Keep Praying For Lon & His Family

Today was similar to yesterday. Lon was agitated a bit more and was still trying to escape back to the real world of work and caring for his family. Today he was even more creative, trying to dig through the tile wall in his bathroom (which has an outside wall up to the roof where he could escape) using a shoe and then a heavy duty plastic trash can, he ended up busting the trash can into pieces, but he didn't make it through the wall. His brain is working over time to try and catch up with what his body can do. Lon also tried to pull his IV port out. He did get some tubing out but Melinda and Dee Dee his aide, held him down until more help came to stop him from real harm. When Shane came to help he redirected Lon's attention and got him calm and helped him back to his room and to bed. He also gave Lon his new medication for the first time today. Pray this new mix will be a help to Lon. Dr Hind showed Melinda the CT scans from a few weeks ago and she found out that there are (were) multiple , very tiny, blood vessel breaks in Lon's skull besides the bigger one we already knew about. Lon is making daily progress. Keep praying! Also please pray that their medical insurance (Melinda received her first bill today) will pay for all of the bills. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your prayers, visits and gifts! You all have no idea how precious they are (you are) to Melinda.

They went for another good walk today. But this didn't stop Lon from escaping. He has been trying to figure a way to remove his electronic bracelet (which triggers the door alarm) for days. Yesterday he was looking for scissors to cut it off. Today he somehow pulled it off over his big hand and he made it out the door. He is never alone, so figure out how this happened. (And Melinda is with him nearly every waking moment). The staff then locked all of the doors from the inside, but a visitor came in and let Lon out. Well after the third time, I think they have it under control. They are also adding a new medication, that will hopefully help with some of this. Lon also took his closet shelving down today and took all of the pegs out. Melinda is looking at some sort of project for him to do to keep busy for short periods throughout the day, but accomplish something meaningful.
Lon's Dr. say's he is doing great. Lon told him "I need to get back to reality so I can take care of my family and be productive." He told Lon he must understand that he was in a serious accident with a traumatic brain injury, so he will know what he can and cannot do in order to be safe. Lon is amazed by what happened and by seeing his photo from ICU, but it isn't a reality to him yet.

Lon has had a traumatic brain injury, but he is still so much himself. During the time (since Lon woke up) when Melinda hasn't been able to see the end of this, God has reminded her to trust Him through Lon's sense of humor and his joking with people, by Lon's smile and the sparkle in his eyes! God isn't done here. He is still working a mighty work.
Please pray for social security disability to be accepted the first time it's submitted and as quickly as possible (not the usual 3 - 5 + weeks). Melinda is so thankful for all of you!

The kids had a good visit with Lon today. Lon did real well and enjoyed them. Lots of big hugs were shared.
PT: Stepping up and down (forward and backwards) onto a step while holding onto bars. OT: Getting back into routines like daily showering, teeth brushing 2 - 3 times, washing hands etc. A recreation coordinator came in today with a dog, a white Lab, for the patients to visit with. Lon seemed to think he was a good dog and enjoyed him for awhile. Melinda enjoyed some time with the kids today at the rehab facility and they went to lunch together along with Grandma (Lon was in OT).
Thank you for all of your continued prayers they are truly making a difference in everything.

Lon still has his sense of humor and mischief. He is still trying to "escape". He really thinks he needs to get back to work and home. He kicked a door to the outside to try and open it. While he was able to kick it, they did have to catch him so he didn't fall. His balance has improved a lot, but he is still wobbly. Visitors have to "sneak out" when they leave so Lon doesn't try to leave with them. He doesn't yet realize the depth of his injuries and why he needs to stay in rehab, even though he asks Melinda why he can't leave all day long, and she tells him over and over.
His brain needs rest so it can heal. They are keeping medication in him in order to keep him less agitated and able to sleep and rest at night. It's working at this time.
After trying to escape and kicking at the door, he was hyped and a bit agitated. So the PT team figured they would work him a bit outside. This is Lon's first walk outside since his accident. it was in the 60's in Great Falls today and sunny. Lon had a great walk (4 assistants including Melinda), breathed fresh air and tired himself out. Before the walk they gave him Ativan through his IV to keep him calm (and help him to want to go back inside). It was a really nice change for him and Melinda. Lon normally has therapy M - F, But he is keeping everyone on their toes!
Please pray for the kids visit with Lon tomorrow to go smoothly. It will be the first time for Zeb and Annastacia to visit with their Daddy since he woke up. Pray for continually good days for Lon, Melinda and family.

