Saturday September 17, 2005

Saturday September 17, 2005 Zack waited for me to get here with the girls before getting up. Kyle told him they were going on the “Riverwalk”, a walk-a-thon to prevent brain injury and raise awareness. He was impressed when they told him how far they had to walk. He eats breakfast, takes a shower and we walk the girls out front to meet Donna. He says, “I’m holding the hand of a stupid person”. Sounds like a typical teenage statement. I take Zack down to the gym at 9:30 and he gets on the stationary bike for 15 minutes. Then we work on strengthening his right hand using weights. Tom (our O.T. therapist today) shows us some old fashion methods for strengthening the hands and fingers. He fills a bucket up with water and gives Zack a towel. He has to soak the towel in water and transfer the water to another bucket by wringing the towel out. Then he has him wad up paper using his fingers to see who can make the smallest ball. They take the same piece of paper, straighten it out and fold it many times to see who can fold it into the smallest piece. Then he tears it up in little tiny pieces. All of these exercises strengthen the hand and fingers and can be used in his room. He also suggested Lego building sets as a good way to work finger dexterity and cognitive skills. Tom tested the strength of Zack’s hands using a Dynometer. His right hand was 67#/left 75# and my right was 66#/left 66#. Zack’s right hand should be between 85 – 90#. They used a pinch meter to test the strength in his fingers. His right finger 16.5#/left 20# and my right 16.5#/left 16#. In short Zack is stronger than I am and his left hand is right where it should be. He gets stronger every day. 10:45 Speech with Mom in his room and I use the folder that Kathy prepared for us. He does excellent on matching pictures, good on word finding but had trouble with auditory comprehension. He was worn out and hadn’t had a nap yet so he hopped in bed. Tiffany and Kaitlyn arrive and we walk to McDonalds for lunch. When we get back Zack decides he needs to finish his nap and gets back in bed. Shortly Avery and her Mom come with Dylan to see Zack. It is hard working around Dylan’s schedule, with football practice and tennis, getting him to the hospital. Soon Dan and his family arrive and we all head to McDonalds again and Zack has a Big Mac (by the way his weight is up to 140.5 lbs). Zack tells me he wants Dan to spend the night but since he can’t go home then Dan can’t spend the night. We walk back to his room, they leave and Zack is back in bed. Taylor and Jessica arrive to fill Zack in on the latest teen gossip. He gets up and we go for a walk. We go to the gym to play Chinese Checkers and Zack beats them both. He understands the game and plans for the next move ahead of time. Back in the room they hang out and listen to music. We talk about who Zack will ask to the first dance when he goes home (I’m not telling). Before long Zack is entertaining us with his dance moves. We are laughing so hard Taylor has tears running down her face.
He told them he was supposed to start school Monday and it sucked because he couldn’t. More friends arrive and Zack decides they need to see his dance moves too. He is going to sleep really well tonight because he hasn’t had much of a nap and he has been active all day. Although he spoke about going home he seemed just as happy here with his friends. We had a great time today and it makes us so appreciative of the support we have had from so many people. Scott and I get to have a date night tonight and after dinner we drop in the Marriot Hotel for the McDazzle, a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House. Dr. Calvary had told us that Dr LaRossa would be there celebrating her birthday and we wanted to meet her. Dr. LaRossa was supposed to be Zack’s doctor here at Frazier but a few days before we arrived she found out she had cancer. We met a warm, compassionate, energetic woman that hopes to get to meet Zack before he goes home. When we leave she tells me “I’ll pray for your son”. We have met so many wonderful, caring people since this has begun. The path God has chosen to set us on has been a blessing. Zack is alive though we were told he wouldn’t live. I remember how badly I wanted to see him move a thumb or toe and now he walks, and walks and walks.
I can’t wait until the day he walks into church and stands next to me, lifting up his hands in worship as we sing. Please pray that the aphasia will disappear soon even though I know it won’t affect his singing. Pray for complete recovery.