Bill Dirkmaat Progress

An update on the condition of Bill Dirkmaat...I received the following message from Barb Dirkmaat this morning and am passing it on as Bill and Barb have requested. Bill H. (June 24, 2011) Hello, It has been over three weeks since my last update. My intention was to send out updates every two weeks but it has been quite busy. I returned to work on May 31 and am working Monday, Tuesday, every other Wednesday and Saturdays. My office is only 10 minutes from Mary Free Bed so I am able to come here at lunch and after work. Dr. Ho suggested that I return to work while Bill is at Mary Free Bed and getting around the clock care. I will take the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) once he is able to return home. Today Bill is very tired. Apparently he did not sleep too well last night. He is resting while I type this update. Some of the highlights over the past three weeks have been: - Three weeks ago Bill went to the Farmer's Market with his Occupational Therapist (Jamie). It is on Wealthy St. across from MFB. Bill wheeled across in his power wheelchair with Jamie walking next to him. They just browsed and enjoyed the time outside. - Bill was able to start feeding himself (with his left hand) about three weeks ago. The left wrist is sprained and he wears a splint on that but it is healing nicely. He only needs help cutting large pieces of meat, etc. He has also been able to wash his own face and hair for over two weeks now. - He does very well operating his power chair considering the controls are on the left side. - In Physical Therapy he has been doing weights with a pulley (left hand only) and is now up to 10 pounds. He also gets his legs exercised and stretched by the p.t. to keep the muscles in shape and prevent them from atrophying. - In Occupational Therapy he is learning how to dress himself. Once he can use both arms it will be much easier. - On Sunday, June 12th we were able to get a "day pass" for Bill so we could attend our niece Amanda's graduation open house. It was also his Father's birthday. Ambucab picked us up at Mary Free Bed at 2:00 and we were there by 2:30. They returned at 6:30 to bring us back. Bill's sister, Annette was here from Tennessee with her family. It was a very full day and we enjoyed seeing everyone. The weather was perfect, too. - Wednesday, June 15th was our 26th wedding anniversary. I brought in two cakes (one cake was for the nursing staff) and ice cream so we could celebrate with family and friends. We had 30 people in the social room from 5 until 8. My friend, Cindy came early to help me set up for the party. She was a big help. My parents sent a beautiful arrangement of 12 long-stemmed red roses for the occasion. Everyone commented on how nice they were - they still look nice over a week later. We had a great time visiting with everyone. Thanks to all of you who stayed and helped us clean up afterwards. Bill slept very well that night. - Thursday, June 16th Bill had an appointment with Dr. Kolodziej (his orthopedist). X-rays were taken of his right shoulder and left knee. Both are healing nicely. Instructions for no load-bearing with the right arm/shoulder for another month. - Two weeks ago there was a peer group held in the social room. Dinner was ordered from Noodles and Company. Past patients of Mary Free Bed were here to share their experiences, what they are doing now and what the future holds for them. A question and answer period followed the presentation. -Our dear friend Sheree was here from Kentucky for her grandson's graduation open house. She spent Sunday and Monday night at our house. While I was at work on Monday, Sheree was able to hang out with Bill and attend some of his therapies with him. She also did some weeding (cracks in the walkway and driveway) for me Monday before going to the hospital. I had no idea she was going to do that but I appreciated it very much. - Yesterday a Wii bowling tournament was held in the social room. Meals were furnished from a local pizza and sub restaurant. Bill was in the last group of four to bowl. He had to bowl left handed - his score was a 95. Everyone enjoyed it immensely. - This Saturday, June 25th from 10:00 a.m. until noon there is a motorcycle clinic at Mary Free Bed which will be held in the parking ramp. Bill is planning to attend. - Bill has an appointment with his neurosurgeon (Dr. Klafeta) next Thursday, June 30th. So far he has not regained any feeling from the breasts down. But we both feel that we are blessed with the fact that he is here physically and mentally. His attitude continues to be very positive and he rarely complains about anything. I think he has been a role model patient and has endeared himself to the staff at Mary Free Bed. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. We feel very fortunate to have each of you in our lives. With our Love and God's Blessings, Barb and Bill
An update on the condition of Bill Dirkmaat....As most of you are now aware, Bill Dirkmaat was involved in a serious accident on May 18th. The following is from his wife Barb, I have talked with her a couple of times since the accident and she assures me that at this time their needs are being met by family and friends. I assured her that if there is anyting that the club members can do for them to contact me and I will pass the word. I visited Bill on Tuesday, May 31 and glad to report that he is looking good, sounding good and appreciates all the cards and well wishes but as Barb states below, he has a long haul ahead; Bill's most serious injury was to his spine. The T5 vertebrae was fractured which crushed his spinal cord. He is fused from T2 to T8 to stabilize his spine. This will hopefully take the pressure off the spinal cord and allow the inflammation and swelling to subside. The neurosurgeon said there was significant damage to the cord and Bill has a 4% to 5% of walking again. Presently he is paralyzed from the chest down. The second most serious injury was a badly broken and dislocated right shoulder. The humerus (bone in upper arm) was jammed into the shoulder blade. It took the surgeons 30 minutes to dislodge the bone prior to doing the surgery. The fusion will take 6 to 12 months to heal and the shoulder 18 months. The left knee does not require surgery at this time - he has a brace with a hinge instead. But he is alive and can think clearly and talk so that is huge. Bill was moved Saturday morning, May 21st, to Mary Free Bed, 322-1. This was a big and tiring day for him. For the first two weeks we ask that only family visit since he will be working very hard with physical therapy and will want to rest whenever possible. After that visitors are certainly welcome but preferably between 4pm and 8pm. He has a long haul ahead of him but I am confident that with the excellent medical care and prayers and support from everyone that he will succeed. We hope that he beats the odds.

