A Great and Busy Week

A Great and Busy Week (Oct. 25, 2018)

Brian and I had a great week!  We were out and about almost every day.  On Tuesday, we went to Maddie's Student Led Conference at her school. The staff was extremely accommodating to us and were even waiting at the door for our arrival.  Maddie was so proud to have her dad there too!  That made him feel extra special.  I had to chance to be swabbed as a possible bone marrow donor while we were at her school.  Check out "wil ohler’s fight with leukemia #wilswarriors" on Facebook to read about how a Lindbergh High School senior is fighting a battle with cancer and needs to find a bone marrow donor.  There are several locations having bone marrow drives in the upcoming weeks.

On Wednesday, we took a trip to see our Edward Jones advisor.  That night, friends came by the house for dinner.  It was nice to get caught up on the latest and greatest with them and enjoy a glass of wine too. :)

Thursday was Abilities Awareness Day at Crestwood Elementary.  I haven't been back in the building since Brian unexpectedly took a trip to the ER last January.  I was excited, but nervous to see everyone because I knew it would be a reminder of how life was prior to Brian's injury.  However, Brian and I were welcomed with hugs and smiles from the students and staff.  Brian gave 4 presentations to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.  He talked about his injury, how its impacted his life, and how we choose to live with JOY each day. The students were absolutely amazing and asked such thoughtful questions. I'm so proud that Brian wanted to speak to others, especially because we've only been home for 2 months.  He loved every minute of the day.

We also got to meet Officer Flamion and his wife, Sarah.  Sarah has helped me so much with the many questions I've had about doctor recommendations, daily living, and just the complexity of caring for someone with a spinal cord injury.  We enjoyed lunch with them after the presentations and look forward to visiting again soon. 

Like always, we thank you so much for your love and support. Can't wait for another great week!

Our New Normal

Our New Normal (10/10/18)

We continue to adjust to our new life.  I think we will never fully understand how drastically life has changed, but we are getting through each day with the best attitude we can.  We have more up days than down.

Brian's health remains good.  He has PT coming to the house three days a week for range of motion stretching and neck strengthening exercises. Nursing stops by to check in and draw bloodwork once a week.  In the new future, we will transition to an outpatient PT program that will help Brian continue his recovery.

We've had a great few weeks.  My brother came into town for Brian's birthday. We haven't seen him since we left Craig hospital. Brian had an awesome visit with a former co-worker and got caught up on all the scoop in the industry.  We hosted a game night at the house and hosted several family gatherings. Kenzie had homecoming and Brian was thrilled that she wasn't embarrassed to have friends come by for pictures. 

We have been test driving two vans and hope to finalize the purchase this week.  So far, we've taken trips to family members' home to see if Brian can enter using portable ramps, saw our niece's soccer game, made a trip to Ted Drewes, and picked up Maddie from school.  Freedom feels so good! 

We want to thank everyone again for your generosity throughout this journey. Here is an update of  how your donations (private, GoFundMe, fundraisers) have helped us cover some of the costs we are incurring: 

$33,000: Home renovations to accommodate Brian's power chair
$21,500: Backup generator, updated electrical panels and circuits for medical equipment
$20,000: Down payment for a used accessible van. Very limited options due to the dimensions of Brian's chair including the ventilator tray. 
$5,400: Motorized garage lift to enter the house
$1,500: Elevator feature on Brian's chair.  This allows him to communicate "eye-to-eye" with others.  If recovery progresses and he regains movement, it will also help him reach items in the cabinets.
$1,500: Voice activated technology with microphone
$500: Voice activated SMART home modifications
$500: Portable ramps
$400: Monthly prescriptions
$2000+/month (out-of-pocket cost) home health care (a few hours a day, Monday-Friday).
$$: All bills/medical supplies not covered by insurance

With that being said, we are excited to announce that we are in the planning stages for our First Annual Brian Heine Benefit Golf Tournament.  Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Legends Country Club in Eureka, MO.  More details to come. Brian will be active in planning a day of fun for all!

Please pray or send your good vibes for Brian's continued improvement, strength, and mobility.  We prepare for today and remain hopeful for things to come! We are grateful to our supporters. 

A Night at the Ballpark

A Night at the Ballpark (10/10/18)

This is a past-due update...we had the pleasure of attending the Cardinals game in the press box on Sept. 2th.  We chatted with Cards broadcasters, Dan McLaughlin and Al Hrabosky.  Dan talked about Brian during the broadcast that night. Click on the video below to hear it! (Don't mind the crying baby in the background...lol)

Here are a few pics from the evening.  A special thank you to Brian's brother, Jeff, for arranging the evening and Dan Farrell for making it happen.  People are so kind.

Another update coming shortly!

The First Few Weeks

9/15/18

The first few weeks have been good.  We are quickly establishing a routine for morning and evening transfers.  The medication schedule is working well...minus the time I accidentally took a Sudafed instead of giving it to Brian.  Sleep deprivation can do these things to you...lol

We have been out and about to four different doctor's appointments and a trip to Joey B's.  We are renting a vehicle for each outing and hope to purchase our own very soon.  It's not too fun being stuck at home, but luckily we've enjoyed great weather outside!

