Call me Jenny...

WE have an official release date....








JULY 2nd!!!




We are so excited....OK Cory is really excited. I am scared out of my mind. Yes it will be nice for him to finally be home for good, yes it will be nice to not have to drive 50miles a day, but this is going to be a LOT of work...so please keep the prayers coming MY way now ha ha I am kind of joking...I am excited too.

So today was different. This morning we had another really early morning. at 8 am Cory had a huge meeting (around 25 people) to assess his walking abilities (or the lack there of) and decide on what kind of braces Cory will need to help him be able to walk. Right now Cory has a few issues with his walking and so the braces should actually help him a lot. It was really intimidating for Cory though because he had to walk with his walker and his PT Nate holding him up in front of all these people and they were all talking about him as if he wasn't even in the room. The other interesting thing that he did was he was video taped for "educational" purposes for other people to see how crappy he is walking and see if they can learn how to properly diagnose him. So ya pretty much Cory is a movie star now...get your autographs now they are going to be worth something very soon.

After the evaluation they cast his legs. Oh and Cory got to pick out a cool color for his braces. We will debut them at a later date. I really just can't wait for the day that I can say "run Forrest...run" (that's why you can call me jenny) and the braces break off his legs as he runs as fast as he can...hey a girl can dream right.

Cory also got signed up for cooking class today. It was a lot of fun. He made cupcakes and did a dang good job, with hardly any spills. I was seriously amazed. The other people in the class were funny. This one lady looked and sounded just like Paula Dean...Cory and I were laughing with her the entire time. After she left the therapists said they had never see her smile as much as she did today so it made me feel good that we could make someone happy.

Cory also got another day pass for Sunday. Hopefully we will have a little bit more time to relax this week. But then again this is Cory we are talking about so I am sure he will have some crazy agenda. Also, next week Cory will get to go out with the therapists WITH OUT me so they can see how independent he is, so that should be fun.

Well that's pretty much it for today. I am sure I will have a lot to update after Cory's day home on Sunday.

Time flys where you are having fun!!!

So we have a lot to update...

First, the Dr. said that after he looked again at the ultra sound results and consulted with the ultra sound tech. that he feels like everything should be fine. The blood clots are there but they are small enough to be taken care of with medicine. Cory is now sporting some very sexy thigh high compression socks aka women's nylons but hey I guarantee that by the end of the week everyone will be coping his awesome fashion sense.

Now, last week Cory said that he had a surprise for me and said that sometime this week he was going to be getting a "day pass" to come home for one day. So I asked if he could get it for Sunday because it was his BIRTHDAY and FATHERS DAY!!!! and guess what he got it. We were so so so surprised.

So Sunday morning I got to the hospital at 6:30am we got him showered and dressed got the meds. and by 8:15 am we were on our way home. It was a little scary but very exciting. On Sat. I had come down to help Cory learn how to get in and out of the car and then how to fold up the wheel chair so that it would fit into the trunk. We have a big car but Cory wouldn't be able to get up into it so I brought Cory's dads small car....so in order to fit the wheel chair in I had to take it apart into what felt to me like a MILLION PIECES!!! and let me tell you I swear it turned into 2 million pieces in the HOT Arizona SUN!!! So after I loaded him and the chair up we were well on our way home.

When we got home Rubi was still in her bed so Cory got to go in and get her....she was SOOOOOO excited to see Dad at home. Then Rubi, Scotti and I gave Cory his first gift of the day which was a DVD that I made of pictures of this last year of Cory and his girls. He of course loved it and cried the whole time...it was really sweet.

Next, he was feeling so good that he decided that he wanted to go to church about an hour before it started...soooo on even a "normal" Sunday an hour wouldn't be a do-able task but some how we got to church and we were only 5 min late. It was really amazing for Cory to be there.

We decided to only stay for the first hour of church because we felt a little over whelmed. After church I still needed to get Cory's main gift and his family was coming over later that night so we needed to get some things for the PARTY!!! So we headed to Costco. YUP that's RIGHT I can now officially be committed to the LOONEY BIN!!!! I took Cory and Rubi. Cory pushed himself all around the store and enjoyed EVERY SAMPLE (no joke) he could get his hands on. I was on a mission to get the heck out of there so every time I turned around to make sure he was still following me I saw his little short head rolling to the next sample station. HAHA at the time I was too stressed to see the humor but now looking back it was pretty cute. He was loving it. And after all it was HIS birthday so I am glad he was enjoying himself. So 5 pizzas, 1 birthday cake, salad, his new VIDEO CAMERA (to help document this craziness, and 3 hot dogs later, we were finally done with our store outing.

