Just a quick kind word from Alaska.
Cheers,
David
Way up North

Thanks again!


It has been confirmed that Rowan has damaged his rotator cuff in two places. Steps are being taken to help him heal.


Also, while I have mentioned that Rowan is coming along fairly well physically, he is progressing a bit slower mentally, with his memory. However, there is progress.


Thanks especially to those of you who have been through this and have offered some understandings!!


Right now, Rowan's own little IT specialists are busy trying to reconnect the wiring ... or he's finding directories ... he's starting to put the puzzle pieces together ... or to pick up the books in his earthquake-affected library.

It takes a deft touch to challenge him mentally, to try to check and maybe reconnect those loose "wires," without overwhelming the patient with unrealistic demands. All I can suggest is to take "I don't remember that" as an acceptable answer.

And remember how lucky you are that Rowan's still with you!

BOLD---- IMO, undoubtedly the most important thing to keep in mind when dealing with a TBI. My wife still gets upset 11 years after her TBI from our car crash. I walk as if on thin ice not to upset her.

I thought that had happened from your earlier comments.

If Rowan is quite strong, it is possible that he'll be able to compensate.

Mom has had a few rotator cuff injuries. Surgeries help with range of motion, and Mom has stated that as soon as the post surgical pain goes away, within days, her pain is lessened.

Keep working on range of motion, and don't just accept a disability when cures are available.

I think Rowan is also very lucky that Machka is there with him too. Every day.

Of course, this is a long process. Perhaps a couple of vacation days would be good too. Dig the bike out on a nice sunny day.

So far it doesn't look like he'll need surgery on the shoulder ... fortunately!


As for vacation days, it's winter here ... or will be on June 1. We were planning to go to Canada later in June, but of course that won't be happening.


Nevertheless, I am hoping that at some point after he gets home, we might be able to go somewhere for a weekend. And who knows ... he might even be able to ride a bit by then! He's enjoying his 20 minutes on the stationary bike so far.


Meanwhile, I'm amusing myself with Zwift ... the program strikes me funny.

Last weekend I signed up for the free trial of Zwift and rode on Sunday. I wasn't able to ride on Monday or Tuesday, then when I went to use it on Wednesday, it didn't work. Things weren't connecting up. I was tired so I figured I'd just leave it.

Thursday, I tried again, and it worked!

So Thursday and Friday I rode my trainer with Zwift for about half an hour each evening.

I've still got to figure out a few things with it ... and I need to arrange something so that I can reach my laptop when I ride. But it's amusing! And I've ridden with it three times, so at least I'm on my bicycle.


Today, Saturday, I decided to take a break from the trainer and go for a 3.1 km run outside.

Today reached a sunny, relatively calm high of 13C and I ran along the beach ... blue sky, blue water, crashing waves. I needed that.

Distance: 3.16 km
Elevation: 25 m
Moving Time: 22:45
Elapsed Time: 22:57
Pace: 7:11/km


Then I went to see Rowan in the Rehab Unit of the hospital, and we went for a walk to the local park. Mid-walk we sat and talked and looked around and watched the people go by.

Distance: 1.40 km
Elevation: 2 6m
Moving Time: 20:49
Elapsed Time 45:39
Pace: 14:51/km


It's good to walk with Rowan again. He's still got a way to go ... many challenges ahead. But at least he's upright and moving!

Glad to hear things are getting better. Here's another prayer for strength for you and a speedy recovery for Rowan.

Thank you ... we still need lots of prayer for strength and recovery.

I just saw this thread now....So sorry to learn what happened to Rowan, Machka. The beginning really sounds scary, but it seems things are turning optimistically, he's even riding stationary bike! You both are still facing many difficulties, but with good care and the will to cycle again, I sincerely hope he will have a speedy recovery, and you will both be riding together before long. Looking forward to more and more upbeat updates.

Nice to see things going in a positive direction. Best always.

You're not touring in the graveyards are you? That isn't a good sign.

It sounds like recovery is progressing well.

