It has been over a month since my last post. Things are going very well.
Mordy has passed his driving test, so he has regained the independence that comes with driving. I can now work regular hours at Hillel because he is able to pick up the kids from camp at the end of their day (which ends earlier than when I would normally leave Hillel).
Mordy went to his last physical therapy appointment last Friday, and his functional gait assessment numbers were very good. Functional gait assessment tries to measure how well you move around in the world, on a 1-30 scale. When he first started the therapy, he was at 11. Four weeks ago he was at 17, and at this visit, he was 27.
The therapist said he is 95% recovered from the stroke. The insurance company will only cover a few more therapy sessions within this calendar year. So on the advice of his therapist, he is taking a break from therapy for now, with the idea that he can return for a "tune up" in a few months if necessary.
Mordy generally feels good. He still has minor vision problems, but he is reading a ton, including the Daf Yomi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daf_Yomi). He is preparing to return to full-time teaching in two weeks.
Mordy wanted me to include our tremendous gratefulness to God that he is recovering so well...That he can walk and drive and read on his own...that he is enjoying reading to our boys every night, as he always did before...And that we are able t o maintain our beautiful, strong, loving marriage through it all.
I want to thank everyone who has helped us--friends and family. If things continue to go smoothly, I probably won't updating again.
Feel free to email me at getwellmordy@gmail.com with questions, etc.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Vision problems and other improvements
Hi all...Esther here.
I returned from a wonderful trip to Israel last week and am finally getting back to regular life, including updating this blog. I had a great week of study at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem as part of a special program for campus professionals (basically Hillel folks). This is the first year that the program was offered, so it was an elite group, 15 of us, and we will get together again via webinars every 2 weeks during the school year and again in person in St Louis (August), New York (January) and Jerusalem (next July).
I came home around 5am and the boys (including Mordy) were thrilled to see me when they woke up. Ann, my mother-in-law, had been staying at the house, and she went home that night. The boys also slept at my mother's for 2 nights while I was gone. I am very grateful to my mother and mother-in-law for watching the boys and making it possible for me to go to Israel.
Mordy improved while I was away. He has several updates about his condition:
1) Vision... As the neuro-ophthalmologist had predicted, Mordy's vision has changed (hopefully for the better). He realized that the prisms weren't working, so he tried to make a follow up appointment with the neuro-ophthalmologist. But that doctor was on vacation for 2 weeks. His staff gave Mordy a list of other doctors to choose from. So he went to a new doctor, Jonathan Fishbein, who we happened to know from when our son Isaac and his son Sam were in daycare together from age 2 to age 5.
Dr. Fishbein gave Mordy an incredibly thorough exam--more than the previous doctor had done. He discovered that Mordy has a macular pucker, which can sometimes lead to macular degeneration, in his right eye. Apparently Mordy's brain had been compensating for the loss of vision in that eye, but with the stroke, his brain had so much else to do that it could no longer compensate for the vision loss. Mordy has contrast problems in the right eye, but acuity is normal. This means that the world looks a bit dimmer and stranger on his right side, but he is still able to distinguish shapes and movement very well. In fact, the overall vision in that eye can be corrected to 20/15. This accounts for Mordy's continued ability to both read and write, while insisting that his world looks weird on the right side. Mordy is going to see a retinal specialist next week to evaluate the status of the macular pucker and to determine what can be done. But in the meantime he has an excellent new prescription (with new bilateral prisms) and is compensating nicely by positioning himself to the right of things and peering out at them to the left. I guess you already knew that Mordy's vision was skewed to the left, it's just truer now... :)
2) Therapy improvements...
When Mordy first started physical therapy, they evaluated him using a 30 point scale. The first time they tested him, he got a 12. After 7 sessions, he scored 17. Yesterday when he reached a score of 21, he finally fell into the range of acceptable function limits (ie your ability to do stuff on your own), which is anything above 20. He is still determined to get up to 30, but you can see how much he has improved already.
3) Getting around:
Mordy brought his bicycle to therapy last week and rode around, inside and outside, with a group of therapists all around him to make sure he didn't fall. He didn't. He is excited to be back on his bike and looks forward to using it again in September when he returns to teaching at JTS.
Mordy is also getting tested for being able to drive again. He passed the first half of the evaluation and will have the second half this coming Tuesday. Once he passes that, he'll have the actual road test at JFK. If he passes that, he'll be able to drive.
---
As for me, I am happy to be back with the boys, and with Mordy. The boys enjoy day camp and I am still working 1/2 days at Hillel. Isaac (age 9) leaves on Tuesday for 3.5 weeks at Camp Ramah (sleepaway camp) and he is very excited about it. Mordy and I had a date last week (went to see the 60th anniversary edition of the movie Singing in the Rain, which was playing one night only at a local movie theater) and we have a date tomorrow night (our season tickets to NJ Shakespeare). I am enjoying the summer. Thanks for reading...
I returned from a wonderful trip to Israel last week and am finally getting back to regular life, including updating this blog. I had a great week of study at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem as part of a special program for campus professionals (basically Hillel folks). This is the first year that the program was offered, so it was an elite group, 15 of us, and we will get together again via webinars every 2 weeks during the school year and again in person in St Louis (August), New York (January) and Jerusalem (next July).
I came home around 5am and the boys (including Mordy) were thrilled to see me when they woke up. Ann, my mother-in-law, had been staying at the house, and she went home that night. The boys also slept at my mother's for 2 nights while I was gone. I am very grateful to my mother and mother-in-law for watching the boys and making it possible for me to go to Israel.
Mordy improved while I was away. He has several updates about his condition:
1) Vision... As the neuro-ophthalmologist had predicted, Mordy's vision has changed (hopefully for the better). He realized that the prisms weren't working, so he tried to make a follow up appointment with the neuro-ophthalmologist. But that doctor was on vacation for 2 weeks. His staff gave Mordy a list of other doctors to choose from. So he went to a new doctor, Jonathan Fishbein, who we happened to know from when our son Isaac and his son Sam were in daycare together from age 2 to age 5.
Dr. Fishbein gave Mordy an incredibly thorough exam--more than the previous doctor had done. He discovered that Mordy has a macular pucker, which can sometimes lead to macular degeneration, in his right eye. Apparently Mordy's brain had been compensating for the loss of vision in that eye, but with the stroke, his brain had so much else to do that it could no longer compensate for the vision loss. Mordy has contrast problems in the right eye, but acuity is normal. This means that the world looks a bit dimmer and stranger on his right side, but he is still able to distinguish shapes and movement very well. In fact, the overall vision in that eye can be corrected to 20/15. This accounts for Mordy's continued ability to both read and write, while insisting that his world looks weird on the right side. Mordy is going to see a retinal specialist next week to evaluate the status of the macular pucker and to determine what can be done. But in the meantime he has an excellent new prescription (with new bilateral prisms) and is compensating nicely by positioning himself to the right of things and peering out at them to the left. I guess you already knew that Mordy's vision was skewed to the left, it's just truer now... :)
2) Therapy improvements...
When Mordy first started physical therapy, they evaluated him using a 30 point scale. The first time they tested him, he got a 12. After 7 sessions, he scored 17. Yesterday when he reached a score of 21, he finally fell into the range of acceptable function limits (ie your ability to do stuff on your own), which is anything above 20. He is still determined to get up to 30, but you can see how much he has improved already.
3) Getting around:
Mordy brought his bicycle to therapy last week and rode around, inside and outside, with a group of therapists all around him to make sure he didn't fall. He didn't. He is excited to be back on his bike and looks forward to using it again in September when he returns to teaching at JTS.
Mordy is also getting tested for being able to drive again. He passed the first half of the evaluation and will have the second half this coming Tuesday. Once he passes that, he'll have the actual road test at JFK. If he passes that, he'll be able to drive.
---
As for me, I am happy to be back with the boys, and with Mordy. The boys enjoy day camp and I am still working 1/2 days at Hillel. Isaac (age 9) leaves on Tuesday for 3.5 weeks at Camp Ramah (sleepaway camp) and he is very excited about it. Mordy and I had a date last week (went to see the 60th anniversary edition of the movie Singing in the Rain, which was playing one night only at a local movie theater) and we have a date tomorrow night (our season tickets to NJ Shakespeare). I am enjoying the summer. Thanks for reading...
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Urge to Erg
Late on Monday night, Matt Hale brought me his rowing machine. Earlier in the day, my physical therapist approved me for such a machine. For those not in the know, this machine is commonly referred to as an erg. This is a shortening of the longer word, "ergometer." The philologist in me can't stop from telling you that "ergo" comes from the Greek word for energy, and "meter" comes from the word for measurement. So these machines are designed to measure the energy that one expends in rowing. Usually, elite athletes, most often on crew teams, use them to improve their performance.
I'm using this machine for a very different purpose. First of all, it is a full body workout, that improves strength, balance, and coordination. I'm still pretty good on the first of these three, though I can always use work on strength, but I still need lots of work on the last two. Right now, I'm using the machine three times a day for about 10 min. each time. I'm also trying to keep the energy level up to about an average of 600 cal per hour.