Finally after getting in and out of the car (what felt to me like 50 more times) we finally made it back home. We relaxed there for a couple hours and then our extended family came over to help us Celebrate. It was a good time filled with dancing, eating, singing, DVD watching, and lots of talking. Thank you to all of our family for coming over and helping us celebrate not only Cory's birthday and fathers day but also Cory's first day home. We really enjoyed it.

So by 9:30pm we had tucked the girls into bed which was very bitter sweet and we took Cory back to the hospital for hopefully only 10 more days.

It was a lot of fun and a lot easier on Cory then he thought it would be....and a lot MORE work for me than we thought it would be but all in all it was good to see what life will be like when Cory finally gets home.

Now, yesterday, Monday the big thing that happened was Cory walked with a WALKER for the first time. I wasn't there but it is such a blessing that he is progressing so fast. We are so grateful for this HUGE MILESTONE. And then again today he was able to walk even farther and it was even easier for him.

thank you all for the prayers. I know that's what has made all of this possible.

PS.

This new song was put on per. request of one of Corys therapists. HA HA good song!!!

Prayers NEEDED!!

So I just wanted to give a quick update. So for the past few days I started noticing that Cory's lower legs have looked swollen and I mentioned it to the Dr. and therapists and I just figured it was from all the intense therapy Cory has been getting. So finally last night they decided to do an ultra sound of his legs and they found 2 blood clots.

The Dr. reviewed the results and wants to hold off on having surgery...please pray that the clots dissolve on their own.

Shout OUT!!!

So this is Cory and Chaney this time...Cory is going to talk and I am going to type.

Hey this is Cory...today was a great day even though I feel completely beat up right now. How do I start...today I slept in till 7:50 am and then much to my surprise they brought in my schedule and they said that my OT started at 8:00am today instead of 9 am so I was still trying to wake up when they came. Let me explain that in the mornings, I don't know why, but my body has been extremely sore and hard to move. It takes me quite awhile to get myself up and moving. I was happy today even though it was early because the reason for the early morning was because I got to shower myself today. I am going to go ahead and start using my therapist names...they have started reading the blog too so hopefully they wont mind. (if they do I am sure they will tell me)

Anyways, I got to have a wonderful shower today with my OT Lindsi and Jenn. Don't worry my wife knows...ha ha tomorrow Chaney is going to come help too. Its crazy after being in the hospital awhile your sense of modesty goes to pot because you really don't have a choice. By the way tomorrow is Lindsi's last day...She has been GREAT and I am really going to miss her a lot. We have had some dang good times.

Now for ST. I want to give a special SHOUT OUT to Vasanti, Jennifer and Jackie. I worked with Jackie today for the first time and she actually had me do the "icing" to myself. It was cool because we actually used "ice" today in addition to the special metal ice stick we usually use...it about froze my face off. After that she wanted to see the blog so today part of our ST therapy was actually reading the blog. She was a little disappointed at the LACK of commenting on the ST so we decided to give this special shout out to ST. I had ST twice this morning so Vasanti read the blog to me wile Jennifer did the icing to me. It was cool because I haven't gotten to read the blog a whole bunch. So thanks Jenn and Vasanti. I wish we would have commented more on ST because I know its so important but then again there are only so many ways you can describe facial icing. (oh and vasanti i am touching my nose right now)

Afterwards while I was waiting for PT my friend Bryant came to visit me. He was able to stay for my 1/2 hr of PT and the 1/2 hr break after so we were able to talk. It worked out great. I just want to say thanks to Bryant and everyone who have come to visit me it has really meant a lot to me and I really appreciate it. It was cool because Bryant got to see me in PT stand with the parallel barres.

After a lunch of baked ziti I went to motor skills class for the second time with Jerry who is a previous stroke victim. I like it because he understands what we are going through. We basically exercise our upper bodies with pvc pipe type weights because regular weights would be too heavy. Jerry sits there and tells stories and motivates us while we do it. I really like that.

