Offensive Linemen not doing stupid stuff while singing

Two days to go - I think Alex knows the hours actually but I am saying two days to go.

Let's be clear - I am not an Offensive Lineman
Alex's PT doesn't want him to walk, she wants him to walk like everyone else in the end which means every step he takes now has to be the right mechanics even if it doesn't get him far.  Alex has to WORK (and I love it!).  PT introduced a glute and ab workout that I am not sure most adults could do to be honest.  It was intense, it involved medicine balls, yoga balls and balance.  There were leg lifts, out and backs, squats, and absolutely no bunny rabbit hopping on his left leg.  Oh yes, the words 'Don't be a bunny rabbit' came out so from now on, I might call him Hopper.

We already knew about the leg brace Alex would be but that is nothing compared to what was added on Wednesday.  The PT brought Alex out a big black brace, to which he said - that is an O Lineman brace and I am not an O Lineman.  At 127ish pounds, Alex could never be mistaken for an O Lineman - just saying, but he now has the knee hardware.  The reason for this is so he doesn't snap his knee back when working on his leg strength causing more damage in the long run.  With this brace, Alex can get up and down stairs and walk much easier.  And, come on, it kind of looks neat as he is kind of robotic now.

Don't do stupid stuff list
Part of the therapy schedule included Recreational Therapy.  This is the fun part of therapy, literally, they play games, that (of course) also are working on skills to be integrated in the world and not be 100% focused on the next step you have to take.  As Alex is only in BIR for tow more days of meetings, today's TR was the delivery of the Safety List.  What is the Safety List you ask?  It is the Don't be a Dumb Ass or do Stupid Stuff list.  We have decided (the adults anyway) that this list should be used for every teenage boy, or girl for that matter, as it is just common sense.  It took a half hour to go through this list but 25 minutes of it was Alex joking with the therapy student as she was adorable and closer in his age to him than me.

It's the Fun - with a musical spin

• "Ain't that a kick in the head"  Played by our awesome announcer as I walked up to the field on Tuesday night's game.  It was perfect timing, and I think it was planned as he winked at Mom as he played it. HA!

• Sweet Caroline is always sung in the middle of the 5th inning by Jesuit Rangers - possibly to taunt the other team's pitcher who is warming up.  Alex heard it through the radio last week but there wasn't a broadcast this week so I ran down to hold up the phone for him.  When we told the boys to sing louder, they tried and the DH said - "I just don't have the pipes to carry the whole team!" with a sly smile.  Apparently not true as it had everyone laughing...

• In baseball, you get to pick your walk up song.  We have decided Alex's should be...

Elephants are my favorite animal but right now, it's all about the duck and the pig

Food, therapy, food, HE IS GOING HOME FRIDAY FOR OUTPATIENT THERAPY meeting, therapy, family, food.  Did you get the important part?

Not just Sudoku, but 3D Sudoku with colors?  I am out.
OT teaches you how to function in the world independently.  Okay, that is a very simplified way of putting that so please don't get offended if you are an OT and reading this.  Clearly this blog is through the eyes of two people how really have no expertise in PT or OT unless you are talking about playing time and overtime. But I digress.

His lovely OT had him doing a 3D Sudoku that was with colors and different block shapes.  This had to be done in 30 minutes and the OT had never seen anyone finish it before - Alex came with mere blocks of solving the puzzle and asked if he could finish it in his afternoon session.  It is moments like this that I realize he might not actually be my kid (as I would have just made pretty pictures) and that I am reminded how lucky we are that his cognitive function wasn't effected by this unfortunately accident.  He says he almost finished it that after by the way, so I wonder if they will work on it today....

So PT did not include the big stick but did include stairs and squats.  He told me he could hear his Strength and Conditioning Coach in the back of his head yelling at 'lazy slackers' about the right way to do squats.  He was doing great considering he has to put all his energy into not snapping back or hyper extending his knee.  Butt out, chest up - better than I would do I assure you!   He also learned the freaky feeling of E-stim therapy which is electrical stimulation.  This doesn't hurt but does try to wake up the muscles he needs to fire.  Bill offered to hook one up for him at home but somehow I think that wouldn't be the same thing.