The physical therapist recommended this machine for a number of reasons. some of them I laid out above, but this one you will love: When I'm finished, I'm already sitting down close to the ground, and there is no fear of a fall after exertion. With an elliptical machine (which I did get approved for also, after a very unpleasant 10 min. of bouncing up and down on the machine – talk about vertigo!) there's usually no place to sit down immediately afterwards. How do you spell, "fall risk?" A stationary bike is better, since I'm sitting when finished, but I'm still pretty high up from the ground.
I really like the erg and I'm using it quite a bit. Of course, I have other exercises (some of them very tough) that the physical therapist has given me. But right now, I'm very excited to use the erg.
My goal, is eventually to get my energy average up to 1000 cal per hour, but I don't think I'll reach that for a while. I'm also hoping to get up to 20 min. per time, three times per day. According to the physical therapist, I should take things easy, and I am, but she also said that the more I use this machine and do my other exercises the more quickly my balance and coordination will return.
My vision is also improving, to such an extent that the occupational therapist recommended that I change the prisms on my glasses. Great news! Unfortunately, my ophthalmic neurologist is on vacation right now. So we'll have to wait until he returns. Oh well, לאט, לאט as they say in the holy tongue.
Esther is in Israel right now, so my mom is here, which is great. We've spent lots of time together and had great conversations. Today we had sushi for lunch together, and that was a lot of fun. She's really enjoying her grandkids, and helping me to keep the house clean enough so that Esther doesn't freak when she returns.
I'm feeling good right now, exercising, working hard, learning Mishnah, going through the Sifra, and preparing my syllabus is for the fall. The progress is good. But it isn't a straight progression, and I want you to know that. Some days are better, some not as good. It's like one of those old stock charts, that shows an upward line, but with lots of dips in it. Things are getting better for sure. But as with anything important in life, it just takes the time it takes. That's all.
That's it for now, be well and think good thoughts. Kol tuv, Mordy
I'm using this machine for a very different purpose. First of all, it is a full body workout, that improves strength, balance, and coordination. I'm still pretty good on the first of these three, though I can always use work on strength, but I still need lots of work on the last two. Right now, I'm using the machine three times a day for about 10 min. each time. I'm also trying to keep the energy level up to about an average of 600 cal per hour.
The physical therapist recommended this machine for a number of reasons. some of them I laid out above, but this one you will love: When I'm finished, I'm already sitting down close to the ground, and there is no fear of a fall after exertion. With an elliptical machine (which I did get approved for also, after a very unpleasant 10 min. of bouncing up and down on the machine – talk about vertigo!) there's usually no place to sit down immediately afterwards. How do you spell, "fall risk?" A stationary bike is better, since I'm sitting when finished, but I'm still pretty high up from the ground.
I really like the erg and I'm using it quite a bit. Of course, I have other exercises (some of them very tough) that the physical therapist has given me. But right now, I'm very excited to use the erg.
My goal, is eventually to get my energy average up to 1000 cal per hour, but I don't think I'll reach that for a while. I'm also hoping to get up to 20 min. per time, three times per day. According to the physical therapist, I should take things easy, and I am, but she also said that the more I use this machine and do my other exercises the more quickly my balance and coordination will return.
My vision is also improving, to such an extent that the occupational therapist recommended that I change the prisms on my glasses. Great news! Unfortunately, my ophthalmic neurologist is on vacation right now. So we'll have to wait until he returns. Oh well, לאט, לאט as they say in the holy tongue.
Esther is in Israel right now, so my mom is here, which is great. We've spent lots of time together and had great conversations. Today we had sushi for lunch together, and that was a lot of fun. She's really enjoying her grandkids, and helping me to keep the house clean enough so that Esther doesn't freak when she returns.
I'm feeling good right now, exercising, working hard, learning Mishnah, going through the Sifra, and preparing my syllabus is for the fall. The progress is good. But it isn't a straight progression, and I want you to know that. Some days are better, some not as good. It's like one of those old stock charts, that shows an upward line, but with lots of dips in it. Things are getting better for sure. But as with anything important in life, it just takes the time it takes. That's all.
That's it for now, be well and think good thoughts. Kol tuv, Mordy
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Anger and Gratitude
Hello all, this is Mordy talking. Esther is in Israel, and so I'm taking over for a while. Her blog posts have been very good (at least I've enjoyed reading them). I hope that I'll live up to the high standard that she's already set.
Today I wanted to talk about something that surprised me recently. In general, people who know me, I think, would describe me as relatively laid-back and even keeled. That is to say, at least before the stroke, I didn't get angry very easily.
But recently, on at least two occasions, I have sort of blown up at people who probably didn't deserve it. I'm not going to mention the circumstances, because that would reveal who these people are. But suffice it to say that both of these people had good intentions, were trying to help me, and I found it annoying. In both cases, I responded inappropriately.
I see two things going on here: the first, is that I have a very hard time accepting help. Even in these kinds of circumstances. And this feeling becomes all the more intense as I become more and more capable of doing things for myself. And now, there are all sorts of things that I can do. I can cook, clean, read, write, shop, make my own way to the doctor (at least one in town), and basically make my own way in life. Walking is still difficult, serious exercise just a step below impossible, and I cannot drive myself anywhere (which I find terribly frustrating). But all this progress is great! It's also a bit deceiving. I look and talk like myself, I feel like myself, but I'm still limited. And I find myself bumping up against the limits all the time.
Now, I have always been an independent person. I don't know if it's because I was an only child, or if it's because it was the way I was raised, or if it's just part of my personality. But I am, I know, fiercely independent. I'm gratified that people have helped me so much. And I would deeply want to thank all the people who are giving me rides on a daily basis. But none of that takes my frustration away. So, I am frustrated. And I'm trying to learn patience in the face that frustration.
The second thing that's going on is something I didn't realize until this weekend. I am angry. I'm angry that I had a stroke at 40. I'm angry that I spent so much time on my diet and my health and I still had a stroke at 40. I think that anger has come out on at least two occasions and zapped people who were in the way. I do feel bad about that. But I think both of those people understand what's going on.
I'm reminded of the story of Uzza which is early on in the second book of Samuel. He and his family are taking the holy Ark up to Jerusalem on a cart. As the Ark begins to slip off the back of the cart, Uzza reaches out to to halt its fall. This seems reasonable. The Ark shouldn't hit the ground, right? But of course, the power of the holy Ark is such that Uzza is wiped out of existence; just zapped and gone. No real fault of his own, but you don't muck around with divine power. Maybe my anger functions like this. It's a powerful thing to be angry. Anger can be a great motivational force. And I am using it in my physical therapy to keep me going when I get tired. But power is power, and sometimes innocent folks get in the way.
So I'm working on my anger. I'm seeing someone (someone professional) to talk these issues through. I think that's wise. Don't you?
But if you do see me, and I do seem suddenly angry to you, then I hope you'll understand the reason why. I hope you'll forgive me as I work these things out.
(Oh, and by the way, I should probably mention that I'm grateful to be alive. I'm also grateful that I have an Address for my gratitude. I continue to find my religious life of great consolation in the face of all these troubles. Part of the problem here is, probably, that I haven't yet found an address for my anger.)
Two more things: I really do want to thank everyone who has contacted me and given me wishes of love and support. I have enormously appreciated all the support, whether material or moral. And I cannot thank all of you enough.This community, whether here in Highland Park, or around the world has embraced us and helped us to find our way in a very dark time. I thank you all for the kindness, generosity, and true lovingkindness that you have shown us.
Lastly, I really need to think Esther, who saved my life, and is the love of my life. My progress is her progress. The support you have given her is just as important as the support you have given me. The words are not adequate, but I thank Esther as publicly as I can for the love and support that she has given me over the last few weeks, and over the course of our lives together.
Kol tuv,
Mordy
Today I wanted to talk about something that surprised me recently. In general, people who know me, I think, would describe me as relatively laid-back and even keeled. That is to say, at least before the stroke, I didn't get angry very easily.
But recently, on at least two occasions, I have sort of blown up at people who probably didn't deserve it. I'm not going to mention the circumstances, because that would reveal who these people are. But suffice it to say that both of these people had good intentions, were trying to help me, and I found it annoying. In both cases, I responded inappropriately.
I see two things going on here: the first, is that I have a very hard time accepting help. Even in these kinds of circumstances. And this feeling becomes all the more intense as I become more and more capable of doing things for myself. And now, there are all sorts of things that I can do. I can cook, clean, read, write, shop, make my own way to the doctor (at least one in town), and basically make my own way in life. Walking is still difficult, serious exercise just a step below impossible, and I cannot drive myself anywhere (which I find terribly frustrating). But all this progress is great! It's also a bit deceiving. I look and talk like myself, I feel like myself, but I'm still limited. And I find myself bumping up against the limits all the time.
Now, I have always been an independent person. I don't know if it's because I was an only child, or if it's because it was the way I was raised, or if it's just part of my personality. But I am, I know, fiercely independent. I'm gratified that people have helped me so much. And I would deeply want to thank all the people who are giving me rides on a daily basis. But none of that takes my frustration away. So, I am frustrated. And I'm trying to learn patience in the face that frustration.
The second thing that's going on is something I didn't realize until this weekend. I am angry. I'm angry that I had a stroke at 40. I'm angry that I spent so much time on my diet and my health and I still had a stroke at 40. I think that anger has come out on at least two occasions and zapped people who were in the way. I do feel bad about that. But I think both of those people understand what's going on.
