Day after Christmas

Hello all!
After a brief conversation and realizing this actually is an important place to get periodic updates now, I will do my best to post weekly to give you an update on Roger.

So let's see... Roger was discharged on a Tuesday so I took him home to Gardnerville. We had a few stops to make on the way. Including the DMV for his handicap placards and Matress Discounters to try out some matresses. One of my best friends' aunt is the manager there so she was able to get Roger a awesome deal on one of their top of the line beds. Wednesday was his first day of physical therapy there in Minden. I took him so I could meet the people and check out the place. They are really nice and the physical therapist got Roger sweating the first session. Roger said he worked more in that hour session than he had the 6 weeks in rehab! We then discussed a 3 times a week physical therapy session and then I was on my way back home to Reno. One of Rogers buddies lives in the guest house in the backyard and his dad is staying with him so he is available to take Roger to PT. There is also a friend that lives 2 doors down that is also available to take Roger to places he needs to go. So until Roger gets his truck repaired or gets another one with hand controls he is depending on people for a ride. Which I am sure can be kind of a drag but at least he has friends around him that are able to take him and he is very appreciative of!

Roger enjoyed and got used to being home for a week and then I was back to pick him up for our Christmas adventure. I went to Gardnerville on Wednesday and we finally left at 6pm after waiting all day for his catheters from the medical supply place. After that we drove to Oroville to be with our mom, grandma K and cousin to spend the night and Christmas Eve. Courtney and Roman came up and we had a nice dinner and opened gifts. Christmas morning we all headed to Mariposa where we saw more Conroy's and the Mackey family. We enjoyed dinner at Grandma Jan and Papas and time with Dad and Marcia.

Roger is doing really well and adjusting to his new lifestyle. I think it is hard for him getting used to the "slower pace". If you know Roger he is always on the go. Which he still is now but it takes him a little longer to get from place to place. He is his usual sarcastic self! Hard to believe he spent 6 weeks in the hospital!

Other than that, things are going well. I am still trying to figure out all the social security stuff. At this point he has no income so I am hoping something will come through. He was denied for SSI but I am going to file the appeal so hopefully we will hear the opposite response next time. What a headache! But will be well worth it in the end! Take care all and hope you had a very Merry Christmas!! Loves

Day 43

Day 43: Monday

Well today was Roger's last full day in the hospital and it was a busy one! He called me at 10am to tell me he needed his driver's license since he was going to get a driver's lesson at 11am. They were going to take him out to practice with hand controls. Once I got there he was waiting to go for a MRI. He requested a MRI to check the blood flow in his spinal cord. We haven't gotten any results from that yet. Will check with the doctor tomorrow before we leave. When he finally got back from the MRI, he ate his lunch as quick as possible and then was out the door for his driving lesson. He said it was easy and that the instructor said he did great. After the two hour driving lesson he had a little bit of down time before he had to watch a video on spinal cord injury and sexual function. The important things in life...
He is really excited to be out of the hospital tomorrow! We have a couple stops to make on the way to Gardnerville but it will be great to not see him in the hospital anymore. He has been through so much and has done amazingly well! I spoke with the case manager today and got teary eyed looking back on this journey and his progress.

I will continue to write on this as much as possible but this has been his journey through his accident. Thank you all so so much for your thoughts, prayers, support and love as it truly has made a world of difference! Things could be so much different! Take care all and have a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the time you have with family and friends as each day brings a world of surprises!

Day 41 & 42

Day 41 & 42: Saturday and Sunday

Roger had a good weekend. It was pretty laid back and uneventful. We wrote a list of things to ask the doctor tomorrow before discharge happens on Tuesday! I know I have said it before, but what a crazy journey this has been! I am going to be so bored once he leaves Reno haha. Other than that, he has his usual therapies tomorrow and I am sure he will be counting down the hours til he gets to leave.

Take care!

Day 40

Day 40: Friday

TGIF! Well wheelchair basketball got cancelled tonight. But we are still going to take advantage of the pass out for a couple hours and go to dinner! Other than that he had a good day! A morning full of therapies like usual. He is going great! He is ready to get the heck out of there Tuesday!!

Have a great weekend all! Much love to ya!

