Pat’s Progress

It’s been a tough week and this week isn’t going to be much better. Pat and I along with his doctors have decided to try new approach to his spasm medicine. We have decided to look into a baclofen pump, this is a pump that is inserted into his body and releases the medication directly into the spine. The reason we are looking into this is because Pat has extremely painful spasms, if you want to learn more check out this website regarding spasticity & muscle spasms (this website also has some very good information regarding spinal cord injury and how it relates to the body). The reason it has been a tough week is because we have started doing tests to see if Pat would be a good candidate for the procedure and that requires the administration of an intrathecal test dose of Baclofen. This is usually done via a lumbar puncture, and the patient is then monitored for a reduction of spasticity. If a reduction of spasticity is observed, then the patient is usually considered for the implantation of a pump. The biggest side effect is a migraine headache and unfortunately Pat has had one since the test was done. The test was conducted this past Thursday and the doctors want to administer another test dose this coming week so Pat may have another migraine to look forward to. If things go as planned then he will probably have surgery in the next week or two to have the pump implanted. The goal is to reduce his spasms and side effects (extreme drowsiness) from the oral spasm medication that he is taking. I will keep everyone up to date as we move along.

On a better note the house is moving along as scheduled and looking really nice. Please go to the remodel page and see the album and pictures.

It has been a busy week! The house is moving ahead, the framing has started (please check the remodeling page). Pat has recieved his new wheels both the power chair and manuel chair. I hope to have pics this weekend, they are still working some of the kinks out of the power chair.

Not alot to report this week, it has been quiet. Pat was a little under the weather at the beginning of the week but is feeling much better. The foundation has been poured and the framing should be starting Thursday. Please check the remodeling page for pics and updates but here is a pic of the foundation.

Well overall, it has been a good week! Construction has begun on the house, Pat’s shoulders are feeling better, got to see some awesome fireworks, fireworks pic2, fireworks pic3 (pics are a little blurry) and OSMC came up to present Pat with a check for the proceeds of the paste dinner (pic 1, pic 2, pic 3, pic 4, pic 5, pic 6). Some people missing that I would like to mention are Audra, who was out motorcrossing (hope she did well, Pat was happy to hear that is why she missed today), Chris, who was just getting back from vacation in FL and could not make it (or his plane the day before) and Thom, who had to work, but when we got back to Pat’s room he seemed to be hanging around?(kinda creepy). Thank you to everyone who donated and attended the pasta dinner! Pat and I can not begin to tell you or explain how we feel but it is very humbling to know how many people cared enough to give such an awesome gift. Thank you!!!!

Pat is one step closer to coming home! The de-construction to reconstruct the house has begun. I was greeted by a great big hole that used to be the garage here are some pics of my house before and my house currently: pic 1, pic 2, pic 3. All the contracting work is being done by Cape Coastal Builders and all design work was done by Inclusion by Design LLC.

Feel free to visit my imagestation album that will be getting updated as we go along. Here is the link to my Home Remodel Album.

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th!