So there is this big game...
The meeting with the doctors went better than we could have all hoped for - even Alex with his high standards.  We have the best team of doctors that are very supportive of Alex and his journey.  They gave him the good news that he could be discharged and home on Saturday morning.  After they told us the other details on what that meant, I decided (as a sometimes protective mama bear - a right that I deserve) to see what I could do as I saw the kid's spirit crush a little when he realized he would miss the last regular season home game and senior night.  I asked if we could jail break him Friday night for the game if we promised to be super careful and bring him right back.  This is when his Doctor became the super hero of the hour - she said 'Let's just discharge him Friday morning then! No reason to miss another game and I think you have earned it!'  Okay, I have seen a lot of joy and pain, happiness and frustration out of Alex (and all of us to be honest) this week but that moment?  His eyes sparkled like he was just told he was taking of Disney but wouldn't have to work, just live in the park and have fun for the rest of his days.  That moment Alex knew all his hard work had paid off and convinced him to work even harder as he KNOWS he will continue to beat expectations and be just another kid walking down the hall in no time.    He went into his next PT session informing me that he was going to work even harder as he knew he had drops left in the tank.  I have always been a person who appreciates the small things in life and was raised as one who meets ever challenge as an adventure but after seeing Alex go through this with the grace he has shown at 17?  Well that just cements that I will continue to live my life that way!

The Boss - and the Boss ladies who delivered
The other day, Saturday (in what seems like a year or two ago), I brought Alex The Boss from Ruthie's Food Truck and tweeted a picture with a caption about how The Boss sandwich was going to help him kick ass in therapy.  To my surprise, the amazing ladies at Ruthie's reached out to me and let me know they were praying for Alex and would love to come see him!  HOLY COW!!!!  I mean HOLY PIG!!!  So yesterday, after therapy and the excitement of our meeting, the two lovely ladies, Robin & Kelly came and met Alex in his room!!! They brought a bag of goodies - yes, including free sandwich coupons and a hat - and talked with him about his experience and how he was their Man of the Month.  I cannot even explain to you how amazing this is - the owners of our favorite food truck took time out of their day to come see Alex and just talk with him!  They passed along prayers and hugs from all their drivers.  They sat with him in the bed and talked about the duck.  They laughed with all of us and brought more sunshine into rehab.  They also brought us some amazing Live Love Pop! popcorn as the owner had heard Alex's story (she offices next door to Ruthie's) and was not only praying for him but also wanted him to have some good snacks!  I cannot even tell you how blessed we are as a family.  Not only do we have family and friends praying for us, but complete strangers are not only praying but are embracing Alex and supporting him in his journey!  Just amazing!!!



It's the fun

• Bill "I am sure I can lift us on this, put on the belt and I will try it out."  Oh yes, there is a lift and lots of buttons in this new room and someone wants to try it out very badly...
• Nurse "I like this room, I only have to worry if I come in and there isn't laughter!"  We laugh in here, a lot. At each other, with each other, it doesn't matter - we just laugh
• Erin "There is a big game Friday night..."  Doctor  "We don't do therapy on Friday night anyway so let's just switch it to Friday.  We have to have our priorities and the big game is a big one!"  She came in later and talked to just Bill & I and shared that Alex's continued involvement with his teams over the past week and a half has only helped drive his therapy goals and could only help more.
• Buddy "I got something to remind you what to do when you see a ball coming your way...it's a duck"  This was last week but bears repeating as this duck is now a fixture in room 300 and a comforting snuggle for adults and kids alike when needed
• OT "I want a cool pink therapy belt - ours our so blah!"  Talking about the once hated and now love pink PT belt that Alex wears just in case someone needs to grab him and stop a fall
• Chocolate shakes, KFC fried chicken bowls and Ruthie's - with food like that, how can a teenage boy not succeed?  He is going to be so sad when he realizes I will be cooking again when we get home...