Soon you'll have to start thinking about transitioning to home.

Does the rehab center have daycare options where Rowan could come home, then you could drop him off at the center while you're at work or school?

I suppose, at some point, once Rowan can safely do daily routines... Perhaps Breakfast/Dinner with you, then care for himself the rest of the day, safely bathing, showering, etc... No random roaming and getting lost... then he'll be ready to come home.

It may well be easier on you to have him at home.

Of course, it also depends on what rehab and actual therapy he's getting.

I know this is all still premature, but this trike popped up on Craigslist locally.

Terra trike whiz wheels - $650 (Springfield)



I'd have to take a look at it to see how it breaks down for shipping. If it doesn't break down, then shipping would be a huge hassle. Nonetheless, the price seems reasonable.

The park used to be a cemetery, but quite a number of years ago, "they" decided to turn it into a city park, and is a quite a pretty park. But what to do with the headstones?

Some of the graves and headstones were moved to another cemetery, but some were placed within some curved walls in the park.

Rowan used to be a tour guide way back when, and his tours went through the park and especially that section ... it's of historical interest. And it really is quite interesting.

It had been a while since either of us had walked there, so we thought we'd go and have a look.


I don't make the decision about when Rowan can come home ... there is a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists who have to agree that he's ready for a full assessment by another specialist first.

Then there are other steps that have to take place.


However, before any of that can happen, there are a three physical issues which need to be taken care of:

-- Rowan's right shoulder. He is getting treatment for that, and it is improving.

-- Rowan's left leg and back. He's been for some tests but there will have to be more.

-- Rowan's vision. He needed glasses before the accident (things weren't quite as sharp), and we can't find his most recent pair of glasses, but there appears to be another issue as well.


And of course there are other issues related to the brain injury. One such issue is fatigue. People with brain injuries suffer from a great deal of fatigue.

https://www.headway.org.uk/news/nati...-brain-injury/

Managing fatigue after a brain injury - Synapse - reconnecting lives

https://www.brainline.org/contentfinder?keys=fatigue


I was thinking about taking him on a short bus trip to the next suburb and a short walk this weekend, but I was told he isn't ready for that. He might be able to do it ... just ... but the fatigue factor could set him back. So, we'll wander down to the park again.








Thanks for the trike suggestion ...

That trike is a screaming deal, and I hear they are a blast to ride. You can whip through corners fast by braking on the inside front wheel.

Greenspeed, recumbent tadpole trikes are made in Australia , as She should know..

It's too soon to think about trikes and things ... and today is the first day of winter. But maybe in a few months. We'll see.

These days, Rowan is riding a stationary bike in the Rehab gym a few days each week.


My father has a Catrike which he has been riding lately, and both Rowan and I have had a go on it at one time or another. It is a bit of fun.

That's really cool ! Thoughts & prayers still heading your way

Machka, maybe you can take Rowan for a ride in a trailer? Will be good for both of you?

Ahhh....

Time to convince Pops it is time to upgrade.

Or, at least let you borrow the bike again.

This is what I'm referring to when I talk about the fatigue of the brain injury. It is brain fatigue but can manifest itself as physical fatigue ... and there are other ways it manifests itself too.

One friend, who has had a brain injury described it as though every trip outside was like an intense IMAX theatre experience with everything coming at you and noise and commotion etc. Even walking along a sidewalk next to a busy street can be problematic.

So at this point is isn't necessarily that Rowan can't physically ride a bicycle or trike or whatever outside ... it's that, very quickly, it would be too much for him in all aspects.

So we walk instead.


Another 1.3 km walk today, with quite a long break sitting in the park. This is the park with the historic headstone walls.

FWIW, I believe Machka's Dad is in Canada. Machka and Rowan are in southern Australia (Tasmania I think).

Yes ... that is correct. We live on the isle of Tasmanian.

Very hilly Tasmania!

Where the high for today reached 9.7C with a "feels like" high of about 8C.



We dressed warmly, and went for a slow walk with several fairly lengthy rests today.