Brett's Update...(PopUpMomma's Kid)

[PopUpMomma]

Hi all.....

I apologize for the lag in Brett's update....as you can imagine, since he started therapy, things are just crazy.  We are gone almost everyday 5/6 hours a day sometimes.  We have him in acupuncture and are looking into private aggressive therapy.  If he isn't in therapy or acupuncture, his Dr. has ordered some new test for him.  I had no idea there where so many different test.  We are getting very good at San Diego County Driving...Thank goodness Brett knows direction....for those of you who don't know me, i get lost in a circle.  Brett is still suffering from severe pain in his right leg...Doc just can't figure it out.  Brett recently had hip xrays and a bone scan.  Bone scan came up negative for abnormal bone growth, which I understand is very common for spinal cord injury's.....so this is good news.  We are not sure which treatment is helping his pain, but his pain is getting better.  

We requested a switch in his physical therapist.  His new therapist is a lot tougher on Brett.  This is what Brett needs.  It's great.  After his first visit with his new therapist, Brett made the comment, that he worked harder with her this first day than he did the 6 weeks with the other".  I asked him if he felt he accomplished something, he said absolutely.  So we finally found someone who will challenge Brett.  yea!!  He actually is again looking forward to working out.  I believe his state of mind will help greatly with his recovery.

Brett is really becoming a big brother to Lindsey too.  It's kinda funny, he now worries where she is at, what time she will be home, who she is with.....think he's been spending too much time with mom???  ha ha..  He's been a great sport with all of her activities too.  We drag him with us to many of Lindsey's pageant events.  But did tell me he's ready to do "guy" things again.  I bet he is.

Brett will turn 21 this month on the 25Th.  He asked Doc about having a drink on his birthday.  his doctor raised his eyebrow and grinned at Brett.  And, ultimately gave him permission to have one cocktail on his birthday....but told Brett, he wasn't allowed to drive..ha ha

Brett also brought up driving with Doc on his last visit.  Doc turned him down for another 6 weeks.  Doc said the pain issue was a safety concern.  Hopefully by the middle of April, Brett can begin driving lessons and get back driving........SIGH....

For the most part, Brett is off any narcotics for pain....HURRAY....  He takes an ibuprofen occasionally for pain.  He has come so far I am so proud of him.  He is tired of being at home so much and really is looking forward to going back to work.  I have a feeling it will happen sooner than we think.  His goal is to be back a work full time by January.  I think he can do it!!

One final update.....Wednesday at acupuncture, his acupuncturist was asking Brett to show her what kind of movement Brett had in his legs.  I was helping Brett with putting on his shoe and.................HE KICKED ME WITH HIS LEFT LEG....  YES, I said he kicked me with his left leg.  I had never seen this before.  It truly was heart stopping.  Immediate tears....His acupuncturist immediately wants to start a new treatment...She is confident that she can increase his movement.  She is so confident she told us that if we couldn't afford treatment, she would do it anyway.  Wow...someone who is in the business of helping people.....

Those of you in the San Diego Area......Brett's God Parents are hosting a fund-raiser to help with his expenses......Check out Brett's Web-site...//www.brettpalser.com

I think you are now up to speed......and we do appriciate all of your thoughts.  Please keep Brett in your thoughts and prayers....Brett's going to be ok, I just can feel it!!

Miss you all and we will be back camping soon!!!

xoxo
Roberta

[TheViking]

Thanks for the update Roberta.  Glad he's doing better and we look forward to seeing him out camping someday soon.

[Dee4j]

That's fabulous..Tell Brett to keep up the good work. We were all hoping to see you all over Easter , but we comepletely understand...Keep us updated

[PopUpMomma]

Hi all,
Been a long time since we sent an update on Brett

[PopUpMomma]

Can't seem to figure out how to post pictures....If someone could tell me, I would love to share.

R

Hi all,
Been a long time since we sent an update on Brett

[Dee4j]

That is great news.....I was thiking about you guys last week...tell Brett to keep up the hard work we all are praying for him.  
(sorry I don't know how to post pics either)

How is our daughter doing?

[PopUpMomma]

Lindsey is a ROCK!!!  I don't know what I would do without her.  She "officially" graduated from High School yesterday.  She did graduate in December, with honors.....  She opted to graduate early in order to help me with Brett.  She has finished her rein as Miss Teen San Diego and Mother Goose Queen Rein is coming to an end.  So she is looking forward to a rest.  She is, however, going to run for Miss Spring Valley and Miss Southern California.  We just laugh.  She is such a good ambassador that they are coming to her to compete.  She finished her first semester here at our community college and loves it.  She says it's so much better than high school.  Just waiting to see her grades....ha ha.  I am sure they are great.  She is working at a flower shop and the owners love her so is giving her more hours and more responsibility.  Again, we just laugh..so much for some time off.  So.....things are good.  We all work really hard but we have come to accept that this is our new "norm"...
We are going to try and go camping next weekend.  We've been planning it for a month.  It will be the first time we are away from brett over night.  I hope all goes well.  His girlfriend is coming to stay with Brett.  She know's how to help him in the morning, but it's still not the same as "mom".  I'm kinda nervous about it too.  But, we are not going too far so If I have to run home for a bit, that's will be ok.

Thanks for asking

R

That is great news.....I was thiking about you guys last week...tell Brett to keep up the hard work we all are praying for him.  
(sorry I don't know how to post pics either)

How is our daughter doing?

[Dee4j]

Tell Lindsey..CONRATS...WAY TO GO and we are all proud of her!!! keep up the good work!!!

[PopUpMomma]

Hi friends.....

Things are getting back to ab-normal around here.  Brett is finishing up with his physical therapy. And I go back to work on Monday, the first day of school.  AAHHHH!!  What was I thinking?  Brett has regained quite a bit of movement in his left leg and a bit of fire in his right leg.  This is very encouraging but slow moving.  His therapist thinks he

[BootheBunch]

I've been thinking about you and your family lately, wondering how things are going.  I am so glad things are progressing well!!  Thanks for the update!  We will continue to keep you and Brett in our prayers!  

Looking forward to seeing you at Easter!

Lisa

[Dee4j]

Yeah..glad to hear it..I was hoping you'd post soon. I'd been thinking about Brett alot lately, tell him he's been kinda of my inspiration..I had to have back surgery 3 weeks ago and have lost partial use of my left leg...can't wait to get into therepy. His hard work and determination keeps me from sitting here and giving up when they keep telling me "I may not get full use back"

can't wait to see you guys at Easter. Tell Lindsey..Good Luck!!

[TheViking]

Glad to hear things are getting better for all of you. Nice work Brett, stay after that therapy.  I thought of Brett as well  after I went end over end off my quad down a hill at Gorman about a month ago. Not near what he went through, but I'm still nursing bruised ribs and a sprained knee and ankle.  Kinda makes you think what could have happened.
Keep us posted Roberta

[PopUpMomma]

Hi friends,
I

[Dee4j]

Congrats to Lindsey!!! Happy she is still involved.

Sounds like Brett is having a blast with his sports..Tell him not to get discouraged about the job thing....something better will come along. besides it looks like he is busy with his Grams and that's more iportant right now.

Hopefully they will come up Saturday and visit all of us...

see you in a few weeks

[kimrb266]

I'm so happy that things have eased up on you and that Brett has adapted well to his new life.  I am so happy that he has gotten so involved with others in wheelchairs and enjoying all those sports.  We are coming on Easter so see you there.