Day 39

Day 39: Thursday

Roger had another great day! He and a handful of other patients went to the mall today. I met him there at about noon and he had bought helicopters for me to take for him. He said he really enjoyed being out and about in the mall. I asked him if he noticed any strange looks from people and he said he had. It amazes me how people react but I guess it is only natural. We aren't used to seeing people in wheelchairs and especially people that are Roger's age. This whole situation has even opened my own eyes about certain things. When he got back to the hospital they gave him an hour or so break and then physical therapy worked with him again on car transfers. This is a picture of him in the drivers seat of the car they were practicing in. Since Roger will be back in his big truck they were trying to simulate how that would be on a more lifted vehicle. Roger had it good transferring out of my little car and dad's mustang. So he needed something a little more challenging. And of course he made it look easy! No trouble!

I went back today to Care Chest. Was able to get Roger a shower chair and 4 grab bars for his bathroom for free. I am quite grateful for that place. It still amazes me what people will do for others! Other than that, this is the last weekend Roger will spend in the hospital! What a journey!!! Lots of thanks to all of you for your support, prayers and love!!

Day 38

Day 38: Wednesday

Roger had another great day. I brought lots of paperwork for him to sign. The joys of now being "disabled". What a terrible word! But if he gets the necessities he needs I guess it's just what has to be done.

Tomorrow the physical therapist and occupational therapist are taking him and a few others in a van to the mall so they can experience the "real world". They invited me to go so I may just have to hop in the van with them all. It is pretty cool to see the relationships Roger has made with some of the other patients.

Other than that he is kicking butt and counting down the days until Tuesday! I went to a really awesome place today that is giving him grab bars for the bathroom and a shower chair. The place is called Care Chest and it was started in 1990 by 2 pharmacists. They were tired of turning people away because of insurance or the inability to pay. So now they have a warehouse full of medical supplies that are essentially free. Roger has to sign a couple papers and then I can go back tomorrow and pick up the stuff. It is awesome to know that there are still people out there with a big heart! Roger has been so blessed through this all!!

Take care all and stay warm! I woke up to -2 weather in Reno! Yikes!! Much love to you!

Day 36 & 37

Day 36 & 37: Monday and Tuesday

My apologies for not writing yesterday. I was snowed in at my apartment. Reno got a good 6" to a foot of snow yesterday. Roger texted me at 8am and told me not to even try coming here. So I listened and stayed home. He had a good day! Really just another day of therapies. He is doing great today also. I got here at about 9:15 and surprised him. The sun came out so I figured it was a good time to come. Another storm is supposed to be coming tonight or tomorrow. Did I mention I am ready to go back to Hawaii ;)

Discharge out of this place is scheduled for Tuesday the 15th. I already made him an appointment in Gardnerville with a physical therapist for Wednesday. Therapy won't end here that is for sure. I think Roger is just ready to get out of here! He really is doing great and adjusting more and more everyday to this new lifestyle. Take care all and stay warm!

Day 34 and 35

Day 34 & 35: Saturday and Sunday

Roger has had a good weekend. Yesterday he went with dad down to Gardnerville, so he enjoyed the day out and about. We met up with him for dinner then brought him back. He is doing really well transferring in and out of the wheelchair and wheeling himself to the places he needs to go.

Today has just been a lazy day. It is snowing here in Reno so Roger has been watching football with another patient here. Think thats all for today! Take care and stay warm!

Day 33

Day 33: Friday

Roger had another great day! He is doing so well with physical therapy and occupational therapy. He got a day pass tomorrow so him and dad are going to head down to Gardnerville. Rog wants to show dad his new place. Plus get out of the hospital for the day! In other words, I am Roger free tomorrow haha! Other than that, there is snow forecasted for the weekend. It's cold!!

Take care and have a great weekend!

Day 32

Day 32: Thursday

Today Roger got to experience kitchen life from a wheelchair point of view. Roger, Dad and Brian cooked raspberry muffins together. He also learned that when you cook muffins and only use half the cups, you have to fill the others with water... pretty cute! All in all he is having a good day. Dad arrived last night with a huge box of goodies from Northland Cable- Thank you! They threatened Dad that they were gonna call Roger to make sure it got here. They know dad well!Guess the intention is for him to put back on the 40 pounds he's lost.

Rick, the man from Medtech, came today so Roger got to put in his order for his wheelchair. Once the order is approved it will be sent to Fresno where the company is that makes it. So he should get the chair in about 2-3 weeks. Since he will be going home before that time he will just keep the loaner wheelchair he is now from Medtech.

Take care and much love coming from Reno!

Day 31

Day 31: Wednesday

Another beautiful and sunny day in Reno. Grandma Jan and Papa are here today visiting. They got in last night and are staying until tomorrow. Roger is doing great today. Has had a few therapies this morning and more to come this afternoon.