I'm reminded of the story of Uzza which is early on in the second book of Samuel. He and his family are taking the holy Ark up to Jerusalem on a cart. As the Ark begins to slip off the back of the cart, Uzza reaches out to to halt its fall. This seems reasonable. The Ark shouldn't hit the ground, right? But of course, the power of the holy Ark is such that Uzza is wiped out of existence; just zapped and gone. No real fault of his own, but you don't muck around with divine power. Maybe my anger functions like this. It's a powerful thing to be angry. Anger can be a great motivational force. And I am using it in my physical therapy to keep me going when I get tired. But power is power, and sometimes innocent folks get in the way.
So I'm working on my anger. I'm seeing someone (someone professional) to talk these issues through. I think that's wise. Don't you?
But if you do see me, and I do seem suddenly angry to you, then I hope you'll understand the reason why. I hope you'll forgive me as I work these things out.
(Oh, and by the way, I should probably mention that I'm grateful to be alive. I'm also grateful that I have an Address for my gratitude. I continue to find my religious life of great consolation in the face of all these troubles. Part of the problem here is, probably, that I haven't yet found an address for my anger.)
Two more things: I really do want to thank everyone who has contacted me and given me wishes of love and support. I have enormously appreciated all the support, whether material or moral. And I cannot thank all of you enough.This community, whether here in Highland Park, or around the world has embraced us and helped us to find our way in a very dark time. I thank you all for the kindness, generosity, and true lovingkindness that you have shown us.
Lastly, I really need to think Esther, who saved my life, and is the love of my life. My progress is her progress. The support you have given her is just as important as the support you have given me. The words are not adequate, but I thank Esther as publicly as I can for the love and support that she has given me over the last few weeks, and over the course of our lives together.
Kol tuv,
Mordy
Esther's leaving for Israel
So I'm writing this jointly with Mordy tonight, as I prepare to leave for Israel. Mordy will be posting his thoughts periodically here while I am away. I'm sure his thoughts will be more theological than mine...but expect updates on his physical and mental state as well...
I'm going on a trip that is part of the Hartman Campus Fellowship, a new, prestigious fellowship for Hillel professionals. This professional development opportunity was something I couldn't pass up. I'll be traveling with 20 top-tier Hillel professionals from throughout the United States (and one from England) to Israel, studying for a week at the Hartman Institute, a premier center of Jewish learning in Israel. While I don't have a "bucket list," if I did, studying at Hartman would be on it!
My mother is taking the boys for a few days and then Mordy's mother is coming to stay at the house, so the kids and Mordy will be fine while I'm away.
My brother (with his wife and 2 girls) and sister (with her husband and son) came to visit this weekend. We enjoyed being together and they were happy to see Mordy. It was their first time seeing him since the stroke.
Mordy has started writing again for the first time since the stroke. He has been working on a paper that he hopes to turn into a larger article. He's very happy that he's been able to start writing again.
I'll be back on July 9...until then, updates are from Mordy.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wallenberg Syndrome and other adventures
When Mordy first had the stroke, one of the symptoms he was diagnosed with was Wallenberg Syndrome. This syndrome (named for Adolf Wallenberg, who described the symptoms in 1895), is characterized by a lack of feeling of pain and/or temperature on one side of the face and the opposite side of the body. In Mordy's case, he doesn't feel pain or temperature on the right side of his face and the left side of his body. He does feel a slight tingling when exposed to these things, but not a real sensation of pain or temperature.
This has come in handy when the doctors or nurses need to draw blood--he always has them draw from the left side of his body, so it won't hurt. He feels the needle, but it doesn't hurt at all. Also, the other day Mordy stubbed his left toe. He said that it didn't hurt, but that he felt his toe catch on something, and he probably stubbed it. We checked for blood (since he's on blood thinners, so bleeding could be dangerous if not caught) and made sure nothing was broken. But since the lack of pain is only on the surface, not internally, it was clear he was ok.
Lastly, the other day it was steamy and warm outside. Mordy walked outside and said, "This is weird--it only feels hot on one side of my body. The other side feels completely normal." That's Wallenberg for you...
The good news is that Mordy doesn't have other potential symptoms of Wallenberg, like difficulty swallowing or slurred speech. Everything is functioning just fine. It's just that he doesn't feel temperature or pain in those places. I've joked that if I want to slug him, I know which side to punch :-)
Well the big news is that today Mordy began to feel temperature in his left foot for the first time since the stroke. When he mentioned it to the doctor, the doctor said that the Wallenberg might be going away, starting with the foot and moving up the body. We'll see what happens in the next few days and weeks.
The other big news today is that we had a flood in our basement from a misbehaving washing machine. Here's proof that Mordy is getting better and is now quite physically robust: he walked down both flights of stairs, used the shop-vac to suck up the water, and carried a number of large and heavy items upstairs.
Mordy fixed the problem with the washing machine, so things are clearing up now.
Mordy wants me to let you all know that even though he's still working on his balance and vision problems, he is certainly not frail. He is capable and strong. Although he still has a long road ahead in terms of full recovery, he has gotten to the point where he is able to manage on his own and accomplish things around the house and in the world. (Albeit without being able to drive still...but the therapists are working on that, too...)
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Our First Date Night Since the Stroke
Mordy and I had our first date since the stroke Thursday night. We went to our first show in the season at NJ Shakespeare. (When I first became pregnant--with Isaac, 9 years ago--Mordy purchased us season tickets to NJ Shakespeare, to ensure that we'd still have dates even after we became parents. It was a wise decision, and we've gone every season since!) The show was Henry IV, Part I. Mordy was able to watch the first hour without an eye patch, then patched for the remaining hour and 45 minutes (they never edit the plays, so shows there are often long!) We enjoyed it tremendously.
Overall, Mordy's vision is slowly improving. He's starting to read for short period of time without the eye patch (and continues to read for long periods of time WITH the eye patch). He has been reading more and more each day, as he returns to his passions of studying Torah and reading books.
I attended Mordy's physical and occupational therapy on Friday. (He has therapy 3 times a week) The physical therapist noted Mordy's improvements from earlier in the week. He had been doing his homework--exercises at home--so that has helped with his recovery. The occupational therapist was a vision specialist who gave him many tips on improving the coordination of the eyes. Mordy still has prisms, and those are working out well.
Mordy has described the way he experiences the world as follows: when he first had the stroke, he felt like he was on a rowboat in terms of the way the world was rocking. Then he improved, so he felt like he was on a fishing boat. Now it feels more like a cruise ship--while there is no longer visual movement in the room, his body still senses some passive movement.
Mordy's walking has also improved. He can now walk without holding my hand, as long as he focuses on a target that he is walking towards. While looking at the target, his gait appears normal. He still can't walk and talk at the same time because walking requires concentration. Mordy walked on his own to Jerusalem Pizza for lunch the other day. He plans to take increasingly longer walks each day to work himself back up to commuting distance for the Fall.
His tooth situation has completely resolved--his mouth is back to normal.
The kids start day camp on Monday. We're all settling into routines...
Overall, Mordy's vision is slowly improving. He's starting to read for short period of time without the eye patch (and continues to read for long periods of time WITH the eye patch). He has been reading more and more each day, as he returns to his passions of studying Torah and reading books.
I attended Mordy's physical and occupational therapy on Friday. (He has therapy 3 times a week) The physical therapist noted Mordy's improvements from earlier in the week. He had been doing his homework--exercises at home--so that has helped with his recovery. The occupational therapist was a vision specialist who gave him many tips on improving the coordination of the eyes. Mordy still has prisms, and those are working out well.
Mordy has described the way he experiences the world as follows: when he first had the stroke, he felt like he was on a rowboat in terms of the way the world was rocking. Then he improved, so he felt like he was on a fishing boat. Now it feels more like a cruise ship--while there is no longer visual movement in the room, his body still senses some passive movement.
Mordy's walking has also improved. He can now walk without holding my hand, as long as he focuses on a target that he is walking towards. While looking at the target, his gait appears normal. He still can't walk and talk at the same time because walking requires concentration. Mordy walked on his own to Jerusalem Pizza for lunch the other day. He plans to take increasingly longer walks each day to work himself back up to commuting distance for the Fall.
His tooth situation has completely resolved--his mouth is back to normal.
The kids start day camp on Monday. We're all settling into routines...
Monday, June 18, 2012
haven't written in a while...
I've been tired lately, and with being back at work for 1/2 days, I've had less time for blogging. So here's the updates since last Tuesday night (my most recent post):
Mordy's continuing to improve. His vision has gotten better such that he's reading a bit on his own each day. He's recently picked up the Sifre (for those of you who know what it is....and if not, go here) to read, you know, for fun. Typical Mordy "fun" reading...yes, so he's really improving!
Mordy's getting out of the house more. He attended Jonah's pre-school graduation and dinner at a restaurant afterwards. He's been taking short walks (walked to the doctor, etc) and he's been doing well. He doesn't use the cane, but he does like to hold my hand for support, which I like :-) As long as he's holding someone's hand, he's able to be steady enough to walk just fine. And he's becoming a master at stairs. It is amazing to see his progress!
Mordy went back to services for the first time this Saturday morning. He walked there, holding hands with Isaac, our 9-year old, and enjoyed being back at the Highland Park Temple. He took the opportunity to bentch gomel (recite a special prayer after having gone through a life-threatening experience). After services he socialized with friends, and when I encouraged him to go home, he insisted on staying longer to talk with people. He really enjoyed being back in the world again. I enjoyed seeing him in it.
