Current updates

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00b00840erlcjm.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Current updates</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Current updates"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Current updates</B>   |   <A HREF="id9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates to May 30, 2008"><U>Updates to May 30, 2008</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November 2007 update letter"><U>November 2007 update letter</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rosss Epic Hill Climb 2007"><U>Ross's Epic Hill Climb 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates to June 2, 2007"><U>Updates to June 2, 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates from Jan. 1, 2006May 31, 2006"><U>Updates from Jan. 1, 2006--May 31, 2006</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2005 Updates"><U>2005 Updates</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" background="00511c00egdysm.gif"> <div> <B>Contact information:</B></div> <div> <B>Ross Dillon</B></div> <div> <B>PO Box 1509</B></div> <div> <B>Glen Ellen, CA 95442</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Charles "Rusty" Dillon</B></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:charlesdillon@hughes.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:charlesdillon@hughes.net"><U><B>CharlesDillon@hughes.net</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="157" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#666699 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 231 WIDTH="151"><div> <A HREF="http://www.rossdillon.com/id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rossdillon.com/id19.htm"><U><B>WaterStone</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>for donations to Ross:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.rossdillon.com/id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rossdillon.com/id19.htm"><U><B>Credit Card Deposit Form</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.rossdillon.com/id20.htm#anchor" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rossdillon.com/id20.htm#ancho"><U><B>Direct Donation Form</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November 2007 update letter"><U><B>Current progress letter</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July 2007 letter"><U><B>Past letters</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="148" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#9999FF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 129 WIDTH="142"><div> <A HREF="http://www.rossdillon.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rossdillon.com"><U><B>Ross's Home page</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>for earliest updates to January 2, 2005</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2005 Updates"><U><B>updates from 1/2/05</B></U></A><B>    </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates from Jan. 1, 2006May 31, 2006"><U><B>updates from 1/1/06</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates to June 2, 2007"><U><B>updates from 6/1/06</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Questions about this site: </B><A HREF="mailto:kate@katedouglas.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:kate@katedouglas.com"><U><B>Kate@katedouglas.com</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Current updates</div> <div> <I><B>On June 3, 2002, while riding his bicycle in a wide bike lane along an unobstructed stretch of rural road, 25 year old Ross Dillon was struck from behind by an innattentive driver. In that one, pivotal moment, Ross's life, and the lives of his family and friends, were changed forever. His care has been chronicled in an online diary, beginning at </B></I><A HREF="http://www.rossdillon.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rossdillon.com"><U><I><B>www.rossdillon.com.</B></I></U></A><I><B> His is a story of amazing courage and resiliance, and the very stubborn love of a family unwilling to give up on his journey toward recovery.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>                                                                                      </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>                                                                                 </B></FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>   <div align="center"> <a href="http://pub14.bravenet.com/guestbook/1184559207/"> <img src="http://assets.bravenet.com/cp/guestbook.gif" border="0" title="Sign my Guestbook from Bravenet.com" alt="Sign my Guestbook from Bravenet.com" /></a> <a href="http://www.bravenet.com"><img src="http://assets.bravenet.com/cp/bn-guestbook.gif" border="0" title="Get your Free Guestbook from Bravenet.com" alt="Get your Free Guestbook from Bravenet.com" /></a> </div>   </div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0c468e00.