a team and Barb and I were a team. I am sure it doesn't need to be said cause I am sure you all know that barb and I creamed them. The brothers went down. It was more of a slaughter really. We had a lot of fun and Barb and I had some great moments with tears of laughter. The boys pouted so we gloated and will be gloating for days to come.
At any rate Jesse leaves back to California in a little while, we are all sad to see him go, barb will be following in a couple days. The Codeman is doing really well he has a lot of therapy to get through this next couple of weeks which will start determining a lot of things for his future. There is a long road ahead and we keep pushing through it. I am sure it is beyond frustrating having to start all over and be told what to do and follow rules and guidelines but he is taking it in strides for the most part. He is a tough little cookie.
I am packing the pounds on him, cooking non-stop, all kinds of yummy healthy goodness and sometimes not so healthy but either way he is eating well and moving forward. The schedule is hectic and it will be just Cody and I here after Barb leaves so it will be quiet around here for a bit. I am trying to get my dog up here from California, I have never left her more than a week, I haven't seen her since we left July 16th I miss her greatly plus I think she would be good for Cody to have around as well. Animals bring such great energy into a home.
I have noticed Cody has major fatigue after doing things even small activities, I was told this would be part of his recovery, I feel like he needs more rest than he is getting and less stimulation. It is so hard cause I know he is pushing himself I worry about him hitting a wall at some point. It is hard to restrict him as much as I was told we should because he is doing so well, I do feel like the things I have implemented like the schedule, rest periods, social time etc.. are all working but I also feel like he is doing more than he should be at times.
I have researched a lot about it and am curious if TBI patients have a honeymoon phase after leaving the hospital where they are on a high for a couple weeks and then it all starts to kick in again, the fatigue, frustration etc. I think I am on to something with this theory and am investigating it further. We have an appointment with his Neuro's Wed so I will be able to get more information from them as well. I have learned that there are no solid answers for TBI patients, its more like suggestions, different conclusions, different expectations and methods on how to handle them. I feel like I have more answers than they do sometimes. I think because we are so hands on we have such a different experience than what Dr's are used to seeing. Anyway, I know there are a lot of Cody supporters out there with TBI experience so I would love for you to share your thoughts on this if you would. I know the structure is good and I have seen a difference when it is not in place or followed. Good times, Good times...
Sorry for being scattered.
Happy Labor Day!
For Now Until Then,
Draven
We had a really nice time this weekend with Jesse in town. We played games, took Cody to his PT, cooked,talked, and played more games etc.
We had lots of drama like the oven going out right when I put the turkey in which was ridiculous but not as bad as smoking the Park Record reporter out of the living room after Jesse fixed the oven....Apparently there was a whole in my roasting pan and then a whole in my second roasting pan so the juices were dripping on the bottom of the oven which ended up smoking us all out of the house and setting off the fire alarm it was rather hysterical.... Jen from the park record who was doing a story on Cody was a great sport and we all went outside to finish Cody's interview. She was kind enough to come over to the house where it is easier for Cody to focus. Needless to say we fixed the problem and the Turkey came out great.
Later we decided to play Cranium in which Jesse and Cody were a team and Barb and I were a team. I am sure it doesn't need to be said cause I am sure you all know that barb and I creamed them. The brothers went down. It was more of a slaughter really. We had a lot of fun and Barb and I had some great moments with tears of laughter. The boys pouted so we gloated and will be gloating for days to come.
At any rate Jesse leaves back to California in a little while, we are all sad to see him go, barb will be following in a couple days. The Codeman is doing really well he has a lot of therapy to get through this next couple of weeks which will start determining a lot of things for his future. There is a long road ahead and we keep pushing through it. I am sure it is beyond frustrating having to start all over and be told what to do and follow rules and guidelines but he is taking it in strides for the most part. He is a tough little cookie.
I am packing the pounds on him, cooking non-stop, all kinds of yummy healthy goodness and sometimes not so healthy but either way he is eating well and moving forward. The schedule is hectic and it will be just Cody and I here after Barb leaves so it will be quiet around here for a bit. I am trying to get my dog up here from California, I have never left her more than a week, I haven't seen her since we left July 16th I miss her greatly plus I think she would be good for Cody to have around as well. Animals bring such great energy into a home.
I have noticed Cody has major fatigue after doing things even small activities, I was told this would be part of his recovery, I feel like he needs more rest than he is getting and less stimulation. It is so hard cause I know he is pushing himself I worry about him hitting a wall at some point. It is hard to restrict him as much as I was told we should because he is doing so well, I do feel like the things I have implemented like the schedule, rest periods, social time etc.. are all working but I also feel like he is doing more than he should be at times.