Mordy had a physical therapy assessment on Friday and an actual physical therapy session today. He starts occupational therapy tomorrow. Thanks to all who have been giving him rides!
At one point during the therapy, the therapist told him that she wanted him to run. Run?!? Mordy's not steady at walking...how could he run? But the two therapists promised that they'd be on either side of him, to make sure he didn't fall. So they did. And he ran. And he didn't fall!
I guess part of therapy is getting your balance and coordination back. But part of it is also getting one's confidence back. He can run! (Yes, but don't worry...he won't try that at home!)
OK, so this next part is crazy...Saturday night into Sunday Mordy had a dental emergency totally unrelated to the stroke. He developed a small infection from food caught in a small area of his gums that became increasingly painful and swollen throughout the night Saturday night. It got so bad that he couldn't close his mouth all the way! He barely slept that night, and he had me up multiple times. We were lucky to get an emergency appointment with our dentist Sunday morning, and she was able to identify the problem and figure out how to resolve it. He's on antibiotics now and everything is getting better, but it will take a few days to fully resolve.
Fortunately, my mother was able to stay with the kids during the dentist appointment and afterwards as I ran to pick up Mordy's prescriptions, etc. After having been up all night, Mordy slept a good amount on Sunday, Father's Day. I eventually picked up the kids from my mother's and took them to ToysRus to get them small gifts (Jonah received a giftcard for his pre-school graduation and all three boys benefited!). By the time we came home from all our excursions and Mordy woke up, it was close to 5pm. At that point, he got his father's day presents and the boys got to watch a Superman movie with him as a special father's day activity.
I never got to nap yesterday and I'm still tired today, so I guess this will be the end of the blog post for now.
Until next time...
Mordy's continuing to improve. His vision has gotten better such that he's reading a bit on his own each day. He's recently picked up the Sifre (for those of you who know what it is....and if not, go here) to read, you know, for fun. Typical Mordy "fun" reading...yes, so he's really improving!
Mordy's getting out of the house more. He attended Jonah's pre-school graduation and dinner at a restaurant afterwards. He's been taking short walks (walked to the doctor, etc) and he's been doing well. He doesn't use the cane, but he does like to hold my hand for support, which I like :-) As long as he's holding someone's hand, he's able to be steady enough to walk just fine. And he's becoming a master at stairs. It is amazing to see his progress!
Mordy went back to services for the first time this Saturday morning. He walked there, holding hands with Isaac, our 9-year old, and enjoyed being back at the Highland Park Temple. He took the opportunity to bentch gomel (recite a special prayer after having gone through a life-threatening experience). After services he socialized with friends, and when I encouraged him to go home, he insisted on staying longer to talk with people. He really enjoyed being back in the world again. I enjoyed seeing him in it.
Mordy had a physical therapy assessment on Friday and an actual physical therapy session today. He starts occupational therapy tomorrow. Thanks to all who have been giving him rides!
At one point during the therapy, the therapist told him that she wanted him to run. Run?!? Mordy's not steady at walking...how could he run? But the two therapists promised that they'd be on either side of him, to make sure he didn't fall. So they did. And he ran. And he didn't fall!
I guess part of therapy is getting your balance and coordination back. But part of it is also getting one's confidence back. He can run! (Yes, but don't worry...he won't try that at home!)
OK, so this next part is crazy...Saturday night into Sunday Mordy had a dental emergency totally unrelated to the stroke. He developed a small infection from food caught in a small area of his gums that became increasingly painful and swollen throughout the night Saturday night. It got so bad that he couldn't close his mouth all the way! He barely slept that night, and he had me up multiple times. We were lucky to get an emergency appointment with our dentist Sunday morning, and she was able to identify the problem and figure out how to resolve it. He's on antibiotics now and everything is getting better, but it will take a few days to fully resolve.
Fortunately, my mother was able to stay with the kids during the dentist appointment and afterwards as I ran to pick up Mordy's prescriptions, etc. After having been up all night, Mordy slept a good amount on Sunday, Father's Day. I eventually picked up the kids from my mother's and took them to ToysRus to get them small gifts (Jonah received a giftcard for his pre-school graduation and all three boys benefited!). By the time we came home from all our excursions and Mordy woke up, it was close to 5pm. At that point, he got his father's day presents and the boys got to watch a Superman movie with him as a special father's day activity.
I never got to nap yesterday and I'm still tired today, so I guess this will be the end of the blog post for now.
Until next time...
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Time to recuperate at home
Monday and today have been restful for Mordy. He's getting lots of time to sleep and heal, which has been really good for him. He's also walking around the house without using the cane at all, which is great!
The nausea has subsided so much that he's no longer taking the medication for nauseousness. The vision is stable, as it was Sunday. I'm encouraged that he's healing so well.
Mordy's been listening to books and reading. He listened to the entirety of the Hunger Games series. He's been reading (in large print) Daniel Boyarin's book "Socretes and the Fat Rabbis" as well as Mishna and Gemara (Talmud). At this point, he's reading in large print with a magnifying glass and a patch covering one eye. But in this way, he's able to read for several hours at a time.
Mordy has also resumed reading to the boys at night, which was part of their bedtime routine before the stroke. He's continuing to read "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" as well as the 2nd book of Samuel. Both are great adventure stories for the boys.
He has his first checkup with his primary physician tomorrow, and will start physical therapy at the end of the week.
Meanwhile, since he's been so stable, I've started going back to work in 1/2 day increments. It is good for me to start to return to my routine.
Tomorrow Sammy has a concert at his school and Jonah is graduating from pre-school. Mordy will be at the graduation, and we're so glad to have him there.
The nausea has subsided so much that he's no longer taking the medication for nauseousness. The vision is stable, as it was Sunday. I'm encouraged that he's healing so well.
Mordy's been listening to books and reading. He listened to the entirety of the Hunger Games series. He's been reading (in large print) Daniel Boyarin's book "Socretes and the Fat Rabbis" as well as Mishna and Gemara (Talmud). At this point, he's reading in large print with a magnifying glass and a patch covering one eye. But in this way, he's able to read for several hours at a time.
Mordy has also resumed reading to the boys at night, which was part of their bedtime routine before the stroke. He's continuing to read "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" as well as the 2nd book of Samuel. Both are great adventure stories for the boys.
He has his first checkup with his primary physician tomorrow, and will start physical therapy at the end of the week.
Meanwhile, since he's been so stable, I've started going back to work in 1/2 day increments. It is good for me to start to return to my routine.
Tomorrow Sammy has a concert at his school and Jonah is graduating from pre-school. Mordy will be at the graduation, and we're so glad to have him there.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Mordy's first weekend at home
Mordy came home from the rehab hospital Friday afternoon and immediately went to sleep. He woke up for Shabbat dinner with our boys and his parents (compliments of the Orchid restaurant!) and then went back to sleep. He was just so tired! But we were very happy to have him home with us. He and I gave the traditional blessing to our children at dinner, as we do each Friday night, and he read to them at night before bedtime, as he used to do each night before the stroke.
Saturday was sleepy, too. Mordy slept a huge amount, and when he was awake, he had some trouble seeing. The double vision and vertigo had returned. But after a long afternoon nap, he felt much better and after Shabbat we got to watch the two episodes of Mad Men that we had missed while he was in the hospital. Now we're all caught up for tonight's (Sunday night's) season finale!
Late at night, when I and most normal people are getting ready for bed, Mordy decided Saturday night, for the first time since the stroke, to have a late night snack. This was a wonderful thing, because before the stroke, Mordy would always have a late night snack. It is delightful to see him returning to old habits.
Today was a much better day. Mordy was awake much more of the day and the double vision and vertigo had significantly lessened. He felt much better throughout the day, though he still has been taking it easy and napping occasionally. At one point, Sammy, Mordy and I went out for a short walk for a few blocks in the neighborhood. He used the cane part of the time, and walked without it part of the time. It seems that walking without the cane is better for him, even though he's not 100% steady in his gait, because using the cane required so much coordination and concentration that it made walking harder for him. Going up and down stairs was not difficult at all. I'm sure he'll continue to work on walking and using stairs as he goes to physical therapy later this week.
Overall, Mordy describes his experiences as similar to the sensation of being drunk. He can't get his legs to walk properly, and his gait is slightly off. At times the world is spinning, even when he is sitting still. He is cognizant and aware of everything around him, but he just wants to go to sleep.
Since yesterday when he slept most of the day, to today when he was awake and had less vertigo and double vision, I am encouraged that he's getting better. Obviously, the transition from the rehab hospital to home wore Mordy out. But since he's resting so much, he's continuing to improve. I hope that will continue to be the case.
Saturday was sleepy, too. Mordy slept a huge amount, and when he was awake, he had some trouble seeing. The double vision and vertigo had returned. But after a long afternoon nap, he felt much better and after Shabbat we got to watch the two episodes of Mad Men that we had missed while he was in the hospital. Now we're all caught up for tonight's (Sunday night's) season finale!
Late at night, when I and most normal people are getting ready for bed, Mordy decided Saturday night, for the first time since the stroke, to have a late night snack. This was a wonderful thing, because before the stroke, Mordy would always have a late night snack. It is delightful to see him returning to old habits.
