Another Move

It has been a roller coaster week. In Weekes mom has been busy at the hospital with Grandma, who isn't doing very well and all the kids are home. In Saskatoon, Matt will be moved to a new floor at the nursing home. Currently Matt is on C2, which is the long term ward. Now he will be moved to C4, which is the short term stay ward. Because of the transient nature of the floor, the staff may be quite different and unsure whether that may cause some difficulties. However I am sure with Matt's positive disposition and attitude he will do just fine. Also Matt will no longer be going to City rehab and will have rehab exclusively at Parkridge. When I talked to Matt last night he sounded okay about the whole thing and said that the rehab staff are going to focus on building up what movement he has. They will guarantee one day a week of standing, but their main focus will be on strengthening. So prayers that the move will be as good as all the others. I think Matt likes the thought of "short stay" and that he will be coming home. The short stay is for 90 days which will take us into August.
Monday Matt got a new cushion for his chair. It is called a ride cushion and is much harder then his previous one to prevent pressure sores and to ease his movement while in the chair, such as moving his butt and repositioning himself. He doesn't like it because his butt doesn't have much padding. But time will tell. Maybe it will be uncomfortable enough to make him change positions on his own! I was quite impressed when talking to Matt on Skype that he could lift a 710 ml plastic bottle full of pop quite easily. He can't lift a coffee mug, as his fingers don't have enough strength to hold the handle. But finds he can grip the plastic bottles quite nicely. Worked out in the gym on the upper tone machine and practiced on the mat. Did really well with his bridge, can hold himself quite awhile. While he was here, he did the bridges while in bed but was harder on a soft surface. He also practiced moving his legs from side to side by having his knees bent. He could do about 70% of the movement without help.
Tuesday Matt really concentrated on moving his left hand. He feels there is improvement but it is slow. Worked with the dumbbells and practiced in his manual wheelchair. He said the new grip system works great but felt really tired all day. He didn't get up until 1030 and went back to bed at 2 pm, then slept until 5 pm.
Wednesday Matt went to City to practice standing and walking. He was able to go about 25 feet. When he walks, he still cannot lift his foot off the ground so it is more of shuffling gait. This time he was able to actually lift his right foot off the ground 2-3 times. Matt continues to wear the brace on his left leg and the curling slider on both feet to aid in movement.
Prayers for strength at home and strength in Saskatoon. Isaiah 40:29-31 "He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.