Ross Update - 10/25

I went to see Ross last night after a few days away. Magazine deadlines are hell…
I was pumped to hear some GREAT NEWS! Ross has regained some more feeling in his lower abdominal region. Now, he can sense much more, including when his bladder is full, etc. In the beginning, he had no sensation like this. Another bit of great news is that when the nurses had him on his side and were checking his incision, they laid a cold, wet towel on his hip and he could feel it! Previously, Ross has no sensations in his hip, but now he can feel temperatures.
The following is from his personal blog, that only family members and close friends can see:

“A few days ago, I recovered some feeling in my lower stomach where I had no feeling before, and the doctor was very happy about it (so I was pumped, even though it is more uncomfortable!), I get a full bladder feeling much more than before and it sucks, but I’ll take it! Then yesterday, I was laying on my side while the nurses were cleaning me up and changing a bandage, and I felt a cold towel on my hip. I had no feeling there before! ”

So obviously, things are looking up for my big brother. His spirits are much, much better, and he says that his therapy sessions - although tough - are getting better by the day. A couple days ago, the doctors let Eileen take Ross out of the hospital for a bit to return home with a case worker. At home, they made an assessment of what needs to be done around the house to make it wheelchair friendly. The biggest obstacle is Ross’ bathroom, which needs to be completely remodeled. Ross’ good friend Damon has really stepped up and taking the project by the horns, recruiting people to help with the remodel. The door needs to be widened, the old bathtub must be ripped out and replaced with a shower with a seat and grab bars, and some additional bars need to be mounted around the toilet. We’ve had a ton of friends and well-wishers offer their help, and this is GREATLY appreciated.

The next step is getting a chair for Ross, as the one he uses at the hospital is only a loaner. Insurance kicks in $1500, but the trick Colours Razor Blade I’ve peeped on the Internet is substantially more. My friend Mike Young is gonna put us in touch with someone from Colours…

I’m going to visit Ross this evening (Sunday) after all of my kids’ soccer games and such. I told him I was going to bring my flip cam to make a video, so stay tuned!
Again, you can leave a message for Ross on his Caringbridge web site guest book. I know that he checks them daily, and also posts his own updates there. Please leave a message! CLICK HERE

- Donn