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="480" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>August 11, 2008--a note from Betsy:</B></div> <div> Just a quick note since it has been a while. As usual, we have been extremely busy. I wrote in my log on July 31 that Ross has been so tired, particularly after PT on Tuesday and Wednesday. His therapists were pleased with his progress, but his fatigue was scary. A cognitive training program that I have been interested in was on sale and I took advantage of the lower price and ordered it. That evening, I sat with Ross at the computer to show him a video of another young man with a TBI who has made great progress and used the program. Ross sat with his head down, not looking. As the video played, I talked to him and said he could learn to do these things. He shook his head for “No!” I kept talking, and he finally looked up and started watching. He even smiled as I talked about him doing it and then lifted his shoulders alternately, something he does to show enthusiasm.</div> <div> In talking to Rusty, we realized that with the stress of the last six months, we mainly stay home and do lots of therapy. He is doing extremely well with gross motor skills but he had regressed in cognitive work. Realizing that he was bored and resigned to his fate, I decided to add in more fun. The next day we had lunch at Murphy’s Irish Pub, where Ross had worked for a while. He had a wonderful time, eating, gesturing and calling out to other people. </div> <div> Now, two weeks later, he is doing much better, except for the first grand mal in almost two months last Tuesday. However, he is smiling, drawing intricate pictures again, writing and enjoying the Olympics.</div> <bR> <div> <B>July 27, 2008 A note from Betsy: </B></div> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >The last two weeks have been much better for Ross. His digestive system seems to have calmed down. Since the lab tests were normal, I think that it is because the new enzyme regime is helping. I need to spend some time determining what the next step will be. There is a product that is specifically designed for reduction of mucus (i.e. nasal congestion), but I want to go slowly. Ross is less volatile and he actually seems to look forward to therapy (exercise). The OT started having him walking on his knees between the parallel bars two weeks ago. It is exciting to watch as Ross moves first his right knee forward and then the left with his hand on the bar. Sometimes we have to provide just a little lift on the left shoe to overcome the friction, but more and more he does it all. He started out walking one length, about six feet. Yesterday, he did five lengths.</FONT></div> <div> Ross is also talking more often and, of course, it is frequently about food. Rusty’s tomatoes are ripening and Ross enjoys them immensely. I chop them up and he eats them with a spoon. It is also raspberry season again and he is starting to prefer a spoon for eating them because they are slippery between his fingers.</div> <div> Last weekend I noticed that the pupils of both eyes were consistently the same diameter. That is the first time since he was hurt. That has pretty much continued, but I notice when he is tired or confused, the left one is again larger than the right. Yesterday, I even noticed that both eyes seemed to be tracking together. Ross stared at me when I asked if he was seeing one or two. As I write this, I realize I was moving too fast and should have asked only one question. For example, “Do you see two of me? “ </div> <div> I have saved the best for last. Yesterday, the therapist had Ross stand against a wall without support. He did it four times then. Today, he did it again. Rusty and I are so excited and Ross is very proud of himself. This is a huge accomplishment.</div> <div> If you are on our mailing list, look for the new letter to arrive soon. The photographs of Ross enable you to see the changes. We are so grateful for his progress. Thank you to all of you who make it possible. Onward and upward<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>    </B></div> <div> <B>July 11, 2008 An update from Ross's mom:</B></div> <div> We have been very busy with visitors, appointments and life’s unexpected glitches. Ross’s sister Liz and her family were here for a week. Initially, Ross was very quiet, and Liz was saddened to see that Ross was not as responsive to her or as verbal as he was in December when she was here. However, Ross delighted in the children and laughingly watched them. The children played ball with him, accompanied him as he drove outside and stacked cones with him. He occasionally became agitated and showed it. It was upsetting for the children, and I was able to say that it makes me sad when he reacts with anger and fear too. We all recognize that it is not personal, and it is another example of how this tragedy as affected all of us. However, their experience was mostly positive. And Ross, told Liz, “I love you” just before she left. </div> <div> Ross’s digestive system appears to still be recovering from all the antibiotics. The doctor is doing some tests, and we are waiting for the results. I have been able to find some books on digestive enzymes and I have slowly increased the enzymes Ross takes before each meal. It has made a difference and I think it is making a difference in his cognitive functioning. For anyone interested, the author of the books I have is Karen DeFelice. The one I really like is <I>Enzymes for Digestive Health and Nutritional Wealth. </I>Her web site is<I> </I><A HREF="http://www.enzymestuff.