Today was a much better day. Mordy was awake much more of the day and the double vision and vertigo had significantly lessened. He felt much better throughout the day, though he still has been taking it easy and napping occasionally. At one point, Sammy, Mordy and I went out for a short walk for a few blocks in the neighborhood. He used the cane part of the time, and walked without it part of the time. It seems that walking without the cane is better for him, even though he's not 100% steady in his gait, because using the cane required so much coordination and concentration that it made walking harder for him. Going up and down stairs was not difficult at all. I'm sure he'll continue to work on walking and using stairs as he goes to physical therapy later this week.
Overall, Mordy describes his experiences as similar to the sensation of being drunk. He can't get his legs to walk properly, and his gait is slightly off. At times the world is spinning, even when he is sitting still. He is cognizant and aware of everything around him, but he just wants to go to sleep.
Since yesterday when he slept most of the day, to today when he was awake and had less vertigo and double vision, I am encouraged that he's getting better. Obviously, the transition from the rehab hospital to home wore Mordy out. But since he's resting so much, he's continuing to improve. I hope that will continue to be the case.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Last full day of rehab
...so you know that you're tired when you fall asleep while putting your kids to bed and you don't wake up and go into your own bed until 2am...that's why I'm updating this blog post Friday morning instead of Thursday night!
Here's what I started to write yesterday and never posted...
Mordy had a very early morning today. They woke him before 6am (which is earlier than our kids would wake him if he were at home) and brought him to a classroom for the neuro-ophthamology residents. They spent the next hour discussing his case and examining him. It definitely wore him out! When he got back to his room he slept and slept. They woke him for occupational therapy, which he sleepily went through. He showed the occupational therapist that he can accomplish activities for daily living well enough to be able to be sent home. These activities included: getting in and out of the bathtub; walking to a bedroom and sitting down on a bed, laying down and getting up; walking into the kitchen and doing some cooking (with pretend food); getting into and out of a car; and more. They were very satisfied that he could come home Friday!
He was still tired, so he slept during the lunch break and woke up for physical therapy. During physical therapy, he walked with a cane. It seems that he'll be sent home with a cane, not a walker, so that is very exciting news! He went up and down stairs multiple times (and quite well) and then did a number of exercises to help with his coordination and balance. The therapist provided detailed instructions and illustrations of all the exercises so he can continue to do the exercises at home.
The neuro-ophthamologist came to visit in the afternoon, to make sure Mordy wasn't too tired out from the early morning class, and to suggest some exercises to help his vision improve. Mordy's vestibular system (which coordinates balance) is getting inaccurate signals from his eyes. As he continues to do these eye exercises, his vestibular system will get increasingly accurate visual information, so his balance will improve. The prisms are still working great--Mordy continued reading to himself through the afternoon.
---
So today is Friday, and Mordy is coming home! Last night the children made a big poster that says "welcome home Abba" that is hanging on the front door of home, just at the top of the stairs, so he'll see it when he comes home. (Thank you to Tammy Dorff for the idea and for helping to make it happen!)
Next week he'll have outpatient therapy, probably Tuesday and Thursday. And after that, he'll have outpatient therapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you're able to give Mordy a ride to JFK, please email getwellmordy@gmail.com
While Mordy is thrilled to be coming home, he still needs a lot of rest. If you're local, please let us know that you want to visit--don't just drop by.
I'm very happy to have Mordy home this Shabbat with our family. May this weekend bring health, joy, and recovery to us all.
Here's what I started to write yesterday and never posted...
Mordy had a very early morning today. They woke him before 6am (which is earlier than our kids would wake him if he were at home) and brought him to a classroom for the neuro-ophthamology residents. They spent the next hour discussing his case and examining him. It definitely wore him out! When he got back to his room he slept and slept. They woke him for occupational therapy, which he sleepily went through. He showed the occupational therapist that he can accomplish activities for daily living well enough to be able to be sent home. These activities included: getting in and out of the bathtub; walking to a bedroom and sitting down on a bed, laying down and getting up; walking into the kitchen and doing some cooking (with pretend food); getting into and out of a car; and more. They were very satisfied that he could come home Friday!
He was still tired, so he slept during the lunch break and woke up for physical therapy. During physical therapy, he walked with a cane. It seems that he'll be sent home with a cane, not a walker, so that is very exciting news! He went up and down stairs multiple times (and quite well) and then did a number of exercises to help with his coordination and balance. The therapist provided detailed instructions and illustrations of all the exercises so he can continue to do the exercises at home.
The neuro-ophthamologist came to visit in the afternoon, to make sure Mordy wasn't too tired out from the early morning class, and to suggest some exercises to help his vision improve. Mordy's vestibular system (which coordinates balance) is getting inaccurate signals from his eyes. As he continues to do these eye exercises, his vestibular system will get increasingly accurate visual information, so his balance will improve. The prisms are still working great--Mordy continued reading to himself through the afternoon.
---
So today is Friday, and Mordy is coming home! Last night the children made a big poster that says "welcome home Abba" that is hanging on the front door of home, just at the top of the stairs, so he'll see it when he comes home. (Thank you to Tammy Dorff for the idea and for helping to make it happen!)
Next week he'll have outpatient therapy, probably Tuesday and Thursday. And after that, he'll have outpatient therapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you're able to give Mordy a ride to JFK, please email getwellmordy@gmail.com
While Mordy is thrilled to be coming home, he still needs a lot of rest. If you're local, please let us know that you want to visit--don't just drop by.
I'm very happy to have Mordy home this Shabbat with our family. May this weekend bring health, joy, and recovery to us all.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The wonder of prisms
Today Mordy had a pretty good morning with physical therapy and more "activities for daily living." He practiced doing several tasks that he'll do at home once he gets back from rehab. He did a great job with it all. The whole time he was wearing the eye patch to reduce the double vision and ensuing dizziness.
In the middle of his second therapy session (after lunch), the neuro-ophthomologist came in with prisms. He held the prisms over Mordy's right eye until he found the right one to help prevent Mordy from seeing double. We were a bit surprised to see the doctor, since we thought that prisms would be something Mordy would get further down the road. But the doctor removed Mordy's patch and put the prism (clear plastic) over one lens of Mordy's glasses. Mordy put on the glasses and exclaimed "I can see!" The double vision was gone. It was amazing!!
Mordy continued to have the prism on his glasses for the rest of the day. For the most part, the double vision was gone. At a certain point, his eyes became fatigued and the double vision returned. So I encouraged Mordy to close his eyes for a bit, to give them a rest. After 30 seconds, he opened his eyes and the vision was normal again.
The prisms are incredible. He no longer sees double. This has significantly reduced the dizziness. The doctor suspects that as the brain will continue to heal he will outgrow the prisms. When that happens, we'll just remove the plastic from his glasses, and his vision should return to normal. Amazing, right?!?
The neuro-ophthomologist is bringing Mordy to his class tomorrow morning, to tell the residents about Mordy's case and display how the prisms are working. Lucky Mordy, he gets to return to a classroom for purposes of instruction within 2 weeks of his stroke! (And we're looking forward to his return to being in the role of teacher this Fall...)
Mordy continued to walk without the walker today. He occasionally used a cane, but often just held my hand or walked with someone nearby. With the prisms, his gait has improved. It is truly a blessing to see the healing that is happening. While incremental, it is consistent. We're hopeful for a speedy recovery. Thank you all for your cards and prayers. I'm sharing every message with Mordy (even if I don't reply to you directly, we're getting them!) and he's happy to receive so much support from all of you.
We're still hoping he'll come home Friday...I'll keep you posted on that.
In the middle of his second therapy session (after lunch), the neuro-ophthomologist came in with prisms. He held the prisms over Mordy's right eye until he found the right one to help prevent Mordy from seeing double. We were a bit surprised to see the doctor, since we thought that prisms would be something Mordy would get further down the road. But the doctor removed Mordy's patch and put the prism (clear plastic) over one lens of Mordy's glasses. Mordy put on the glasses and exclaimed "I can see!" The double vision was gone. It was amazing!!
Mordy continued to have the prism on his glasses for the rest of the day. For the most part, the double vision was gone. At a certain point, his eyes became fatigued and the double vision returned. So I encouraged Mordy to close his eyes for a bit, to give them a rest. After 30 seconds, he opened his eyes and the vision was normal again.
The prisms are incredible. He no longer sees double. This has significantly reduced the dizziness. The doctor suspects that as the brain will continue to heal he will outgrow the prisms. When that happens, we'll just remove the plastic from his glasses, and his vision should return to normal. Amazing, right?!?
The neuro-ophthomologist is bringing Mordy to his class tomorrow morning, to tell the residents about Mordy's case and display how the prisms are working. Lucky Mordy, he gets to return to a classroom for purposes of instruction within 2 weeks of his stroke! (And we're looking forward to his return to being in the role of teacher this Fall...)
Mordy continued to walk without the walker today. He occasionally used a cane, but often just held my hand or walked with someone nearby. With the prisms, his gait has improved. It is truly a blessing to see the healing that is happening. While incremental, it is consistent. We're hopeful for a speedy recovery. Thank you all for your cards and prayers. I'm sharing every message with Mordy (even if I don't reply to you directly, we're getting them!) and he's happy to receive so much support from all of you.
