Parting Shots...Saying Goodbye to Shepherd Center

Kyle's last breakfast in the gym.

Saying goodbye to Tiffany, just one of our many favorite techs.

And Ali, a super favorite nurse!

Two of Kyle's therapists, Anastasia and Brian, celebrating with Kyle.

One last weigh-in with Chantel.

One last lap around.

Happy to be moving forward!

Don't let that look fool you.  There's a smile under there somewhere!

Leaving Kyle's room of two months for the last time.

Saying goodbye to Millie.

The final door out of  the second floor ABI (acquired brain injury) Unit.  A heartfelt thank you to all.

The Last Of The Therapies At Shepherd Center

I am sitting here on the sofa in our apartment and I'm feeling quite good.   8:00 PM and Kyle and Greg are asleep (ha, such lightweights) and I'm reflecting on a pretty good first day at Pathways.

In comparison to Kyle's life here, mine here is trivial, but here are some thoughts on the simpler things that can be taken for granted.

I have a closet!  And a dresser!  Three months of living out of a suitcase is in the past!  I sleep in a real bed! No more pull out chair.  I have my own refrigerator, instead of a shared family one, and I can make Hazelnut coffee.  I can cook my own fresh vegetables to my liking, instead of avoiding the overcooked mushy ones from the cafeteria.  And my acne is clearing up!  I do try to get to the gym to relieve stress, but it's just not the same as a good hot sweaty run to clean out one's toxins.  And getting a good night's sleep, well that's the cat's meow....and not having to take my clothes and toiletries out of the bathroom every morning.

And the grand slam is, knowing my own son better than anyone else, and using THAT to my advantage.  He is polite, and agreeable, and does what he is asked.  That does not mean it is perfect here, we have our challenges.  But I will leave that to another day. For now I will share our last therapies at Shepherd Center, and tomorrow I'll share our memorable goodbyes.

Isometric exercises with Brian in OT Therapy

Working the right shoulder with the broken scapula.

Cheryl helping Kyle to follow a recipe.

Jasmine helping Kyle to cook breakfast.

Of course, someone had to make a joke about the sausage!

Final outcome will be biscuits, sausage, and gravy for all.

Kyle's substitute PT, Mackenzie, is encouraging Kyle to push her in order for him to strengthen his trunk. I get the sense he is liking that idea!

Kyle smiles as he takes up the challenge.

More trunk strengthening and stretching.

Faster Is Better?.... Not Always

I am sitting comfortably in the housing apartments, in my comfortable bed, and enjoying the fact that we have a two bedroom apartment, with a kitchen, for as long as Kyle is in the Shepherd out-patient program.

Yes, you heard me right!  Tomorrow is Kyle's last day at the Shepherd Center/Hospital/Rehab Facility.  On Tuesday morning he will be discharged to out-patient and Greg and I will move him into the apartment.  On Wednesday, the new challenges (oh, I mean fun)  begin.

But before I write of our new adventure, I must catch everyone up on the last few days.  After company left, I was very tired,....once again....so tired, well, just too tired to write.  And that's my excuse!

Therapies have been going well.  There is a hugh improvement in Kyle's attitude.  A little adjustment had to be made in therapists, but I have now realized that since there are ten "rancho los amigos" levels in that scale, that liking or not liking someone is all part of his TBI (traumatic brain injury) recovery.  I appreciate our therapists for thinking "out of the box", so that instead of heads butting, we made more strides forward.

Another stumbling block (and very stressful situation) was that the neuro psychologist did not think that Kyle was ready for out-patient and should go home for a while. She believed his behavior would not be acceptable at the out-patient facility. But due to circumstances, he would stay and that I must tell him that night that he would not be going home, and to expect that he would be very angry.  Lucky for us, she does not know Kyle as well as we do.  He was not angry at all. With a very simple yet precise way of telling Kyle what lay ahead for the next few weeks, he was ok with it. 

Catching Up on Therapies

 Melanie works diligently on getting some movement in Kyle's left arm.

Trying some weight bearing  on that left arm.  Not really there yet.  The mirror is a great aid in helping Kyle's understanding of what needs to be done.

Brian uses weighted balls and weights for trunk strengthening.  Kyle must pick up a heavier object each time and twist and turn to put it in the basket.

Kyle works on lunges on the parallel bars.

Squats on the parallel bars.

Hmmm,..... "Faster is Better".  Kyle's name is on the back for KRHS/FHS track.  Wish he had just kept that idea on the track.  Hoping Kyle is stilll an inspiration and hoping his story will always be remembered.

"Thank you so much Megan Lloyd, for the beautiful letter you sent Kyle and our family, along with all the touching home-made cards from your 3rd grade Bible School children.  He read your letter and every one of those cards.  Please pass that on to your beautiful children."  Love, the Pinelli's  <3

Family Fun And Games

Sorry for the too many days of no updates.  Excuses?  no excuses?..... I don't know, maybe I just need to get out of here.....

On the positive side, I think I would say that company was "just what the doctor ordered".  And not just for Kyle, but for me too! It was wonderful to have my mom, my brother, and Alex for almost four days.

The change that came over Kyle was so apparent.  It came on gradually over the entire weekend, but by the end he had us smiling and laughing, and even apologized to Grandma for saying some things that were just a little mean. He initiated the apology!  Not baby steps, but gigantic leaps in my eyes.