An update on the condition of Bill Dirkmaat...I received the following message from Barb Dirkmaat this morning and am passing it on as Bill and Barb have requested. Bill H. (June 24, 2011)

Hello, It has been over three weeks since my last update. My intention was to send out updates every two weeks but it has been quite busy. I returned to work on May 31 and am working Monday, Tuesday, every other Wednesday and Saturdays. My office is only 10 minutes from Mary Free Bed so I am able to come here at lunch and after work. Dr. Ho suggested that I return to work while Bill is at Mary Free Bed and getting around the clock care. I will take the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) once he is able to return home.

Today Bill is very tired. Apparently he did not sleep too well last night. He is resting while I type this update.

Some of the highlights over the past three weeks have been:

- Three weeks ago Bill went to the Farmer's Market with his Occupational Therapist (Jamie). It is on Wealthy St. across from MFB. Bill wheeled across in his power wheelchair with Jamie walking next to him. They just browsed and enjoyed the time outside.

- Bill was able to start feeding himself (with his left hand) about three weeks ago. The left wrist is sprained and he wears a splint on that but it is healing nicely. He only needs help cutting large pieces of meat, etc. He has also been able to wash his own face and hair for over two weeks now.

- He does very well operating his power chair considering the controls are on the left side.

- In Physical Therapy he has been doing weights with a pulley (left hand only) and is now up to 10 pounds. He also gets his legs exercised and stretched by the p.t. to keep the muscles in shape and prevent them from atrophying.

- In Occupational Therapy he is learning how to dress himself. Once he can use both arms it will be much easier.

- On Sunday, June 12th we were able to get a "day pass" for Bill so we could attend our niece Amanda's graduation open house. It was also his Father's birthday. Ambucab picked us up at Mary Free Bed at 2:00 and we were there by 2:30. They returned at 6:30 to bring us back. Bill's sister, Annette was here from Tennessee with her family. It was a very full day and we enjoyed seeing everyone. The weather was perfect, too.