We're still hoping he'll come home Friday...I'll keep you posted on that.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Better and better every day
Today Mordy finally got to see the neuro-ophthomologist. The resident examined him yesterday, but the attending physician saw him today and discussed his situation with us in detail. Good news: he is expected to recover his vision. It will just take time. For now, he has an eye patch, which helps reduce the double vision. That (plus medication) helps reduce the dizzyness and nausea. If his eyes recover to a certain point and plateau but don't improve completely, the doctor can give Mordy prisms. If for some reason that doesn't work either, surgery is a last resort, but an unlikely scenario. Overall, the neuro-ophthomologist was extremely reassuring. Basically, he said that Mordy should most likely recover his vision on his own, as his eyes and his brain readjust after the trauma of the stroke. We are already seeing that each day the eyes get better and better. We're hoping that will continue.
Mordy had several sessions of therapy today. The big news is that he was walking for periods of time without a walker. He still had a therapist holding on to him or putting hands out around him, in case he should lose balance. Mordy said that he doesn't feel like he's going to fall. But he does feel uncoordinated. He said that he felt like his gait was that of the "minister of silly walks" (for those of you who are Monty Python fans, hope you enjoy that reference!) With the therapy, his walking and coordination of his gait is improving.
When he wasn't in therapy, he mostly rested. He has been listening to "The Hunger Games" on audio, and he's enjoying that. His appetite is back, so that's good, too. He's really improving, and we're all hoping he'll be home on Friday.
As for visitors, we have been inundated with people asking to see Mordy. He had one visitor today and after that he didn't want any more because he needed to rest. All the doctors are saying he needs to sleep for his brain to heal. I suspect that will be the case for a while...
I know he'll want visitors once he's feeling better, and we might need help in terms of transporting him from home to and from JFK for outpatient physical therapy. So if you're reading this blog and able to help bring Mordy to and from therapy during daytime hours next week or the week of June 18-22, send an email to getwellmordy@gmail.com
And if he does come home on Friday, and if you live local, please don't drop by over the weekend to visit. After the trip home, he'll definitely need a few days to rest a lot at home before we have people coming by.
Thanks for your understanding...
Mordy had several sessions of therapy today. The big news is that he was walking for periods of time without a walker. He still had a therapist holding on to him or putting hands out around him, in case he should lose balance. Mordy said that he doesn't feel like he's going to fall. But he does feel uncoordinated. He said that he felt like his gait was that of the "minister of silly walks" (for those of you who are Monty Python fans, hope you enjoy that reference!) With the therapy, his walking and coordination of his gait is improving.
When he wasn't in therapy, he mostly rested. He has been listening to "The Hunger Games" on audio, and he's enjoying that. His appetite is back, so that's good, too. He's really improving, and we're all hoping he'll be home on Friday.
As for visitors, we have been inundated with people asking to see Mordy. He had one visitor today and after that he didn't want any more because he needed to rest. All the doctors are saying he needs to sleep for his brain to heal. I suspect that will be the case for a while...
I know he'll want visitors once he's feeling better, and we might need help in terms of transporting him from home to and from JFK for outpatient physical therapy. So if you're reading this blog and able to help bring Mordy to and from therapy during daytime hours next week or the week of June 18-22, send an email to getwellmordy@gmail.com
And if he does come home on Friday, and if you live local, please don't drop by over the weekend to visit. After the trip home, he'll definitely need a few days to rest a lot at home before we have people coming by.
Thanks for your understanding...
Monday, June 4, 2012
Activities for Daily Living
Today was quite a day! For the first time, Mordy wasn't nauseous or dizzy. It seems that his anti-vertigo and anti-nausea medications are working. Yay!
Mordy had physical therapy focusing on "activities for daily living". The therapist made sure Mordy could shower, get dressed, and do other things he'll need to do once he goes home. He went to a fake apartment down the hall from his room and practiced sitting in a chair, standing up; sitting on a couch, standing up; getting in and out of bed; getting in and out of a car, and more. He did arm and back exercises, sit ups, and then eye exercises. The eye exercises were the most challenging. He could manage the situps and other excercises without a problem, but his eyes became easily tired from the exercises.
Mordy wore a patch on one eye, and then the other. After patching for several hours, his eyes improved tremendously. He no longer saw double vision, and he no longer had trouble reading. He was able to move his eyes well and read--even small print! While the neuro-ophthomology resident stopped by today, the neuro-ophthomology attending physician will come by tomorrow. We didn't get any answers today, so we'll find out more about his eyes tomorrow.
The best news of all is that Mordy is due to come home Friday or Sunday. He really wants to be home on Friday, to be with us for Shabbat. But we'll find out on Thursday whether that can happen, or if we have to wait until Sunday to have him home. Once he's home, he'll still have outpatient physical therapy, to continue to improve.
Mordy had several friends visit today, which he really enjoyed, but it also made him tired. Mordy really enjoys seeing people now, and he'll want even more visitors once he comes home. But please let me know before you drop by. If you're able to visit, during the day or at night, email me at GetWellMordy@gmail.com
Thanks,
Esther
Mordy had physical therapy focusing on "activities for daily living". The therapist made sure Mordy could shower, get dressed, and do other things he'll need to do once he goes home. He went to a fake apartment down the hall from his room and practiced sitting in a chair, standing up; sitting on a couch, standing up; getting in and out of bed; getting in and out of a car, and more. He did arm and back exercises, sit ups, and then eye exercises. The eye exercises were the most challenging. He could manage the situps and other excercises without a problem, but his eyes became easily tired from the exercises.
Mordy wore a patch on one eye, and then the other. After patching for several hours, his eyes improved tremendously. He no longer saw double vision, and he no longer had trouble reading. He was able to move his eyes well and read--even small print! While the neuro-ophthomology resident stopped by today, the neuro-ophthomology attending physician will come by tomorrow. We didn't get any answers today, so we'll find out more about his eyes tomorrow.
The best news of all is that Mordy is due to come home Friday or Sunday. He really wants to be home on Friday, to be with us for Shabbat. But we'll find out on Thursday whether that can happen, or if we have to wait until Sunday to have him home. Once he's home, he'll still have outpatient physical therapy, to continue to improve.
Mordy had several friends visit today, which he really enjoyed, but it also made him tired. Mordy really enjoys seeing people now, and he'll want even more visitors once he comes home. But please let me know before you drop by. If you're able to visit, during the day or at night, email me at GetWellMordy@gmail.com
Thanks,
Esther
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Enjoying sunshine and relaxing on the lawn
Today I brought the boys to visit Mordy at the rehab hospital. Mordy had just woken up from a nap, so he was energetic and happy to see his sons. He used the walker to walk from his bed to the wheelchair, where we wheeled him outside (or, more accurately, he wheeled himself!) into glorious weather.
Mordy sat in the chair for a while as the boys ran around on the grass. Although Mordy's having a lot of trouble with his eyes at the moment, seeing his children running on the grass gave him much pleasure. He explained that it is easier to control his eyes as they tracked a moving image--like the boys running--than to control the eyes while looking at something stationary. At one point, he got out of the wheelchair and lay down on the grass, enjoying the fresh air and sun as the boys climbed over him with hugs and kisses.
Overall, Mordy is doing pretty well. He is taking an anti-nausea medication which is helping. He also had physical therapy today, so he practiced going up and down stairs and doing other tasks. The therapy has been great...now if he can only get his eyes coordinated again, he'll be in terrific shape.
Tomorrow he has a neuro-opthomologist coming to see him, to assess his eyes and determine what can be done to correct the problem. I look forward to reporting on how that visit goes.
As for me, after the visit, I took the boys to visit friends in Princeton, which was a pleasure. It was good to see close friends and the kids enjoyed playing with other children (and, of course, getting ice cream!). One of my friends, Dr. David Nathan, asked how I'm doing and I said that I'm ok, but I am a little sad about everything. David pointed out that I'm probably feeling a sense of loss. Yes! I didn't realize it until he named it for me...loss of a feeling that we're young and healthy and have so much ahead of us...loss of a sense of security in having Mordy with me...loss in the short term plans we had for this summer (though we still don't know which of those plans we still might be able to salvage)...loss in just having Mordy with me at home these days. I do feel that loss. I called Mordy and asked if he feels sad, too, and he said he's a little sad, but mostly impatient. He wants to recover faster than he's been able. We're both aware that it will take time, and patience, for him to recover. We're still taking it one day at a time.
On a completely different note, another good friend asked if there's a way to "subscribe" to this blog, so she could get an email when I update the blog. The answer is yes and no. I've added a feature to this site, on the upper right, where you can put in your email address to "follow by email." Once you put in your email address, you'll get an email asking you to confirm. When you confirm, you'll be a subscriber and you'll get an email once a day with the latest blog post(s). BUT, it won't send you a message the moment I update the blog...just once a day each day, probably at the same time each day.
Until tomorrow...taking it one day at a time.
Mordy sat in the chair for a while as the boys ran around on the grass. Although Mordy's having a lot of trouble with his eyes at the moment, seeing his children running on the grass gave him much pleasure. He explained that it is easier to control his eyes as they tracked a moving image--like the boys running--than to control the eyes while looking at something stationary. At one point, he got out of the wheelchair and lay down on the grass, enjoying the fresh air and sun as the boys climbed over him with hugs and kisses.