But it's a button - it is supposed to be touched

Bill:  Time to put on gloves and start touching stuff.
Alex:  I swear, stop pressing buttons.  You are going to break something.
Bill: I just want to press the buttons to see the menu.
Alex:  Stop!
Bill:  I don't want to stop.  I want to see what happens when I press them.
Alex:  Stop!
Bill:  There is a lift!  It needs to work!
Nurse:  You pressed the call button?
Alex:  DARN IT BILL!!! YOU PRESSED THE CALL BUTTON
Nurse:  When you press a the button, it lights up and I have to come running.
Nurse:  Why are you pressing buttons?
Bill:  Because it needs to work!
Alex:  We need him in a full straight jacket.  Zip up bed and shackles.
Nurse:  Oh I like you guys.
Bill:  Which one of y'all gets lifted?  Someone is going up.  That's it, I am putting on the belt.
Alex: I don't need my belt on your ass.  Take it off.
Bill:  Get up and make me.
Alex:  Oh I will be getting you, leave the buttons alone.

Seriously, laughter is the best medicine.  I am very healthy.

Dancing the the rain with a big stick and the world on your side.

Suitcases might not be a bag with a zipper, handle and wheels.  Today, Alex's suitcase was a rolling  bed side table and a hospital bed as he moved from a semi-private (and really small) room to a private room (Room 300) with his very own bathroom and room to actually move around.  Yes, we sang 'movin' on up' while moving...

Speak Softly and carry a big stick
Rehab is in full force and Alex got a massive walking stick to move around with instead of the walker.   We are told this is kinda big deal (hee hee hee) as it means progress!!!  After a morning of evaluations (again) and block puzzles that I know I couldn't solve.  No, really, you probably couldn't either as they involve looking at a picture and using the preset shapes to copy the picture.  This made my head hurt just watching let alone typing it again.  Anyway - he, of course, did very well at this as he has an oddly logical brain (despite the fact that he is my kid).  His OT tech is going to graduate him to a video game this week.  Of course he is because teenage boys need that, right?  Uh huh, sure they do Mr. not much older than my son OT guy.  Of course, if it works, I am all for it but still I feel like bribes are happening.

After lunch, Alex got to experience PT - the real deal.  Of course, Jesuit men never go through journeys alone, even in the examines they are aware that many others are meditating with them so while the journey may be on their own literally, they are not alone.  Alex had a few supporters with him for this first hour.  To his surprise, coaches from his sports and more showed up to surprise him and take him down to therapy.  No really, they planned it, left school and rearranged schedules to surprise Alex.  I know I am a broken record but the support we have received from friends, family and our Jesuit community - Jesuit family - has been amazing.  There aren't words and clearly Alex & I are really good at using words.  I am not ashamed to say I let the nurse turn off the lights and close the blinds and I slept for best 45 minutes since last Sunday as I knew Alex was at PT with a group who loved him and not going through a minute alone.  And those guys?  Well, they can heckle and support with the best of them and that was good enough for me.  In Alex's words - "It motivated me and was awesome.  I got to show them I was doing great and trying really hard and would be back in no time."    The PT team on the 2nd floor - the gym - was shocked and moved by the show of support.  According to our Saturday PT who was down there, as soon as we saw the Jesuit shirts we knew this kid had more support and couldn't help but succeed.  Just awesome.

from left to right - Coach Jones, Coach Weeks, Coach Hickman, Coach Hill, Coach Ackels, Coach Gavin & Coach Alexander.  And our lucky charm in the middle of course, with his big stick.

Dancing in the rain - it's a Reilly thing
For the first time, I didn't give Alex a choice about going outside.  After laughing with Grandma & Pop Pop about the bed alarm being put on again - yes, despite the note on his board and order for no alarm in his chart it was put on again and we (well, not Alex) found this to be hilarious - trying to help with the count back from 100 test and doing it wrong - I decided it was time for Alex to go outside.  This was the first time since last Monday (roughly 6:08pm).  I wheeled him out to the patio and we sat and talked.  Then the emotions came out of Alex.  He didn't cry, he ranted.  He is pissed that he is in rehab; pissed that he is hurt and can't walk; pissed that he wasn't there to celebrate with his team for their district clinch and Coach Jones' 300th win; pissed that he missed cheering for the Tall One's state rugby championship.  Alex is pissed he has to use a wheelchair or a big stick.  He is angry and he finally got it all out and you know what?  I am proud of him for that too.  Since last Monday, I know he has been tired and frustrated.  I know he has been disappointed.  He kept it all to himself and it all came out at once and that is a GREAT show of emotion.  That kind of honesty with himself and me will give him the strength to go on during those bad times, and we all have bad times.  It was at the end of the rant that light rain drops came down and I decided (he thinks I am crazy anyway) that it was time for us to dance in the rain so we did.  We wheeled him around in circles and back and forth in the light rain and danced together.  It needed to happen - sometimes you just dance it out.  I will think back on that moment with peace the rest of my life and hope someday he does too.  Once back inside Alex decided that I need cognitive testing of my own as clearly, I am crazy and you know what?  I am good with that.

