Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Day 114 - Sept 22, 2008

Wow! What an interesting day! Kevin's roommate moved to another room the other day and we got a new person in today. Let me tell you - I am very sympathetic to the patients here - but not enough to let this one stay in my son's room! I can say, both Kevin and I were very nervous all night tonight.

This man is probably in his late sixties or so and he definitely is very confused. He kept coming over to Kevin's side of the room and rooting through his stuff and one time he walked up to Kevin and started lecturing him about using only one spray of deodorant, not two, because this is his house and he makes the rules. He was very forceful about it and I could already see that this wasn't going to work out. Poor Kev's eyes were bugging out of his face! So next I was doing something and the guy said to me "hey baby, turn around here and I'll show you a big surprise". Well I could tell by the tone of his voice what his surprise meant so I just ignored him and next thing I know, his pajama bottoms hit me in the back. Meanwhile he is making lewd comments to me. Needless to say I called someone in to sit with Kevin and marched myself right out and demanded him out of my son's room tonight! Of course it didn't happen as it was too late at night, but they drugged the guy to make him sleep and told me he would be moved first thing in the morning. Let me tell you - he better be gone before I get there or heads will freakin' roll! That's just crazy, I tell ya! Kevin was really nervous and he kept fighting going to sleep. I think he was scared to. I had the one to one (the person that sits with him while we aren't there) come in and assure him that she would keep the guy away from us. That seemed to calm Kevin down enough for him to go to sleep. Unbelievable, huh?

Other than that, we had a great day! It first started with Kevin eating a whole helping of mashed potatoes with gravy and then for dessert I had bought him some strawberry cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. He ate about 3/4 of that too! Me and Breezy were calling him piggy and making snorting noises and I had to laugh cause I was eating what was left of his cheesecake once he was done and he turned to me and snorted! The little shit! I so love seeing that sparkle of laughter in his eyes again!

After lunch, we put him on the tilt table to make him stand up. The physical therapist had no intention of allowing him to fully stand, but he was so angry that she wouldn't do it that she gave in (he was really flipping out, lol) and he literally stood up the whole way. He was so determined and I have to say, he did it! And he even tried to step off, but he was strapped to the table. But sadly, within minutes he turned white as a ghost and broke out into a sweat and was close to vomiting. It was just so hard for him to do and although I am proud of him for doing it, it was too soon. But, as mentioned before, he is just like his momma, lol. Impatient as hell!

After he took a nap, we then put him in the chair and we went outside again. There is an 8 lane street that runs adjacent to the hospital and across the street is the University of South Florida. Well, they have a walkway that goes from the hospital, over the street and to the college and we escaped hospital grounds for the first time in 4 months (not counting our flight to Tampa). We went over to the college and poked around a bit (it's a college with a cancer center attached so it must be some sort of medical school). We actually sat in his chair over the street and watched all the traffic for quite a while. I think in a couple of days I am going to bring him down to my house for a while. I guess he can do that here. We can actually even walk him over to Wal-Mart, but I'm not ready for that. It's just a little too far for comfort and it's also not the safest of neighborhoods.

So all in all, it really was a good day. If we can just get rid of the perv, things should get back to normal.

I also know that I still have questions in my inbox that need answered, but I am going to wait until tomorrow night. It's 2:30am and I need to get back up in a few hours to go back over to the hospital.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Leslie,

Sounds like it's been a very "exciting" day for you all...including Kevin's room partner. I would go to the head of the hospital tomorrow and be a bit upset that they did not remove him out of Kevin's room.. TONIGHT !!

That man needs in a room all by himself and pity the people who have to deal with him. He evidently is there to have his brain worked on too. He is to be pitied..but he doesn't need to be a threat to you and Kevin.

Who would have thought..even a month ago..that Kevin would be able to go visit all of the places you mentioned. Who would have thought Kevin would even be "eating" with the condition he was in just a month ago. He truly is a miracle.

I wonder if the next time he goes on the tilt table, he would do better if he didn't eat first ?? Sounds like his tummy is just getting used to food and maybe being in a position he's not real used to on the tilt table..plus having a full tummy...was a bit of a shock to his system. Sounds like he may have almost fainted.

He is so determined...

Better than a book...I see a "made for TV movie"....Kevin's Story..Fighting Back. He went to Afghanistan and fought and now he is most definitely..fighting back. Those suicide bombers are not going to win this fight. Kevin is winning each day as he get stronger.

STAY STRONG, dear soul. I don't know how you do it.

Jenny Adams said...

Hi Leslie - and there was me thinking it would be great fun and company for you guys to have a share room... not so much fun for you! I am still following your site every day and I do get so happy for you when you and Kevin have a good day - bye for now and lots of warm wishes from Australia,
Bye
Jenny

Vicki Chrisman said...

