Senses Fail Supports Keith

Senses Fail - Keith's favorite band - has designed a t-shirt to be sold on their website to support Keith in his recovery. It combines Keith's love of Senses Fail with the love of the Phillies. The number 36 on the back is for Robin Roberts - Keith's favorite throwback Phillie. If you would like to support Keith and purchase a t-shirt - and who can't use another t-shirt - you can follow this link

http://merchdirect.com/SensesFail/Tshirts/Dunnigan_Benefit_on_Red?productid=14749

Many thanks to all of Keith's supporters. Keep the prayers coming. He is making progress every day but has a long road ahead. He won't give up and neither can we.

Keith's Discharge Date

Keith has a new discharge date of October 4.

Keith had a visit with his surgeon last week and he was pleased with Keith's progress. On Saturday Keith had "trunk" control meaning from a sitting position on a mat he could lean forward and bring himself back up and go side to side. Not a big deal to all of us but Keith couldn't do that last week and every little bit of mobility that he gets back is a great step and encouraging.

Many hopes and prayers for continued recovery.

Keith's Discharge

Keith is being discharged from Magee on Septembr 27. He is very excited to be going home after four months in hospitals. Imagine not being home since May 23. Once home he will have homecare for about a month and then continue his rehab on an outpatient basis.

Keith has a long way to go and will need all the love, support and prayers he can get as he continues to work in regaining use of his hands and legs. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

There may be another fundraiser in the fall. Unfortunately, you can't bring home from the hospital all of the equipment needed for Keith's care.

Thanks to all for your love, support and prayers.   

Weekly Update

Keith is continuing to make slow but steady progress at Magee. Alot of stuff we take totally for granted are big accomplishments for him. Like he can now stick his arms out straight to the side shoulder level and hold them there - he said for us to try it with milk jugs filled with rocks and that is what something so simple feels like to him but as he gets stronger I assume it will get easier. He also sat unassisted for a little while on a mat in pt. Again something you are probably doing right now but doctors at that stupid Atlanticare didn't think he would do. (personally I was hoping it would blow into the ocean with Irene) He is getting evaluated for equipment he will need at home like electric wheelchair, bed, the sling they use to get him out of bed. Right now they are looking at four weeks but that could change and we are praying that he gets to stay longer. Friday he had occupational therapy and put his t-shirt on himself. It took awhile but he did it. He is also using his phone more. They put a Dragon naturally speaking app on there but he tries to text himself because that helps to work his fine motor skills. He still can't move his fingers but Kristen said if she asks him to squeeze her hand - which she says he can feel - you can feel the muscles trying to contract on his right hand. Hopefully, the signal can break through as time goes on and he can use those fingers because they are the biggest hands with the longest fingers I have ever seen. He also has tingling in his legs and burning in his knees. All could mean something or unfortunately nothing. Only time will tell but it is better than feeling nothing at all. Last, but not least, he is getting closer to getting the trake completely out if he can go 3 days without getting suctioned.

  

Kristen contacted his favorite band - Senses Fail - ok maybe some of you younger people will know who they are cause I didn't. But anyway, I will keep you posted. They have really taken an interest in Keith and are designing a t-shirt to be sold on their website benefiting Keith. The lead singer called him Thursday to talk about the design and see how Keith was doing. I am trying to find a way to contact Cole Hamels. He is a Cole Hamels fan and I think some words of encouragement even just a note would mean alot to him. The Phillies are what helps him get through his time in the hospital. When everyone else leaves for the day and he is alone he just turns on the game and it helps. Cole may have to wait until after they win the World Series in October. The Phillies are understandably busy right now.

 

Keith hopes to do something with school in January. As you all know he wants to be a lawyer so his dad was telling him how he read about a quadraplegic lawyer and a paraplegic lawyer and Keith said but I'm going to be a walking lawyer. So that is the thought I leave you with for today. Keith's unfailing belief he will walk but at the same time having the strength to be patient (unlike me) and know that it is a marathon he is on not a sprint and he does exactly what the therapists tell him to do. Well every therapist but the psychiatrist who he still avoids when at all possible.

 

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for the prayers and support.