(Posted by Greg)
Not too much to report on Monica. She continues to be stable and feeling pretty well. She has fully recovered from her tooth extraction.
Believe it or not - Monica and Oma (accompanied by Ingo, Marley and Jesse's girlfriend Sidney,) went to English Bay last Saturday to watch the fireworks. I was unable to go but am told that everything went pretty well. They took the Skytrain and, being in their wheelchairs, got preferential treatment. The crowd was pretty big and I guess made pushing the wheelchairs tricky.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
(posted by Greg)
Monica had her first appointment at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Center last Friday. We had been waiting for this appointment for nearly 4 months. We tried to re-schedule it because Monica had to have her bad tooth extracted on Thursday. We were told by G.F. Strong that, if we re-scheduled, her appointment would be in November. So, Monica elected to try to keep the appointment regardless of how she might be feeling.
Fortunately, Monica felt well enough to keep the appointment on Friday. We were impressed by the staff and doctors but not so impressed by the appointment schedules. Initially, we were interviewed for about 30 minutes by a doctor who was in the 3rd year of her 5 year residency there. Her interview was very thorough, she tested Monica and watched her walk. We were then joined by the specialist, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. The resident described Monica for them and gave them the results of her interview and tests (just like the residents do on T.V.). All of them then examined and tested Monica further and questioned us all. They spent quite a bit of time with us. I was quite impressed with their thoroughness, empathy and professionalism. The results of this assessment were:
- Monica was put on an outpatient list for physical therapy at Holy Cross hospital (Apparently, there is a another waiting list there to which we have now been added).
- Monica was given a brace to try on her leg (It was noticeable even to me that it was helping her. So, far it looks like it will help and we will likely go back in a couple of weeks for a permanent fitting.)
- We were given the names of some physiotherapists who specialize in dealing with nerve problems. We plan on starting this and doing it at least until we have sampled the Holy Cross program.
-they are going to try Botox on Monica's arm to relieve the spasticity there ( Unfortunately, this appointment isn't until late October.
All in all, we were glad that we went to G.F. Strong but I was sorry that I hadn't pressed for some of these things earlier (ie. the brace and the private physio).
On Tuesday, Monica went for another MRI and visit to the oncologist. Continuing good news- there is no change in the tumour and the area where the original tumour was removed continues to look good! We were all pretty happy. So, the Bev treatments will now continue for another cycle. ( In fact, Monica had another Bev treatment today- all went well).
Finally, Monica is recovering well from the tooth extraction and it no longer looks like I married a chipmunk!
Monica had her first appointment at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Center last Friday. We had been waiting for this appointment for nearly 4 months. We tried to re-schedule it because Monica had to have her bad tooth extracted on Thursday. We were told by G.F. Strong that, if we re-scheduled, her appointment would be in November. So, Monica elected to try to keep the appointment regardless of how she might be feeling.
Fortunately, Monica felt well enough to keep the appointment on Friday. We were impressed by the staff and doctors but not so impressed by the appointment schedules. Initially, we were interviewed for about 30 minutes by a doctor who was in the 3rd year of her 5 year residency there. Her interview was very thorough, she tested Monica and watched her walk. We were then joined by the specialist, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. The resident described Monica for them and gave them the results of her interview and tests (just like the residents do on T.V.). All of them then examined and tested Monica further and questioned us all. They spent quite a bit of time with us. I was quite impressed with their thoroughness, empathy and professionalism. The results of this assessment were:
- Monica was put on an outpatient list for physical therapy at Holy Cross hospital (Apparently, there is a another waiting list there to which we have now been added).
- Monica was given a brace to try on her leg (It was noticeable even to me that it was helping her. So, far it looks like it will help and we will likely go back in a couple of weeks for a permanent fitting.)
- We were given the names of some physiotherapists who specialize in dealing with nerve problems. We plan on starting this and doing it at least until we have sampled the Holy Cross program.
-they are going to try Botox on Monica's arm to relieve the spasticity there ( Unfortunately, this appointment isn't until late October.
All in all, we were glad that we went to G.F. Strong but I was sorry that I hadn't pressed for some of these things earlier (ie. the brace and the private physio).
On Tuesday, Monica went for another MRI and visit to the oncologist. Continuing good news- there is no change in the tumour and the area where the original tumour was removed continues to look good! We were all pretty happy. So, the Bev treatments will now continue for another cycle. ( In fact, Monica had another Bev treatment today- all went well).
Finally, Monica is recovering well from the tooth extraction and it no longer looks like I married a chipmunk!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Saturday July 21, 2012
Updates on our visit to the amazing GF Strong to come!
Marley
ps. Greg's Artwork after power washing...think he's heard me say this a few times?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
(posted by Greg)
Monica has spent this week dealing with an absess tooth. After several visits to the dentist, endontist and oral surgeon, the recommendation was to remove the tooth that was causing the problem (pain and chipmunk-like swelling). So, the oral surgeon extracted the tooth this afternoon. Everything went well. Monica is in quite a bit of pain still and her face is still swollen but should start feeling better in a day or so. In the meantime, we have added antibiotics and pain-killers to her pill schedule.