Overall, Mordy is doing pretty well. He is taking an anti-nausea medication which is helping. He also had physical therapy today, so he practiced going up and down stairs and doing other tasks. The therapy has been great...now if he can only get his eyes coordinated again, he'll be in terrific shape.
Tomorrow he has a neuro-opthomologist coming to see him, to assess his eyes and determine what can be done to correct the problem. I look forward to reporting on how that visit goes.
As for me, after the visit, I took the boys to visit friends in Princeton, which was a pleasure. It was good to see close friends and the kids enjoyed playing with other children (and, of course, getting ice cream!). One of my friends, Dr. David Nathan, asked how I'm doing and I said that I'm ok, but I am a little sad about everything. David pointed out that I'm probably feeling a sense of loss. Yes! I didn't realize it until he named it for me...loss of a feeling that we're young and healthy and have so much ahead of us...loss of a sense of security in having Mordy with me...loss in the short term plans we had for this summer (though we still don't know which of those plans we still might be able to salvage)...loss in just having Mordy with me at home these days. I do feel that loss. I called Mordy and asked if he feels sad, too, and he said he's a little sad, but mostly impatient. He wants to recover faster than he's been able. We're both aware that it will take time, and patience, for him to recover. We're still taking it one day at a time.
On a completely different note, another good friend asked if there's a way to "subscribe" to this blog, so she could get an email when I update the blog. The answer is yes and no. I've added a feature to this site, on the upper right, where you can put in your email address to "follow by email." Once you put in your email address, you'll get an email asking you to confirm. When you confirm, you'll be a subscriber and you'll get an email once a day with the latest blog post(s). BUT, it won't send you a message the moment I update the blog...just once a day each day, probably at the same time each day.
Until tomorrow...taking it one day at a time.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Visit with the kids
Forgot to mention that I brought the kids to visit this afternoon. Sammy had a huge balloon and lovely card from his teachers. Each boy got a few moments alone with their Abba, which made them very happy.
Don, my father-in-law, came up from Baltimore and is staying for the weekend. Ann, my mother-in-law, and I are happy to have him here.
I will bring the boys back on Sunday, so hopefully that will be another good visit.
1st Day of Physical Therapy
Today was Mordy's first day of physical therapy and it definitely wore him out! After a bit of therapy in the morning, he slept for a while...he was so exhausted! When he woke up he was nauseous and having trouble coordinating his vision. It appears that the stroke has made it harder for his eye muscles, especially his right eye, to move properly. He had additional therapy, with special emphasis on his eyes, this afternoon, which also wore him out. He has gone back to sleep.
The more he has therapy, the more the synapses in his brain will connect, and he'll relearn how to do things he did before the stroke, which in his case have to do with coordination and balance, as well as vision on the right side. The physical therapist he met with this afternoon was hopeful that with therapy he'll regain these abilities.
JFK medical center has been lovely. The people who work here are very nice and he is getting excellent care. Although the doctors at Robert Wood Johnson originally said he'd be here for a week, he could come home sooner...or he could be here two weeks or more. It really depends on how he does.
Wishing all of you a Shabbat of Heath and Peace: Shabbat Shalom.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Settling in at JFK
It has been quite a day! This afternoon Mordy walked (with help) to the wheelchair so we could bring him down to our car. When he went outside and saw daylight for the first time since Friday, he remarked about how bright it was! His depth perception is a bit off, so he began closing one eye, and then the other, to try to see better...at that moment he realized that one eye was slightly blurry...maybe that's also from the stroke. We're not sure.
I drove him and Ann, my mother-in-law, to JFK and had the nurse come bring him to his room. Mordy is sharing a room with another man. For some reason, this fellow watches TV on mute, which was awesome, because it meant Mordy could sleep in some peace and quiet for the first time in a while. The hospital where he had been had all sorts of equipment beeping--from the ICU to the Neurology floor--so he never slept well there. Plus, once he fell asleep, inevitably someone would come in and take his blood pressure or draw blood or wake him up some other way. I am hopeful that he'll get more sleep now that he's at JFK. He needs the rest to heal.
Mordy still gets tired out very easily. Whenever visitors come now (which we've had to severely limit for now), he gets super tired after the visit is over. So I still ask that if you'd like to visit, please let me know--don't just show up! Thanks.
He is also still dizzy and nauseous for a lot of the day. When he sleeps, it sometimes gets better. But not always. This also appears to be a result of the stroke.
Folks have been asking how the stroke happened. It appears that at some point in the last few weeks, Mordy turned his neck sharply. He and I both remember that his neck has been sore for a few weeks now, though we don't know what caused the injury. At the moment he turned his neck, he probably had a small tear, what they call "dissection", in the vertebral artery. No big deal--a blood clot formed there. But then, when he had a violent sneeze on Friday, the clot broke loose and traveled to the brain...so he had the stroke.
It is clear that this tear was NOT caused by exercise. We also know that he experienced neck and shoulder pain for the last few weeks because of whatever Mordy originally did to his neck. He had been taking tylenol, icing the area, taking warm showers, stretching, and nothing seemed to work. So if there is one piece of advice that I have for you it is this: if you are in pain, don't try to self-medicate or resolve the problem on your own. Get professional help.
I don't know that seeing a doctor would have prevented this, but in theory if he had an MRI, they could have seen the dissection and given him blood thinners before the stroke occurred.
On a separate note, I have heard from some folks that they have tried multiple times to post messages on the blog and that they haven't been able to. If that happens to you--just email your message to me at GetWellMordy@gmail.com I'm reading those messages, too, and I'm reading most of them to Mordy, depending on how tired he is each day. I understand that some folks are blog-challenged...this is new for a lot of us! :-)
Tomorrow I hope to bring the kids to visit their father for the second time this week, the second time since the stroke happened last Friday. Overall, they're doing really well, but I know they miss their father very much.
Many people have been offering to help with the kids, which I appreciate very much. For now, I'm trying to be present for them, too. I think that from their perspective, when their Abba (Dad) got sick, Mommy disappeared, since I was at the hospital all day each day for 3 days in a row. So I'm trying to be home with them a bit more afterschool, if I can.
As for all the messages of all kinds, I am getting them and reading them, even though I'm not responding to the all. Thank you again for all your kind words. We hope Mordy continues to improve each day.
Esther
I drove him and Ann, my mother-in-law, to JFK and had the nurse come bring him to his room. Mordy is sharing a room with another man. For some reason, this fellow watches TV on mute, which was awesome, because it meant Mordy could sleep in some peace and quiet for the first time in a while. The hospital where he had been had all sorts of equipment beeping--from the ICU to the Neurology floor--so he never slept well there. Plus, once he fell asleep, inevitably someone would come in and take his blood pressure or draw blood or wake him up some other way. I am hopeful that he'll get more sleep now that he's at JFK. He needs the rest to heal.
Mordy still gets tired out very easily. Whenever visitors come now (which we've had to severely limit for now), he gets super tired after the visit is over. So I still ask that if you'd like to visit, please let me know--don't just show up! Thanks.
He is also still dizzy and nauseous for a lot of the day. When he sleeps, it sometimes gets better. But not always. This also appears to be a result of the stroke.
Folks have been asking how the stroke happened. It appears that at some point in the last few weeks, Mordy turned his neck sharply. He and I both remember that his neck has been sore for a few weeks now, though we don't know what caused the injury. At the moment he turned his neck, he probably had a small tear, what they call "dissection", in the vertebral artery. No big deal--a blood clot formed there. But then, when he had a violent sneeze on Friday, the clot broke loose and traveled to the brain...so he had the stroke.
It is clear that this tear was NOT caused by exercise. We also know that he experienced neck and shoulder pain for the last few weeks because of whatever Mordy originally did to his neck. He had been taking tylenol, icing the area, taking warm showers, stretching, and nothing seemed to work. So if there is one piece of advice that I have for you it is this: if you are in pain, don't try to self-medicate or resolve the problem on your own. Get professional help.
I don't know that seeing a doctor would have prevented this, but in theory if he had an MRI, they could have seen the dissection and given him blood thinners before the stroke occurred.
On a separate note, I have heard from some folks that they have tried multiple times to post messages on the blog and that they haven't been able to. If that happens to you--just email your message to me at GetWellMordy@gmail.com I'm reading those messages, too, and I'm reading most of them to Mordy, depending on how tired he is each day. I understand that some folks are blog-challenged...this is new for a lot of us! :-)
Tomorrow I hope to bring the kids to visit their father for the second time this week, the second time since the stroke happened last Friday. Overall, they're doing really well, but I know they miss their father very much.
Many people have been offering to help with the kids, which I appreciate very much. For now, I'm trying to be present for them, too. I think that from their perspective, when their Abba (Dad) got sick, Mommy disappeared, since I was at the hospital all day each day for 3 days in a row. So I'm trying to be home with them a bit more afterschool, if I can.
As for all the messages of all kinds, I am getting them and reading them, even though I'm not responding to the all. Thank you again for all your kind words. We hope Mordy continues to improve each day.
Esther
Moving to JFK Rehab today!
The doctors and insurance have approved Mordy to go to JFK this afternoon, and we're thrilled. He had a good night with no setbacks, so he's ready to go!
