Update on PApa Raymond Lindberg So originally we were told Dads cognitive diagnosis was a closed head injury. Now we are looping all the pieces together from one Dr. to the next to get a more clear picture as to why they are giving us information packets on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Call me stupid but I did not know that the term TBI covers everything from a concussion to a gun shot wound to the head. The Dr. today said that a closed head injury is a type of brain injury and dad is at the Moderate level now and has come from the Severe criteria. Dr. also told dad that they see great potential in him to be motivated in a strong recovery, that is why they accepted him into the Intense Rehab at St. Cloud Hospital. Dad is still fighting with regaining strength to control his bodily functions, swallowing, chewing, and mobility/ daily living skills. Dad had a swallow test done in his room today. They were able to get a camera down his nose to watch his anatomy and functions with moving air through his trachea, swallowing different textures and assess proper diet levels. Dad did pretty good with alot of prompting and much time for each spoon of thickened pureed food. They tried Honey thickened milk and that started to leak down his trachea, which caused him to cough. The speech therapist was greatly impressed with dads ability to detect abnormal swallowing and cough to expel it. Dad was a trooper. He ate a couple bites of each food group, Mash Potatoes/ gravy, pureed pork/ vegys and thickened liquids. They determined that he could have a Pure pureed thickened diet with small spoonfuls and verbal prompting one on one at meal times. The camera test also showed what his vocal cords are doing when he trys to pass air through them. They are supposed to close and allow air through the middle. Dads is closing in the middle and just shows a need for strengthening the muscles in that area. Nothing looks damaged just weak-end from the micro hemorrhages (Stroke) that he endured from the accident. Dad held my hand so tight today and rubbed my arms every time I let go, he reached out to hold my arm again. I called the Dr in and asked them to explain the MRI results and future plans to dad, as he has not gotten alot of the information. It gets missed when he is sleeping or at therapy so mush. Often times he is sleeping when the Dr.s do rounds. They are great, Im just picky and want dad to be aware of whats going on. The Dr. also mentioned to him that he may need further help after this rehab that he can not get at home. This is a topic we are all working very hard on to do what is right for dad and best for his overall outcome/ recovery. Dad needs about 6-8 more weeks of intense hands on nursing care before he could thrive in his home setting, which will still require adaptive measures to his home. We plan to discuss this further with him in the next week and would like you to keep us all in your prayers as we help guide our big strong PAPA to his next right place. The ortho guy was supposed to come this evening to assess his foot and possibly remove his External fixator from outside of right foot. I wish I could have stayed for that, It is always so hard to leave him and wipe his tears, but we alll have to balance, life, work, kids, jobs, and other responsibilitys. I think I speak for all of us kids, when I say this, We would stay by his side 24/7 if life allowed that, but it doesnt:( that is why we learn on our familys and community supports. Thank you all for holding us up in prayers and loving on our family during these rough times. Love you all, Abigail Faas, Sarah Lindberg Malanowski, Rachel Christensen, Caleb Lindberg, and Bartholomew Lindberg and families.
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 01:10:00 +0000