Whataburger - it's a southern thing
The Tall One came down after the dinner tray was delivered bringing the golden meal to Alex as the food?  Well, it's just bad here.  No way to get around that - just awful.  Bill & I left so the boys could do their thing only to come back with the Tall One camped out in the bed going through the benefits of this adventure with Alex.  The top three?

1. Handicapped placard - Ideal parking for Alex & the Tall One is a big deal
2. Extra time for school - it occurred to the boys that oh yeah, school still exists but Alex doesn't have to stress about it...
3. Junk food - girls get flowers in the hospital, boys get Tiff's treats and candy.

Massage leg things - the pads they put on your legs to enhance circulation made the list for a minute until the Tall One tried them on his own, then those got taken off the list and it was decided Alex also needs a massage chair.

It's the fun

• Alex "Um, that's not counting back by 7 - that is in fact wrong.  And they are testing me for brain issues?"  Pop Pop is our math guy but even the math guy can make a mistake, or two.
• Bill "What does this button do?  Or this button?  I have gloves on so I am allowed to touch all the buttons"  Bill likes the buttons on the bed (and putting on the gloves by the door) so much so that he pushes them, a lot.  Good news is that Alex seems to be gaining .1 pounds an hour per the bed scale...
• Erin "Let's dance it out" Alex "No." Erin "Um, I am the one pushing you so I win."  Alex "Aren't you supposed to be nice to me? Oh wait, if y'all stop teasing me I will know I am going to die."  As a family, we tease, it is how we show we love and if we stop?  Oh hell, just head to the light folks.
• Coaches "Time for the heckling man!  Don't think we are going to let you slide on this PT session!"  Best medicine ever.
• Grandma "They put the bed alarm on again? BWHAHAHAHAHA"  We all seemed to find this hilarious.  Well, not Alex, he was rather irritated but that just made it funnier for us...

Toes, Bikes & the Cup

Sunday - day of rest unless you are Alex.  Although he has decided that it was boring here too as he only had one 45 minute session of physical therapy and apparently that is not enough when you are Alex.

Sunday - Pun day
Two of Alex's buddy showed up early Sunday morning.  They were a shock of energy (Alex's words exactly) that kick started the day.  A couple hours of discussion on important things like sports and then came the pun war.  Thus the pun entry from yesterday.  It has me in stitches and certainly lifted Alex's spirits.  Then the best part of our week happened.  Unlike most visits where the kids don't talk about Alex's injury and avoid touching him, these two had no such hang ups.  One of them decided it was time for Alex to move his foot so he grabbed his Achilles tendon and OH MY GOSH HIS TOES MOVED.  We were all cheering and yelling, probably waking the entire floor but HIS TOES MOVED!!! Now Alex seems to think this doesn't count because he didn't do it himself but Alex is wrong.  He moved his toes and for that?  We celebrate.  Later at the rugby state tourney, I was greeted many times with "Alex moved his toes! YEAH!"  See?  Good news travels fast in our village.

Sunday - Fun day, even in therapy
Sunday is the light day at the house of Rehab located on the second floor of Baylor Rehab.  Or so Ale thought.  He did the sit down bike (from his wheelchair) with resistance for 25 minutes.  He went 5.486 miles and claims he was cheating by pushing and pulling with his left leg.  Silly boy, like the PT - despite the fact that she was a student - does he not realize they have seen it all?  With resistance as high as it was, there is no way to cheat!  Following his finish down the Champs Elysees (he was racing in the Tour de France), he got to do leg lifts with both legs.  Always an overachiever when it is remotely sports related, he happily did the 5 extra on each leg.  It wasn't until he got back to his room that he realized how exhausting PT, even on light Sunday Funday, can be when you are learning how to walk.

