Stryker Brigade News

SGT Thorne's getting better. I promised an update after Turkey Day. Mobility is increased. First time he got into my car he was slow doing it. This time he climbed right back into the rear seat of the Caravan, sitting alongside Tiff. Had no trouble with the seat belts, etc. - at least none that he could affect. (The first we tried was tangled and the spring release wouldn't let Scott pull it out far enough - so he slid over to the middle position and buckled up.) Walked faster than before. Gait isn't quite perfect, but then he cannot feel everything his leg is doing. Stairs were no problem at all. He's clearly getting stronger, and has quite an appetite - ate TWO Thanksgiving Dinners - one at Fisher House around 1:00 and another at my place at 7:00! And not little portions, either.

Speech is better. Not there yet, but better. I understood most of what he said, and there is more use of 'real' words and less generic use of terms like "guys" and numerology (lots of numbers used to describe things). Clearly his personality is all there, and he's doing a better job of "finding the words." I pulled out my ACW musket (an original Enfield). We compared drill, some of which is similar and some not. I was showing Scott some of the manual of arms, and he handled the weapon with ease. We had some laughs there.

Aly's fever put him on a 'mission.' I offered to drive him home around midnight, and got a "no." His drive is fine - no quit at all. He was all business at Children's Hospital.

Overall, he's getting better. How far he can go, we'll have to see. I will keep up the contacts and let you know what I see in the coming weeks.

Back to me:
I did not get the chance to observe Scott at Rec Therapy, Speech Therapy (I don't usually see this anyway) or Occupational Therapy. The reason was because Tiffany and I (and Alyson, but she didn't comment much) met with one of the program managers. She had some questions for us about how many visitors we would like and how they should be announced, how the various service organizations could help the soldiers and their families, did we want to tell our story to the media (we're way ahead on that one), and how could things be better in general? We made some good suggestions like maybe getting a van (sort of a village bicycle thing) for the Fisher House residents so they could get around to the store, or getting more Internet access so the younger soldiers and their families could keep in touch, and something like a Playstation for Rec and Occupational Therapy purposes. After the meeting, we went toward Scott's room. I told Tiffany I would go to OT to make sure Scott was finished.

Julie arrived at Occupational Therapy just as Scott was leaving. He was happy to see her since I told him she had been ill. As they came around the corner to the main hallway, I ran into them. Scott had a plastic container with him which contained his Occupational Therapy culinary preparation--Macaroni and Cheese.

After lunch, Scott and I had a discussion wherein Scott made his desires very clear. He wants the cranioplasty (skull repair) done at once. I told him the procedure would be done when the doctors said it was time to do it. We went back and forth on this and I must admit to being frustrated with him at times. I told him everyone knew what he wanted, but all he could do about it was to keep working hard. Scott eventually said he was tired and I told him he could have taken a nap instead of arguing with me about cranial surgery. He smiled, but then caught himself.

Scott, Julie and I went to Physical Therapy at 3 p.m. Scott did his stretches and he told me that we see eye-to-eye on the discussion topic of earlier that afternoon. (Apparently, he just wanted to vent.) The therapist teased him about the electrical stimulation. Scott said, "Let's go!" and once the therapist determined he wasn't kidding, she attached the electrodes again and they went to the treadmill machine. After this, Scott did several squats (to build some strength and to develop balance) and ended by doing some balancing on his right leg.

After PT, we returned to his room. About the time his dinner arrived, he said he wasn't feeling well. I was concerned that he might be having some of whatever Julie had (since they had the same dinner on Saturday night). I asked him if he had stomach cramping and he did. Scott's nurse said she would keep an eye on him. Tiffany remained with him while Julie and I left for the evening.

On a programming note: Todd at www.strykernews.com will be leaving for a few days and I will try to learn to post these myself there. We'll see.

ST