Being in the comforts of home have been wonderful, but also hard for Brian.  I think he's understanding the realization of his situation and the things he can no longer do like yard work, errands, petting the dog...all the little things we take for granted.  We work through the down days and focus on the good.  Brian can navigate the computer, phone, TV, lights through voice activation.  It allows him independence to do things on his own.

Brian's health has been good, which is a HUGE blessing!  Blood pressure can still be tricky, but manageable.  His breathing has been better with the humidity of St. Louis.  Who would've thought we would look forward to humid days?

Thank you for your continued love and support through this journey.  It's great to know we have an army of supporters behind us.

#heinestrong

We Made It Home

We Made It Home

We are home, safe and sound!  I landed last Monday with the team from Craig, and Brian came home on a MedFlight on Tuesday.  Maddie had teeth pulled the day Brian landed, so she was home for his arrival.  Unfortunately, Kenzie had to go to school, but was home within a few hours of him landing.  

It's been a very busy week unpacking boxes from the home renovations, working with the Craig team, visiting with family, and adjusting to our new life.  I would say, overall, things are going very well.

When the Craig team was here, we practiced morning and evening transfers, troubleshooted equipment issues, and went on an outing to the middle school and the high school.  These are two places we will be in the future.  We are in the process of looking for a van that fits Brian's chair best.  Hopefully, we will have our own transportation sooner than later!  

In-home nursing and PT stopped by last week.  OT will be visiting for the first time today. 

It's so good to be home....with the kids, the pup, our family and friends. We cherish so much that has been taken for granted in the past.   

Thanks for your support and continued prayers for a smooth transition and continued recovery for Brian. We thank God for the blessings He's shown us, and pray for more to come!

Day One Hundred Twenty-Five to One Hundred Thirty-One

Day 125-131 (Aug. 17-23)

It's our last weekend at Craig! We are getting close to home.  I fly out with a team from Craig on Monday to get things organized at the house and set up supplies.  Brian takes a MedFlight home on Tuesday and should arrive in St. Louis around 1:00 in the afternoon. 

This is definitely a bittersweet goodbye.  While we can't wait to get home (Brian hasn't been home since January), we've met the most amazing staff and families.  For the past few days, there have been final farewells to nurses, techs, and therapists.  So tough and a constant lump in the throat.

Craig Hospital has prepared us for our next step in the journey. Brian can direct his care so well and I've learned nursing and respiratory skills.  We cannot thank the staff enough for helping us through a really hard time.

Although we leave Craig, Brian will receive OT and PT.  We will start out in the home and then hopefully transition to outpatient once we get settled in.  With Brian having an incomplete injury, we continue to hope for progress and recovery with time.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the love and support you give us.  I will update everyone once Brian lands on Tuesday!  #heinestrong

Day One Hundred Seventeen to One Hundred Twenty-Four

Day 117-124 (August 7-16)

I'm not sure how ten days went by without an update.  Could've sworn I snuck one in there.  LOL

Latest news:

We are headed home soon!  We decided to forego the original plan to transition to the apartments after staying in-patient due to Brian's pneumonia.  If Brian doesn't pull any shenanigans, the plan is for me to fly home with a team from Craig (PT, Respiratory Therapist, Nurse) on Monday the 27th, and Brian will take a medical flight home on the 28th. We are so excited (and scared), but are SO ready to come home!

Brian is doing well.  The docs increased his steroid and are trying to lower one of his blood pressure meds.  Overall, his blood pressure has done pretty well, although he likes to sneak a few low ones in from time-to-time. Brian is still working hard in his therapies.  His neck is getting stronger and hopefully soon, he can get rid of his head pads.  He's keeping a positive attitude and making the staff laugh every day.


It's been a tough week for me.  School started for the teachers on Monday. It's always fun to be part of the excitement of Rah-Rah day and a new school year.  I miss everyone terribly.  I can't wait to see my Crestwood family. The girls went back to school today and we always have a tradition of getting our first day of school pics together.  I know they are little milestones, but I sure hate missing them.  Kenz is a junior this year and Maddie is an 8th grader.  Year 23 for me.  Should be 24, but I took a year off when I had Maddie.  :)

Elsie (the pup) starts her journey home in the morning.  It has been the best therapy having her here for the last six weeks.  My sweet brother is road tripping again to KC and then our KC besties will meet my mom and the girls in Columbia to bring her home.

Exciting news!  There's another member of the Heine clan!  My niece and nephew had their first baby, Carter James, last night.  Her twin sister had a baby a few weeks back.  It's going to be fun watching the babies grow up together.  They look so cute in pics and we look forward to meeting them in person.

Keep the prayers coming for Brian's stability so that our journey home can happen. Thanks for all of your support!