Community

Community..... only lately have we begun to understand that the fellow residents are now our community, however long we are at Rosedale.  And there is much to give and gain if we just notice and take the time to learn names, to smile and say good morning, to share our dog, Charlie.

The staff is easy for us to appreciate....they are so skilled at caring and responsive to unending needs.  But the residents are easy to look past.....the are also in wheelchairs,and eye contact takes an extra effort. Because they are usually "old" and some look "vacant" or depressed it is easy to not want to engage.  It might feel awkward or take too much time.  The conversations we have taken time to have remind us that "they" are us, just with more experience with life and physical challenges that would put anyone to the test.

Steve and I attended the Rosedale Veteran's Day program and it really brought home how much we stand to learn from our community.  Picture a row of mostly WW II veterans, all in wheelchairs, singing patriotic songs, listening intently to the program and saluting where they could.    It was the first time I had seen one of these men widely open his eyes and really "come alive."  It was very moving and we were proud that Steve was included in the program and the honor.

Many of us dread the possibility that we will be in one of "those places" when we get old.  It might help us fear less if we move toward those who have taken on that "assignment" and learn from them how to accept limitations with grace and dignity.

-Nancy and Steve

November update

Hello again!

In the past two weeks, Steve has been working hard on the machines in the therapy gym.  He has regained a good deal of strength in his upper arms and has progressed to over 175 rotations on the "arm bike" with his hands strapped on.  He also just yesterday got to use the leg pedals, and while he couldn't yet propel them all the way around, he rotated them back and forth quite a bit.  Trunk strength is continually improving and he can shift around more in the wheelchair.

We went to a new neurologist this week and he is assembling the picture of where Steve has come from and assessed him thoroughly.  It think he will be a good ally. Once again, no doctor can predict the length of time or extent of recovery for Steve and this doctor feels it could be up to a year or year and a half until we "see where we are."  Another chance for Steve to show another doctor how he can "beat the odds!"

Steve decided to purchase a piece of equipment that will allow him to enter our car using a sling and this metal mechanism called a multi-lift.  We are eagerly looking forward to its arrival somewhere around the 20th.  Then we should be able to go out together any time for just a drive or to a destination!  Stay tuned for more news of that development.

We appreciate so much each of you continuing to walk with us through the blog and your prayers.

Nancy and Steve

October update

Hi all,

Steve continues to progress physically and his mental/emotional outlook is, most days, resllient and strong.  His trust in God inspires me to keep on keeping on!

Latest achievements are more success in swinging his arm up on the wheelchair or bed and using the arm bicycle with hands strapped on.  This is with no therapist holding him erect!

We held a surprise birthday party for Steve here at Rosedale.  The activity staff was so thoughtful in setting up the room with fall decorations and tablecloths.  He was so happy to see everyone who came.  Thank you to so many others who sent cards....we enjoyed hearing from you:)  

We had a wonderful visit from one of his nurses from Drake, where he was for 13 months.  Erin had visited before and this time she brought us Panera dinner:)

She is one of the most compassionate nurses I have ever known.

Milwaukee friends Dave and Margo Hoffman were here for a couple of days and we had pizza outside in the courtyard.  They are like family to us.

We also had a visit from Bob and Sue Pinney.  Bob had a long ordeal with GBS also and now is recovered!  They were such an encouragement as they recounted stages in Bob's recovery and Steve nodded in recognition and asked a few questions.   

Our daughter Becky and granddaugher Diksha were here this past weekend.  Becky hadn't seen him since August and was so excited to see the difference in him!

Please keep checking back, we'll try to post more as we live life watching and waiting.

Nancy

This entry was written by the man himself- Steve Parsley!

Well here I am, nineteen months after I first went into the hospital with GBS.  I think I am getting better incrementally, day by day, at least that is what everybody around me tells me. The real thing I'm doing is laying in bed waiting for my nerves to reconnect.  I am experiencing several hours a week of therapy to keep my muscles limber and ready for when the nerves do reconnect.

However I am well entertained by the many visitors and those who communicate with me via email.

I am grateful to all those who have prayed for me.  Prayer works! I have gone from not even being able to lift an eyelid and having dozens of hoses running in and out of me to being almost normal and waiting to go home anxiously.

I hope that the prayers will continue.  I need it.  I also need prayers that  will reach the people serving me with my message of Christ and what he has done for me. 

Thank you so much for reading.  I will try to add more later.

Steve

Little birdie here

Steve's birthday is Oct 16th.

Cards can be sent to:
4250 Glenn Avenue
Covington KY 41015

Millimeter

Sorry its been a stretch between blog entries.  To be honest, I haven't posted in part due to my emotions and energy being so up and down.  As the Bible says, the battle is in the spiritual realm as we fight against discouragement and impatience. Our faith is being strengthened as we persevere, each day calling for a new supply as we trust God to see us through.