There have been some requests for the bank account that has been set up for Roger. It is under Roger Conroy at Yosemite Bank account #307008482

Also his future address with his buddy Ricky is: 1414 Jobs Peak Gardnerville, NV 89460

He is still here at the Rehab hospital for another couple of weeks. This address is 1495 Mill St Reno, NV 89502. He is in room 102.

Have a great Wednesday! Much love!

Day 30

Day 30: Tuesday

Roger was on his own today while I moved into my new apartment. He said he had a good day. He is progressing quickly and doing very well. Hard to believe that his accident happened a month ago today. Take care! Much love!

Day 29

Day 29: Monday

Roger is doing very well today! He had a little episode of throwing up but once that was over he felt better. I don't think the pills settled to well in his stomach... poor guy! He also got light headed working with the physical therapist today but he turned out alright. His buddies brought up his RC car rock crawler so he enjoyed some time outside playing with that. Then he went down the hall and tried learning how to play Cribbage with another patient here.

I am off to get him some dinner... I think he is officially over hospital food... that or he is being picky ;) Hope you all have a great week! Much love!

Day 28

Day 28: Sunday

Beautiful Sunday in Reno. Roger is doing well today. I got here and he was doing laps around the building. We then went into the therapy room and I stretched him and did some "therapy". Tomorrow starts another full week of therapies. He is hoping to be out of here December 15th or so. He is becoming more and more independent each day which is really good. I only need to help him do a couple of things. Other than that he is coping and doing really well! I am off to get him some lunch.... he just loves this hospital food haha! Take care! Much love to ya!

Day 27

Day 27: Saturday

Roger had a pretty lazy Saturday. I went to Oroville to get my stuff to move into my apartment on Tuesday, so it was the first day in a month that I didn't see Rog for the whole day! It was a weird feeling! Roger had company throughout the day though so he wasn't alone and I was constantly calling or texting him to check on him. I think he needed a lazy day after a busy week and to get rid of me for a day!

Day 26

Day 26: Friday

TGIF! So I tried shopping today for Black Friday... never again haha!

Roger is doing very well today! He has had a couple therapies this morning and is doing awesome! I got here late this morning so apparently he enjoyed sleeping in this morning until 8:15a. I think yesterday exhausted him but he really enjoyed it! He has a couple more therapies this afternoon then quite a relaxing weekend ahead.

Have a safe weekend! Much love to ya!

Day 25

Day 25: Thursday Happy Thanksgiving!

There was much to be thankful for today! Hope you all had a wonderful day with family and friends!

The morning started out rough but we didn't get discouraged! Goal was for me to be here at 8 and be in the car headed to Gardnerville at 8:30am. Did that happen... nope. It wasn't our fault though! We ended up having to wait around for Roger's medications for the day from pharmacy. I wasn't too happy but Roger was getting out of the hospital for the day so it was just a minor bump in the road! The trip to Gardnerville was uneventful. We got to Rick and Brooke's at about 11:30. Roger hung out with his buddies in the garage and I went over to one of my good friends house and hung out there for a bit. Got back to the house and ate a wonderful dinner and then came back up to Reno. We stopped by Melissa and Steve's house since they were having a Thanksgiving bash and were able to see more family. It was a real nice day and Roger seemed relaxed and happy to be out of the hospital for the day. While at Rick's we got to see the "Roger Wing". It is amazing! They did an awesome job! He has a big bedroom area, big closet area and big bathroom. It was really really cool! I will try to add the video of it tomorrow on here for all to see.

Roger and I made it safely back to the hospital. Roger wasn't too excited to be back here but he only has a couple more weeks. Thank you all for the support, love and prayers you are sending this way. It really means a lot! Like I said before, there is a lot to be thankful for today! Much love to you!

Day 24

Day 24: Wednesday

Another fabulous day in sunny Reno. Roger is doing really well! Mom and Grandma Kay came up today to visit and were able to watch him do some therapy. Last night a guy from the community who has been a paraplegic for 15 years came to chat with Roger and another patient who is in a similar situation. It was really neat talking to him and hearing stories of "been there done that". He then tried to recruit Roger to play basketball with the wheelchair team here in Reno. I am hoping we can get a night pass and go at least watch in a couple of weeks. I think it would be really cool to watch, and a cool way for Roger to meet more a support system.