Next in PT my therapists Nate did E-Stim on my legs/ankles. It was a little uncomfortable but nothing compared to some of the other pains that I have experienced. It was also cool because the electrical shock gave me sensation in my feet. I say that because I haven't had any sensation in my feet since this has all began that Sunday night. And even though it was a shocking sensation it felt good to feel something in my feet.

My other surprise during PT was my friend Chris walked in with a car magazine and a Chick-fil-A bag. Needless to say I was able to enjoy an awesome Chick-fil-a sandwich and fries while we sat and talked.

Later Chaney came and couldn't resist taking a picture of me and my sandwich.

Well...dinner just got here and Chaney is probably tired of typing so until next time.

Its ME CORY!!!!

Hi guys! Well, I got my trech out last week on Thursday at about 6 o'clock.

This is Chaney now, Cory typed that first line and then he got to tired to finish. It took him a good 5 min. to type that line. But hey I am proud that he did that much. I told him that he is going to have to start blogging his story because it will be good therapy.

Anyways, sorry I haven't blogged for a while, I have been a little selfish and I have been watching the show "So you think you can Dance" during the time that I would usually blog. My friend Ashley who I used to dance with made the top 20 so if you are into that show PLEASE VOTE FOR ASHLEY!!!

So like Cory said he did get his trech out...and let me tell you it was a happy day. Its so weird they do not even stitch it up after they take it out they just let it close on its own. I wasn't there when they took it out but it was pretty gross looking in the pictures seeing a huge black hole in his neck. But at least its out.

The other exciting thing that happened last week is that he is now able to push himself around in his own wheel chair. It scares us a little because of the numbness he still has in his hands but he is just careful not to get his fingers caught in the spokes.

Cory has been continuing to do so good. His strength is coming along remarkably fast. The therapists are all in awe. The Dr. said last Thursday that he thinks Cory will be able to come home in 3 weeks so now that means 2 1/2 from today. And let me tell you what Cory is ready.

In OT Cory learned in a simulation room how to get in and out of the shower on his own. He transfers from his wheel chair along a "slide board" that helps him make a bridge and then he slides across onto a shower chair in the tub. He also did the same technique to learn how to get onto the toilet. Wow it is amazing the things I take for granted. Its hard for Cory to do these things but he is such a trooper and keeps me and the therapists laughing the whole time. Seriously he comes up with some of the wittiest comments and he doesn't stop talking the whole time. I think it must be therapeutic for him haha. At least it keeps things interesting and entertaining for the rest of us.


Today in PT Cory was put in this crazy machine that suspends him in the air while standing and he was able to put weight on his legs and WALK!!!! it was amazing. but SOOOOOO PAINFUL!!!!! Tomorrow Cory is going to be Beat!!! He still has numbness everywhere so that is why it is so hard for him to type and do other fine motor skills but we are happy that his strength is coming back.

After therapy Cory was too tired to push himself around so I was able to take him outside for the FIRST TIME and we walked down the street and around the hospital a few times. It was so amazing for Cory to be able to look at the birds and grass and trees. He was kind of anxious and but excited and then he was sad because he just wants to go home. I am glad that we are getting close to that point because this has really been a loooong and rough hall for ALL OF US!!!

I am so so grateful and proud of Cory and all of the progress he is making. Today we were talking about some of the hard days that we have had from the lip reading (without his lips moving) and me not knowing what he wanted when he was paralyzed, to the long nights with nightmares. Its so hard for us to even remember how bad it was but I really am glad that I have blogged it and have taken pictures to remember all the BAD and GOOD things that have happened.

Cool Things are Happening...

Today was a really good day.

First of all Cory shaved his face all by himself. And he did a dang good job.

Second, in OT he was able to sit himself up on the side of the bed almost all by himself...THAT IS MAJOR!!!!

Then in PT Cory played tennis on the Wi while he was in the standing frame for almost 15 min. He said he did good until he started thinking about it haha. Then he did this machine where he was "bicycle peddling" with his hands for 10 min. straight. Sadly, right after that Cory felt really nauseated and he threw up. It was pretty bad. Luckily right after that he felt instantly better.

Next, Cory had ST and they continued with the icing therapy. We actually saw some really big improvements in his facial muscles. His left side has had a pretty good smile and movement and now his right side is starting to have twitching and some movement.

