9PM - I just got off the phone with Tim. It was a quick conversation, but very significant. You see, I called him on his cell and he answered it. He is keeping it tucked in to a pocket of the new North Face "Camelbak" hydration system that Amy picked up for him today (more on that later). He was able to take the cell out of the pocket, slide it open to answer and then hold it up to his ear. Again, his arm got tired quickly, but it was great to hear him answer his own phone. PLEASE: don't call him yet, unless he requests a call from you. Thanks.
Fortunately, Amy had brought me up to date this evening, so I didn't have to catch up on too much. Today was the 1st day on the Locomat, and Tim said it was great to stand up. It took about 30 minutes to get set up, and then he "walked" for about 15 minutes. He described the feeling as "being able to feel his legs hurt, sort of and his feet were tingly." According to the therapist, that was good. His blood pressure was fine and on we go to the next steps - FES bike tomorrow and Locomat again on Friday. Just around the corner is Bioness H200, which will use the FES technology on his hands and arms. http://www.bioness.com/products/h200.htm
OT today was a field trip to Half Time Pizza on Causeway Street for lunch, with his three therapists and Amy. She said that they had a tough time keeping up with him on the walk over. After that, it was over to Mass General for a CT scan to be sent back to Dr. Kantrowitz at BMC.
So, the Camelbak - Tim wanted one of these to prepare for his trips off campus. With this device, he can keep plenty of water with him, and it will stay cold and be easily accessible. It will hang off the back of his chair.
Mail bag: a gift pack arrived from our friends Sheila and Dick from Avon, 3 David Saderis books on tapes from the Yarmos (Uncle John will enjoy sharing those with Tim, as will we!), and a nice note from West Stockbridge native Joanne Campbell of Lexington. The room remains colorful and cheery as new flowers arrived from Mrs. Young, new superintendent of schools in Lenox, and Shrewsbury relatives Roberta, Dick and Gladys.
Tim's spirits were lifted today by a visit from our neighbors Mark, Pat and Carolyn who took a late afternoon off from their north shore vacation to hop into town. Uncle John also stopped by a little later. He'd been shut out the past couple of nights due to "too much going on" at Spaulding, so was able to get caught up.
Amy ended her day with a ride home via Peter Pan, and I picked her up in Lee. Thanks to those good folks for providing us with some deeply discounted tickets. We enjoyed a nice home cooked and tasty meal from Jane in Lee (I also need to mention last night's dinner that was dropped off by Brian - homemade sausage for me and Portabello Gratin for vegetarian Jancy) which really did make a difference in settling down after long days for both of us. One last news item about Tim - his has decided to grow out his beard again, but shave his mustache. See you around town!
Fortunately, Amy had brought me up to date this evening, so I didn't have to catch up on too much. Today was the 1st day on the Locomat, and Tim said it was great to stand up. It took about 30 minutes to get set up, and then he "walked" for about 15 minutes. He described the feeling as "being able to feel his legs hurt, sort of and his feet were tingly." According to the therapist, that was good. His blood pressure was fine and on we go to the next steps - FES bike tomorrow and Locomat again on Friday. Just around the corner is Bioness H200, which will use the FES technology on his hands and arms. http://www.bioness.com/products/h200.htm
OT today was a field trip to Half Time Pizza on Causeway Street for lunch, with his three therapists and Amy. She said that they had a tough time keeping up with him on the walk over. After that, it was over to Mass General for a CT scan to be sent back to Dr. Kantrowitz at BMC.
So, the Camelbak - Tim wanted one of these to prepare for his trips off campus. With this device, he can keep plenty of water with him, and it will stay cold and be easily accessible. It will hang off the back of his chair.
Mail bag: a gift pack arrived from our friends Sheila and Dick from Avon, 3 David Saderis books on tapes from the Yarmos (Uncle John will enjoy sharing those with Tim, as will we!), and a nice note from West Stockbridge native Joanne Campbell of Lexington. The room remains colorful and cheery as new flowers arrived from Mrs. Young, new superintendent of schools in Lenox, and Shrewsbury relatives Roberta, Dick and Gladys.
Tim's spirits were lifted today by a visit from our neighbors Mark, Pat and Carolyn who took a late afternoon off from their north shore vacation to hop into town. Uncle John also stopped by a little later. He'd been shut out the past couple of nights due to "too much going on" at Spaulding, so was able to get caught up.
Amy ended her day with a ride home via Peter Pan, and I picked her up in Lee. Thanks to those good folks for providing us with some deeply discounted tickets. We enjoyed a nice home cooked and tasty meal from Jane in Lee (I also need to mention last night's dinner that was dropped off by Brian - homemade sausage for me and Portabello Gratin for vegetarian Jancy) which really did make a difference in settling down after long days for both of us. One last news item about Tim - his has decided to grow out his beard again, but shave his mustache. See you around town!
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