A Day Off

Lynn had absolutely nothing on his schedule today. It was very quiet around here with only one PT on duty. Several visitors did help fill up the day.

I also went to Sports Authority and got him gloves to use with his chair when he goes on longer walks.

Confidence

Tonight I feel relaxed for the first time in three weeks.  Why?  I saw a health and confidence in Lynn from the moment I walked into his room this morning.  He was up , dressed, groomed and ready for the day.  In the gym he sat on the mat easily and moved with confidence in every direction.  In the afternoon we went out with Shannon, the PT, for  a long walk around the U of O area and he was enjoying the challenges he faced with moving his chair along the way.  He even began to learn how to do wheelies which is a necessary wheelchair skill to negotiate curbs and raised obstacles in your path.  As I left him today, he was talking to a former football player of his, now a coach, who called him from the Shrine Game to see how he was doing.  It had been a good day!

Progress!!!!!!!

Today during PT Lynn's therapist, Shannon, did a test where you get poked in different quadrants with a safety pin.  When he first came in on the 16th of July, they did the same test.  Lynn scored a ZERO in EVERY quadrant from above his waist on down.  Today he had strong feeling  in every quadrant on his left side down to his knees and on the right side down to his upper thigh.  On Tuesday the doctor said Lynn could regain felling and motion up to six months after the event so we were cheered by this test after  only19 days.  Please keep praying that this will improve week by week.

We also moved out of the room for meals today and ate both lunch and dinner with the other residents.  Lynn is moving back and forth from his chair so well now that this is possible.

Remote report

Today was the first day I did not go to the hospital since July 10th.  Lynn was ready for me to stay home so he shared with me about his day.  From his report I missed a very busy day.  His PT took him outside the hospital for the first time.  He went around the block surrounding Sacred Heart and learned that in a wheelchair he must be very vigilant.  I guessed he almost biffed it when he underestimated a curb cutout situation.

He also met with the wheelchair makers and ordered his chair.  They had a demo model just like the one he is having made so they are letting him keep the demo until he leaves.  That was an unexpected blessing.

He also changed rooms AGAIN.  They were getting in three new patients so Lynn agreed to move. 

All in all he was pretty exhausted when I talked to him because he had been up and in the chair for all but one hour today.  I am hoping he does get a break this weekend.

Conference Day

Every Tuesday the team of professionals meet and discuss the progress of each patient and set new weekly goals.  Lynn had a very positive assessment.  His target discharge date right now is Sept. 3rd.  He already today began doing some things on his own.  He needs minimum assistance into his chair for an example.  He also was able to go from a lying position to sitting up on his own.  If I may brag, he is AMAZING!  Thank goodness he has stayed physically fit, especially in his upper body.

We learned today that he could also drive again even if he doesn't walk.  Cars can be adapted to hands only driving!  Boy, did that cheer him up.  No special bed will be needed.  They are getting him ready to return as much as possible to the life he led before.  That is their goal.

Another positive note was that Dr. Weller believed she saw tightening in his muscles in his inner thighs today when she asked him to try and bring them together.  She told me that healing could take up to six months so keep hoping that movement will move down his torso into his legs.

As you can see, your prayers for healing and strength are being answered.  God bless!  Nancy

Rest Day

Maybe Lynn did a little too much yesterday.  His back pain flared up so they decided to give him a day off of PT.  Again some problem solving was involved because his lower back pain seems to involve his neck muscles and how much he uses them to do certain exercises and activities.  As an example he moved his eating surface way up and that really helped him while he was in his wheelchair.  I love the way they tackle barriers to wellness in this place!

Another first today was to do his own grooming at the sink.

Maybe the big news is that Lynn is getting more and more feeling back between his waist and his knees.  This gives us hope that in time it may extend down to his feet and toes.  His team members rally us each day to say never give up hope.  We really have come to have much confidence in this place.  They are amazing.

Finally, Lynn moved rooms today so he can have more privacy.  He is now in room 582.

Thank you for all the cards, emails, visits and verbal support.  His spirits remain steady and hopeful.  God bless!  Nancy

No resting on the Sabbath

Evidently there is a policy with medical insurance that once you come to Rehab you have to be involved in a certain number of hours of therapy each week. Since Lynn "lost" a day last Monday when they were doing his MRI, today was not a rest day. It was full throttle therapy. Add several visitors and he had a very full day.  This also marked his first meal sitting up in 15 days!