Dad had such an awesome day today! He practiced stairs for the first time and did great, then walked back to his room from the gym (one side of the building to the other). Later he practiced getting in and out of the car so he'll be ready for us to take him to visit Mom on Sunday, which will be their 48th wedding anniversary (before you applaud, we met a guy here in rehab who's been been married for sixty years!).
I have to tell you that this past week Dad has truly made some amazing gains. It's like all the little pieces of his therapy are coming together in a big way. From something as simple as being able to reach over and grab a drink off the table (and get the straw to his mouth and put it back on the table!) to needing only a light hand under his arm to stand up with his walker, I tell him every day he is awesome and amazing, and he is. And that's just the physical stuff. Any short term memory issues Dad has had seem pretty much gone and his ability to focus and problem solve is improving, too. Every day I think he can't get any more fabulous, but the next day he's even more fabulous!
Today we went to a group get-together with some other patients. We heard some amazing stories and it was very encouraging to see what others are going through and hear their struggles and triumphs. I've seen so many people here on this floor go from wheelchairs to walkers to canes to walking out to go home. It's profoundly touching to know we are just one of so many miracles.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Which do you want first?
Personally, I prefer having my bad news first so that the good news kind of makes up for it and leaves you on a happy note.
The bad news: My mother is in the hospital (and unfortunately for us not the same hospital as Dad). She is under observation for her knee pain and a severe UTI. We are still working hard to get her the right help so that she will not have to come home until she is well enough. (If any of you would like more information on Mom, please e-mail me or leave a comment here.)
Unfortunately, this is really effecting Dad's mood and focus. (With any brain injury, the patient is likely to be much more emotional than previously and less able to cope well with strong emotions...and this is a lot to cope with.) Several of the nurses have noted that he's not his usual cheerful self. It's tough to see him so down, especially when he needs all his fighting strength.
The good news: Dad's catheter is OUT!! He is tube and wire free for the first time since December 3rd! AND this morning he WALKED to the bathroom! He needed a hand up from the nurse and then was able to use his walker the 8-9 feet into the bathroom!!
He is getting so much stronger in his legs and is sitting/standing better and better. I had a nice long chat with his occupational therapist and she told me he is using his utensils better at mealtimes. She is so pleased with his progress in so many ways, but she really sees a difference in his vision.
My dear friend Emmy (she's a doctor of physical therapy) came and hung out with us some today. Because Dad's PT team is mainly focused on getting him mobile, Emmy wanted to help him work on his left arm. He's still having trouble trusting it enough to use it, and Em explained that after so much lack of use the muscles have likely shortened, thus causing a limit in his range of motion. Dad worked really hard on some exercises with her and he told her she really helped him. One great thing she explained to us is how long it takes to get back muscle tone. I think it helped Dad to understand why he is still pretty weak, even though he has the ability and coordination to do the activities of therapy. I love my Emmy. She makes everything easy to understand! :)
Thanks to all those who are able to stop by and visit. We appreciate the time you take to make Dad feel loved. (If I could just make a quick PSA, please, please announce who you are when you come in the room. It's sooo frustrating to play "guess who I am." End of PSA.)
The bad news: My mother is in the hospital (and unfortunately for us not the same hospital as Dad). She is under observation for her knee pain and a severe UTI. We are still working hard to get her the right help so that she will not have to come home until she is well enough. (If any of you would like more information on Mom, please e-mail me or leave a comment here.)
Unfortunately, this is really effecting Dad's mood and focus. (With any brain injury, the patient is likely to be much more emotional than previously and less able to cope well with strong emotions...and this is a lot to cope with.) Several of the nurses have noted that he's not his usual cheerful self. It's tough to see him so down, especially when he needs all his fighting strength.
The good news: Dad's catheter is OUT!! He is tube and wire free for the first time since December 3rd! AND this morning he WALKED to the bathroom! He needed a hand up from the nurse and then was able to use his walker the 8-9 feet into the bathroom!!
He is getting so much stronger in his legs and is sitting/standing better and better. I had a nice long chat with his occupational therapist and she told me he is using his utensils better at mealtimes. She is so pleased with his progress in so many ways, but she really sees a difference in his vision.
My dear friend Emmy (she's a doctor of physical therapy) came and hung out with us some today. Because Dad's PT team is mainly focused on getting him mobile, Emmy wanted to help him work on his left arm. He's still having trouble trusting it enough to use it, and Em explained that after so much lack of use the muscles have likely shortened, thus causing a limit in his range of motion. Dad worked really hard on some exercises with her and he told her she really helped him. One great thing she explained to us is how long it takes to get back muscle tone. I think it helped Dad to understand why he is still pretty weak, even though he has the ability and coordination to do the activities of therapy. I love my Emmy. She makes everything easy to understand! :)
Thanks to all those who are able to stop by and visit. We appreciate the time you take to make Dad feel loved. (If I could just make a quick PSA, please, please announce who you are when you come in the room. It's sooo frustrating to play "guess who I am." End of PSA.)
Monday, February 11, 2008
Hard work...tough times
Dad is doing so well! At least two of his therapists told me today how much they enjoy working with him. The speech therapist told him she appreciates his tenacity in doing all this work. "I have lots of patients who get frustrated and give up, but not you, Leo!" Today, Dad walked 116 feet in physical therapy (they hook him up to a harness suspended from the ceiling to help him with balance and then he uses a walker). His PT told him he's really improved since she last worked with him Friday and she's definitely not one to toss off idle compliments.
Over the weekend, Dad had an MRI. His doctor and the opthamologist want to compare it with the one that was done back before he left the first hospital. This might give them some insight about his vision, but they also want to see if there are any changes. They should have their reports in the next day or so.
One of the exciting things for Dad is the news that they are planning to remove his catheter tomorrow! That will be his last tube!
Right now, things look really good, but Dad is still discouraged about his vision and he's really sad about my mother's health issues. And I had to tell him this morning that my cat (nearly 20 years old!) passed away last night. He was such a kind "grandpa" to her and will miss her. Please pray for Dad's emotional health as he wrestles with some pretty dark times. Pray for the whole family.
Over the weekend, Dad had an MRI. His doctor and the opthamologist want to compare it with the one that was done back before he left the first hospital. This might give them some insight about his vision, but they also want to see if there are any changes. They should have their reports in the next day or so.
One of the exciting things for Dad is the news that they are planning to remove his catheter tomorrow! That will be his last tube!
Right now, things look really good, but Dad is still discouraged about his vision and he's really sad about my mother's health issues. And I had to tell him this morning that my cat (nearly 20 years old!) passed away last night. He was such a kind "grandpa" to her and will miss her. Please pray for Dad's emotional health as he wrestles with some pretty dark times. Pray for the whole family.
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