We are literally waiting for nerves to grow one millimeter at a time, yet the growth is invisible, UNTIL it shows up in another muscle movement that is new.  And there are!  Steve's therapists notice the most as they feel new muscles firing.  Lately, with the aid of a brace they found and holding Steve's arm up at the elbow, he is able to feed himself.  

Steve has mastered the ipad and mouth-guided stylus so he can use the internet to do things like prep for our Bible study that he leads there at Rosedale, and visit his train sites.  He has cleaned out his inbox of about 6,000 emails....imagine the patience:)  Steve would love to get emails from you and his address is: slparsley@gmail.com.  He can answer them, slowly, picking out one letter at a time with the stylus!

Steve will be guest author at this site soon so do check back!  Thank you for your continued support.

Nancy

Man Around Town

Hello blog followers!

As you may have been in the blog pictures, Steve has "flown the coop" twice and got to do normal guy stuff!  First, Sam Sladen took him for a convertible ride....they stopped at a car show, drove through McDonalds and said they just drove through the countryside the rest of the time:)  I waited for them for a while, but after an hour I thought, "Might as well go home!"  They were out 2.5 hours!  Steve was moved from a wheelchair into the convertible with a small crane-like thing called a Hoyer lift.  Staff said it was easier than transferring him into a wheelchair:)  They were wonderful and were as excited as we were over this opportunity.  Thank you, Sam!

Then, Thursday, Rosedale therapy staff took Steve and a few others to the Bengals training camp practice in downtown Cincinnati. I went along! We rode the van, which accommodates wheelchairs. We had a great time and a beautiful day. Steve sported a Bengals shirt he asked me to pick up on the way to Rosedale:)  Afterwards, some players came around to us and gave autographs.  We are so grateful to the therapy team that made this possible.

We are at the year and half mark in our journey.  I thought I'd give a short recap of where Steve's recovery is at this point.

Thanking God for recovery of eyesight, swallowing, speech, breathing and lung recovery from several pneumonias, trunk movement, ability to sit up for long periods, ability to stand with support frame, movement of lower legs, arm movement and more that we can't see yet!

We expectantly wait and pray for Steve's ability to transfer from a chair to another chair or bed, continued strength to be able to take a step and movement of his hands.  Thank you for traveling along with us.

Nancy

Early August update

Hi, Everyone,

Thank you for checking back with us! Steve is improving weekly with the therapy he is getting at Rosedale. We are feeling as "at home" there as you can without being, well, at home! He is standing in a frame, leaning on his forearms, at least once a week and is up to 27 minutes. His arms increase in strength and range of motion each week as well. Steve's hands are still not "pulling their weight", otherwise he would have just about full use of his arms. Keep praying, please!

I have been busy with the financial and insurance end of this journey, visiting Steve several times a week, and taking a few days to go visit Tim's and Becky's families.

We keep taking one day at a time and now there are more good days than discouraging ones. Thank you to all who continue to stand by with prayer, visits, and notes. It means so much!

Nancy

Widening the lens a bit

One year ago we were so pleased with the picture on the left of Dad sitting outside in a wheelchair. He was on the ventilator, needed full head support, was attached to an array of tubes and wires and was accompanied by a small army of support staff. What a difference a year makes!! Keep looking forward, Mom and Dad!

4th of July

Hi everyone,

We are again writing from a new place! Steve is at Rosedale Green in Latonia, KY room 117. As he wasn't going to be released to home from Gateway (not yet, anyway!), he needs to continue recovery at this skilled nursing facility. He moved July 2. We are already impressed with the rehabilitation therapy team and their enthusiasm to work with Steve, seeing so much potential and that he is, in their words, "young!" We were so warmly welcomed by staff continually going in and out checking on this and that, finding the best fit wheelchair, etc.  

We're so grateful to have had Becky, Flora, and Tim, and most of their children here last week. They helped us research facilities and choose Rosedale. Being with the grandchildren was just the pick-me-up we needed. Blessed!

Steve continues to have an amazing positive attitude and I'm so proud of his fight and trust in God. It inspires me. One comment when he left Gateway shows his sense of humor intact....when they gave him a "graduation" pin with a graduation cap on it, he announced that he would wear it proudly, but "I'm not going to walk!" (in the "commencement ceremony")

Today, Charlie and I will head over and a happy reunion will take place. There are beautiful grounds at Rosedale and hopefully we can spend time outside. Steve's room is very nice, big and has comfortable chairs. Do visit when you can! (4250 Glenn Avenue, Covington, KY 41015)

Love,

Nancy