Gods goodness, a good night of restful sleep and a change in medication make for a great day.
Melinda had a surprise call early this morning, from Lon! He asked his aide to dial her cell phone number. When she answered she thought {this sounds like my husband}. Simple, normal, everyday things to us, are enormous blessings to her right now. Lon was walking today with only one assistant. His balance is so much better than yesterday. Melinda noticed today that Lon's conversations are a few seconds longer, his attention span is getting better.
Lon was asking about his accident today. He asked the same questions many times throughout the day regarding this. Hopefully he is starting to get an understanding of why he is in rehab so he won't keep trying to leave. He took Melinda's camp trailer key and walked for hours today looking for a key hole to use it in so he could leave. (The doors are keypad combinations, no key holes. Sorry Lon!) Plus he pulled the cover off of the fire alarm which set off the alarm in the building. They shut it down before the next alarm was set off to the fire dept. He is quick. Melinda thinks maybe (from fire fighter training) his brain put together, if I pull the fire alarm the doors will open so I can get out. Thank you all for your prayers, comments gifts, visits etc. Melinda is so thankful to everyone! keep praying.

Last night Lon woke up abut 1.5 hours after Melinda left and he had to be restrained. The medication protocol wasn't followed as planned during the day, unfortunately. Now they're trying a mix of Ativan and Haldol. Lon was so tired from lack of sleep last night that he missed his OT (occupational therapy).
They had a 21 year old inexperienced 1 on 1 with Lon. At the beginning of lunch Lon was left alone at the table. When Melinda walked in she turned around to find him walking / stumbling (by himself) into a padded pole. She and another aid caught him. There were other issues besides this but enough said. The supervisor told Melinda that she wouldn't be working with Lon again and they brought a different 1 on 1 for him. The night nurse left instructions for the day shift to be sure to follow the new med. protocol, even if he doesn't seem like he needs it. Continue to pray, for Lon, Melinda, Kids (zeb), Dolly (Melindas mom who is taking care of the kids) and Marv, (Lons dad).
Melinda saw the "old" Lon for a moment tonight, for the first time since April 7th. He got up and looked out at the nighttime sky and lights and then began his usual nighttime getting ready for bed ritual. This was so huge for Melinda. She sounded so good tonight, even after such a rough day and even though she was so tired. God knows our needs. We can trust Him. He is faithful.

8:30 Breakfast, 9:15 Occupational therapy, 11:15 Physical therapy, 12:30 lunch, 1:30 Occupational therapy, 3:30 Speech therapy, 5:30 dinner. Busy, but a very good day until around 4pm when Lon began getting agitated/ angry. Over stimulation and possibly pain seems to bring this on. Plus anger is a stage that TBI patients (traumatic brain injuries) go through. They have decided a new plan for sedation they'll continue using Ativan: used to relieve (or prevent) anxiety, relax muscles. Lon is not on Morphine any longer, but now he is swallowing (pills) Percocet w/tylenol. They will give both of these more frequently to try and stay on top of the pain and prevent the agitation. Melinda is praying for this stage to move on as quickly as possible. She is willing to learn whatever she is supposed to while in it, but looks for the day that it is no more. It is very difficult to see Lon like this, it's not how he was before. It's also extremely tiring. But Melinda is persevering and patient! Keep praying.
Lon wanted to eat a little more today and he is drinking a lot of fluids. Previously Lon's right eye was more swollen and different looking than the left. They both look so much better. The ophthalmologist said that he thinks Lon has double vision in his right eye only and it should correct itself within 6 months. Surgery is rare. It's hard to know if Lon has it in both eyes because he can't communicate things like this yet. Just like pain, he can't say I hurt here or I need pain medicine. Lon also doesn't understand he was in a hospital and is in rehab.
If you haven't had experience with someone who has had a brain injury you may want to read about it. Here is one of many sites: http://www.neuroskills.com/braininjury.shtml
When you get here you can click on "over view of TBI" and after you read that click on the upper left link "Brain Injury", there is a lot of other good info here. A friend sent the Albers an email today that stated ..."God didn't promise to deliver us from trouble, but He has promised to go with us through the trouble." I read the email to Melinda and she said "A man whose young daughter is also in rehab here said the same thing to me about an hour ago." God has been showing himself to Melinda every day.
Stay in prayer.

Lon is sleeping soundly tonight in a private room in rehab. He fell asleep (sedated) talking about the job site for tomorrow.
The transition to the rehab facility today was challenging. As Lon was wheeled out to the van in a wheelchair he was a bit agitated and nearly slid out of the chair. And again in the van he did slide out of it before he was securely buckled into the van. It took 3 people to keep him in the chair. He was mildly sedated but probably could have used a bit more.
His 1 on 1 caregiver has requested a 2nd person due to Lon being more agitated, impulsive, outbursts and Lon's size and strength. Lon now has 2 on 1 until these issues diminish. There are also other people on staff full time to assist as needed.
Thank you to the person(s) that anonymously blessed her by paying her hotel bills. Thank you to everyone who has given in any way! Melinda is so in awe of how God is working through you all to bless them through this time.
Please pray protection over Lon, Melinda and their family. Please pray for the kids, namely Zebulon at this time, he is really missing his Daddy and showing some emotional needs due to both his parents being away. Continue to pray and believe for full recovery. Melinda knows the possibilities, but she also knows that all things are possible with God!

