I debated if I should post this on the Marinol thread, but decided it was worthy of it’s own topic. Though I still believe vehemently without the Marinol we would not be experiencing these miracles.
I am copying this from a facebook posting, as it is still very emotional to me, so please bear with me if you have already read this.
July 3rd,
“Ok grab your tissues it’s happy tears time…….. Lynn has been chair/bed bound for 2 years now. I have asked repeatedly that he be given restorative care -PT always refused saying he was not consistent enough (hello! He has Alzheimer‘s Pfffft~!)…long story cut short, I went Momma bear on the place and Lynn was started on restorative and range of motion care.
3 weeks ago they started to have him stand with two person assist and an aide much like a gait belt, but better. They tell me the first time they try it every day he is terrified, but by the 3rd and 4th time he IS able to bear weight for about 15 seconds!!!! WOW!
Today, I was allowed to be there while they worked with him. And today I was moved to tears many times over. On the 4th try he said he couldn’t do it again. I said come on sweetie, you can do it!! I stood in front of him and reached my arms out for a hug.
Sounding skeptical Lynn said “ok” then more determined “I will try for you” *tears*
For the first time in over two years Lynn was able to stand, on his own, for over a full minute!!
And, for the first time in over two years *tears* I felt my husband’s arms embrace me in full body hug. Oh….. My….. God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What that hug means to me words could never convey……"
…………….
The miracles have continued! He has now grown strong enough that he has “graduated” from his full Broda reclining chair, to a regular highback wheel chair! He looks soooooo comfortable in it and he truly enjoys it better. I posted a video on FB, he is always tapping and moving his feet now. Like, all the time!! At music shows his feet dance like crazy. Is really something to see!!!!
They also have been working with him on the parallel bars, in my wildest dreams I never thought to see this. But see it I am… and not only that, for the last few days I have seen Lynn PULL HIMSELF up out of the chair and stand on his own for a little bit.
AND I have seen him trying to take a step!!!
I am just stunned, flabbergasted, absolutely amazed, and moved to tears.
In the midst of all we lose, all the heartache, the devastation, I wanted to share with you the miracles we are being given. Some happiness in the midst of the hell.
Lynn’s will, his sheer determination, leaves me in awe….
The moral of my story is…. Even with Alzheimer’s, never ever give up!!! So many told me “he has Alzheimer’s, there is no point” What they were basically saying is he wasn’t worthy, vital or viable . And that is something I could not, nor would I accept. I believe because he has Alzheimer’s we just have to try harder!!
Time and time again I am watching Lynn do what modern medicine says just can’t be done. Really? <huge smiles>
Thank you for letting me share a little of our recent joy with you ♥
Nikki..he may have the courage to do what he is doing but it is only because you have encouraged him to do so...your advocacy for your beloved Lynn serves as a role model for all of us. Much love
Thank you all so much! You just have no idea how happy this makes me, but I bet you can take a pretty good guess :)
Scs, such a lovely thing to say to me, thank you ♥
I forgot to mention the reason I have been fighting so hard for this. I started asking after he started doing better with the Marinol, though I was told no, I kept asking and fighting for Lynn to be given this chance.
I became more aggressive after Lynn’s hospitalization from the pneumonia this past April. His doctor there was the same one who saw him in 2010 for the pulmonary embolisms and the double pneumonia. He insisted while he was there that they do a “stand and pivot” transfer for him. He thinks it is vital that Lynn be given the chance to at least stand, even if it is with assistance.
It is his belief that it will be Lynn’s lungs that “take him down”. Except for the Alzheimer’s everything else is healthy. His heart is great!! He isn’t on meds for anything else, his BP and cholesterol is excellent. It appears then that his lungs are his weak spot. And he believes just minimal standing will improve both his lung and circulation quality.
Even when I explained that to the head of the PT dept she still flat out refused to try to help Lynn. She said he has Alzheimer’s, he is unpredictable and there was no point. She went further to add if I didn’t like it I could transfer him to another facility!!!
Yeah that went over like a lead balloon!! Our FB family had to listen to my rant on that one lol. Needless to say, by the time I was done, it was HER who was looking for another facility!!!
Lynn is gaining some strength, and his circulation is getting better!!! I am so happy I could just cry, and I often do. But happy tears are wonderful! ♥♥