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By Grant Falk

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Physical Therapy Continues

Grant has been doing a lot of PT (physical therapy). Yesterday they got him to the parallell bars, and got him to stand up on his own! I wish I had been there, but, alas, I was working! They are trying to get him on a schedule so he doesn't stay up all night long, and is up during the days. He does tend to be a night owl in the hospital.
Every day he shows progress. Talks more, moves more, etc. He likes having visitors. Several freinds have dropped by. He's back to playing Xbox & the hospital brought him a Wii to play as well. My laptop wouldn't contect to the wireless internet at the hospital, but I will get that working asap, so he can check his email & play internet games.
He still has a long way to go, but we want to be homebound as soon as possible!
Take care all!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Looking forward to seeing the Poochie

We are hoping to bring Max to visit Grant tomorrow. Grant picked out Max as a 6 week old puppy exactly one year ago today. He was so small you could hold him in one hand. He must have looked like a mouse when he was born. He's been missed while Grant has spent so much time in the hospital since October. Everyday Max will go in Grant's room, and drag out a stuffed penguin, looking for Grant. He often brings one to my suitcase, and sits in it, when I am preparing to go spend the night at the hospital. He's sure a funny little dog and he sure knows Grant is missing.
Grant got out of bed today for PT. They got him standing up. He said his legs felt like rocks. Then he sat in a wheelchair for over an hour. What progress he continues to make. Every day there is progress. Those darn blood clots still cause him tremendous pain, but he keeps trying. He's a very determined young man. The doctors said that the more movement he does with his legs, the more new veins are likely to form. We don't know where we go from here, but we're on our way, wherever it is. Grant is looking forward to a visit from his good friend, Nick, tomorrow. He continues improve daily, and that's all we can ask. Thanks everyone for your posts. We like to read all your messages. Grant did use the computer the other day. He'll be checking his email before you know it!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July!

It's very loud at our house on the 4th of July. Coleman missed last year's fireworks with a migraine, but Grant had saved him some of the booty they got at Boom City. So Cole lit them off in our driveway, but the rest of the neighborhood is nowhere near done!!
Everyday Grant does a little bit more. He's sure fighter, that one! He's starting to like food again, so we'll be carting down his favorites to tempt him. The hosptial food does not tempt him a bit. We hope everyone had a safe & happy holiday.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Another week............more improvements

I've been trying to update the blog, but I must admit it is hard. There are just so many tears. I didn't' really know a person could cry so much or so often. I also can't believe how many people love & care about our family! It really is awesome, all the prayers & positive thoughts that have come our way.
Grant continues to improve. His brain is healing. He's talking more, in full sentences. He's starting to eat!! He had some cake from his dad last night. Leave it to Matt to bring down some squirt guns and plan an ambush against his brother! I think Grant enjoyed that. He knows it's been so hot outside......... and he is stuck in a bed. I'm sure he's wishing he was out there with his friends. He does often look sad, and there aren't' very many smiles lately.......but he's still fighting.
The blood clots are still our biggest obstacle right now. They go from both knees up to the filter in the main vein, below the kidneys. The filter is holding, and there aren't any clots in his arms or lungs or anything. His thighs are still huge, and I know they are painful. He's on IV pain meds all the time, and they have been increasing. The further we get away from the head bleed, the better. We have to weigh the risks vs the benefits of blood thinners, before they can be used again. But, the older the clots get, the more permanent they become, and blood thinners wont' get rid of the old clots, it just keeps knew ones from forming. I don't' believe we can use the TPA again, either, which is what broke up the one in his calf before. Too much risk of a head bleed, which could be catastrophic. So.....we wait. We used to call that "Norwegian Stand-By" on the fishing boat. We wait, and wait. And wait some more.
Matt, Me & Jeanine are on 24 hour shifts right now. Thank God Jeanine has been here (my lifelong friend who lives in B.C.) these past few months. Her presense allows Matt & I a night off from the hospital, and allows me to work a bit. Everyday life has been a challenge, as life still goes on, even when your son is sick in the hospital. Coleman is doing ok. He's working at the movie theatre and loves the freedom of having a car! He finished his sophomore year with a 3.5 gpa, so I can't complain!
Take care all, I will report back soon.....................Kim