I think that is all for this Thanksgiving Eve. Roger and I are headed to Gardnerville in the morning to spend Thanksgiving at Rick and Brooke's. He is really looking forward to getting out of here for the day! Much love to you and have a very Happy Thanksgiving! There is much to be thankful for!!

Day 23

Day 23: Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! It's been another great day so far. Yesterday Roger practiced getting in and out of my car. So now he is ready to get out of the hospital for Thanksgiving day and go to Gardnerville. Today he has had 2 therapies so far and is continuing to learn how to do things in his wheelchair. His main occupational therapist said yesterday that she feels like she is running out of things to do with him since he is progressing so quickly. He got his catheter out this morning so he will be learning how to catheterize himself every 4 hours. Everyday is a new day and he learns something else new. He is coping very well.

Some buddies came up from Mariposa today including his best friend, Rydane, so Roger is having a good time visiting with them. Other than that, nothing else new to report. We saw Rick again yesterday (the guy that is going to help Roger get the perfect wheelchair) so he is working on getting Roger a loaner to try out before he decides which one he wants. Roger is more open to trying wheelchairs now since his staples are out.

I think that is all for now. Much love!

Day 22

Day 22: Monday

Good morning! Sunny chilly day in Reno. Roger is doing great. Got here this morning and we got his legs wrapped and up into the wheelchair so he would be ready for the first therapy appointment at 8:30.

Roger had a good weekend and is ready to work hard this week. He is really looking forward to his pass to get out of here for Thanksgiving. Even a day pass is better than nothing! He is looking forward to seeing his toys, including the fender from his dirt bike that he landed on.

He amazes me everyday and is coping and accepting what is going on in his life right now. I think things could be a lot different if he didn't have the support and love he has from all his family and friends. Nothing compares to the smiles that have been on his face the last few days!

Day 21

Day 21: Sunday

Roger has been in Rehab for officially 1 week today and has really done well. He had a lazy morning so when I got here at about 12 I suggested he get up and take a shower and start the day. He had a good day today and had plenty of visitors throughout the day to keep him busy. Tomorrow starts another week of therapies. We are going to work on car transfers so he can go to Gardnerville for Thanksgiving.

That's all for today! Much love!

Day 20

Day 20: Saturday

It's a beautiful sunny day in Reno! Roger is doing great. As you can see from the video he was feeling quite spunky this morning and tried doing some wheelies for the first time. On my watch of course! Thank goodness he didn't fall on his face... I can only imagine trying to explain that to his doc haha! Rog had one therapy session this morning and now I get to be his "therapist" for the rest of the weekend. He is doing really really well. Like I said yesterday, the smile on his face is worth every minute here with him! Much love to ya!

Day 19

Day 19: Friday

TGIF! Roger is doing wonderful today! He was awake and eating breakfast this morning when I arrived and was ready to get dressed and get up for his 8am therapy session. With very very little assist he is now dressing himself. It is quite the life change to get used to!

Boy is this a change from even a week ago. Yesterday Roger sat up in his wheelchair all day and when I asked him last night if he wanted to get into bed he was resisting me. Last week he could only tolerate 5 minutes sitting in the wheelchair. The progress he makes everyday is amazing. There is still so much to learn and so much each day ahead will bring to him but he is coping well. He is starting to get on the computer and read and SMILE which are things he hasn't wanted to do in the last 2 weeks. It is very cool to see!

I am his therapist this weekend so it will be fun to work with him and see him progress more throughout the weekend. I thank God that I am able to be here and be with him during this time. Seeing a smile on his face is worth every minute I am here! Thank you for the thoughts and prayers! He couldn't do it without it! Much love coming from Reno!

Day 18: Continued

Just a quick note and picture... Roger got a haircut today and shaved off all his facial hair too. He looks so handsome now! Thanks Liss!

Day 18

Day 18: Thursday

Today has been a good day. Roger has had some trouble with nausea again today so more dry heaving, but that hasn't stopped him. The morning started up with Occupational therapy and learned how to put his pants and socks on. He did really well! Once he was dressed he got up into the wheelchair practically by himself. The therapist was standing there just in case but he did amazing doing it alone. He then went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth and went to the gym to do some arm exercises. After his therapy we went for a stroll outside to get his mind off the time and off of the pain. Then it was time for physical therapy and they worked with him on stretches and endurance. He did great!

I met with his case manager today and we spoke about a lot of things. It was nice to get some things figured out. We just really have to make the most of these 30 days of this inpatient rehab. We also have to get all the necessary aides Roger will need when it is time to go home. Next week we are going to start practicing getting in and out of my car so we can go to Rick and Brooke's for Thanksgiving. Roger is really excited about that!

