More pictures of Nolan

Nolan Benjamin Heroff

Well our grandson, Nolan Benjamin arrived today around 3:30 PM. He was born at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN. Hope you enjoy a few of the pictures we took at the hospital. Jenny and Ben are doing fine. Jenny healing and exhausted, Ben exhausted.

Honey, I’m home!!!

Greetings from la-la land. These last couple of weeks are very much of a blur, which I’m told is for the best. This wonderful Blog has allowed me to understand the seriousness of my situation, the solid team of professionals, family, and friends that carried me when I was in need, the power of prayer, the strength of the human spirit, and the will to live. I was discharged yesterday. I’m feeling very much like the weather; chilly (temp 97.9 this AM), cloudy, with a chance of tears at any moment. The woman I chose for my wife nearly 30 years ago has proven over and over an over yet again to have been the wisest choice any guy could ever have made :>) Daughter Julie has been at Barb’s side, with LOVE and support- Ben and Jen too! Think I’ll end this here; “there’s something in me eye; you know it happens every time”… Pray for me, as I will for you. - DOUG
Special thanks to Corey, Nila, and Sula-babe for their help with the Blog.

What a difference a day makes

Doug and I talked with Dr Armstrong this morning. He gave him the go ahead to be discharged. Doug needs to use the cane for walking, but no other restrictions were noted. Ben is using his car so he won't be driving right away. (Nor should he be driving yet as far as I am concerned.)

He has a follow up appointment in 1 week with his primary doctor, and a follow up with the neurologist in 1 month. Though Doug isn't yet at 100%, he is well enough to know he will get there very quickly. Then we can discuss the idea about having that hip done.
Thanks everyone for their prayers and support. I am truly blessed with a wonderful support team. Every one of you makes a difference.

Barb

Progress Continues

Doug had physical therapy twice today. His balance and strength are getting better. He still becomes restless and agitated, but is aware of it and trys to work through it or get help with medication if needed.

He called me at 6:30 AM to tell me he was doing better and that I didn't have to come in as early as I had been. When I got here he looked calm and comfortable.

His progress continues!

Aseptic Meningitis

The physicians have determined Doug has aseptic meningitis. The good thing is that most patients make complete recovery, anywhere from two weeks to 2-3 months. Doug’s recovery is coming along very well. He will have a third MRI on Monday. This should indicate that the inflammation has decreased even more.

Doug has been to physical therapy Thursday and Friday. Both occupational and physical therapy will be done on Saturday and Sunday. Everything has improved, speech, walking, eye sight and fine motor skills. The hardest part is the agitation he feels. Unfortunately, the steroids side effects can cause sleeplessness and irritation. He doesn’t realize how much progress he has made. He only sees the things he can’t do. Everyone there has been so encouraging. So many staff member have said how impressed they are with his progress. They let him know they saw him over the weekend and can’t believe how well he is doing. The speech line that the Dr Armstrong has him say is, “Purple people eaters.” On Tue or Wed it really wasn’t distinguishable; today it was loud and clear. Dr Armstrong has decided to cancel the speech evaluation; Doug can try that later on if he needs it.

The hiccups continue. They aren’t 100 % constant, but he has them so often that they interfere with his sleep, his speech and they are very tiresome and hurt. They were giving him something for them tonight; hopefully he’ll be able to get relief. His mouth/tongue still hurt from biting it during the 10 minute seizure on Sunday. His appetite isn’t increasing, but he is eating. The foods have been pretty yucky. Those meals where he had to eat a soft diet where disgusting. I see much progress and anticipate seeing more over the weekend.

June 4th, Gaining Strength

Doug doesn't realize that he is getting better. At the end of yesterday, I was feeling like he was having a set back. I had Ray come with me this morning to be a second set of ears when the doctors came in today. After talking with the ICU hospital doctor and the internist and the germogolist, they seem to think he is making very good progress. His speech is better, the phyical therapy had him walking but no speech therapist has see him. I can't believe that and I just don't get why not. I will be sure to address this issue and if necessary will be cheking with my clinic's speech therapist, Ann Smith, and see if she will come in and do an evaluation.

An MRI was ordered today. His hicups were a concern, wondering if he would move too much while the test was being preformed. Well, as it turned out, he was so tired, he fell asleep in the machine and snored. The snoring jolts him awake to make him breath, hence why he wears the CPAP. The good news, the MRI showed that the inflamation is decreasing.

He started his agitation again around 4 PM, he may not be getting a good nights sleep, though he is getting better. They are ordering phyical therapy twice a day and also going to have him in occipational therapy twice a day. That should keep him busy and get him tired and hopefully sleep better. He is being weaned off the steroids. Steroids can also make him agitated.

Continue the prayers, they are a blessing - Barb