Let's eat cereal from the cup!
In the afternoon, Bill & I went back to Jesuit to cheer Billy and the Jesuit Rugby team in the state championship.  AND THEY WON!!!!!!  We are so proud of these boys, our senior leaves Jesuit a state champ with his rugby family - so awesome.  Of course, the cup has to be a thing of fun so they boys talked about bringing it to school and eating cereal out of it.  They can't drink beer after all ;)

It's the fun

• Buddy "You moved really well!"  Alex "I had a butt cramp."  Ahh, teenage honesty
• Buddies "You moved your toes!!!!" Alex "You moved my toes" Buddies "You are wrong and can't chase us so we are right and you are wrong."  Visitors - some of the best therapy
• Alex "Hey state champ!" answering the phone when the Tall One called to rehash the game and talk basketball playoffs.  Not sure who was more proud, Alex or the Tall One!
• Pun war  - anyone who knows these boys have experienced the laugh until you *almost* pee experience of this pun war
• Me "Mom is that you?"  Yes, you run into people in the bathroom at rehab if you are a person who notices shoes.
• Alex "If they give me tofu, I will hurt someone." followed by "This is ketchup paste, NOT pasta sauce. "  The food here isn't quite what it was at the last hospital and he'll eat anything (except for tofu and ketchup paste!)

Rush Hour - it's how he feels about walking and the game he is playing

They say you truly don't understand Occupational Therapy (OT) versus Physical Therapy (PT) until you experience it.  Well now, we certainly do!

Evaluations...like test only easier.  
OT & PT evaluations started for Alex today.  Of course he faced them with the dedication and drive we have seen all week.  OT was playing Rush Hour.  Do you remember what Rush Hour is?  It is a car puzzle game where you have to get the red car out of the lot.  It is a logic puzzle that sounds easy until you have to do it standing up with a leg you can't control and you pick the hardest level card because you are convinced you can work it out.  All of your focus is on the strength in your leg making the game more challenging and that is exactly the point.  Alex took one break to relax and sit down then right back at it until the car was out.

PT was all about ballet.  Okay, not really but kind of and that makes me giggle so ballet it is.  He worked with parallel bars to balance and reallocate energy to the right leg.  As he can't engage his right leg, ankle or foot yet, it is a lot harder than it sounds.  The PT would put a stair under him so that he would rest his leg up and have to balance (with her help and the omnipresent pink PT belt firmly in place) on his right leg.  She would then try to push him out of the position.  I got to see this first hand as I will soon be 'certified' to be able to help him move around without a nurse/PT present using the belt.  Following his ballerina movements (it just makes me laugh to tell him that), he walked around the PT floor with the help of his walker, an orthotic that stabilizes his foot as he still can't control the ankle or foot.  He took a small break when he told the PT he was recognizing that he kicked his foot out and got lazy.  This is BIG as he felt he was doing it wrong.

Time to pop wheelies
Because of the drive and dedication Alex has shown towards his recovery, they have decided that he can go anywhere he wants on the property in his wheelchair with friends or family.  He is working hard and they are recognizing it!  There is a great patio off of PT...just saying.  His buddies have decided there will be wheelchair races ala Scrubs.  Hey - if it keeps him motivated, I bet he could get away with it!

Moooo.....
Jesuit Rugby was playing in the first round of the playoffs yesterday so I was back and forth between rehab and Jesuit.  In fact, the only regular event we have had in this whole week is the fact that we are spending a lot of time at Jesuit :).  Coming back from the amazing rugby victory, I decided average fast food just wouldn't do for lunch so off to food trucks I went.  Actually, I was cutting through down town and had to call my food guru to find out where Klyde Warren Park was but I digress.  Nothing less that Ruthie's The Boss would do to motivate success today.  Actually, it was because - months ago - Alex was telling me about this AMAZING sandwich that he got from some truck with a pig on it and I told him about the AMAZING one I had and they ended up being the same place - Ruthie's Food Truck.  He might not admit it, but all his good stuff?  He gets that from me of course (just go with it - give me this one please), Anyway - I got us The Boss (although I really want to try the grilled cheese so that might happen later this week).  When I got to the room, some of his baseball guys were there so of course I offered them a bite.  No one took me up on it (they preferred the cookies) so I promised - if you guys win out the season (2 games to go) - Ruthie's sandwiches for each of you.  And they better hold me to it because I will deliver.