Today, another meaningful little snipit  "I'm sorry Mom".  "For what?"  For holding you up." (I had told him I was going to run errands, but then he needed my assistance.)   "Oh Kyle, don't worry about that, your more important right now".

On the negative side, was the big disappointment that we were not allowed to take him out as hoped, even with a successful Chick-fil-a run, but we made adjustments, and I think it turned out quite fine.

 My trial run outing to Chick-fil-a with Cheryl and Anastasia was fun.
Kyle was very well behaved and appropriate as I knew he would be.  My "training" was to push him in his wheelchair and learn street smarts....
how to keep him on the inside of the sidewalk....and sandwich him between two people when crossing the street .....  and watch for cars cutting the corner when turning.... and how to get him up a curb if there is no cut-out..... basically common sense stuff.   It was easy and good exercise pushing him up the hill.

To make up for not being allowed out with my family,  we had an enjoyable lunch that we picked up from Subway, and took back to Kyle to eat in the family lounge.

Grandma, Uncle Carl, and Kyle

We enjoyed a great weekend of games, the highlight being Monopoly, but the longest game of Uno I've ever played was also fun, and a fast paced word game in which Kyle said in his slow monotone voice, "Grandma, you suck at this game" which had us all in stitches.  Yes, Uncle Carl and Kyle trumped me and Grandma easily in that word game.

This 3 hour Monopoly game had to be called for dinner, but we knocked out Alex, and Uncle Carl was on his way.  Kyle had 3 hotels and wanted to hang in there for the long haul.  More stamina than we ever expected.'

 And of course, the highlight family photo.....

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.  ~  Bill Cosby

Moving Forward!

Tuesday and Wednesday

Lots has been happening since the beginning of this week.  Kyle had two subs on Monday and Tuesday, for speech and occupational therapies.  I have stayed away in the best interest of Kyle, which has allowed me to enjoy my own time (I found the Mall!), but I can't tell you how much I miss watching his progress.

I did sneak in on Tuesday to see what the occupational sub was doing.  I must say, I feel a bit like I'm paparazzi!   I hide around corners or behind exercise equipment, hoping to catch that "moment". Have you noticed that many of the latest photos of Kyle are of his back?  I assure you, it's not because I prefer the therapists more than Kyle.

Jasmine's occupational therapy substitute.  They are working on posture and reaching with Kyle's right arm.

Yesterday, Melanie took Kyle down to the "real" gym, as I call it.  I call it this only because it requires a membership, and many former Shepard patients come to use it.  This is where Alex, Greg and I work out.  She said he did very well.  Not much talking, but at least behaviorally appropriate.

We are going on our first outing tomorrow!  Cheryl and Anastasia are taking Kyle and me to Chick-fil-a for breakfast!  I'm so excited.  It means that when company comes this weekend, we can take him out with us (if he acts appropriately).  Which brings me to our company.  My mom, my brother (Kyle's uncle and godfather) and Alex are coming.  I hope this does wonders for Kyle, as he still has some behavioral issues that are holding him back from out-patient.

Thursday

On top of all Kyle's therapies this morning, Kyle was administered a three hour long neuropsych test in the afternoon.  It tests where he is currently with thinking, reasoning, memory, and things like that.  When he was returned to his room, I asked why they do this in the afternoon, after such a busy day.  The tester said it imitates the real world, to see how he does with a full day, to see how he would handle a long day of therapy and cognitive learning at Shepard's out patient facility.  I will get the results tomorrow......

I always like to save the best for last.  So here goes....

First thing this morning, Melanie arrived and announced that Kyle would not be using his chair to go from bed to bath.  I watched Kyle walk to the bathroom, stand to brush his teeth,  and then watched him leave his room, minus one chair.  I was all smiles.

Seems that long trek to the gym may have just been a little too much?  Hmmmm,  looks like the old Kyle.

Oh, one more thing!  Kyle got his self propelled chair back and is                                              loving the freedom!

Maddie, Gannon, Chris and Chris

Last but not least, the final string of friends arrived on Saturday.  Maddie and Gannon were driven down by Maddie's mom, Chris.  And Kyle's best friend, Chris, was flown on a buddy pass with Greg.  Little did we know that when Greg made this offer to Chris, that he had never flown before!

Chris' first introduction to the world of stand-by left a lot to be desired.  Poor kid.... but with Greg and I  having  'been there, done that'  many times during both our airline careers,  I think it was a good experience for a first time flyer!  And it did have it's benefits.....

How many teens get the experience of driving on the tarmac, and hanging out in the ground equipment shop, like he belonged there?  A big thanks to Greg for this first time experience for Chris.

Unfortunately Greg and Chris spent the whole day not getting on any flights and ended up renting a car and driving!  Chris did get his first flight experience though, on the return back to Virginia.

A nice group photo, prior to someone giving their phone to Kyle for Candy Crush.

The wrath of Candy Crush.

Candy Crush continues!

Trying a distraction.

Right back to Candy Crush!

Hmmmm,   we are certainly focused.

Too funny!  We couldn't get Kyle to put aside his Candy Crush for this nice group photo.

Connect Four, pizza and soda in the Rec room.

I hear Kyle beat them all!

Ah, Mellow Mushroom pizza to top off a very fun day for all.