Thursday, April 16, 2015

Update # 198

8 Years

First, I want to thank the “angel” who mowed our lawn! Ken left the rehab hospital early Monday afternoon hoping our grass would be dry enough for him to mow late afternoon. No problem because he saw someone had already mowed for him. Thank you for helping. And special thanks from Ken since that gave him time to watch the Cardinals home opener – sadly a loss but we did win the next 2.

Mercy Rehab is quite a StL sports fan. Monday almost all the staff had on red or Cardinals clothing. The lunch menu was entirely based on the players and baseball theme. Today was then the same with blue for the Blues hockey team since their first game of the playoffs is tonight.

Jeff has continued improvement in some areas but hit a plateau in an area. His function level did not change as we’ve seen previously. The main goal is getting Jeff to stand from a sitting position. He still needs assistance so more exercises are geared towards accomplishing that task.

Jeff is not having to be lifted by the harness but sometimes helped up by a gait belt or even just a sheet under his buttocks. Once Jeff is standing, he is able to remain upright for longer periods of time – still counted in seconds not minutes. They had Jeff use a walker to help himself stand at the parallel bars. And he even took a few steps with the walker! The wheelchair was directly behind him so he could quickly sit when fatigued.

The weather was so beautiful last Friday, the one therapist had Jeff practice using the wheelchair on uneven pavement outside. Good exercise for his arms.

Saturday and Sunday were quiet days again. We had some “old” family friends visit on Sunday. Thanks for coming and spending a couple of hours with us. We had fun talking but missed having Meridith with us in the room. She had returned to Iowa over the weekend to enjoy a visit with her parents, brother, both grandmothers, and people at church.

Jeff must have rested well over the weekend because on Monday he walked 6 feet at the parallel bars – with assistance. The legs and feet seemed in good motion. Tuesday Jeff again walked with help at the parallel bars.

Yesterday a different therapist suggested Jeff try a universal walker. It is much taller – as in the arms rest at shoulder height. Once Jeff was helped upright, this walker offered the proper support for his upper body. He could then concentrate on the legs/feet. Jeff did well yesterday with a 22 foot walk. Today was even better – a 40 ft. walk and then an 80 ft. walk.

We are all encouraged at the progress Jeff has made these last few days. But we know there is still more work to be done before Jeff can be ready to head back to work. He works as hard as the therapists ask and they are pleased how well he does each task. Just more exercises on having all the muscles back in proper motion at the same time without assistance. Each step gets him closer to his normal life. Five weeks flat in bed takes a long time to regain/restore the muscle fibers. They all say that Jeff’s young age (31) is an advantage.

Thanks for the prayers that we receive every day. We see them answered in those daily 3 hour sessions where Jeff improves. Spring has bloomed in beautiful colors outside around here. And Jeff has bloomed in working to regain independence.

love,

Marcia