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Viewing 1 - 8 out of 8 Blogs.
&nb sp; EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY Hello to everyone. Every picture tells a story and I have included a couple so you have a better idea of how far Gregg has come. He was discharged from Dodd Hall at OSU on September 9th and has been at Heartland in Springfield since then. After the usual first week of learning a new room, food and faces, his past 2 weeks have been showing some amazing progress. In that amount of time he is now sitting upright without any assist, standing for prolonged periods and walking with much assist of his right leg. He is using his right arm and hand more and more (thank you, botox) and has a decent grip in his right hand - even holding his diet coke. It is in the works to botox his right hamstring to help the PT staff with strengthening the muscles in that leg and help with walking. Gregg also surprised his aide one night when she said, "It will be great one of these days when you will be able to just stand right up.".......and he did! Mistake? No, the next night when his mom was visiting, he did it again. It has now been five months since 'the accident', but not many of the docs thought he would be this far, this fast. And of course, it hasn't all been a picnic. There have been a few days when Gregg will pull the brim of his faded old orange harley hat down over his eyes and pretend like no one exists. No surprise there, lol. At least we know that the 'stubborn' side of his personality hasn't changed one iota. We've come to accept that Gregg will do things in his own time and that is okay. It is what it is. In other news, he is maintaining his weight by eating well. This is a good thing as 2 weeks ago the feeding tube inserted into his stomach went the way of the trach.....he pulled it out himself. Good thing it had been there long enough for the stitches to be dissolved. When he makes a decision, it's a done deal :). As you look at the pictures attached, this may not be the Gregg you last saw, but remember that for 4 weeks following the accident he was lying in a coma, eyes closed, no movement. In the weeks since he has made amazing steps. The end of the road is nowhere in sight yet, but not too far around the bend. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers......the strength of friendship compares to nothing else. To all of you: Take care and be safe. Those of you who ride, if you are in OH or downstate MI, you may have some riding days left. I think the Yoopers may want to hang up those chaps until next year :). Thank you for all your notes and questions about Gregg (and me too). We will be fine. I will keep you posted. Kathy
Tags: Gregg Boyd Accident
Just a short note on Gregg's progress. He's been at Dodd Hall Rehab at OSU for 2 weeks now and the change was confusing for him at first but he's doing well. The physical therapy dept. is doing great things for him and he's been standing up and bearing weight for a week now - so good to see. Both of his blood pressure meds have been discontinued and his BP is fine! Other meds are being changed or discontinued. His right arm/hand is getting stronger. He stills is speaking only phrases or words and a little more than a whisper but that is progressing. Each day there is a little 'something' though we are remembering that there will be steps back too. His tests have all been good so his health is staying strong and that will help in the continuing healing process. Headed back again on the 25th for an undetermined amount of time so I will keep you posted. Please continue the good thoughts and prayers......that is what has gotten him this far. Thanks to you all. Take care and ride safe. Kathy
Tags: Boyd Gregg Accident Harley
So much to write but I will try to make it short. Gregg continues to improve and had been fitted for a valve over his trach so he could breathe in through the trach area and out normally. He had been going for several hours a day and the family wanted it out - no more than he did - but doc wouldn't consider it yet. On Thursday, the 24th, he pulled it out - they put it back in. On Saturday he pressed the little tabs on the trach and popped it out! This time they couldn't get it back in so they sent him to the local ER. Luckily I had the chance to talk to an awesome doc and explained the history, progress and Gregg's hatred of plastic embedded in his body. This doc wrote the order to leave it out! Yea! It is now 4 days later and he is fine, eating well.... for hospital food.....and participating in conversations though in a light whisper yet. Physical therapy is still working on the balance and weight bearing and this will be a longer road but he is doing great. The stubborn Harley guy I met over a year ago just experienced another new adventure. A helluva ride....but a good one. Headed back to Ohio on the 8th...will keep you posted. Thank you for the continued thoughts and prayers. Take care and Ride Safe. Kathy
Tags: Gregg Boyd Accident Harley