What determination that son of yours has!! That's what has made him a survior!
Such will and determination he has.. and "I" can even stay on a diet.
I'm amazed everytime I read this blog and see how his determination takes him another step closer further into this recovery.

Anonymous said...

Dear Leslie,
I am so happy for you and your sweet family! Wat to go, Kevin!!! We love you very much and know you are a fighter. It is great how you watch out for him, as moms do, correct?
Love and prayers to you all! May today be even better.
Love, The Reeves Gang.

Anonymous said...

LESLIE,
It is great to hear the big stride kevin is taking with his healing;
just a few days ago we were all saying just think in terms of baby steps in his progress.I can only imagine the joy you all get in Kevin eating,laughing,and even his picking...all signs that Kevin is
getting better.
Wow,not everyday does someone have
men throw pj bottoms at them (especially in a public place)...
only you (lol).
Looking forward to the day we can all tell Kevin to his face just how truly proud we are of his bravery.(while protecting us and our families and while facing these
days of recovery)

Jan said...

What an exciting day! I hope every day is that good (minus the roommate LOL)

I didn't realize you were so close to where we stayed when I dropped my daughter off at school! I mentioned before that she is a freshman at USF. It sounds like you are near what I think of as the upper part of the school, she lives and takes classes a couple of blocks down the road. I too wondered what they did there and figured it was a research facility.

Anyway, my daughter is so happy in Florida and living (kinda) on her own for the first time. I wish that for Kevin again someday. It has to be incredibly hard for an independent person to require so much care.

Anonymous said...

You always have such great stories and such progress!
Now Leslie, you know everyone needs a little love. So does that older man and he was just trying to "show" you a little love! LOL. I would be in there this morning too girl. The man does need a room all by himself.
Kevin is making such great strides and he does not need that bothering him.
Have a great day!
Love
Susan

Anonymous said...

Leslie, I am so happy. I hope that the room is cleared out when you get there. Miss ya, Love ya, Pam

Anonymous said...

Dear Leslie, Hi I have been offline for awhile and when I got on today and saw all of the amazing progress it was like WOW AMAZING congratulations to all of you and keep up the hard work you are doing great
keep on going Kevin you are one determined man and we are all hoping and praying for you progress daily. Breezy have a great time at the steelers game. take care and hugs to all. love kim

Kris said...

OMG how awful - a geriatric strip tease! I can only imagine what that felt like when you got those PJs hitting your back. Good grief! I am sure that this will be one of those things that will be funny someday. :-)

And WAY TO GO KEV!!! Eating up a storm (and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory - YEAH BABY!!) standing, interacting, you are just cruising along! Keep up the great work Kevin, you can do it, you will do it, and guess what - YOU ARE DOING IT!!! And so are you Leslie & Breezy - hang in there everyone - I know there are many miles left on your journey but you are really kicking butt now. And we're all out here cheering you on every inch of the way. And we always will be.

Hope you are having a much better day with hopefully a new room mate who keeps his pants on :-)

God bless you Kevin, Leslie & Breezy, God bless you all. Thoughts, prayers, support and load upon load of Angel Hugs are always on their way to you all!!

- Kris, a Soldiers' Angel from RI

Unknown said...

Yes, leslie it is debbie as armyparents. WOW what an evening. A year from now Kevin, Breezy, and you will be laughing about that ole man. I am sure that you made sure he was long gone now. I read your blog everyday even tho I may not write and it really makes my day knowing how great Kevin is coming along. I always let Josh know so he can also pass the word along to the other soldiers and I have to say it makes his day also. Is he able to have care packages yet and if so what kind of things would you all like. Notice that I said all of you!!!. Please let Kevin know that we are all rooting for him and praying daily. Please if there is anything that I can do please do not hesitate. (geriatric strip tease is pretty funny tho!!)
Love Debbie

Anonymous said...

I don't know what they were thinking when they put that man in your son's room! That's just dangerous! But I know you'll get it worked out. ;)

I'm not really surprised Kevin fainted on the tilt table since his body has been used to being horizontal for so long. It's a horrible feeling that I can empathize with. I had the test and almost fainted, too. But his body should be able to adjust with time.

It must have been an incredible feeling to be out of the hospital for Kevin. The four walls (and ceiling, in Kevin's case) of a hospital room must get pretty boring!

I'm still praying for you all and for more and more progress!

Anonymous said...

good morning, my name is jo and i am from clearwater, fla but in texas for a while, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and remember that things always have to get worse before they get better praying for you nikki and jo in texas