I have researched a lot about it and am curious if TBI patients have a honeymoon phase after leaving the hospital where they are on a high for a couple weeks and then it all starts to kick in again, the fatigue, frustration etc. I think I am on to something with this theory and am investigating it further. We have an appointment with his Neuro's Wed so I will be able to get more information from them as well. I have learned that there are no solid answers for TBI patients, its more like suggestions, different conclusions, different expectations and methods on how to handle them. I feel like I have more answers than they do sometimes. I think because we are so hands on we have such a different experience than what Dr's are used to seeing. Anyway, I know there are a lot of Cody supporters out there with TBI experience so I would love for you to share your thoughts on this if you would. I know the structure is good and I have seen a difference when it is not in place or followed. Good times, Good times...
Sorry for being scattered.
Happy Labor Day!
For Now Until Then,
Draven
and a good labor day to you all also . cody if barb get to out of hand with the games just walk by and give her turkey ankle a tap, that will bring her back down to earth. sounds like things are going well with all the rehab and i am sure it will continue to be that way. draven i agree about you dog, as we know our pet have huge power to help us heal and it will make the house fell like a home. you all have a good week
ed
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Yes rest. It's so important. That is when the healing takes place. Most people rest too much so we get confused thinking we need to push all the time and that is what's good. Well, rest is good too. The compliment each other.
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Cody,
Its great that you are getting some visitors and playing some chess, and eating a ton of food. With Dravens help there cooking, you will get all those cool muscles back in no time, (hey---hey).
Keep working hard dude, stay focused and get after it.
Draven,, A friend of mine got hit on her bicycle by a drunk driver approx. 12 years ago and she suffered a severe TBI. And she almost didn't make it, because the jerk driver took off. But she did make it. Because I have known Karen and her mom for approx. 20 years, I spent a lot of time at the hospital with Karen and her mom. And it was in the specialty floor for TBI's. The ups and downs and the different flow you talked about that Cody has experienced, my friend Karen went thru that as well. And that was hard to see her go thru that. Eventually Karen stayed at one level, and that was after approx. 6 months, it was a big hit for her, and she is a differnt Karen in some ways, but she is here. And you are right Draven, the doctors will tell ya each case is different, I have walked in your shoes in some capacity, and for all of the people writing in and such, if you have ever been around TBI patients, it is a different world. So please send your positive energy towards Cody and his awesome support team.
"Never Give Up, Never Give In."
Coach "Woody" Brackney
Mt. Holly Snowsports School/Mi.
Fenton HS Ski Team
Thunderbolt Training Centers/USSA
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The smoke wasn't that bad
The story is online but make sure you look at tomorrow's paper b/c it really highlights the fundraiser on A2 in the print copy.
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_13293161
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Hi Draven, This is Ron Colton from Pittsfield VT. I sent a reply a few weeks ago and mentioned our son who had a TBI back in 1995. He was in a coma for 8 weeks and had many other injuries to numerous to list. Ron II has recovered as I believe Cody will, even if it now seems like an impossible task to teach a person everything over again. Ron II now is normal to the untrained observer. We say to Ron II now that he use to do this and say that before his accident. I think Cody will be able to recover from this but he probably will be a new Cody. A Cody with new interests and probably a new out look on life. Ron II still , and always will have short term memory problems. Most people do not have close enough contact with him to notice. He has a wife and 3 children. Please Try to take one day at a time and just be happy Cody is in as great a condition as he is. Things could of had a much worse outcome. You guys are doing a great job keeping watch over Cody with out the one on one help our son would not have won the fight. My wife or I were with our son in the hospital every day, 24 hours, for 4 months and then he moved home for years of rehab. The new Cody, like our son might be an improved version on the same kid. Keep the faith. Ron Colton
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Draven, I have left a few comments previously about my 15 year old ski racer daughter who had a significant TBI in April on Mt. Hood. Reading Cody's story has been like re-living much of the experience. I would love to share some of my thoughts about recovery etc. with you. The other thing is that I am a physician in a trauma related speciality, and I have now seen it from both sides. Your comment about seeing things differently from the doctors because you are so hands-on and day-to-day is absolutley "right on" and very insightful. I can only imagine how hard it is has been for you to navigate this situation. You have been doing a great job. Email me at yodlo@comcast.net
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Hi Cody, Draven & All!
I've been a bit absent so I'm just catching up. I will comment briefly about your "honeymoon" question, Draven, because you are right on with this thought. My biggest challenge happened 6 months after my TBI, and then again just recently. Little speed bumps along the way are just nature's way of telling me to slow down. Trust your instincts about Cody and his fatigue! You are SO INSIGHTFUL!
GO CODY GO!!!!!!
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Draven, We have post TBI now 3+ years from ski accident. Been through all the ups and downs and very happy about all the advancments. Cody is very determined just like our son. Our email is lrw1998@yahoo.com if you would like to know more. Cody, we think about you often. You can do it!
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