Think that is all for now. If anything else wonderful and exciting happens I will post it! If not please keep him in your thoughts and prayers! Much love to ya!

Day 17

Day 17: Wednesday

Good afternoon. Well the morning did not start out so well. I got here at about 7:45 and he had a bucket in front of his face. He said he had been dry heaving for quite awhile and wasn't feeling so hot. I asked him if he thought it was something he ate or if he took meds on an empty stomach but he denied both of those situations. The nurse finally came in and gave him a shot of Zofran (an antiemetic which helps the nauseated feeling) and he finally settled down after that. They took some blood to make sure nothing else was going on and tried to put in an IV for some extra hydration but after 4 pokes I told him he better starting drinking lots of water. After the Zofran kicked in he could then eat his breakfast. While all that was happening, the effort put into dry heaving also helped him finally move his bowels! Kinda funny how excited I was to see a good poop but it is much better than having to deal with a blockage. So finally after a good 2 weeks #2 happened! Once I got him all cleaned up and after he rested for a bit, I got him dressed and in the wheelchair (which he didn't use the slider board... quite awesome) just in time for physical therapy to come work with him. Once in physical therapy he did some work but was feeling really light headed and still complained of stomach pain. He did the best he could and worked hard! I was proud of him:)

Currently we are waiting for his last therapy from physical therapy and then he can rest the rest of the afternoon. He is progressing everyday and doing well. Much love to you all!

Day 16 continued

Roger doing his thing in physical therapy! He did really well. The physical therapist did a lot of stretching exercises and then did work with him sitting up to continue working on his balance. He transferred from the wheelchair to the table without a slider board which was really cool. Now if only his pain would go away! He has more therapies scheduled this afternoon and then he will be able to get back into bed and relax. Today has been the first day where he has done a lot of work and he seems to be tolerating it really well!

Day 16

Day 16: Tuesday

Good morning all!

I got here early this morning and got things rolling so Roger finally got his first real shower today! Boy was that a job! It was well worth it and he said he felt better so that is all that matters! Once the bathroom duties were done, Occupational therapy came to work with him. She took him to see the schedule board where all of his therapies are posted and then took him to the big gym. There she taught him the importance of "wheelchair push-ups" and had him do a handful of them. Roger also got to meet his physical therapist who is coming to work with him at 10:30. He will work with her for an hour, have lunch, then have his afternoon therapies. He has a big day planned today. So far he is doing really well. I think it is a difficult day for him though since this will be the first day he has done so many activities. I am really proud to see the progress he is making and will continue to make everyday. It is pretty amazing. I will try to get a picture later during physical therapy and get it posted so you all can see his handsome face :) Much love!

Day 15

Day 15: Monday

Hello all!

Roger is doing pretty well today. It has been a rough start but he is doing as best as he can. Occupational therapy and physical therapy have already been in to evaluate him and checkout his baseline. From there they will establish goals and get his daily schedule started so he will probably start his 3 hours of therapy a day tomorrow. It is also pretty awesome because I know quite a few people that work here so I know that he is going to get some awesome care!

Besides his pounding headache he is in good spirits and I think looking forward to working hard these next 4 weeks. I think today is rough for him because of the anxiety and unfamiliar territory he is strolling into but we are going to take it day by day. He is going to do great!

I am not sure if it is posted anywhere, but if you have anything else to ask or are unclear about please feel free to email me. ashleyconroy555@gmail.com Much love!

Day 15

Day 15: Sunday

It's been 2 weeks today that Roger had his accident and now he is officially at the Rehab Center! Whoohoo! What a glorious day!

So he is now at 1155 Mill St. Reno, NV 89502 Room 102.

Roger did really great transferring himself from the bed to the wheelchair and then back from the wheelchair to the bed. Once he got to the rehab center he wanted to go to the sink and wash up. He is doing great! Today is his last day of "relaxation" and tomorrow all his therapies start. He will do 3 hours of therapies today and will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room. He is well on the road to recovery! Much love to you all!