Hello to All - just returned to MI after spending the past 2 weeks in Ohio with Gregg. Life is good. God is kind. Met with the neurologist and reports on his MRI and EEg are good. He continues to improve which is very evident when he ignores me and family to watch the Cleveland Indians on TV, lol. Trach is still there but a valve will be placed and soon he will be able to speak,,,,cannot wait for that. He has actually eaten some veggies and peanut butter which he fed himself...passed on the carrots as he hates them which also tells me he knows what he is looking at. Totally focused and aware when he is awake and is mouthing words - appropriately - but not necessarily ones that can be repeated when PT exercises his bad hip :). I am able to take him outside for an hour or so without oxygen and he has had no problems there. Still has little strength in his legs so cannot stand yet but they are working on that. He tried to escape from bed last week without any noticeable complications which shows his determination and desire and that will count big time. As I said, life is good. God is kind. Take care and ride safe. I will keep you updated. Kathy
Tags: Gregg Boyd Accident
Hello to all, Getting daily updates on Gregg from physical therapy, family and friends. He is awake more and 'processing'. Takes the phone from mom and holds it to his ear as I rattle on for 10-15 minutes and has made some attempts to converse by mouthing some words, or appears to. She has to fight him to get her phone back. Puts his glasses on - and has pointed to his Harley hat (he hates his haircut, lol). Eye doc says he has all his vision fields intact and can see well though needs to wear his glasses more than he did before. Neurologist says all his reflexes are present and good. Trach still in place but I'm thinking this may change in another month, yea. Progress continues and we are looking forward to the time he can sustain 4-5 hours of daily therapy. When that times comes he will be transferred to a more intensive facility. Thank you for keeping up....and all the good thoughts and prayers. Talk to you later. Ride safe. Kathy
Tags: Gregg Boyd Accident
Hello to all. Returned to MI this week after spending the past 3 weeks with Gregg. He continues to show small improvements - hugged me close before I left. Gregg stills sleeps alot which is part of the healing process but when he is awake, he is having more 'aware' times and knows all who have been to see him. PT is going slowly and they are working on his balance. His massage therapist is also a Reiki Master and has done wonders with getting Gregg to be able to relax.....he actually flexed the fingers on his right hand slightly today during the massage which is good! His recovery will be a very long one. I'm not doing anything for him that I know he wouldn't do for me. In my heart I know that one day he will have the chance to be that happy, caring man I've known him to be. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. They are helping - all of us. Kathy
Tags: Gregg Boyd Accident
Just a short note. I'm back in Urbana since Wednesday...another 550 mile ride. More small things but really showing he's aware and awakening. On Thursday night he kept tapping his right shoulder, arm and hand with his left hand. He hasn't been able to use his right side yet though he has strength in that arm. I explained to him it was all there and all right, would just take time. I asked him to touch my face if he understood me......and he did....my nose, cheeks, lips....YES! Friday night when I left for his home in Urbana, I told him good night and kissed him. He kissed me back. I thought I imagined it so tried it 3 more times :) - and yes, he kissed me. What a wonderful feeling. He will be seeing a neurologist and the pulmonary doc again in a couple of weeks so hoping for more good news. Baby steps...that's all I'm hoping for. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. Will keep in touch. Kathy
Tags: Gregg Boyd Harley Accident
Hello to all. I am Kathy, a Michigan girl who found her Ohio guy, Gregg Boyd. First I am thankful for all who have kept track of Gregg and his progress. Thank you so much for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. After spending the first 3 weeks with him I had to return to MI to work on some things at home but will be back to Urbana soon. The past week and a half has brought many small steps in his recovery. He has been waking on his own and keeping his eyes open for several hours at a time. He is moving both arms and legs and has a fantastic grip with his left hand. There have been a few times when he has responded to a verbal command and he has started to 'track' people with his eyes. He does hear everything we say.....so all conversation has to be positive.....helps with the healing process. He still has a trach in place, requires oxygen and is still battling pneumonia but has so improved from the first few weeks. These seem like such small things to many but believe me, when you sit and wait and watch, each little action is a miracle. I will add as time goes on and want to thank Hand Maiden for the initial information and all her updates - a special and good friend to both of us. Talk to you soon. kathyt865
Tags: Gregg Boyd Accident
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