Back to the field - not as easy as I thought it would be
Alex asked me to go the baseball game and support his guys so, of course, I couldn't let him down.  I am not going to lie - walking back to that field wasn't easy knowing the last time he was on it this adventure started.  There was a high puncture the sky kind of pop fly to shallow center.  I didn't like watching it and kept saying - catch it. don't let it hit you. catch it right now.  The home runs flew in the game - these kids stepped up and finished that 13-1 victory in 5 innings.  It was the district clincher and win #300 for his coach.  The team celebrated with a picture on the field, silly Jesuit posed letters (by humans - yup you can laugh now), and videos.  I had to get out of the stands and hide for a minute behind my very dark sunglasses.  He should have been there celebrating.  He should have been there in the dog pile, in the pictures, on the letters in the line up.  I know he wanted to be there - and was there in spirit for sure.  Moment of honesty people - yes, we are strong when our kids need us to be, that is what parents do.  However, at that moment?  At that moment I was ready to quit being strong and cry. I was hurt for my kid that he was missing out.  Then I got over it because it was time to celebrate on the field with the parents and Alex would be there soon enough.  So I went out and took a pic to send to the kid.  In the words of Tom Hanks - there is no crying in baseball.

Zzzzzs
PT is hard. Alex thinks he isn't doing much work and gets angry that he us worn out.  That is crazy but I get it.  He is a 17 year old boy who thinks he is invincible and the super hero cape isn't helping him fly right now.  This mental trial is something he is going to have to work through and is part of the journey.  He is tired but gets jazzed up by people - not seeing people and being reminded of all those pulling for him to get out is his kryptonite.  The motor skills issue isn't.

Moment of thanks
A moment isn't enough, but that is what we have right now so let us take it.  Thank you to everyone who has visited, called, texted, tweeted, FBd, SnapChatted, instagrammed, taken selfies etc.  Thanks for the hugs when you see us outside of the building or for the non-judgement shoulder when we have a weak moment or chink in the armor.  Thanks for taking time to walk up with a joke about the situation or a tender word - both are equally as helpful.  This week our family has lived a year in a week (thanks for the perfect way of putting that Mom) and it is effecting all of us from the dogs, to the kids, to the adults.  I have always said it takes a village and right now?  Wow - this village is big and going way above and beyond.

It's the fun

• Coach "He hit another homer after visiting Alex and you know us baseball superstition guys.  Maybe Alex should stay a little further into the playoffs, you know he respects the baseball gods!"  And you know what?  He does and if it was a sure thing that Jesuit would win state if he was in a hospital room, he would move in for sure!
• Buddy "I got into that cookie cake.  I used to get them and put them in my passenger seat."  It is vital to have snacks in a boy room.  And apparently, the chocolate chip variety of snacks are the the key.
• Buddy "You don't mess with the Jesuit family.  We are the Jesuit Mafia and no one can stop us."  Never has that been more true than this week and they have risen to the occasion.
• Alex "We are having a party in here - I got half the team and more friends. Gotta go."  When I called seeing if I needed to come down before my HoF dinner for a spirit lift.  He didn't even want to talk to me...sigh and yeah all at once.  Okay, much more yeah than sigh!
• Seeing all his different friends interact...at first, they don't know what to think with each other but after 2 minutes?  It's like they all have known each other all their lives and Alex is throwing a big dorm room party and not stuck in bed.
• Alex "I have to deal with my own emotional bullshit so I moved to my chair, turned on hockey and am chilling." after a rough night of 'I just want to move my hamstrings so they can fire everything else up' in response to my question if I needed to come back down.  This might not seem funny, but to us?  It very much is.  Game on my friends.  Game on.

Teenage boys and their puns...an important part of therapy!

J:  I was going lay puns on you...Actually I just don't have the balls #sorrynotsorry
I knew that pun would be a hit
Are you looking for more puns?  I just have to let them fly.
S:  They might be a home run with him, but you are striking out with me.
J:  Man that was out of left field
I think it is good to have base for them or they are foul
A:  You are just having a ball
J:  I might take a short stop, but  will always have an out
S:  It's a walk in the park
J:  There are mounds of puns in this park
What a relief - I came up with another one
S:  You have to slug on through
At this point, they are a dime (ond) a dozen
J:  That was a swing and a miss
S:  I was shut out.