The "Roger Wing"

Just wanted to share this picture with you all. Roger has decided to live with his buddy Rick when he finally gets to leave rehab. This picture is of the "Roger Wing" that Rick is adding onto his house that will be fully wheelchair accessible. It is pretty amazing! Living with Rick will also allow Roger to wrench on Toyota's and Jeeps.... things that he loves to do! Plus he'll be near his friends in Gardnerville. Gardnerville is also a central point for all the family. Living in Gardnerville will also allow Roger to follow up and have outpatient rehab here in Reno and enable him to continue to see the rehab doctor that will be working with him over the next few weeks:)

Day 14

Day 14: Saturday

Off to the rehab center tomorrow! Roger was going to go today but there was transportation issues so he gets one more day of "relaxation". Dad and Marcia came up last night. I stayed the night with him and once dad came in this morning he sent me home to shower and do some laundry. Marcia and Melissa came to visit and they were here when the rehab doctor spoke with Roger and gave him the news of rehab tomorrow morning.

The scan of his legs came back normal (no blood clots brewing in his legs) so he is ready to rock in roll!

I came back to the hospital around noon and got him all "suited up" to get up into the wheelchair (ace bandages around his legs so the blood doesn't rush to his feet which prevents him from passing out and some pants on). He did really awesome! He was even feeling so well that he wheeled himself into the bathroom and brushed his teeth and washed his face and hands in the sink. As far as transferring from the bed to the wheelchair, he is practically doing it himself. He is still working on his balance but I watch his legs and he moves his upper half... 30 seconds and he has moved himself into the wheelchair. It is absolutely amazing to see his progress everyday!

Thank you for reading this blog everyday and following Roger's journey. He really does appreciate the love, support, and prayers he is getting! I truly believe they are helping! We had a good talk yesterday and I told him I admire his strength and courage, and reminded him that God has a plan for us all and even though the reason isn't apparent and that this isn't fair, there is a meaning and purpose for him to still be with us today. Much love to you all!

Day 13

Day 13: Friday

Well the goal today was to go to rehab but Roger is still in too much pain. We got him up into the wheelchair but only for like 5 minutes since he was short of breath and in pain. Most of the pain is in his left side and in his back. The nurse is really great today and called the doctor for a chest x-ray to make sure he doesn't have a blood clot sitting in his lung. The chest x-ray came back clear so that is good news. They are going to do a scan on his legs to make sure there are no clots there brewing. And of course getting his pain under control is an issue today.

I really feel for him today. He really wanted to go to rehab today but I don't think its going to happen. The doctor cleared him to go today or this weekend so maybe he will get to go this weekend. Keep praying for the pain to go away and the strength for him to use his time in rehab to the fullest extent. Thank you for following his journey!

Picture of all his incisions

So just to give perspective to this picture. Roger is laying on his right side. The incision coming down sideways is from his first surgery. The white gauze on the sideways incision is covering the sites from his 2 chest tubes. The incision on his spine is from the second surgery where they did the posterior fusion and added 2 more rods and 4 more screws. The piece of gauze on the top of that incision is from the drain the placed in his back to drain the blood. The sideways incision has about 25 staples and the incision on his spine is about a foot long. Poor guy! Now you can see where the pain is coming from!

Day 12 Continued

So despite the pain, I still was able to get Roger up in the wheelchair and take him out for some fresh air. I am to the point where I can transfer him to the wheelchair by myself. Yes I am a little impatient to wait for physical therapy but Roger is doing a lot of the work. He is doing really well. I was so proud of him for biting the bullet and getting up. Now he is resting and we are hoping we make the transfer to rehab tomorrow. Thank you for all the prayers!

Day 12

Day 12: Thursday

Hi all! Well pain is an issue today. They took Roger off the PCA (his every 15 min pain button) last night and put him on a pain patch and pain pills. He is definetly not getting the relief like before but ho can not go to rehab if he still has the PCA. So today is going to be a pain control day to prepare him for rehab. The plan is to go to rehab tomorrow!! That is exciting but also intimidating. I want so bad for him to feel good so he can kick butt every day there. He is actually quite motivated (if you know Roger, he doesn't sit still for long) but the pain is holding him back.

Right now we are waiting until he can get some more pain meds so he can get up into the wheelchair again today. An occupational therapist just came in and offered some hand weights and a arm bike to use when he is up and about. He agreed to it so that is good! Please just pray for pain relief and strength mentally and physically for Rog! Loves!

Day 11

Day 11: Wednesday

Today has been amazing already! Roger got into a wheelchair today and we took a stroll around the hospital and outside. I am almost speechless and definetly tried to hide the tears.

The doctor came in this morning and is going to start him on a pain patch and pain meds by mouth to get him off the PCA (patient controlled analgesia) so he won't have his pain button anymore. Once this happens (and #2 happens) he is ready to go to rehab! So the goal is to get him to rehab tomorrow or Friday!

