Therapy in Action at HEALTHSOUTH

Today Leif met with his therapists for the evaluation of his needs and the establishment of goals. HealthSouth therapists will help Leif reach his full potential. Leif met with his assigned ST [Speech and language Therapist]. She works with the cognitive aspects of rehabilitation [speech, memory, language, social interaction] Leif did very well with the ST. Leif also met with his OT [Occupational Therapist] The OT addressed Leif’s needs in the area of his daily activities. Today this ranged from getting out of bed and going to the bathroom and taking a shower. The OT will address simple routines and go towards more complex tasks. Leif also has a PT [Physical Therapist] The PT worked with Leif in the gym. He worked out walking and doing steps. Today’s gym time was short. Leif is on the ‘Road to Recovery’ and needs our prayers. His brain surgery was just 6 days ago. Headaches, general weakness mostly on the left, and his left eye vision issues continue to be priorities for prayer. Leif has requested prayer for his left hand today.  Let us petition our Great God to release healing from the Sanctuary on High. Thanks to all of you, Leif’s friends, who faithfully support him in prayer. Healing is happening! God Bless!

Written by Pop

'Physical Therapy' at HEALTHSOUTH Begins

Today, Leif transferred from University Hospital ICU to the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital at Drake Center.  His cognitive functions are intact.  His memory is good.  His humor is with him.  He is in good spirits! He has a great appetite.  VSS. Lab values are stable.  He continues to have headaches for which he is being treated with pain medication. His blood sugars remain stable.  All of his IVs have been removed!!  Yeah!!  He is struggling with weak motor skills on the left side of his body. [Mainly left leg and arm] These will be strengthened through ‘physical therapy’ at HealthSouth. Leif’s left eye has some peripheral vision issues and needs our prayers. Friends, please continue to pray that this time spent at HealthSouth will be very productive for Leif’s healing and rehabilitation. Day #1 of ‘physical therapy’ starts tomorrow morning. Exercising, physical therapy, proper diet, and rest are key components this week. Thank you, my friends, for bearing Leif’s burden into the presence of the Lord. Our Lord is caring and concerned also, and He will take Divine Action as we bear our heartfelt requests unto Him. Thank you Lord!  Let us look forward to this day with faithful anticipation of Leif’s improvements! Thanks to all the doctors, nurses, therapists, medical staff and blog friends that have helped Leif and are continuing to help him in his recovery. God Bless!

Written by Pop

Post Surgery Day 4; Good News Continues

Today Leif had two therapy sessions which included walking and exercise. The walking route is increasing in length daily. The ‘plan’ is to transport Leif to the Rehabilitation Hospital at Drake for 'physical therapy' which is necessary following his tumor surgery. The Rehabilitation Liaison came to meet with Leif today. He is being evaluated for the move to Drake Center which will be a 'milestone step' in the recovery process. His faith, spirit and work ethic remain high. His appetite remains very good. His taste buds work very well. His memory is sharp and his analytical detailing is tremendous. His mental capacity appears to be 100%.

Pray that Leif qualifies and is accepted into the Rehabilitation Hospital at Drake. This will help him to be strengthened and rebuild muscle control. Pray also in regards to his ‘left peripheral vision’ that it would improve. Your prayers make the difference!

On behalf of Leif and the family, we say too our blog site friends: Thank you so much… for being strong to pray and support Leif in his time of struggle.  I read a plaque in the University Hospital main entrance area which said:  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. [Galatians 6:9] The promise is for Leif and all of us.   Praises to our God!

Written by Pop

Post Surgery Day 3; More Progress!