During lunch is when the most exciting thing happened. Cory was still feeling a little queezy from the above event but, while he was eating the stomach Dr. came in and looked at his g-tube and said "o I can take care of that" so he got a pair of scissors and snipped off part of the tube and then pulled it right out. It was crazy and Cory and I both were freaking out. It didn't even hurt. I got lots of pictures but I think I will wait to post them...they are a little graphic haha. And I also kept the feeding tube to show our familiy....now the last foreign object we need to get out of him is the trech....we are still working on that front.

Cory had a very busy day and he was pretty tired this afternoon but he was able to visit with a few friends today and that really made him happy. He even had the chance to talk to someone who recently has guillain-barre himself. I haven't had a chance to talk to Cory about all the details but it sounded like it really made him feel better to see someone else who had this same disease and make such an awesome recovery.

Still Moving Forward...

So Sat. Cory did get a new smaller trech. Its called a Jackson. Its metal which kind of scared us because metal seems so permanent compared to his plastic one that was originally put in. They say that its smaller so his trech site will close up a little more before we actually take it out all the way.

Sunday Cory was able to get a hair cut from his sister in law and he looks mighty dapper if I do say so myself. Thanks J you are the BEST!!! The girls got to come down on Sunday again. It is so good for Cory to see them.

Today Cory worked very very very hard in therapy. In PT they did a new exercises where they have a large 2' x 3' cylinder that he laied on top of and he had to roll himself backwards onto his knees. He said that it was SOOOOO hard and really painful and tiring.

Then in OT Cory got to do "DOG THERAPY" They bring in a dog and Cory threw toys to it. Then it would do tricks like rolling over and playing dead. He also practiced putting hair clips in the dogs hair. The dog was a Schnoodle and his name is Nietschze sounds like neee chee

Finally in ST he did the ice therapy two times. Also, part of speech therapy is cognitive tests. He does really well on all the tests and most times answers faster than I can. For example they asked him to count backwards from 50 by 3's. He did it really fast. However today he was asked to put a line OVER some words and he wasnt really paying attention and put a line UNDER the words. haha I think he would have done that no matter what condition he was in. Its funny how we all miss little details sometimes.

We just talked to the Dr. and we are still waiting to see when we can get the trech and the the g-tube out for sure. Cory has been having a lot of pain at his g-tube site so hopefully we will be able to get it out sooner than later.

The Girls

So I was able to bring the girls down to see Cory today. He was really happy to see them because I haven't had a chance to bring them to see him for a few weeks.

Cory was so funny he really wanted to have some "AMMO" when I brought Rubi so that she would want to come see him. Cory was fully loaded with Nerds candy and it totally worked. She climbed right up onto his lap and it brought tears to my eyes to see Cory holding his little girls for the first time in a month and a half. I know that he must have been having a lot of pain but he loves them so much he just suffered through it and didn't even care.

I was by myself when I brought them down so I forgot my real camera so the only shots I got were on my phone.

Cory worked very hard today and he was even able to stand in the frame for 10 mins.

Tomorrow they will be switching his trech to a smaller cuff less one and then if he does ok they will take it completely out Monday or Tuesday.

Good Day

I mentioned in some earlier posts that Cory's IV just popped out of his arm during a PT secession. Well ever since then he has had the WORST luck with IVs staying in him, or failing once the nurse finally gets it in. So finally 2 weeks ago at the skilled nursing facility they put a mid line in with the help of a specialists and so when he went to the hospital for his stay and now his rehab center he has refused to let them take it out at either place. At both places they have refused to use the mid line at first because they were not the ones who put it in but both times they have ended up using it because theirs DIDN'T WORK!!! Poor Cory has seriously 25 poke marks where people have tried and failed. With that said after deciding that finally we think he wont need his mid line any longer they took it out last night. Yeah one less foreign object in his body.

Also, the Dr. is hoping to take the trech and the g-tube out probably early next week!!!!!!

Today was a good day in therapies...In OT Cory did more arm exercises to build up is beautiful biceps. He also got some rubber bands to do exercises in bed and his favorite part was he got a huge wad of silly putty to help with his fine motor skills.

In ST Cory got the ice therapy again where they take these freezing cold metal sticks and rub them along different muscles in his face. We are seeing some big improvements in his facial muscles. He has an awesome half smile on his left side and he is now moving his left eye independently and can close it all the way if he really concentrates. His right side is still weak but Cory and I think its funny that when he tells jokes the nurses sometimes don't know if he is serious or kidding because his face just stays the same.