Today he walked a little bit on his own, though he's still a little wobbly. The physical therapy at JFK will be intense. He'll do that 3-4 hours each day. It will be exhausting, but that's the best way for him to get better. We expect that he'll be there for about a week and then will come home for continued outpatient physical therapy.
Mordy has either read himself or had read to him every message of support and love from all of you reading the blog and commenting or sending messages to GetWellMordy@gmail.com He appreciates it so much! Mordy feels that all the good wishes are encouraging him to get better and better. He's determined to do so!
Many local people have sent messages offering to help, and I appreciate that so much! With my mother-in-law here and my mother nearby, plus so many friends, I feel very supported! I might be too overwhelmed to reply to each individual email, but I'm reading them all and will probably ask for help in the next few weeks from you if I haven't asked for help already.
I'm so relieved to be taking Mordy out of the hospital today, in our car, which he'll WALK to (with help). I'm grateful to see him healing more and more each day. Ken Yehi Ratzon (May it be God's will)
Esther
Today he walked a little bit on his own, though he's still a little wobbly. The physical therapy at JFK will be intense. He'll do that 3-4 hours each day. It will be exhausting, but that's the best way for him to get better. We expect that he'll be there for about a week and then will come home for continued outpatient physical therapy.
Mordy has either read himself or had read to him every message of support and love from all of you reading the blog and commenting or sending messages to GetWellMordy@gmail.com He appreciates it so much! Mordy feels that all the good wishes are encouraging him to get better and better. He's determined to do so!
Many local people have sent messages offering to help, and I appreciate that so much! With my mother-in-law here and my mother nearby, plus so many friends, I feel very supported! I might be too overwhelmed to reply to each individual email, but I'm reading them all and will probably ask for help in the next few weeks from you if I haven't asked for help already.
I'm so relieved to be taking Mordy out of the hospital today, in our car, which he'll WALK to (with help). I'm grateful to see him healing more and more each day. Ken Yehi Ratzon (May it be God's will)
Esther
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 30
Today has been a stable day, no marked improvements, but he's still doing really well.
Mordy was brought to an X-ray exam in the morning that required him to move around a lot and be put into unnatural positions. After that he became increasingly dizzy and nauseous. A few good friends stopped by to visit, but they had to be very short visits, since he was so tired. He slept a good part of the late morning and early afternoon, and woke up feeling much better.
VISITORS: if you want to visit, please don't just "drop by". Mordy was so tired today that having more visitors would have been too taxing. We're really limited in the number of people who can come at any given time, so if you'd like to come, please email GetWellMordy@gmail.com
His x-ray showed nothing abnormal, and he also had a CT scan that also showed nothing abnormal, so all of that is good news. Mordy's healing well.
We hope that he'll be moved to JFK acute rehab tomorrow (Thursday)
Mordy was brought to an X-ray exam in the morning that required him to move around a lot and be put into unnatural positions. After that he became increasingly dizzy and nauseous. A few good friends stopped by to visit, but they had to be very short visits, since he was so tired. He slept a good part of the late morning and early afternoon, and woke up feeling much better.
VISITORS: if you want to visit, please don't just "drop by". Mordy was so tired today that having more visitors would have been too taxing. We're really limited in the number of people who can come at any given time, so if you'd like to come, please email GetWellMordy@gmail.com
His x-ray showed nothing abnormal, and he also had a CT scan that also showed nothing abnormal, so all of that is good news. Mordy's healing well.
We hope that he'll be moved to JFK acute rehab tomorrow (Thursday)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday Night, May 29
What an amazing day!
Mordy walked, with help, to his first shower since hospitalization. He feels so good to be clean!
He has been studying Torah from the books I brought over. His lung capacity has improved and we're hoping that the pneumonia he developed is going away. His spirits are really good. He feels good, but he's wobbly when he walks.
Mordy also has has a few visitors and is open to more. If you want to visit, please email GetWellMordy@gmail.com and let me know what days and times you might be able to come, so I can make sure he's not overwhelmed with too many people at once.
Our boys came to visit for the first time since Mordy had the stroke. They brought beautiful cards from the 1st and 3rd grades at Schechter. The cards are in a prominent place in his room and he loves them. The boys were excited to see their Abba (Dad) and seemed reassured that he's going to be OK. He got out of bed while they were here, so they saw his walking--wobbly and only while supported--but walking nonetheless. It was really good for them.
Mordy has been heartened by everyone's positive attitude and well wishes. He's feeling good and is anxious to get better.
Thanks to all...
Mordy walked, with help, to his first shower since hospitalization. He feels so good to be clean!
He has been studying Torah from the books I brought over. His lung capacity has improved and we're hoping that the pneumonia he developed is going away. His spirits are really good. He feels good, but he's wobbly when he walks.
Mordy also has has a few visitors and is open to more. If you want to visit, please email GetWellMordy@gmail.com and let me know what days and times you might be able to come, so I can make sure he's not overwhelmed with too many people at once.
Our boys came to visit for the first time since Mordy had the stroke. They brought beautiful cards from the 1st and 3rd grades at Schechter. The cards are in a prominent place in his room and he loves them. The boys were excited to see their Abba (Dad) and seemed reassured that he's going to be OK. He got out of bed while they were here, so they saw his walking--wobbly and only while supported--but walking nonetheless. It was really good for them.
Mordy has been heartened by everyone's positive attitude and well wishes. He's feeling good and is anxious to get better.
Thanks to all...
Tuesday, afternoon, May 29
Mordy is doing much better already. The dizzyness has completely gone away. He got out of bed and walked (with some support) for the first time--last night to a stretcher so they could take him out of the ICU (yay!)--today he walked with someone to the bathroom, and he just had his first physical therapy, walking around the room with a walker. He's wobbly, but doing really well.
His mind is as amazing as ever. Yesterday he quoted a Talmud passage by heart. He asked me to bring him his tallit and tefilin today, along with a Tanach (Bible), Mishna Moed (Rabbinic Teachings), and Gemarra Rosh Hashana (Talmud). As soon as I brought it all in, he looked up the Talmud passage and said "I got it right! I haven't forgotten it!"
They figured out what happened and why he had a stroke. He has a small tear in the vertibral artery running up to his brain. We have a few theories as to how this happened, but don't know for sure. He will be going on blood thinners to make sure this doesn't happen again.
I have shared with Mordy all the messages from everyone who has posted--thank you so much! He really appreciates it all.
His prognosis is pretty good. It looks like he might even be discharged in the next few days and brought to JFK inpatient rehab. I'll keep you posted here.
Overall, I'm still exhausted, emotionally and physically, but I am also so grateful for his increasing recovery and for all the support I get from all of you.
His mind is as amazing as ever. Yesterday he quoted a Talmud passage by heart. He asked me to bring him his tallit and tefilin today, along with a Tanach (Bible), Mishna Moed (Rabbinic Teachings), and Gemarra Rosh Hashana (Talmud). As soon as I brought it all in, he looked up the Talmud passage and said "I got it right! I haven't forgotten it!"
They figured out what happened and why he had a stroke. He has a small tear in the vertibral artery running up to his brain. We have a few theories as to how this happened, but don't know for sure. He will be going on blood thinners to make sure this doesn't happen again.
I have shared with Mordy all the messages from everyone who has posted--thank you so much! He really appreciates it all.
His prognosis is pretty good. It looks like he might even be discharged in the next few days and brought to JFK inpatient rehab. I'll keep you posted here.
Overall, I'm still exhausted, emotionally and physically, but I am also so grateful for his increasing recovery and for all the support I get from all of you.
How it all started
Friday, May 25 was a normal day. Mordy helped me get the kids ready for school. He took me to work and we chatted on the phone a few times during the day.
Around 2:30pm, he called me at work. All he could say was "come home" and moan. I asked what happened, what was wrong, and again he said "come home." I immediately got a ride home and found him on the floor. He was awake, but not able to talk very much.
I called 911 and the police and ambulances came. At that point, Mordy was able to communicate, one word at a time, with great effort, that he had been watching TV when he sneezed. Right after that, his head started hurting. After communicating that to me, he began to vomit.
The ambulance took him to the hospital and he still wasn't able to speak very much. In the emergency room, the doctors and nurses tried to treat him to figure out what was wrong. But if they touched him, he'd shout "ow" or push them away with his hands. Because he was making it difficult for them to treat him, they sedated him and put a tube in his throat. They gave him every possibly test--CT scan, X-ray, spinal tap, and more. They ruled out a heart attack but didn't know what was wrong.
With test results pending, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit to be watched and for additional tests. It wasn't until Saturday that he was diagnosed with a stroke.
Mordy can talk in complete sentences (sometimes paragraphs) and is intellectually completely there. He remembers the stroke, calling me, and that I was crying when I found him. He also remembers his work, the research he has been doing lately, and other complex ideas. His mind and speech have not been affected.
The good news is that he has passed the 72-hour critical test quite well. He *was* seeing people sideways and upside down. He still has severe dizziness, which the doctors hope will subside as soon as the swelling in his brain diminishes. His stroke was a bloodless one, caused by a lack of oxygen in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls coordination and balance), that's why he gets dizzy so easily.
We still don't know what caused the stroke, but the doctors are trying to figure that out. The physicians are still guarded about the prognosis, but we're hoping for the best.
He can't receive visitors in the ICU, so please don't come to visit. As his condition improves, I'll post info about when he'll be up for receiving visitors.
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