Hello! Hope all is well with all of you.
Today Steve slept through his morning OT and speech sessions after being given a pretty powerful pain killer last night. Spoke with the doctor today and he now will be given tylenol at regular intervals for pain...we'll try to avoid anything stronger. This evening he was having pain in his legs, so we used massage to help him, and turned on the tv for a distraction. Seemed to do the trick.
They are really working him hard. It wears him out, and is hard for us to watch sometimes, but so good for him. Today when the PT people sat him up and helped him balance his head, he was able to hold it there for quite some time. Then they tapped on it to un-balance it, and he often was able to keep it in position. He could also turn it very slightly to both sides. They have built a wheelchair for him that is long enough for his legs and supports his head. It keeps his back nice and straight and has an air cushion seat, so he sat in that in his room for a couple hours today. It's pretty amazing to watch them create/adjust those chairs. They have all sorts of tools and spare parts, and work hard and fast to build something that fits perfectly. The OT people had him hold a small cone in his right hand and then open his fingers and let it fall. That was a little different for him...usually someone is just asking him to move his body parts - not involve something else.
Tonight Beth asked him a couple questions and he shook his head (slightly) to say "no". That's a technique the speech pathologist likes - it's something you or I would just do naturally. She's all about making things like requests seem natural. For example, she asks Steve to introduce me to her, rather than just telling him to say "mom". He can't say that yet, but I look forward to that day!
Also tonight Beth asked him to move his pointer finger, thumb, etc. on his right hand, and he was able to do that. All good stuff!
It sounds like his day will involve morning rehab, a break at lunch time (even though he doesn't get to eat), then afternoon rehab. After that he collapses into bed for a couple hours of napping, we wake him up for a couple hours, then to sleep for the night. It's really important that he get his days and nights in order to make the best use of his rehab time...for the most part he's doing a good job with this.
His chest xray shows one small suspicious area, but the doctors don't think he has pneumonia - just some leftover junk that's working its way out. He's on antibiotics just in case, but he finally seems much better in the coughing/congestion department.
Good night everyone!
Linda and Rob
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3 comments:
Thanks for your detailed posts - it helps so much to follow Steve's progress and to rejoice with you on each stride he makes in the right direction - but you're also educating us on how the healing process works. You're answering all the questions we may have! We know your days and nights are also mixed up, as your schedule mirrors Steve's. He's so fortunate to have all of you by his side, and something tells us he feels that more than anyone. Please be assured that there are still so many out here that are with you in spirit and prayer. We know the day will come soon when he DOES introduce you verbally as Mom!!! Tim and Laury Stone
You go Steve!!! Take no prisoners!! Hey, do you think your doctors would give you some of those good sleeping tablets for your OLD Uncle Don?? :)
Thinking of you Steve! You're still on everyone's mind over at the office! Love, Claire
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