A tale of two cities

Here at Harborview, I have been working with different electric wheelchairs to try to find a model that will fit me best. Some of them work by joystick and some of them work by a sip and puff device that I work with my mouth. So far I haven't killed anyone with my driving and I haven't done too much damage to the walls and furniture. Hopefully we will get this all figured out by the time I leave. My discharge date has been moved out to October 16. We are also working on getting my medications figured out. We need to get the right combination of medications that will control my spasms without overly sedating me. It's tedious process and hopefully we'll get it figured out.
At home, Robin has been working with all of our friends who are helping us get our home figured out and constructed so that I can come home. There's a lot to do and everyone is scrambling to make it happen. Our younger son Connor has made things interesting because he had a bit of a problem a couple of nights ago and did some damage to the home which must be cleaned up and fixed before we can go on.
We can't begin to express our gratitude to all those who are making this happen. It's truly amazing what's been done. Bless all of you for your hard work. For those of you who have posted to this blog or have sent cards and gifts, we send our thanks. You can't believe how much these mean to Robin and I and how much they bolster us because things are really becoming stressful right now. Thanks again to all of you.
Rick with Robin

To everyone in Sunday's work party a huge thank you. The food and the fence and the garage and the downstairs of our house - just an incredible amount of work got done and we are very greatful. The goal of having me home really seems attainable now and it is hard to imagine that would have been possible without your help.
On the rehab front, my electric wheelchair arrived on Friday and I am learning how to operate it. We were hoping to be able to use the joystick control with my left hand, but I am having spasticity problems and that is not going well. As an alternative I'm using a "sip and puff" control which is difficult to master. We haven't given up on the joystick but it is good to have a back up. The spasms and spasticity have been increasing over the last couple of weeks and the doctors are trying to find the right combination of medicines to control them. We had a pretty good day today and are hopeful that it is a trend that will continue. We'll see. Rick

After two months it is hard to believe that I am actually here. Am now busy with a variety of programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and am learning to use adaptive tools like Dragon Software which would give me the ability to use the computer by voice activation. I am also learning alot about my injury and Robin and I are getting alot of training in how to manage me going forward. Our overriding goal right now is to be able to have me go home at the end of my rehab. There are things that need to happen around the house to be able to do that. So, we (especially Robin) are trying to work through the options - needless to say it is overwhelming. I appreciate the support you all have given through your cards, gifts, and posts to this blog. Just yesterday I was able to use the computer to view the posts. I can never express how much they have lifted my spirits. Thank you and we will keep you posted on my progress.
P.S. My trach has been removed, only a bandage on my throat remains.