Finally in PT Cory got very worn out. They started him on the double barres and just stood him up for a second. This was very very difficult and the therapists and his "Muscle" (his name is Larry) were standing on either side of him pretty much holding him up because he is still to weak to do it on his own. Since Cory is still pretty unsteady and in so much pain they decided to put him in the standing frame and he was able to stand for about 5 min. before the pain became unbearable. Cory says that as soon as he puts any weight on his legs, feet and hips he feels excruciating pain and like his energy gets immediately ZAPPED out of him.

All in all in was a good day.

And it begins...

Yesterday was spent meeting all of Cory's new therapists. Everyone seems really nice but last night Cory was really anxious for todays new adventure. He did give HIMSELF a sponge bath yesterday its was AWESOME!!!

Today Cory's new schedule began. In order to be accepted to the acute rehab facility he was required to be able to withstand 3 hrs of therapy a day and guess what....

HE DID IT!!!

He is very tired this afternoon now that all of his therapy is done for the day. Just for my documents this is how his day went:

OT 9:30-10:00= He learned how to get dressed. Which included how to pull his shorts up and put on a shirt. He did another sponge bath, brushed his teeth and got into his wheel chair.

PT 10:30= He learned how to roll over on a mat in the gym. This will help him learn how to get out of bed on his own. He also learned how to sit up. His muscles are still way too weak to do any of this on his own but at least his muscles are getting the memory of how to move again.

Speech Therapy 12:00-12:30= Cory ate lunch with the ST and they decided that Cory is ready for SOFT FOODS so I will be going out for Cheese Burgers for dinner. :)

OT 1:00-1:30= They measured his "pinch" strength in his fingers and this "grip" strength in his hands and they discovered that his left had is exactly 1/2 as strong as his right. Also, they had a peg board with 12 pegs and she timed Cory taking the pegs out and putting them back in.

Speech Therapy 12:00-12:30= They did a technique called "icing" and they ice different parts of Corys face and then it stimulates those facial muscles.

PT 3:00-3:30= Cory practiced in his own bed sitting up and more strength training.

All in all it was a very busy day. He is doing really well and feeling very encouraged. They said that they hope he will be out of here in 4 to 6 weeks. O HAPPY DAY!!!

Last side note WE HAVE MOVEMENT IN HIS TOES!!!!! I was so excited to see it. Again it was very slight but by golly it was there.

8th and hopefully final

So since this whole ordeal started we have moved 7 times and hopefully tonight we made our 8th and final move before we go HOME!!!!

This afternoon Cory was accepted by the acute rehab center. So at about 6 pm tonight we went ahead and made the move. We were a little sad though that we didn't get to go back to our skilled nursing facility to say goodbye to all of the amazing people who worked with Cory. However, I have a feeling they haven't seen the last of us. Cory has expressed to me a number of times that he will go back to all of the places that he has been treated and visit not only the wonderful people that helped him get through this but also patients. He really feels the need to GIVE BACK after all is said and done. He has already been sharing some very cleaver plans that he has. I wont share them with you now but I am sure that if you follow the blog long enough you will see them come to pass.

Anyways, the most exciting things that happened today were first....HE HAS MOVEMENT IN IS ANKLES!!!!! Its very micro but if you look close there is no denying that its there. He is also having A LOT of PAIN in his feet which is GREAT!!!! Every time he starts having this really bad nerve pain in parts of his body its soon followed by more movement and then strength.

The next exciting thing that happened was Cory was able to eat his 2nd favorite meal which is from Rosa's Mexican Grill (its a restaurant my parents own). He was able to eat 2 cheese enchiladas with rice and beans...YEAH!!!!! I forgot to get him flan, his favorite dessert, but I guess that will just have to be a treat another day. All in all it was a perfect meal for his diet because it was the perfect soft texture for him to eat. He was such a happy boy that I was able to bring him that meal.

So, I have to apologize to those of you that have wanted to come see him lately. We have just been in limbo for about a week. But now that we are at a more permanent place again I will let you know where he is at. Again just e mail me at corysvisitors@gmail.com and I will let you know where he is. Thank you to everyone that have been able to visit. Right now is when Cory needs as much encouragement as he can get. We are really excited to start his intense rehab tomorrow but I also know that Cory is very very very nervous and needs everyones support now more than ever. So please try to remember him in your prayers as he starts this new endeavor.