Marv brought Sierra for a very short visit today and it went pretty well. She kept Lon's attention for a few minutes showing him photos of the family and home. She is like her Mom, brave and strong and so compassionate.
Lon will be moving to the rehab facility tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for an easy and safe transfer for Lon.
Melinda will drive in the van with Lon, the driver and another person to help and Lon's one on one caretaker will follow in their car. When Lon isn't as impulsive he won't need a one on one person any longer.
Lon has a male nurse tonight and Lon will be on some sedation so he can rest. After Lon's fall yesterday Melinda stayed with him all night and they were up about every 2 hours. A night of rest and sleep is needed for both. Tomorrow is a big day!

Lon is doing real well! The following is upsetting but I felt it was important for you to know. Mostly because I saw Gods hands there underneath Melindas, just as Melinda has seen the Lords footprints in the snow carrying her and not her own foot prints.
Around 6:30 Pm Lon tried to get up from his bed (which he isn't supposed to do) and fell onto the hard floor. Melinda ran to him just in time to save his head from hitting the floor. The one on one nurse was not able to get to him to help in time plus she is smaller than Melinda. The doctors checked him well , his vitals and bones etc are fine. Melinda will talk to the hospital more about getting a male nurse, possibly restraining etc. something for Lon's safety. Lon is off of oxygen. Now he only has the Peripherally Inserted IV for sedation, pain meds and antibiotics etc. Lon walked down the hallway today with a nurse on each side and a nurse behind him with a strap around him for support. He was wobbly but he was walking (yippee!)
Lon's voice is becoming stronger and sounds more like Lon, though he is still working hard in his brain to put everything together. Lon smiled a lot today and Melinda was so blessed by this. Melinda was very distraught about Lon's fall tonight and totally drained. Pray for a competent large male nurse to take care of Lon (Seriously). He has one big nurse that is female that works 10 -12 hours a day with him and she handles him real well, but they need another nurse like her. Something Melinda says "It's all good."
PS Lon ate ice cream today :)

God is so good. Today was another day of hope and trust and perseverance.
The nerosurgeon said it's time to "hurry up and wait." (All in Gods timing is maybe what he was trying to say.) But he also said that he is impressed with the strides Lon is making. Lon is doing better today at sitting up in a chair with restraints (he's wobbly) and standing with restraints (needs some help with balance). He is on the lowest level of oxygen and his skin color looks better. Lon's brain is working so hard at trying to put his past and the now together. They sedated Lon to help him get better rest through the night. He and Melinda both rested well last night.
Thank you to the friends from Oregon and Washington who were able to visit this weekend. And thanks to everyone who has been able to visit, or send a comment, note, card or gift. And Thank you to everyone who is praying! Please pray for Melinda: Strength, endurance and perseverance.

Melinda said Lon was agitated and very active all night, hunting, fighting fires, and working on jobs (in his brain and sleep); He was speaking during this restless sleep. They decided it was best to restrain him and give him more sedative so he could rest. He has slept a lot today. Lons eyes are still a bit swollen with broken capillaries and just today the right pupil is larger. They are monitoring this. Due to his restlessness the swallow test wasn't done today. Hopefully he and Melinda will both get sleep and a lot of rest tonight. Please stay in prayer, God is listening.

Lon was moved to the PCU (Progressive care unit) today. The neurosurgeon is amazed at how well he is doing. After taking neck x-rays today they removed his neck brace. He started physical therapy and occupational therapy and was brushing his teeth and putting Chap-stick on. His aim was off a bit but with instruction to go up just a little he did great! He is getting nutrition via an IV, but tomorrow they hope he'll pass the swallow test and begin eating some soft food. His memory is getting better. {Pray for complete recovery in his nerves and brain.} Physically he is very strong. Lon seems to have headaches as the morphine wears off a bit. They're trying to stay on top of this. There is a person with Lon at all times right now. Melinda is pretty worn out today. {Pray for energy / rest.} But she is so excited about tomorrow!
The Albers Fire Dept. and their church will be holdng a benefit for them (tentative date June 14th).

This Morning Lon just suddenly woke up and Melinda was there waiting for him. Melinda told him that she loves him and he mouthed back with the tube down his throat "I love you!".
The nurses took out the breathing tube and Lon is using an oxygen mask now. He still has an IV and he did have a feeding tube in his nose, but he pulled it out. (Sounds like Lon, right?)
Melinda will find out tomorrow what the plan is to get nutrition into him. The Neurologist and the Rehab doctor will meet with her tomorrow, for a new plan of action.
He has a 24 hour guard when Melinda isn't there, plus a nurse. They are taking care of him real well.
Melinda said that Lon is being kind and gentle and really working hard in his brain to piece things together. Melinda really appreciates all of your prayers, she says she has really felt them and seen them working.
Keep praying, God hears us and answers.