I know a question in the back of your mind must be "can he feel anything?" Unfortunately not yet. I can only imagine how it feels for him sitting up. It may be something like sitting on clouds since he still has no sensation from his waist down. He is doing very very well though. Keep praying! Much love!

Tuesday continued

So Roger had a CT Scan of his abdomen today. He has an ileus which means a blockage in his intestines. Poor thing! So now he is on an intense bowel regimen to get things moving. Once this passes he will feel so much better! Between 2 surgeries and all the pain meds I'm not really to surprised but I sure feel sorry for him!

Day 10

Day 10: Tuesday

Today has been a good day. His pain is finally under control. He has been complaining of abdominal pain which has even been sensitive to touch. Physical therapy came earlier in the day today and worked with him. They wrapped his legs in ace bandages to keep the blood from rushing into his legs and making him light headed and wanting to pass out. This seemed to work well. Roger sat up on the side of the bed for 15 minutes and did most of the work of holding himself up. Unfortunately he still can not feel from the waist down so I can only imagine what it is like sitting up but not feeling what you are sitting on. (Sorry for the side ways picture...)

Day 9

Day 9: Monday

Today was a bad day filled with pain. Since his surgery on Saturday he really hasn't had any good rest or sleep. I feel like he is fighting it. When I came in I got him cleaned up and comfortable so he could sleep. I talked to the nurse and aide and asked them to leave him alone to sleep. I even put a sign on the door so people wouldn't wake him up. I felt he needed sleep so his poor body could heal!

Day 8

Day 8: Sunday

Today was a good day. Roger was feeling good. The doctor came in and took off his bandages from the Tuesday surgery and opened up the area where his chest tubes were.

Day 7

Day 7: Saturday

Surgery day again. Roger was also having some pain issues today so it was time to get the surgery over with.

Surgery went well. He came back to his room in extreme pain again. Pain control was going to be the goal for the night. He has definetly been through enough at this point.

Day 6

Day 6: Friday

Roger was moved out of ICU early early this morning and into the Neurology unit. He was then woken up early in the morning to have his chest tubes taken out. He was not happy about that since he said the doctor "ripped" them out. Poor guy! I think he did have some relief though for having them out finally!

In the afternoon, physical therapy came to work with him. They put his "turtle shell" on and got him to a sitting position on the side of the bed. He did really really well for the first time in almost a week of being in that position.

The doctor also came in to talk to us to see if another surgery was in the near future. Here's the deal... Roger will have to wear that "turtle shell" for 3 months. We all know Roger and all know that he would start feeling better and probably not wear it any longer. So we were contemplating another surgery called a posterior fusion. This surgery would put 2 more rods and 4 more screws into his spine to stabilize the area he broke. This would also allow him to not have to wear the "turtle shell" ever again. Roger agreed to the surgery and it was soon scheduled for tomorrow at 1pm.

Day 5

Day 5: Thursday

The doctor ordered a chest x-ray sitting straight up. So with this request he got to put his "turtle shell" on. This would be the first day that he even got to sit up. He tolerated it very very well and I was very proud of him!

There was also a lot of talk with this doctors since Roger was stable enough to be moved out of the ICU. It was finally determined that he would go to the Neurology unit. There was some talk about moving him straight to rehab but after talking to his insurance he only has 30 days of inpatient rehab per calendar year available. I was explaining to the doctors that it wouldn't make much sense to move him straight to rehab and waste days when he still had his chest tubes in and probably would not give 100%. They agreed! Good day!

Day 4

Day 4: Wednesday

Today was a rough day. There were lots of visitors and family started to leave. Being in ICU is no fun especially when there were weird visiting hours and only 2 or 3 people could go in at a time. He definetly had some awesome nurses though. I was in and out of his room since there were lots of people to see him and not much room for all of us at the same time. A man came to fit him for a "turtle shell" that he would have to wear for 3 months. He was not a happy camper afterward. He stated the man was really rough and was frustrated that I wasn't there. I felt so bad for him. As if he hasn't been through enough!

Being day 1 post-op, Roger needed his sleep. He was also becoming more positive but realization also started to set in more. It has definetly been a hard last couple of days.

