[willowbrook] Fwd: Update on Ronnie's progress

[Doug Taylor]

Update on Ronnie Brown...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Diane Brown <titaniumrdh at comcast.net>
Date: Jun 17, 2007 9:25 PM
Subject: Update on Ronnie's progress


Hello all.  Sorry it has taken so long to get back with updates.  Most
of you have called. Thanks.   First of all… thank you so much for the
prayers.  They were needed and felt. Please forward this update to
those you have talked with at church or friends.  Several months ago
my computer went down, and I lost many of my addresses.  You may send
me mail to get your address.

The neurologist did a thorough exam and blood work.  He stated that
what uses he gets back in the first six months is what he will be
expected to have permanently.  He was most concerned with his vision.
It is not just the right eye affected, but the left also because of
the occipital lobe of the brain.  He was not sure of all that
returning to normal, but the arm and leg use has very good prognosis.
His short term memory is much improved.

Friday was spent at Huntsville Hospital Outpatient getting an
Endoscopy checking his esophagus/stomach. This was unplanned, but they
had to do it in order to be sure it was safe to do the Transesophageal
Echocardiogram (large tube that goes down your throat and checks for
problems inside and around the heart using ultrasound). They're
concern being complications from past radiation treatments. All test
results were basically okay.  No reason for a stroke there.

For anyone who needs to know.  My new name is HITLER.  I make him do
arm therapy even though it hurts.  I make him hold something in his
right hand while he walks (he wants to put it in his pocket).  He is
reaching to close the car door with his left hand, I make him open it
and do it with his right.  He has to write names on a peace of paper
until it is full.  ETC.  Mean aren't I.  J

His vision is getting better daily.  At a point, we will see an eye
specialist.  I don't know how much we need to let everything settle
first.  His walking is getting better.  He is TOO concerned if anyone
will be able to tell he is walking funny, than slowing down to work on
lift, heel, and toe.  All three things, (vision, arm, and walking) at
the same time are too much to concentrate on.

I did ask the neurologist about the early medication they give stroke
victims in the first hour.  He said they could not give it to Ronnie
do to the TIA's he had been having prior.  It would/could have caused
a bleed (aneurism?).  All of the tests were correct.  I don't feel he
is being pro-active in treatment for rehabilitation.  I feel he needs
real therapy aside from Hitler.  We go tomorrow, Monday, morning for
our first coumadin check. It was still low in the hospital.  Being the
proactive Hitler I am, I called ahead to the coumadin clinic in a
panic!  They said it was okay.  It might actually be perfect by the
time he comes in Monday.

Ronnie wants me to leave him at work for a few hours after his
appointment.  It will wear him out, but be good therapy.  I know he
can't overdo it, and they won't let him.



In God Grace,

Diane