Unfortunately, the timing for this tooth problem is not too good. Monica was to have an MRI tomorrow and her assessment at G.F Strong. We were able to re-schedule the MRI to Tuesday (immediately before the next scheduled visit to the oncologist). However, G.F. Strong could not re-schedule us until November, so Monica is going to try to tough out the assessment there tomorrow.
Monica has spent this week dealing with an absess tooth. After several visits to the dentist, endontist and oral surgeon, the recommendation was to remove the tooth that was causing the problem (pain and chipmunk-like swelling). So, the oral surgeon extracted the tooth this afternoon. Everything went well. Monica is in quite a bit of pain still and her face is still swollen but should start feeling better in a day or so. In the meantime, we have added antibiotics and pain-killers to her pill schedule.
Unfortunately, the timing for this tooth problem is not too good. Monica was to have an MRI tomorrow and her assessment at G.F Strong. We were able to re-schedule the MRI to Tuesday (immediately before the next scheduled visit to the oncologist). However, G.F. Strong could not re-schedule us until November, so Monica is going to try to tough out the assessment there tomorrow.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
(posted by Greg)
"Walk and Roll" - this is the new name that Monica and I came up with for our walks. This weekend we went for a walk both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, we walked down Cambie Street from King Edward to 8th Avenue (the Whole Foods Store). Once again it was an interesting walk -lots of different shops and restaurants- but once again it was easier going down that coming back up.
On Sunday, we met my brother Scott (who is working in Squamish for a week) at Stanley Park and walked the seawall again. This time we went counterclockwise and we enjoyed it again (the view changes around every corner.). Scott came over for breakfast after the walk and we had a nice visit.
Monica and went to a South Burnaby Metro Club bbq on Sunday afternoon and had a good time and a good visit with our SBMC friends.
This week will be fairly busy - MRI on Thursday and G.F. Strong on Friday.
"Walk and Roll" - this is the new name that Monica and I came up with for our walks. This weekend we went for a walk both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, we walked down Cambie Street from King Edward to 8th Avenue (the Whole Foods Store). Once again it was an interesting walk -lots of different shops and restaurants- but once again it was easier going down that coming back up.
On Sunday, we met my brother Scott (who is working in Squamish for a week) at Stanley Park and walked the seawall again. This time we went counterclockwise and we enjoyed it again (the view changes around every corner.). Scott came over for breakfast after the walk and we had a nice visit.
Monica and went to a South Burnaby Metro Club bbq on Sunday afternoon and had a good time and a good visit with our SBMC friends.
This week will be fairly busy - MRI on Thursday and G.F. Strong on Friday.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
(posted by Greg)
Happily, Monica's condition continues to be stable. We are all in a comfortable routine: I am working quite a bit during the days- Marley and Monica are pretty active each day-we usually have a nice (mainly organic) dinner together- and often relax together in the evenings-and have quite a bit of quality time together or with family. I expect that our routine will change a bit if the weather continues to be good (maybe some short trips etc.) and I am expecting it to change quite a bit for Monica and I once Marley starts school at the end of August.
On Thursday last, Monica and I had dinner with friends at the Vancouver Golf Club. Monica was a bit nervous about getting around but, in the end, really enjoyed the dinner and the evening out. [I think we will have to so some more of this.]
Last weekend I had to meet a client downtown to get a signature. So, Monica and I went downtown early and had a nice long walk with the wheelchair around the downtown (Robson Strasse, Granville mall etc.). We both enjoyed the walk again and so went on Sunday to Stanley Park and walked the Seawall. (It had been quite a while since we had done this walk. We really enjoyed the views and the people-watching.) .
Monica has another Bev treatment tomorrow and will have a busy week next week. We have an appointment with the oncologist, some lab work and another MRI. As well, Monica will have her evaluation at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre where we hope that they can help with her muscle spasticity and, maybe even with some rehabilitation..
Happily, Monica's condition continues to be stable. We are all in a comfortable routine: I am working quite a bit during the days- Marley and Monica are pretty active each day-we usually have a nice (mainly organic) dinner together- and often relax together in the evenings-and have quite a bit of quality time together or with family. I expect that our routine will change a bit if the weather continues to be good (maybe some short trips etc.) and I am expecting it to change quite a bit for Monica and I once Marley starts school at the end of August.
On Thursday last, Monica and I had dinner with friends at the Vancouver Golf Club. Monica was a bit nervous about getting around but, in the end, really enjoyed the dinner and the evening out. [I think we will have to so some more of this.]
Last weekend I had to meet a client downtown to get a signature. So, Monica and I went downtown early and had a nice long walk with the wheelchair around the downtown (Robson Strasse, Granville mall etc.). We both enjoyed the walk again and so went on Sunday to Stanley Park and walked the Seawall. (It had been quite a while since we had done this walk. We really enjoyed the views and the people-watching.) .
Monica has another Bev treatment tomorrow and will have a busy week next week. We have an appointment with the oncologist, some lab work and another MRI. As well, Monica will have her evaluation at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre where we hope that they can help with her muscle spasticity and, maybe even with some rehabilitation..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)