Day 3

Day 3: Tuesday- Surgery day

Surgery was going to happen at about 1pm. What a long stressful day! My dad and I decided to be the ones to walk with him to the pre-op unit and be with him until it was time to take him to surgery. There we were able to talk to all the doctors and nurses that were going to be involved in his surgery. The surgery was going to take place through his left 10th rib. They would have to collapse his lung and do surgery through this area. Surgery was projected to take 3 hours and Roger would be asleep with a breathing tube in place. We also knew that he would come out with a chest tube. When surgery was finished and the doctor came to talk to us would also be the time we found out whether his spinal cord was only compressed or if it were severed. There were good pictures of his spine but it was really questionable whether it was only compressed or if it were indeed severed. If it ended up being severed, Roger would no doubt never be able to walk again.

Around 7pm the doctor came out. He said everything went well... and his spinal cord WASN'T severed! I think we may of woke everyone up in the hospital and of course we all had tears of joy! The doc informed us that he would probably be in recovery for another hour so we all chatted and allowed smiles on our faces.

Roger had the same nurse he had the night before so she came out and got my dad, Rick and I since Roger was requesting us. We went in and saw him and tried to keep our emotions hidden but tell him the good news at the same time. He was in so much pain. Pain control was going to be the issue for the rest of the night.

Day 2

Day 2: Monday

Today was a day of pain. It was also a day of hurry up and wait.

Dad showed up at 6am. I showered and met him for breakfast. It was probably the first day of my life that I saw my dad so upset. I had to keep reassuring him and reminding him that thank the lord Roger is alive. We, as a family and those as his friends, can take what comes us and him along this journey but at least he is still here with us. That is a call that I would never want to make to anyone!

Roger has an amazing amount of support. Several family members came here to Reno to be with him and remind him of the love he has. There were also many many friends who traveled the distance to also be with him.

The Accident- Sunday

Hey all,

So I thought a blog would be appropriate to let everyone know what is happening with our well loved Roger Jr.

On November 1, 2009, Roger was at Sand Mountain doing what he loves... riding his dirt bike and hanging out with friends. Since I wasn't there I do not know the details, but I do know that he did a jump and when he landed he landed on his tail bone essentially and compressed his spine. This happened at 10:30am. Thankfully, Roger had a buddy there who had a similar accident and is also a medic so he kept Roger calm and still.

Amazingly, I came to Reno for the weekend to hang out with friends for the Halloween weekend. I got a call at around 2pm from Roger's buddy's, Rick, girlfriend, Brooklyn. Roger's number appeared on my phone so I answered "What's up my brother?" thinking I would hear the awesome stories of sand mountain from the weekend. When I heard Brooklyn say "Ashley its Brooke, Rick's girlfriend", I knew something was wrong. Never in a million years did I think I was going to learn what was to come. Brooke stated that Roger had been taken by care flight to Renown Medical Center in Reno. I was 5 minutes away. I looked at my boyfriend and in shock said I need to take a shower and get to the hospital.

When I arrived I picked up the phone and asked the operator where I could find my brother. She stated he was in the ICU. As I walked with Clint to the ICU I was shaking. When I walked past a set of double doors I saw Roger on a stretcher with a cervical collar on being wheeled into the elevator. I walked into the waiting room and there stood my Aunt, Mary Kate. She stated that she was glad to see me and that Roger has been asking for me since the accident. She told me a little bit about what happened and stated she wasn't sure how much Roger knew. I knew in my mind that I had to stay strong and be there for Roger. There weren't any tears for me until I knew what the heck was going on.

The nurse came out to the waiting room and said we could come in since Roger was back from his CT Scan. I asked Clint and Mary Kate to stay in the waiting room so I could see Roger and talk to the nurse and doctor to find out what was going on. Never did I think I was going to hear what I heard. Roger's spine had compressed to the extent that, in lay man's terms, blew up the T12 vertebrae. Part of T12 was compressing his spinal cord. Roger could not feel anything from his waist down. The doctor was awesome! He really explained things to me and to Roger. I told the doctor that I didn't want anything kept from Roger. This is his life and he needs to know what is happening everyday. Right then and there I asked the doctor what his chances of walking again were, and he stated "he has a very high chance of never walking again". BAM! Please just punch me in the gut! Why?? Why did this happen??

Since Roger was in stable condition there was no need to rush him off to surgery. The doctor explained the benefit of allowing his spine to rest for 48 hours before surgery would be done. I never realized how long 48 hours could be.

Once the conversation with the doctor was over, it was time to start making phone calls to the family. What a horrible thing to have to do. I have been that person in my family though and God has given me the strength to be able to talk to my family and be a person to stability and strength.