The Joy of Testing...

Today Craig got to meet with the Neuropsychologist. We weren't supposed to see him till August 2nd, but he had a cancellation and his nurse called to see if we would come in today. We got there at 8:45 am and didn't leave until 3:00 pm. Poor Craig, he had to take test after test after test. After the brief 30 min part I had I got to entertain myself at the mall... poor Shannon :)

Craig's testing was done at 1 pm and at that time he got an hour lunch break. We ate lunch at the hospital cafeteria. Craig was amazed at how well I knew my way around such a big hospital. I reminded him that while he was on his luxurious vacation in Rehab I had the joy of wandering the halls.

The test results were ok. He is not 100% yet. The Neuropsychologist said he tested like a normal 36 year old male. There was just a few areas that need improvement. He has to go back in 6 weeks for retesting. The Neuropsychologist said Craig's brain just need more healing time and he expects him to be close to 100%.

It has only been two months which in brain healing time is not much!

Craig had a hard time with this news. Hopefully the fact that he gets to go back to work tomorrow, only on the ground, will help to cheer him up. Sitting around doing nothing but healing gets old fast!

Craig also gets to see the Hand Surgeon tomorrow. He is hoping to get the brace off so he can start doing more.

HE CAN DRIVE!!!!!

I know it has been a while since I have updated the blog but life has been pretty boring. Doctor's appointments, physical therapy, phone calls and paperwork. Nothing much to blog about until today.

Today Craig saw the neurosurgeon. He was very impressed with the progress Craig has made over the last seven weeks. He checked all of Craig's reflexes and cleared him to drive!!! He also does not have to have someone with him 24/7 anymore. I am so excited not to be his chauffeur/babysitter anymore!!! Not that I don't like spending time with my husband but not having to drive him to all his PT appointments will free up a good chunk of time. Now to figure out what to do with me time again. :)

The neurosurgeon also cleared Craig to do work as long as it is on the ground. He prefers that he not fly for at least six months after the accident. Craig is ok with that. He has been working in the training department at SkyWest before the accident so hopefully he can do some work for them. He has been VERY bored here at home not being able to do much. Working again will help to lift his spirits.

He also said that Craig should make a full recovery with out any long term effects. There may be some changes to his personality , which we have already noticed, but that could be chalked up to having a near death experience. None of the changes are major. He is just very thankful to be alive and to have wonderful people who care about us. We think part of it is boredom. When your used to being extremely active and now all you can do is sit around it is hard to deal with.

Last week Craig got his cast off. He had to go that same day and have a custom brace made for his thumb. He had his first Hand PT appointment today. He has great movement in his hand. The therapist said that they will mostly just need to work on getting his hand strength back. We have to wait until we see the hand surgeon in two weeks before he can start on strength exercises. When they took the castoff the doctor made him promise to be very careful or he was going to have to recast it. Craig would much rather have the brace!