- Wednesday, June 15th was our 26th wedding anniversary. I brought in two cakes (one cake was for the nursing staff) and ice cream so we could celebrate with family and friends. We had 30 people in the social room from 5 until 8. My friend, Cindy came early to help me set up for the party. She was a big help. My parents sent a beautiful arrangement of 12 long-stemmed red roses for the occasion. Everyone commented on how nice they were - they still look nice over a week later. We had a great time visiting with everyone. Thanks to all of you who stayed and helped us clean up afterwards. Bill slept very well that night.

- Thursday, June 16th Bill had an appointment with Dr. Kolodziej (his orthopedist). X-rays were taken of his right shoulder and left knee. Both are healing nicely. Instructions for no load-bearing with the right arm/shoulder for another month.

- Two weeks ago there was a peer group held in the social room. Dinner was ordered from Noodles and Company. Past patients of Mary Free Bed were here to share their experiences, what they are doing now and what the future holds for them. A question and answer period followed the presentation.

-Our dear friend Sheree was here from Kentucky for her grandson's graduation open house. She spent Sunday and Monday night at our house. While I was at work on Monday, Sheree was able to hang out with Bill and attend some of his therapies with him. She also did some weeding (cracks in the walkway and driveway) for me Monday before going to the hospital. I had no idea she was going to do that but I appreciated it very much.

- Yesterday a Wii bowling tournament was held in the social room. Meals were furnished from a local pizza and sub restaurant. Bill was in the last group of four to bowl. He had to bowl left handed - his score was a 95. Everyone enjoyed it immensely.

- This Saturday, June 25th from 10:00 a.m. until noon there is a motorcycle clinic at Mary Free Bed which will be held in the parking ramp. Bill is planning to attend.

- Bill has an appointment with his neurosurgeon (Dr. Klafeta) next Thursday, June 30th.

So far he has not regained any feeling from the breasts down. But we both feel that we are blessed with the fact that he is here physically and mentally. His attitude continues to be very positive and he rarely complains about anything. I think he has been a role model patient and has endeared himself to the staff at Mary Free Bed.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. We feel very fortunate to have each of you in our lives.

With our Love and God's Blessings,
Barb and Bill

An update on the condition of Bill Dirkmaat....As most of you are now aware, Bill Dirkmaat was involved in a serious accident on May 18th. The following is from his wife Barb, I have talked with her a couple of times since the accident and she assures me that at this time their needs are being met by family and friends. I assured her that if there is anyting that the club members can do for them to contact me and I will pass the word. I visited Bill on Tuesday, May 31 and glad to report that he is looking good, sounding good and appreciates all the cards and well wishes but as Barb states below, he has a long haul ahead;

Bill's most serious injury was to his spine. The T5 vertebrae was fractured which crushed his spinal cord. He is fused from T2 to T8 to stabilize his spine. This will hopefully take the pressure off the spinal cord and allow the inflammation and swelling to subside. The neurosurgeon said there was significant damage to the cord and Bill has a 4% to 5% of walking again. Presently he is paralyzed from the chest down. The second most serious injury was a badly broken and dislocated right shoulder. The humerus (bone in upper arm) was jammed into the shoulder blade. It took the surgeons 30 minutes to dislodge the bone prior to doing the surgery. The fusion will take 6 to 12 months to heal and the shoulder 18 months. The left knee does not require surgery at this time - he has a brace with a hinge instead. But he is alive and can think clearly and talk so that is huge. Bill was moved Saturday morning, May 21st, to Mary Free Bed, 322-1. This was a big and tiring day for him. For the first two weeks we ask that only family visit since he will be working very hard with physical therapy and will want to rest whenever possible. After that visitors are certainly welcome but preferably between 4pm and 8pm. He has a long haul ahead of him but I am confident that with the excellent medical care and prayers and support from everyone that he will succeed. We hope that he beats the odds.