Leif continues to be faithful in body, mind, and spirit to the 'Recovery Process'.  Last night '2' tubes were removed!  The drain for internal bleeding and another for relief. [Blessings 1 & 2]. Today Leif made more progress on the 'Path to Recovery'. His day started with getting out of bed and eating breakfast while sitting in a chair. [Blessing 3]. The 'Physical Therapists' came in to work with Leif. After a surgery of this nature therapy is required. Walking presents a challenge. The right leg is doing well and the left leg requires focus in the walking process. Leif was happy to have the therapists guiding him with their expertise. Leif completed his walk with difficulty. [Blessing 4]. Chaplin Steve came in and spoke with Leif during his lunch. He graciously prayed with Leif concerning his healing. [Blessing 5].  Leif has been blessed with a loving God, great doctors, nurses, therapists, other medical professionals and friends like you. [Blessing 6]. Your prayers and support and Father God's favor bring about the blessings. [Blessing 7].  Kindly pray for Leif's physical activities: weakness on the left side to be strengthened; a lessening of the pain levels of his headaches and the perfect functioning of the '5' senses. God Bless!

Written by Pop

Post Surgery Day 2; Good Progress!

Today began with Leif resting in the horizontal position and ended with Leif sitting in a chair chowing down pizza, soup, cookies, etc.  Today's cat scan showed the brain's air pocket greatly reduced. Dr. Warnick cleared Leif to stop the use of Oxygen and begin to sit up, walk etc. This is a giant step forward. His pain levels came down also with the reduction of the air pocket.  Today Leif made great progress in the recovery phase. Praise God. Now he faces the goals of regaining strength and muscle tone through exercise and walking. Leif requested his books and journal to begin a time of reading and writing. Let's pray that tomorrow brings new steps forward in the 'Recovery Process'. Thanks be unto our God for the continued healing taking place in Leif's life. Thanks to all of you for your continued support and prayers. You are true friends! Leif will be back in the Blog's authorship soon to tell his story.

Written by Pop

Post Surgery Day 1, "Not to Worry"

Leif is eating very well. His appetite is back. He eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus fruits! He even ordered a Frisco Melt Combo with a Vanilla Shake from 'Steak and Shake'. He finished it off big time!  Dr. Warnick came in today and checked Leif.  He is using  cat scans to monitor the brain conditions. Pressures are being watched due to an air pocket.  At present Leif is under bed rest restrictions and must lie flat and stay on oxygen. When these conditions are normal Leif will be released to normal activities such as sitting and walking.  Let us 'pray' that the air pressures in the brain return to normal very soon. Leif wanted to see a picture of his tumor. Dr. Warnick laughed and got his cell phone out and showed Leif the pic. of the tumor. Leif said "Praise God it is out of there!". As Dr. Warnick was leaving he shared with Leif and Mom "...Not to Worry.'

Friends of Leif; Thanks for your strong compassionate prayers and support. Your prayers are making the difference! Soon Leif will be back in the driver's seat of this blog. Until then I will update the 'Blog' to keep you 'Posted'

Written by Pop

Leif's Surgery Today [Success]

This morning Leif went into surgery at 6:45 AM.  At 2:00 PM the surgery finalized and Leif headed for PACU [Post Anesthesia Care Unit].  We consider this operation to be very successful. Mom, Lena and I met with Dr. Warnick and Dr. Zuccarello following the surgery. Their report was very good. They detailed some of the intricate work that had been performed. Most of the massive tumor had been removed. We thanked the Surgeons for their exceptional labors.  The pathology report on the removed section will give the doctors insight as to the best treatment plan. The University Medical Teams, doctors, and nurses attending to Leif were amazing and did a great job. We thank our God and Saviour for blessing this operation. Praises to His Name!   Leif will now begin his 'Recovery Time'.  He will be in ICU for a few days in order to stabilize under watchful care. Presently he is experiencing severe pain following the surgery.  Let's pray that he heals without any set backs. Please pray that in the course of the next week that all of his body functions, his vision and other senses  return to their designed operation and that he has 'no deficits'. We will keep you posted. Thanks for your faithful prayer support and compassionate friendship for Leif. You guys are amazing friends!
God Bless!
Written by Pop