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enzymestuff.com"><U><U>www.enzymestuff.com</U></U></A> . I am realizing how critical enzymes and the digestive system are for all of us, but even more so for the neurologically challenged. </div> <div> Ross’s progress in therapy is wonderful and his therapists are very pleased. He is walking on his knees, moving himself around on the floor, climbing on to the therapy table from the floor and rolling from his back to his side in bed. While his motor skills are progressing, he still isn’t talking as much since the last grand mal seizure on June 10. When we saw Ross’s neurologist yesterday, he suggested that Ross might be thinking more and, as a result not speaking as much. It does seem that he is more thoughtful and he does communicate his desires. Another thing I noticed is that he is not constantly asking for food. We have gone to church the last two Sundays and he didn’t ask for food either time until the very end. Before, he would have been agitated and asking for food from the beginning. He is also actively reading printed material. The doctor handed me some information yesterday, and Ross spent a few minutes looking at it as if he were reading. One other thing, the neurosurgeon said that the last CT scan on June 20<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> showed smaller ventricles. That is a great report. We have always been told that they are big, because of the injury related damage to his brain. But Rusty found a report online that indicates that on a scan, large ventricles because of hydrocephalus can’t always be distinguished from large ventricles because of damage. Rusty and I feel that Ross is on an up slope again. Onward and upward.</div> <bR> <div> <B>June 15, 2008 (I'm posting this from Montana--just received an email from Betsy with an update. Wifi is EVERYWHERE!)</B></div> <div>     You may be on the road again.  I received your e-mail in the midst of making a birthday dinner for Ariel.  Ross enjoyed the card that I put together for</div> <div> Ariel. I had found a Mary Engelbreit file folder that was so like Ariel when she was a little girl and I typed up a verse about Ariel and Ross for the</div> <div> inside.  He laughed when he saw the folder, and instead of writing his name on the inside, he drew a decorative line around the whole verse.  </div> <div>     Later he watched the movie "Hairspray" on television.  I went in and sat with him and he laughed continually at the movie.  At one point, he turned</div> <div> and looked at me as if to say, "Isn't this outrageous."  It is so wonderful to have his laughter back.</div> <div>     Last week at the Hill Climb there was another little toddler, just like last year.  Ross loved her and laughed with joy as he watched her.  At one point,</div> <div> her mother lifted her to see Ross, and Ross asked, "Are you a woman?"  I think that was an example of his difficulty in retrieving words.  He was</div> <div> thinking girl, but woman is what came out of his mouth.</div> <div>     His speech skills have been better until last Wednesday when he had another grand mal seizure.  This time, articulate speech is slower to return.</div> <div> However, he is doing well with crawling with the therapist and standing on his knees.  We are also back to having him stand for a half hour several</div> <div> times a day.  We are hoping that getting back to standing a lot, something we couldn't do while the bone plate was missing, will help his brain to send</div> <div> signals to his left foot and leg about the correct position.  The orthotics that he wears have been rubbing and creating blisters.  Ross saw a very good</div> <div> podiatrist last week, who pointed out that that the problem is that Ross's ankle keeps turning.  There are surgical solutions, but we are committed to</div> <div> using weight bearing and positioning first.  There is also the question about the shunt.  Too high pressure inside the ventricles can interfere also.  So, I will call and start the process of securing an appointment for a CT with sedation. Comparing a new CT with the previous ones will help the</div> <div> neurosurgeons determine what is going on.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Updates to May 30, 2008"><U><B>Updates prior to June 2008</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.rossdillon.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rossdillon.com"><U><B>History of Ross's accident and first years of care.</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>  <div align="center"> <div style="width:128px;padding:2px;border:1px solid #cccccc;background-color:#f9f9f9;color:#000000;font:bold 11px verdana;"> Visitors:  <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://pub14.bravenet.com/counter/code.php?id=369044&usernum=1184559207&groupnum=14&cpv=2"></script>  </div></div>  </B></div> <div> <B> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-1363680-1"; urchinTracker(); </script>  </B></div> <bR> <div> © Kate Moore 2008</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:kate@katedouglas.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:kate@katedouglas.com"><U>kate@katedouglas.com</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>